New Quality Inn hotel celebrates opening with modern amenities on Kimberly Ave.

WEST HAVEN, March 27, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, left, cuts the ribbon with, from left, Quality Inn owners Kiran and Vanita Patel and Pete and Keyuri Patel to celebrate the hotel’s grand opening at 7 Kimberly Ave. on Wednesday.

Joining the ribbon-cutting are Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, and city Economic Development Director Steve Fontana.

The afternoon ceremony was also marked by chamber President and CEO Michael Moses and chamber board members Robert Creigh and Erin Eberhardt, the owner of West Shore Associates of West Haven.

The chamber-organized event featured welcoming remarks by Borer, McDonald and the Patels, who said they invested $2 million into renovating the former Super 8 motel into a new Quality Inn hotel with modern amenities.

Among the renovations are a new roof, siding and windows, as well as new rooms.

The two-story hotel is located off Interstate 95 and is tucked away on Kimberly Avenue near City Point Yacht Club and the Officer Robert Vincent Fumiatti Memorial Bridge, which connects West Haven and New Haven.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Borer joins West Haven Vietnam veterans to celebrate Vietnam War Veterans Day

Borer joins West Haven Vietnam vets to celebrate Vietnam War Veterans Day

WEST HAVEN, March 27, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, back, and mayor’s office volunteer Beth Sabo on Wednesday stand with members of West Haven Vietnam Veterans under a City Hall banner commemorating National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

With Borer and Sabo are, from left, member Howie Thomas, Vice President Al Beck Sr., President Dave Ricci, and members Mark Levine and Paul Anderson.

Vietnam War Veterans Day recognizes those who served in the U.S. armed forces in the Vietnam War. It is observed annually on March 29, the day in 1973 when the last American combat troops left South Vietnam, a key event in the war’s conclusion.

The observance will also mark the end of the West Haven veterans group’s 19-month poster series on the Vietnam War. The series kicked off at City Hall in September 2023 and chronicled nearly every aspect of the war.

(City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Deadline extended to April 2 for West Haven property assessment appeals

Deadline extended to April 2 for city property assessment appeals

WEST HAVEN, March 27, 2025 — The deadline for city property owners to appeal assessments on the 2024 grand list has been extended to April 2.

By law, the city cannot extend the deadline any further than April 2.

Property owners can pick up an application in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, or they can download one here .

Applications must be returned to the office, 355 Main St., or to AssessorDepartment@westhaven-ct.gov by 5 p.m. April 2.

Also, as a reminder, residents may be eligible for a senior citizen tax freeze if they have lived in West Haven for at least 20 years and qualify per income guidelines. Learn more here .

Congratulations, Big Steppers!

The West Haven Health Department is thrilled to announce the winners of the Big Stepper challenge! 🏆

🥇 First place: Money Movers — Gisela, Kara, Erin (552,698 steps)

🥈 Second place: Irish Steppers — Rachel, Kate, Kathy (497,234 steps)

Honorable mention: The Wandering Misfits — Margaret, Nico, Andressa (489,127 steps)

A huge round of applause to all our Top Steppers for going the extra mile — literally! Thank you for making this challenge a fun and engaging event.

Keep moving, stay active.

Bailey eighth graders get on-the-job experience from city department heads

WEST HAVEN, March 27, 2025 — (Pictured): Bailey Middle School eighth graders accompany city department heads at City Hall for a shadow day as part of Mayor Dorinda Borer’s Student Leadership Program on March 19.

From left: Victoria Castellanos-Renderos with Corporation Counsel Paul J. Dorsi; Ava Robison and Kailyn Kinman with City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio; Borer; acting Public Works Commissioner Robert Sandella; Kailyn Kinman with West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien; Sophia Amato, who shadowed Sandella; West Shore Fire Department Chief Rafael Zayas; Chenrick Dedungpa, who shadowed Police Chief Joseph S. Perno, not pictured; and Juan Orrego, who shadowed marketing content specialist Elizabeth Conte, not pictured.

The other participating students were Margarita Maria Buren, who shadowed the mayor, and Brendan Tucker, who shadowed a fire chief.

Borer called the program “a wonderful opportunity” for eighth graders to step into department heads’ roles and learn about the importance of their work.

“This initiative is part of our outreach to inspire young minds and give them a unique perspective on local government,” the mayor said.

For the program, Borer invited students to submit essays for an opportunity to “work” in department heads’ positions for the day.

The mayor called the essays “impressive” and thanked teacher Dina Jones for helping to coordinate them.

Borer asked department heads to “inspire, educate and engage” students by sharing their passion for what they do, including daily responsibilities, and how it impacts the city.

The department heads also involved the students in hands-on tasks or decision-making to give them a memorable experience.

The shadow day culminated with a luncheon and a Q&A session.

(City Photo/Tianna Greene)

West Haven first responders who graduated from the University of New Haven raise their hands during a news conference held by West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, center, and UNH President Jens Frederiksen, left, at City Hall on March 20. Borer and Frederiksen, flanked by more than two dozen city public safety officials and UNH leaders, announced a major town-gown partnership featuring a number of university-funded initiatives, including free tuition for West Haven police officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers and a 50% tuition discount for all high school graduates from West Haven. (City Photo/Tianna Greene)

Mayor Dorinda Borer and UNH President Jens Frederiksen tout major town-gown partnership

WEST HAVEN, March 21, 2025 — Mayor Dorinda Borer and University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen held a news conference at City Hall on March 20 to announce a major town-gown partnership that will benefit West Haven first responders and high school graduates while strengthening the ongoing relationship between the city and the university.

Watch the news conference on West Haven YouTube.

Borer and Frederiksen, who were flanked by more than two dozen West Haven public safety officials and UNH leaders, heralded a number of university-funded initiatives that will support the continued success of the city and UNH, including free tuition for West Haven police officers, firefighters and 911 dispatchers.

The initiatives, negotiated by Borer and Frederiksen, were announced in the Harriet C. North Community Room of City Hall to rousing applause from first responders.

The new partnership will also include a 50% tuition discount for all high school graduates from West Haven, regardless of the high school they have attended and provided they have lived in the city for at least one year.

Currently, the 50% tuition discount is offered only to West Haven High School graduates and city employees.

“Beginning in the fall of 2025, every police officer, every firefighter, every 911 dispatcher will now be able to attend the University of New Haven covered through a 100% scholarship offered by the University of New Haven,” said Borer, who noted that she and many first responders in attendance graduated from UNH.

“That is in excess of a $150,000 unprecedented benefit for those in public safety who work for the city of West Haven,” Borer said. “What better place would our public safety personnel want to earn their bachelor’s degree or master’s other than a university who excels in forensic science, fire science, homeland security and international relations, and so much more.”

The mayor continued: “By providing this benefit, the university is investing in the same men and women that provide service to them every day. At the same time, it is an extremely attractive tool for our city to recruit, retain — and it also helps us to build morale, as we want our public safety officials to know we value the work they do every single day.”

Frederiksen said: “We are a university with a local feel and a global reach, so a lot of exciting things are happening. Obviously this partnership is near and dear to our heart because we want to showcase the value that we add to the West Haven community. From a university perspective, I’m sure you know it’s all about economic development, opportunity and brighter futures at a time where I think we all long for community and a sense of we know where we are going. This is a critical partnership that I think we will both tremendously benefit — of course public safety personnel, city employees — but certainly also students. We want to recruit as many ‘Westies’ as we possibly can.”

Frederiksen added, “I’m just super-excited about this partnership and look forward to the future.”

Borer said to help boost enrollment for UNH and encourage participation in the tuition benefits, the city plans to send a mailer to residents.

At the morning announcement, Borer and Frederiksen were also joined by Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro, who spoke about how the expanded tuition discount will have a positive impact on high school graduates from West Haven.

Police Chief Joseph S. Perno and West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien spoke about investing in public safety and the “great relationship with the university.”

West Haven fire Capt. Jacob Urban, who is among many considering taking advantage of the new tuition-free benefit, called it a “win-win” for his department, saying, “This is something we can offer to new hires that puts us at the top of the list.”

Urban said he’s proud to demonstrate to his children the importance of taking the step to higher education.

Borer ended the news conference by announcing the university’s $500,000 purchase of North End Field, a 3.2-acre city-owned property at 1101 Campbell Ave., just across from the main campus.

The purchase of North End Field complements UNH’s recent purchase of the adjacent former Railroad Salvage site, which sits on 12.1 acres.

The purchase, which will require City Council approval before it is finalized, is a field that has not been in use for more than a decade and has become an eyesore and a hazard.

“In addition to the $500,000 revenue, we are taking a piece of property that is in disarray and nonrevenue-producing and turning it into a revenue-producing property, as the city will begin to receive PILOT funds in lieu of taxes each year from the state of Connecticut,” Borer said. “We will no longer have a drain on our public works by monitoring and cleaning this field.”

Frederiksen said the university plans to use North End for “recreational fields in the meantime.”

University of New Haven President Jens Frederiksen, center left, and West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, center right, are joined at the news conference by West Haven public safety officials and UNH leaders. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Sami Ziada celebrates 90th birthday, 70th anniversary in haircutting business

WEST HAVEN, March 21, 2025 — (Pictured): Sal’s Barbershop owner Sami Ziada marks his 90th birthday and 70th anniversary in the haircutting business with Mayor Dorinda Borer, left, and his daughter and son-in-law, Adele and Porky Gaudino, during a celebration with customers, friends and loved ones at 451 Campbell Ave. on March 18.

At the crowded party, organized by West Haven Business Alliance President Michelle Caprio, Borer presented Ziada with a mayoral citation for his “indelible contributions to the civic and cultural fabric of West Haven.”

Reading the citation, the mayor said: “Your good works have shaped our local identity and have strengthened the diversity, character and vibrancy of our business community. Congratulations on your birthday and your platinum anniversary.”

Ziada thanked everyone for supporting him while reaching his milestones but conceded they were bittersweet because of his son’s absence, former Z’s Cafe owner John “Johnny Z” Ziada, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2022.

With Sami Ziada beside her, Borer said, “I know Johnny has always been so proud of his father, and I’m sure he’s smiling down on his beautiful family.”

(City Photos/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 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.”

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.