Yale’s Whiffenpoofs perform benefit concert at West Haven Vets Museum

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 3, 2025 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer and state Rep. Bill Heffernan, D-West Haven, join singers of Yale University’s Whiffenpoofs at the group’s benefit concert Saturday at the West Haven Veterans Museum.

The Whiffenpoofs, the nation’s oldest and best-known collegiate a cappella group, performed a wide range of old-time Yale tunes, jazz standards and other hits from its acclaimed songbook in front of a sold-out crowd.

The concert was presented by the city and raised funds for the Hood Terrace museum, a living history of America at war.

Veterans Day event and dedication of Vietnam memorial addition on Nov. 11

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 3, 2025 — The West Haven Veterans Council and the city will hold a Veterans Day tribute on the Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park at 10:45 a.m. Nov. 11.

This year’s event will also include the dedication of two granite panels at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a project shepherded by West Haven Vietnam Veterans Inc.

In June 2023, the West Haven Vietnam Memorial Inc. Committee launched a campaign to recognize additional current and former city residents who served in-country during the Vietnam War by inscribing their names on the new panels.

All veterans are invited to participate in the seaside ceremony, which will feature a presentation of the colors, a flag-raising and a wreath-laying, as well as remarks by Mayor Dorinda Borer and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci.

The public is also invited.

City Clerk John W. Lewis will serve as the master of ceremonies.

The tribute will also include a poetry reading, a bell-ringing at 11 a.m. and a performance of taps.

Watch the city’s video tribute to veterans, “West Haven: A Home for All Veterans.”

Veterans Day, formerly Armistice Day, is celebrated on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I in 1918.

To coincide with the solemn ceremony, the Veterans Council will kick off Phase 18 of its popular Brick Campaign.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 18 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 3,100 bricks have been installed to date, including 72 for Phase 17, which was dedicated May 24.

Download a Brick Application.

Applications are due March 13, 2026, and are also available in the mayor’s office at City Hall, 355 Main St. For details, call 203-937-3510.

New Haven Symphony performing Holiday Extravaganza concert on Dec. 19 at WHHS

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 3, 2025 — For the second straight year, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra is performing a Holiday Extravaganza benefit concert at West Haven High School on Dec. 19.

The 7 p.m. concert, held in the school auditorium at 1 McDonough Plaza, is presented by Mayor Dorinda Borer and will raise money for the music departments of Carrigan Intermediate and Bailey Middle schools.

Tickets cost $20 for orchestra seating and $15 for mezzanine seating.

Tickets are sold only in advance on the GoFan website and the NHSO website.

According to its website, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, led by principal pops conductor Chelsea Tipton II, will perform “a holly jolly program of festive favorites, sing-along carols, and seasonal surprises for the whole family!”

Highlights will include music from “The Polar Express,” “Home Alone,” “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” and “Sleigh Ride,” as well as a visit with a special guest from the North Pole, according to the website.

The New Haven Symphony is America’s fourth-oldest orchestra, founded in 1894.

For more than a century, the NHSO has continued the traditions of performance and education by supporting programs in schools and communities and presenting classical repertoire and pops concerts.

The orchestra has performed regularly in New Haven and toured throughout Connecticut and beyond, including concerts at New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. It has also given numerous radio broadcasts.

West Haven awarded Sustainable CT’s Bronze certification for sustainability

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 28, 2025 — Sustainable CT, a statewide initiative that inspires and supports communities to become more efficient, resilient and inclusive, has recognized the city for achieving Bronze-level certification as a sustainable community.

Sustainable CT Executive Director Jessica LeClair said West Haven met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments to qualify for the prestigious Bronze certification, which is good for three years.

“We are delighted to have regained our status in Sustainable CT after having it go dormant for a number of years,” Mayor Dorinda Borer said. “This recognition shows the commitment we have made to create a thriving and resilient community and inspires us to continue our efforts down this path. I’m proud of the work our assistant grant writer, Vanessa Hruszko, did to help us get to this point.”

“Next stop, Silver certification!” Borer exclaimed.

In its application for Sustainable CT certification, West Haven demonstrated “significant achievements” in 13 sustainable impact areas, LeClair said, ranging from inclusive community building and thriving local economies to vibrant arts and culture and clean transportation.

The city amassed 265 points in 21 of 78 possible action categories, far exceeding the required 200 points for Bronze certification, according to Hruszko, who prepared West Haven’s certification application.

“This project really highlights the work the city is doing in terms of equity, climate resiliency, the arts and inclusiveness,” Hruszko said. “The city has made great strides in keeping citizens educated on the great projects being worked on and providing wonderful programming for all residents. This application process has assisted us with identifying new grant and funding opportunities we’re currently working on.”

Area communities also receiving Bronze certification include Beacon Falls, Cheshire, Guilford and Woodbridge.

“Congratulations to our certified communities,” LeClair said. “We are inspired by the leadership and commitment of these communities. From elected officials and town staff to resident volunteers, these certified towns are improving opportunities and the quality of life for all.”

“Once again, our municipalities have successfully initiated and implemented projects that address climate resilience, energy efficiency, equity, land conservation, waste reduction and economic development, among other important priorities,” said co-Chair Nicole Chevalier of Sustainable CT’s board of directors. “The work these towns do is critical to achieving the state’s ambitious environmental and climate objectives, and we are incredibly proud of them.”

The Sustainable CT program includes actions that help cities and towns build community connection, social equity and long-term resilience. It includes an action road map and support tools that are especially relevant, Chevalier said, as communities seek practices and resources to promote racial justice and respond to the ongoing challenges of climate change and economic uncertainty.

Board co-Chair Michael Purcaro said he sees profound changes taking place across the state.

“By recognizing the natural environment as the foundation for the health and well-being of all people, our sustainable initiatives are driving real change in towns and cities across Connecticut,” Purcaro said. “We’re seeing improved efficiency in the delivery of government services, significant cost savings and a stronger sense of community.

“We congratulate our award recipients and commend them for their collective work to create a more vibrant state that provides opportunities for all to thrive.”

Sustainable CT is philanthropically funded, with support from the Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation, the Hampshire Foundation, the Common Sense Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank and the Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut.

Energy assistance offered in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 28, 2025 — The city is accepting applications for the federally funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Appointments for all heating sources can be made by calling 203-937-3572.

Applications will be processed via phone by appointment Monday through Thursday. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Applicants who have difficulty speaking English are asked to have a translator.

Eligibility for assistance is based on the income of an applicant’s household. To qualify, applicants must provide pay stubs, including monthly Social Security benefits and pension incomes, for all household members 18 and older.

Applicants must also provide SNAP benefits, Social Security numbers and birth dates for all household members, as well as current utility bills for the household.