Local artists participating in ‘Artists Sunday’ on Nov. 29

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 17, 2020 — The city is an official partner in a national effort to promote local artists as a source for holiday gift-giving. During the busiest shopping weekend of the year, Nov. 29 has been designated as “Artists Sunday.”

“West Haven has signed on to Artists Sunday because of the wealth of creative people living and working here who have been hard-hit economically these past several months,” Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said. “Even faced with extreme challenges, they continue to enrich our community in so many ways. This is our chance to come out and show we appreciate them.”

Read the full News Release.

Virtual town hall meeting tonight

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 17, 2020 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and her staff invite fellow Westies to participate in a virtual town hall meeting on Zoom from 6-8 p.m. today.

The community event is aimed at fostering communication and transparency between City Hall and West Haven residents.

Residents can join the virtual town hall at the following Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9103126390. The meeting ID is 9103126390.

The meeting is sponsored by the mayor’s office and the University of New Haven Mayor’s Advisory Commission, a collaborative, student-driven task force founded in 2015 to strengthen town-gown relations.

The MAC is led by Chair Keyri Ambrocio, a senior studying political science and international affairs, and adviser Chris Haynes, an assistant professor of political science and national security.

All members of the community are encouraged to participate in the town hall and ask questions. The moderators are UNH student Nicholas Thompson and Haynes.

Participants can send questions before the meeting by email to nthom4@unh.newhaven.edu. They can also ask questions on Zoom by using the “Raise Hand” function.

Those watching the town hall on Facebook Live can also submit questions.

Participants are allowed one question with a one-minute time limit. At the beginning of the question, they must state their name and the subject of their question, with all comments related to the city or government of West Haven.

Moderators will use the “Thumbs Up” function as a 10-second warning and politely mute those exceeding the time limit. Participants must keep all dialogue courteous and respectful.

For information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510, or send an email to nthom4@unh.newhaven.edu.

COVID-19 Testing Site at Savin Rock Conference Center

The Veterans Walk of Honor in Bradley Point Park, West Haven. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh, File)

Veterans Day virtual event airing on West Haven YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2020 — Due to COVID-19 restrictions limiting large public gatherings, the city and the West Haven Veterans Council observed Veterans Day on Wednesday with a virtual ceremony now airing on the city’s YouTube channel.

The Veterans Walk of Honor dedication, which was rescheduled to coincide with the annual Veterans Day tribute, was postponed to 5 p.m. May 29, 2021. The dedication of the Walk of Honor’s 13th phase will memorialize veterans on the brick walkway in Bradley Point Park.

Watch the 18-minute Veterans Day ceremony on West Haven YouTube.

The ceremony featured remarks by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and Veterans Council President Dave Ricci, who were accompanied by Police Chief Joseph S. Perno and Deputy Chief Carl V. Flemmig Jr. Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, served as the master of ceremonies.

The event included the Pledge of Allegiance led by Veterans Council member Al Terr, the national anthem sung by West Haven High School senior Nora E. Mullins, and opening and closing prayers given by Victor M. Borras of Gateway Christian Fellowship.

The tribute also included a bell-ringing by members of the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and taps played by former West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon.

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.

The Veterans Council has extended the application deadline to March 15, 2021, for the 13th phase of its popular Brick Campaign.

Download a Brick Application.

In November 2006, the council began the first of 13 campaigns selling bricks to commemorate 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.

More than 2,700 bricks have been installed so far, including 51 for the 12th phase, which was dedicated May 25, 2019.

Sabatino Tartufi owner and CEO Federico Balestra, third from left, and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fourth from left, are joined by city and state officials Oct. 30 to announce that the world’s largest truffle company is expanding its global headquarters at 135 First Ave. in West Haven. From left, Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant; Councilmen Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Mitchell L. Gallignano, D-4; and state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven. (City Photo/Marcin J. Stankevitch)

West Haven truffle company expanding headquarters

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 3, 2020 — World-renowned truffle company Sabatino Tartufi is expanding its Front Avenue headquarters in West Haven’s thriving Allingtown business district, owner and CEO Federico Balestra and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced Oct. 30.

Balestra, whose family-owned business has been cultivating and distributing high-quality truffles for over a century, heralded the expansion with Rossi and her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., inside the company’s global headquarters at 135 Front Ave.

Rossi said that thanks to Esposito, the world’s largest manufacturer, importer and distributor of fresh and preserved truffles is able to stay in West Haven and expand into space next to its existing plant.

According to Rossi, Esposito helped an adjacent business owner relocate to a more suitable site, allowing Balestra to buy the property to accommodate the company’s growth.

“I am thrilled that Sabatino Tartufi can stay and expand operations in West Haven,” Rossi said. “Lou Esposito has done a very good job working with both business owners to create a scenario where they can both be happy and successful.”

Also attending the morning announcement and plant tour were state Rep. Michael A. DiMassa, D-West Haven, and City Council members Mitchell L. Gallignano, D-4, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large.

Truffles, which grow beneath trees, are edible, potato-shaped fungi regarded as a delicacy, of which more than 200 species exist. Balestra’s “diamonds of the earth” are grown in Italy, Spain, France and Australia.

According to Balestra, the three-phase, 100,000-square-foot expansion will include new office space, loading and receiving docks, parking and an automated storage system to maximize space. The multimillion-dollar project is aimed at creating an expanded area for shipping and storage to free up the existing location for increased production, he said.

Balestra said the expansion, slated for construction on the adjacent parcel next year, is expected to create up to 25 jobs.

Balestra, who lives in Greenwich, relocated his plant from the Bronx, New York, to West Haven in 2012. The 60,000-square-foot site on Front Avenue, formerly Matlaw’s Food Products Inc., was redesigned to accommodate Italian-made machines and the largest kitchen in the U.S. to taste truffle honey and truffle butter.

Balestra told city and state officials that he likes West Haven because of its proximity to Interstate 95 and regional hubs.

“The location is fantastic,” he said. “It offers the right location next to I-95 and is not too far from New York City and Boston.”

Balestra continued: “It is easy to work with the city as well. They do their best to make projects like this work.”

Sabatino Tartufi was established in 1911 by Balestra’s grandparents, Sabatino and Giuseppina Balestra, in Umbria, Italy, where they opened their first store and started distributing baked goods, olive oil and vinegar.

The third-generation company makes over 270 configurations of truffle products, including oils, seasonings, sauces, spreads, syrups and vinegars, at its Front Avenue production site and distribution center, which serves North America and processes up to 35 tons of truffles yearly, Balestra said.

The company, which has 60 employees in West Haven and 140 worldwide, also has a manufacturing plant and distribution center in Umbria. The two centers export truffles to more than 70 nations, Balestra said.

Sabatino has offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Miami, as well as in Toronto, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

During a walk-through of Sabatino as part of an Allingtown business tour in October 2019, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz praised Balestra and his company for driving economic growth in West Haven and statewide, saying, “We love that you’re a global company in West Haven, Connecticut.”

Rossi, who led last year’s tour with DiMassa, also said at the time: “I’m very glad you chose West Haven. I couldn’t be happier.”

Balestra leads officials on a tour of the truffle plant. (City Photo/Marcin J. Stankevitch)

An employee of Sabatino Tartufi holds a fresh white truffle that costs between $2,000 and $3,000 per pound. (City Photo/Marcin J. Stankevitch)

Balestra pauses with Esposito and Mayor Rossi. (City Photo/Marcin J. Stankevitch)