From left, state Sen. Martin M. Looney, state Comptroller Sean Scanlon and West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer clap and cheer as West Haven Irishman of the Year Stephen D. “Steve” Dargan, assisted by grandnephew Pierce Dargan, 12, and grandniece Reagan Neal, 7, unveils his Kelly green street sign designating City Hall Square as “Stephen D. Dargan Square” for the next year at the 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Monday. The cultural event, presented by the West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Committee in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, was held in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall because of rain. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Irish eyes smile on Stephen D. Dargan as West Haven’s 2025 Irishman of the Year

WEST HAVEN, March 18, 2025 — Mayor Dorinda Borer, a former three-term state representative, helped her friend and mentor Stephen D. “Steve” Dargan, a former 13-term state representative, reveal a Kelly green street sign designating City Hall Square as “Stephen D. Dargan Square” for the next year at West Haven’s 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Monday.

For just the second time since the event began in 1992, and for the first time since Paul and Therese Gill were honored as West Haven’s Irish Couple of the Year in 2007, the ceremony was held indoors because of rain.

In the cozy quarters of City Hall’s Harriet C. North Community Room, Dargan, a second-generation Irish American, received gifts of appreciation, including an embroidered navy blue “Irishman of the Year” jacket, and remarks of praise from Borer commending the city’s top Irishman for “dedicating his time and talents to our spirited Irish American community.”

In addition to the mayor reading a proclamation citing Dargan’s devotion to public service and “his vibrant heritage and culture,” the festivities featured the unveiling of the street sign naming City Hall’s Campbell Avenue entrance for the honoree until next year’s celebration, when the lifelong Westie will pass his title to a fellow person of Irish ancestry.

Although the rectangular sign was revealed inside City Hall, it was later hung above the Campbell Avenue entrance.

At the start of the 55-minute program, last year’s recipient, former West Haven school nurse Sandy McCauley, received her retired sign to take home.

The West Haven St. Patrick’s Day Committee each year recognizes an Irish resident or couple who exemplifies service in the city’s close-knit Irish community.

Despite the rain — and revealing his May 2024 Stage 4 cancer diagnosis — Dargan showed off his signature sense of humor, cracking: “A great philosopher said, ‘It’s better to be inside than be outside wet,’ “and that philosopher is me,” drawing laughter from the capacity crowd, many donning Aran sweaters and other Irish garb.

As the sound of Celtic music played by bagpipers and drummers filled the room during the cultural event in honor of Ireland’s patron saint, Dargan toasted his forebears with more than 100 of his closest friends and family members from near and afar, along with a sea of shamrock-clad dignitaries, including former and current political leaders and fire and police officials, and descendants of folks from the Emerald Isle.

Read the full story and see the photo gallery here.

West Haven Irishman of the Year Steve Dargan, center, is joined by, from left, state Comptroller Sean Scanlon; Joseph Rodriguez, the deputy state director of U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s Hartford office; state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven; U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3; former state House Speaker Thomas D. Ritter; Dargan’s grandnephew Pierce Dargan, 12, and grandniece Reagan Neal, 7; West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer; state Sen. Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven; Dargan’s sister, Mary Dargan; and master of ceremonies David Coyle. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

AFD launches code enforcement program to address fire risks in unregulated apartments

WEST HAVEN, March 18, 2025 — In response to the alarming rise in home fire deaths, and the heightened risks faced by residents living in unregulated basement and attic apartments, the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown is launching a new, targeted code enforcement program.

The initiative aims to enhance fire safety and protect vulnerable populations within the community.

Read the full news release here.

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.

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.