WHHS Band shows off new instruments supported by Borer

West Haven High School Band shows off new instruments supported by Borer

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 4, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, center, gets a front-row showing of the West Haven High School Band’s new instruments by director Donata Lupacchino-Nelsen, back left, and band members and students of her Advanced Placement music theory class on Monday.

Borer, a staunch advocate of the arts and music enrichment, supported the purchase of the instruments — an 88-key Yamaha P-S500 smart digital piano and a 34-inch Zildjian orchestral gong with a heavy-duty stand — through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Lupacchino-Nelsen said the band is looking forward to a special “Holiday Extravaganza: Joy to the World!” performance by the New Haven Symphony Orchestra at West Haven High on Dec. 13.

The 7 p.m. concert is presented by the city and will take place in the school auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza.

Tickets cost $20 for orchestra seating and $15 for mezzanine seating.

Tickets are sold only in advance on the GoFan website and the NHSO website .

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit West Haven Public Schools’ music department.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

10-year-old Shyann Jones helps Borer light West Haven Green Christmas Tree

An exuberant West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, holding microphone, reacts as Santa Claus helps Carrigan Intermediate School fifth grader Shyann Jones push down on a gift-wrapped plunger box to light the West Haven Green Christmas Tree at the city’s annual holiday kickoff Saturday. With them are, from left, West Haven United co-Chair Jaime Connellan and Mrs. Claus. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

10-year-old Shyann Jones helps Borer light the West Haven Green Christmas Tree

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 4, 2024 — Santa and Mrs. Claus accompanied Mayor Dorinda Borer and her special guest, Carrigan Intermediate School fifth grader Shyann Jones, to light the West Haven Green Christmas Tree at the city’s annual holiday kickoff Saturday.

After arriving in the West Haven Fire Department’s 1935 Mack pump firetruck, Santa and Mrs. Claus were escorted to a portable stage on the Main Street side of the Green by the West Haven High School cheerleading team to chants of “Here We Go, Santa, Here We Go!” and shouts of glee from hundreds of bundled-up merrymakers.

The stage was bedecked with giant presents that lit up each side.

Before the lighting, WOW Radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies, thanked and praised Borer’s special guest as the all-ages crowd clapped and cheered.

Borer then lead revelers in a countdown before Santa helped 10-year-old Shyann push down on a gift-wrapped plunger box to set the tree — and the Green — aglow.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery here.

West Haven observing Pearl Harbor Day on Dec. 7

West Haven observing Pearl Harbor Day on Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 4, 2024 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council will observe Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

All veterans are invited to participate in the solemn service, which will commemorate the 83rd anniversary of Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The public is also invited.

The annual ceremony, held in front of the Walk of Honor’s William A. Soderman Memorial, will commence with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and a flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard.

It will feature remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer and Rick Spreyer, Borer’s chief of staff and the master of ceremonies.

West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien will read the names of the 18 Connecticut servicemen who died in the Japanese bombing of the U.S. Navy base on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. A firefighter will toll the department’s chrome bell each instant a name is called.

Connecticut’s last known Pearl Harbor survivor died in 2020 at age 99.

The Pearl Harbor tribute will include the Pledge of Allegiance, the singing of the national anthem, and opening and closing prayers.

It will also include a poetry reading, a wreath-laying and a performance of taps.

The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is led by pops conductor Chelsea Tipton II. (Contributed Photo/NHSO)

New Haven Symphony performing ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ concert at WHHS on Dec. 13

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 4, 2024 — The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is performing a special “Holiday Extravaganza: Joy to the World!” concert at West Haven High School on Dec. 13, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The 7 p.m. concert is presented by the city and will take place in the school auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza.

Tickets cost $20 for orchestra seating and $15 for mezzanine seating.

Tickets are sold only in advance on the GoFan website or the NHSO website.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit West Haven Public Schools’ music department.

“I am overjoyed to bring this special holiday concert by the world-renowned New Haven Symphony Orchestra to West Haven as part of our efforts to revitalize arts and entertainment across the city,” Borer said. “This spirited performance for all ages will also serve as a way to support our school district’s music department as we recognize the value and importance of the arts among our youth. It enriches lives no matter the age.”

According to its website, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra’s Pops Series, conducted by Chelsea Tipton II, will bring the music and magic of the holiday season to West Haven for a special concert benefiting the arts in the city’s public schools.

“Families and friends will come together to experience the joy of holiday music from around the world in Connecticut’s favorite festive tradition!” according to the NHSO website.

The New Haven Symphony is America’s fourth-oldest orchestra, founded in 1894.

For more than a century, the NHSO has continued the traditions of performance and education by supporting programs in schools and communities and presenting classical repertoire and pops concerts.

The orchestra has performed regularly in New Haven and toured throughout Connecticut and beyond, including concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. It has also given numerous radio broadcasts.

City issues notice for leaf bags

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 4, 2024 — Leaf bag pickup will end the week of Dec. 9 on residents’ regular trash pickup days.

West Haven residents are asked to put leaves and grass clippings in separate biodegradable paper bags for curbside pickup. Plastic bags are prohibited.

Crews will not pick up leaf/grass bags after the week of Dec. 9. After that, residents must bring all bags — paper, no plastic — to the city’s compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Proof of residence is required.

Leaf bag pickup will resume in mid-April 2025.

Also, per city ordinance, blowing leaves into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense.

Revaluation project update: Property owners will receive new valuation notices in December

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 26, 2024 — The city’s ongoing revaluation project will determine the fair market value of every property for the purpose of a fair and equitable distribution of the tax burden.

Property revaluations are mandated by the state and must occur every five years.

Appraisal staff members from West Haven’s revaluation contractor, Vision Government Solutions Inc. of Hudson, Massachusetts, have been analyzing residential property sales and performing parcel-by-parcel reviews of value.

While valuations will continue through November as new property sales occur, the revaluation date of appraisal is Oct. 1.

Property owners can expect to receive a new value notice in December.

The new property valuations will be available online for the public’s review when notices are mailed. The site will allow inquiry access to the assessor’s database, including value summary, property data and general revaluation information.

Property owners can review their new assessment on Vision’s website: https://www.vgsi.com/.

Property owners with questions about the revaluation process or the data collected on their property will have an opportunity to meet with a Vision representative to discuss their new valuation through an informal telephone hearing or an in-person hearing from December through early January.

Property owners wishing to appeal their new assessment after the informal hearing process with Vision is complete must file a written appeal to the city’s Board of Assessment Appeals on or before Feb. 20, 2025.

BAA appeal forms will be available online and in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

For more information on the revaluation process, visit https://www.vgsi.com/taxpayer-revaluation-information/.

For questions about the revaluation process or additional information, call the assessor’s office at 203-937-3515.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra program combines literacy and music to create musical readers

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 25, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer gives a thumbs-up to first and second graders of Washington Elementary School as violinist Stephan Tieszen of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra plays his instrument while telling a story, “Mole Music,” on Nov. 25.

The literacy and music event, presented by Borer, was part of the orchestra’s “Creating Musical Readers” program, in which musicians bring musical stories to life as they read to students and their instruments become part of the story.

The NHSO is performing a special “Holiday Extravaganza: Joy to the World!” concert at West Haven High School on Dec. 13.

The 7 p.m. concert is presented by the city and will take place in the school auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza.

Tickets cost $20 for orchestra seating and $15 for mezzanine seating.

Tickets are sold only in advance on the GoFan website and the NHSO website .

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit West Haven Public Schools’ music department.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

The brick Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park, West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)

Veterans Council launches 2025 Brick Campaign

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 19, 2024 — The West Haven Veterans Council has launched the 17th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 17 campaigns selling bricks to memorialize veterans on the 100-yard Walk of Honor between the William A. Soderman and Vietnam Veterans memorials.

The bricks, which cost $75, have charcoal lettering for personalized messages.

About 3,000 bricks have been installed to date, including 47 for Phase 16, which was dedicated May 25.

Download a brick application here.

Applications, due March 14, 2025, are also available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.

Mayor Dorinda Borer launches new marketing video showcase, ‘West Haven: A Home for All Veterans’

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 1, 2024 — Mayor Dorinda Borer has launched “West Haven: A Home for All Veterans,” the latest video showcase in the city’s new promotional series, “Discover West Haven.”

Check out the video.

Residents’ input sought for community development, housing needs survey; deadline is Dec. 20

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 16, 2024 — Residents can share their opinions as the city updates its five-year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

A brief survey of needs and priorities is available to residents on the West Haven Community Development Administration webpage. Residents can also take the survey by scanning the QR code below.

Residents must return the survey to rosa@westhaven-ct.gov by Dec. 20.

The goal is to prepare a plan that describes West Haven’s housing and community development needs and implement a strategy for 2025-29.

The seven-question survey can be completed in a few minutes. Information will be from the survey, workshops and other sources.