Moody’s upgrades West Haven’s bond rating, S&P maintains city’s A- rating with ‘positive’ outlook

WEST HAVEN, March 12, 2025 — Moody’s Ratings on Wednesday, March 12, upgraded West Haven’s general obligation bond rating from Baa3 to Baa2, while S&P Global maintained the city’s long-term credit rating at A- with a “positive” outlook, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

Borer said she’s delighted about the Baa2 rating upgrade and maintaining the A- rating.

“The continual upgrades in the national credit ratings are tangible evidence that West Haven continues to move in the right direction,” Borer said. “This has been a wider team effort, and I’m thankful to everyone involved for focusing, buckling down and working to change the way we do business. This includes our residents who have been patiently understanding and receptive to changes that were necessary in order to move the needle.”

The mayor added, “I’m proud of our city collectively.”

In its analysis upgrading West Haven’s 2025 general obligation bonds, Moody’s said: “The town’s financial position has benefitted from notably improved financial management” ... “and a wholesale replacement of people in many of the key political and administrative positions over the last year. As such, governance is a key driver of the rating assignment.”

The report continued, “In addition, the fiscal 2023 audit was published on-time, breaking a two year streak of late audits.”

According to S&P’s analysis, the city’s A- rating “reflects our view of West Haven's adoption and implementation of stronger financial management practices, coupled with improvement in internal controls.”

The New York agency said the rating also reflects that “the city has been taking positive steps to address these issues and completed its fiscal 2024 audit in a timely manner.”

In addition to governance, another aspect of criteria that West Haven was rated on was environmental.

“Although rising sea levels and extreme weather events pose long-term risks for the city, we believe management continues to plan and implement resiliency efforts to help minimize them,” the report said.

S&P touted West Haven’s positive outlook, saying: “The positive outlook reflects the city’s strong performance resulting in increases in available reserves and improved financial management practices. The outlook also reflects what we believe is a one-in-three chance that we could raise the rating if the city can continue its positive performance.”

In its credit opinion regarding management, the agency said, “With a new administration as of January 2024, the city has taken several steps to cure the deficiencies highlighted in the fiscal 2023 audit and improve its internal control functions.”

Mayor Borer reads across West Haven!

WEST HAVEN, March 12, 2025 — Mayor Dorinda Borer read to elementary school students across the city in celebration of Read Across America Week recently.

Borer visited Savin Rock Community School, the West Haven Child Development Center and Mackrille Elementary School as part of her reading tour, which highlighted the importance of literacy while marking Dr. Seuss’ birthday.

Read Across America, established in 1998, is an initiative of the Washington, D.C.-based National Education Association to encourage reading. The year-round program focuses on “motivating children to read through events, partnerships and reading resources that are about everyone, for everyone.”

(City Photos/Michael P. Walsh, Elizabeth Conte and Tianna Greene)

Applications available March 31-May 2 for West Haven Summer Youth Employment Program

WEST HAVEN, March 12, 2025 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program will be available from March 31-May 2 in the main entrance of West Haven High School and the main office of Bailey Middle School.

Applications are available on the city website for students who do not attend West Haven High or Bailey. Download an application here.

The summer program, which begins July 7 and runs at least six weeks, is aimed at funding positions for city residents ages 14-21.

Students must return applications with all required documents to West Haven High from 7-8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays or to Bailey from 8-9 a.m. Tuesdays or Thursdays.

Online applications must be returned to West Haven High from 7-8 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays.

No applications will be accepted after May 2.

Students must also include copies of information, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card, as well as documentation of household income.

Family income is based on the number of people per household and is required to be within 185% of state poverty income levels.

In addition, some work sites will require a COVID-19 vaccination. Students must indicate their vaccination status on the application.

Incomplete applications will not be processed. Applicants will be notified by mail or phone if more information is needed.

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

Applications due Friday for 2025 Brick Campaign

WEST HAVEN, March 12, 2025 — 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, 2024.

Download a brick application here.

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

Stephen D. “Steve” Dargan, a former 13-term West Haven state representative, has been named the city’s 2025 Irishman of the Year. Dargan, 69, a second-generation Irish American, will receive the “Irish Person of the Year” honor during West Haven’s 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration outside City Hall’s Campbell Avenue entrance at noon March 17. (Christine Stuart Photo)

Steve Dargan named city’s 2025 Irishman of the Year

WEST HAVEN, March 6, 2025 — Stephen D. “Steve” Dargan, who has devoted his life to public service and has worked tirelessly to improve his city, state and Irish community, has been named West Haven’s Irishman of the Year.

Dargan, the grandson of Irish immigrants, will receive the honor at the city’s 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at noon March 17.

The West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Committee will fete the city’s top Irishman by hanging a green street sign designating City Hall’s Campbell Avenue entrance as “Stephen D. Dargan Square” for a year.

Read the full news release here.

Nice Day Chinese restaurant marks grand opening on Sawmill Road in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 27, 2025 — (Pictured): Holding oversize scissors, Yong Zhao and Wanting Zhang, the husband-wife owners of Nice Day Chinese Takeout, clap after cutting the ribbon with Mayor Dorinda Borer, second from left, to celebrate the grand opening of the couple’s Chinese American restaurant at 153 Sawmill Road on Feb. 21.

Joining them are, from left, state Reps. MJ Shannon, D-Milford, and Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, and West Haven Business Alliance President Michelle Caprio.

The Sawmill Road location, formerly Great Wall Chinese Restaurant, joins five other Nice Day Chinese restaurants owned by Zhao and Zhang in Connecticut, including New Haven, and in New York.

Nice Day Chinese began in 2021 with a series of pop-ups in New York City, one of which gained national attention when NBC “Today” weather anchor Al Roker regularly visited and featured it on his broadcasts.

Encouraged by the pop-up events’ success, Zhao and Zhang took the next step in 2022 and planned their first permanent location.

The couple acquired their first restaurant in Huntington on Long Island as part of their rebranding initiative. Their mission was clear: acquire beloved but aging Chinese restaurants, modernize their operations, and maintain the authenticity of their food while elevating the quality and experience for a new generation of diners.

With a workforce of more than 100 employees, both full and part time, Nice Day has quickly established itself as a leader in the next era of Chinese American dining.

Nice Day’s Sawmill Road restaurant is nestled in Hillcrest Plaza with other small businesses and offers dine-in, delivery and catering options. It is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Zhao and Zhang chose the bustling retail corridor for a restaurant location because of the area’s dense population and proximity to West Haven Station, the city’s Metro-North Railroad commuter station, and to major traffic routes.

Nice Day combines classic flavors with a contemporary twist. Some of its signature dishes include Cheeseburger Egg Rolls, a fusion of American comfort food and Chinese crispy rolls; Ginger Pork, a fresh and flavorful take on a traditional favorite; and General Tso’s Chicken, made with all-natural ingredients for a cleaner, more authentic taste.

One standout dish is Ginger Beef, introduced by a renowned Canadian chef who joined the Nice Day team. As the head chef of the West Haven and New Haven locations, his expertise has made Ginger Beef one of the most popular menu items in Connecticut.

Zhao and Zhang were born and raised in China and hold multiple master’s degrees from Yale University in environmental science, philosophy and environmental policy.

Beyond their business endeavors, they are deeply committed to supporting the local communities they serve.

“We use food as a universal language to express ideas of living and communication within the communities,” Zhao said. “Food is our connection to new friends.”

With their innovative approach, the couple are not just serving meals; they are shaping the future of Chinese American dining — one restaurant at a time.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Taxes due now in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 4, 2025 — The second installment of city tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle, sewer — was due Jan. 1, and payments after Feb. 3 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, per state law.

The 2023 supplemental motor vehicle bills are for vehicles registered after Oct. 1, 2023, and were also due Jan. 1.

After Feb. 3, interest will be charged on the installment due from Jan. 1 at the rate of 1 ½% per month.

Payments — full or partial — can be made by cash, check, credit card, debit card or money order from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays in the tax office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. The building has an ATM on the first floor.

Taxpayers can also make payments online at My Tax Bill. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate tab. Tax payment history can also be viewed and printed.

The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are available at Payments.

During tax season, taxes can be paid by the drop box outside the interior door of the tax office from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Do not leave cash or credit card information in the drop box.

When paying by drop box, the canceled check is the receipt.

Taxes can also be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, City of West Haven, P.O. Box 401, West Haven, CT 06516.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay by cash, credit card, debit card or money order.

West Haven property owners should be advised that the January installment of taxes does not reflect any changes in real property assessments that may have been indicated in a revaluation notice they have received. The revaluation adjustments will be applied to the tax billing starting in July. For more information, visit the Assessor’s Office webpage .

As part of the city’s revaluation, property values have increased. However, to ensure that the overall tax burden remains balanced, the mill rate will be adjusted downward. The adjustment will help offset the increase in property values, resulting in a more equitable tax bill.

Tax relief programs for elderly, disabled homeowners offered

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 4, 2025 — The assessor’s office is accepting applications by appointment for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners.

West Haven residents can apply for the programs, based on their 2024 taxable and untaxable incomes, weekdays through May 15 in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. For an appointment, call 203-937-3515. No walk-ins.

The state offers a tax reduction benefit depending on income and marital status through the circuit breaker program. To qualify, the applicant or spouse must be 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2024, or permanently and totally disabled as defined by Social Security.

Income limits, including Social Security, are $55,100 for married applicants and $45,200 for a single applicant. Those eligible for the program must reapply every two years.

To qualify for the West Haven tax freeze program, the applicant must be age 70 by Dec. 31, 2024, and have lived in the city for at least 20 consecutive years with nobody under age 25 living in the home. The program will freeze the city portion of the resident’s taxes only for the upcoming year.

Income limits, excluding Social Security, are $50,000 for married applicants and $35,000 for a single applicant. Those eligible for the program must reapply annually.

The assessor’s office is also accepting applications until Oct. 1 for additional veterans exemptions. The maximum income is $55,100 for married applicants and $45,200 for a single applicant.

For veterans who are 100% service connected, income limits are $24,000 for married applicants and $21,000 for a single applicant. Social Security and veterans disability payments do not count for 100% disabled veterans only. All other ratings must include veterans disability payments and Social Security.