From left, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer, Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. and assistant grant writer Vanessa Hruszko on the dock of the April Street boat launch Monday. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

City gets $152K grant to improve April St. boat ramp

WEST HAVEN, April 14, 2025 — The State Bond Commission on Friday awarded the city a $152,900 grant for improvements to the April Street boat launch, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The grant, through the Connecticut Port Authority’s Small Harbor Improvement Projects Program, will fund the planning, design and permitting of renovations to West Haven’s public boat launch, including making it more accessible to boaters.

The existing boat launch on April Street is more than a mile from the federal channel, and users are limited to narrow periods of high tide to ensure sufficient water depth for launching, according to RACE Coastal Engineering of Stratford, which specializes in coastal, structural and geotechnical engineering.

In addition, the existing launch has a single one-sided dock that limits the number of boats docking at any given time, RACE said.

“As a shoreline community, we need the marine resources necessary for all of our water-based recreation,” Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine Jr. said. “These funds give us the ability to properly vet our facility and design a safer, user-friendly launch that overcomes the issues we currently experience. It’s a huge quality-of-life issue for our local boaters.”

Borer said the state-funded plan and design will hopefully indicate how the city can upgrade the launch with additional, safer docks to make the area usable in most stages of the tide.

Assistant grant writer Vanessa Hruszko, who prepared the SHIPP grant for the city, said the improvements would support the state’s maritime policies by increasing the interest of boaters to use the launch.

“The increase in boaters will help the state’s goal of increasing the use of our waterfront for recreational purposes,” Hruszko said. “Many applications for various grants were submitted last year, and I’m grateful to start seeing them all come to fruition.”

West Haven Harbor Master Robert Pimer said the boat launch site also serves as an emergency staging area for water rescues and recoveries.

“The boat ramp serves as the public boat launch for the city,” said Pimer, who serves on the city’s Harbor Management Commission. “It also launches emergency vehicles for the police and fire departments and allows a safe haven to tow disabled boats.

“Thanks to this grant, the ramp will receive the attention it needs to bring it back to a safe and functioning boat launch.”

Borer said she used idle American Rescue Plan Act funds last year to upgrade the boat launch with new paving, lighting and fencing to make the area more user-friendly and cleaner.

“An upgrade to the boat launch will complement that effort tenfold,” the mayor said. “I want to thank Harbor Management Commission Chairman Eugene L. Pacapelli for his leadership and support for the revitalization of our boat launch.”

West Haven and Federal Emergency Management Agency officials at the West Haven Water Pollution Control Plant at 2 Beach St. on June 10, 2024. (City Photo)

City awarded $10M FEMA grant to build floodwall at wastewater treatment plant

WEST HAVEN, April 10, 2025 — The city has been awarded a $10.39 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to harden the wastewater treatment plant on Beach Street against storms, Mayor Dorinda Borer announced.

The grant — the largest federal grant in decades — is through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program and will fund the final design and construction of a flood-hardening wall to protect West Haven’s wastewater treatment infrastructure against significant flooding.

The city will receive the funding as a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities subgrant award through the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security.

“This critically important FEMA grant will protect our wastewater treatment plant against flooding and rising seas,” Borer said. “If the sewer plant is negatively impacted by significant flooding causing a compromise of the infrastructure, it could create a devastating impact across the city and Long Island Sound, and that is why everyone has worked collaboratively to bring this to fruition.

“I want to thank our grant writer, Olivia Bissanti, and our engineer, Abdul Quadir, for their collaboration on this project and assisting in securing these funds. I’m grateful for every state and federal agency that stepped up to help West Haven, including the Connecticut Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security and the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.”

The West Haven Water Pollution Control Plant is located on the Sound and has previously experienced flooding in severe weather. In nearly every storm, saltwater has damaged the plant’s equipment, jeopardizing operations and costing thousands to repair.

“FEMA’s $10.39 million grant award to the city is a game changer,” said Councilwoman Ruby Melton, D-2, whose district includes the plant at 2 Beach St. “It will fund a vitally needed project to protect the city’s wastewater treatment infrastructure against 500-year floods, which will benefit the city for years to come.”

Borer said the grant will also fund a floodwall to protect the wastewater pumping station at 167 Blohm St.

The solution to build floodwalls is supported by a comprehensive feasibility study done by the city’s engineering consultant, Black & Veatch.

Borer said the city is working with an engineering firm to complete the design and permitting process. A community engagement roundtable is expected this summer, with construction projected to begin in mid-to-late 2026.

The FEMA grant comes with a 25% cost match, which the city has included in the 2024 budget cycle for bonding, Borer said.

Connecticut honoring living World War II veterans at May 19 ceremony in Hartford

State honoring living WWII vets at May 19 ceremony

WEST HAVEN, April 10, 2025 — In a heartfelt tribute to honor and recognize the courage and sacrifice of Connecticut’s living World War II veterans, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, in collaboration with state Veterans Affairs Commissioner Ron Welch and National Guard Maj. Gen. Francis Evon, has announced a commemorative ceremony.

The event is set for 11 a.m. May 19 at the Governor William A. O’Neill State Armory at 360 Broad St. in Hartford.

The ceremony will mark the 80th anniversary of the conclusion of World War II, a pivotal moment in history that ended in September 1945.

Bysiewicz said the event will recognize and thank members of the Greatest Generation, whose dedication and bravery shaped the freedom and democracy enjoyed today.

“The state invites everyone to join in this historic tribute and express gratitude to those who served during one of the most defining periods in modern history,” Bysiewicz said.

Connecticut cities and towns are invited to participate in the tribute.

To ensure that all veterans are properly honored, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer has been asked by the lieutenant governor’s office to compile a list of the city’s living World War II veterans, including each veteran’s name, branch of service and age, by May 5.

To help Borer compile the list, families, friends and community members can email Amani Jaramoga, the mayor’s executive assistant, at ajaramoga@westhaven-ct.gov. They can also call Jaramoga at 203-937-3510.

For inquiries or details about the event, contact the lieutenant governor’s office at ltgovernor.bysiewicz@ct.gov or 860-299-5965.

Marchers sought for West Haven Memorial Day parade; applications due Friday, May 2

Marchers sought for Memorial Day parade

WEST HAVEN, April 7, 2025 — The city and the West Haven Veterans Council are seeking veterans, civic groups, fraternal organizations, service clubs and marching bands to participate in the annual Memorial Day parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. May 26.

Participants must register and list required special accommodations for the procession, which has no rain date.

The city will provide transportation for veterans who are unable to walk the 1 ½-mile parade route, which follows Campbell Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Center Street. To make arrangements, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

Download a participation form here.

Forms are also available for pickup in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St., where they are due May 2.

Completed forms must be faxed to 203-937-3621 or mailed to the West Haven Memorial Day Parade, Office of the Mayor, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516. They can also be emailed to Amani Jaramoga, the executive assistant to Mayor Dorinda Borer, at ajaramoga@westhaven-ct.gov.

Anyone with questions can call Jaramoga at 203-937-3510.

Health Director Sheila Carmon serves on panel of Women in Public Health at University of New Haven

WEST HAVEN, April 7, 2025 — (Pictured): Health Director Sheila Carmon, sitting left, represents the city as a panelist on Women in Public Health at the University of New Haven on March 26.

The event, presented by the Student Public Health Association, celebrated the inspiring contributions of women in public health.

The panel also included state Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani, the keynote speaker, sitting third from left.

Congratulations to Sheila!

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.