Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Activated

WEST HAVEN, July 28, 2025 — In coordination with Gov. Ned Lamont’s activation of the Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, Mayor Dorinda Borer has activated the city’s Extreme Hot Weather Protocol from noon today to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

The following alerts are also in effect: Heat Advisory, Hazardous Weather Outlook and Air Quality Alert.

The alerts contain a heat index where temperatures will feel like 100 degrees or higher Tuesday and Wednesday. The extreme high humidity will cause those with preexisting medical or breathing conditions to be at risk of complications, including the very young and the elderly, and all vulnerable populations are encouraged to stay aware. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Limit outside activities when possible, and wear light and loose clothing. Be sure to limit outside daytime exposure to pets as well.

Both city libraries and the West Haven Senior Center will serve as cooling centers during normal business hours. For additional cooling center information if traveling or visiting other Connecticut communities, call 211. Remember to call 911 for heat-related emergencies.

For more information on the Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, visit the city website: https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/.

For cooling center information and tips to stay cool, click on “Ways to Beat the Heat: West Haven’s Guide to Staying Cool.”

Butterfly sculpture dedicated at former fountain site in West Haven’s Old Grove

WEST HAVEN, July 23, 2025 — Mayor Dorinda Borer joined city native Brian F. Banning Jr. to unveil a butterfly sculpture dedicated to his late mother in Old Grove Park on July 22.

Banning, who now lives in Tennessee, donated the sculpture to the city in memory of his mom, Phyllis Banning, who loved butterflies.

The former Phyllis Franco died unexpectedly in 2023 at age 69.

The newly erected butterfly sculpture was created by Dale Rogers, a metal sculptor from Haverhill, Massachusetts, and stands in place of a fountain that had long been a centerpiece of the shoreline park on Palace Street.

The sculpture features a silver stainless steel butterfly atop a brown weathering steel stand and base. The double-sided butterfly faces east and west for the sunrise and sunset, in accordance with Banning Jr.’s wishes.

The sculpture is encircled by purple coneflowers — Phyllis Banning’s favorite color — as well as a silver plaque adorned with a purple border and a purple inscription memorializing Banning.

During the late-morning ceremony, Borer welcomed the Banning and Franco families and delivered heartwarming remarks about Phyllis Banning.

Banning Jr. was accompanied by his sister, Sandy Ballard, and his brothers, William and Nicholas Banning, along with other members of his mother’s family, including siblings and grandchildren.

He thanked Borer, mayor’s office volunteer Beth Sabo and the city for their partnership in making the project happen.

“Today we gather not just to mourn a loss but to honor a life, a life that meant so much to so many,” said Banning Jr., reading prepared remarks. “My mother, Phyllis Banning, was the kind of person who quietly left the world better than she found it. She loved deeply, gave freely, and taught me the value of kindness and resilience.”

He continued: “Phyllis wasn’t just my mother; she was a Westie through and through. Raised right here in West Haven, this city was in her blood. She walked these beaches, knew every corner of town and carried the heart of West Haven with her everywhere she went.

“This butterfly sculpture now placed here by the shoreline — where the ocean meets the sky — symbolizes her spirit: free, graceful and ever-present. Butterflies remind us that transformation is part of life. Though she has left this world, she has transformed into something that continues to touch us — in memory, in love and in the quiet moments when we still feel her near.”

Banning Jr. concluded his remarks with a final tribute to his mom.

“One thing she always said was, ‘It’s never goodbye; it’s see you later,’” he said, choking back tears.

Banning Jr. said he chose the location because of his frequent visits to the Grove when he was young and because he thought it would “remind all who pass by of the beauty, hope and enduring power of a mother’s love.”

Tony Inzero Farmers Market kicks off 2025 season

WEST HAVEN, July 21, 2025 — The Tony Inzero Farmers Market has kicked off its 2025 season.

The farmers market is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Thursday on the Green, at Campbell Avenue and Main Street, and every Saturday next to the Oak Street Beach parking lot, off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

The market will feature homegrown fruits and vegetables, baked goods and homemade crafts through Oct. 11.

Parking is available on Campbell Avenue and in the City Hall municipal lot, 355 Main St., as well as in the Oak Street municipal lot and on Palace Street. Oak Street is on the senior shuttle route and the CTtransit route.

The farmers market was dedicated in 2010 in memory of Anthony F. “Tony” Inzero, a leader in the downtown business community who co-owned Flower Affair on Campbell Avenue with Betty DelVecchio for many years. Inzero was a founding member and longtime president of the West Haven Business Association who spearheaded a variety of events and programs to drum up business for fellow merchants, including the first farmers market in 2000.

Inzero, who lived in Hamden, died in 2009 at age 59.

Program supports kids with siblings with disabilities

WEST HAVEN, April 25, 2025 — West Haven Youth and Family Services is excited to launch a new program at WHINC in collaboration with Southern Connecticut SIBshop at Southern Connecticut State University.

The program, SIBshop, is designed to support children in West Haven who have siblings with disabilities.

SIBshops provide a unique space where children can connect with peers, enjoy recreational activities and build emotional resilience. While many children express positive experiences growing up alongside a sibling with a disability, they often face unique challenges, such as emotional stress, a heightened sense of responsibility or a drive to “compensate” through high achievement.

While the primary focus is on Spanish-speaking families, all are welcome. The program is limited to eight spots.

For more information, contact youth services coordinator Coraly Colon at 203-943-8802 or ccolon@westhaven-ct.gov.