Rossi proclaims Nov. 27 ‘Small Business Saturday’ in city

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi has announced the city’s participation in the 12th annual Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27.

Nov. 27 also marks the lighting of West Haven’s Christmas tree on the Green. The Yuletide event attracts hundreds of people each year, many of whom Rossi hopes take advantage of sales at downtown specialty shops.

Small Business Saturday falls between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It is a day to support the small, independently owned businesses that help create jobs, boost the economy and keep communities thriving across the country.

“I encourage everyone to patronize our local businesses on Small Business Saturday,” Rossi said. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and need our support more than ever.”

Small Business Saturday was established by American Express in 2010 in response to the most pressing need of small-business owners — more customers — and has served as the ceremonial kickoff to the holiday shopping season for small businesses ever since.

According to AmEx, U.S. shoppers reported spending a record $19.8 billion at independent retailers and restaurants on Small Business Saturday in 2020.

Similar to last year, the Small Business Saturday Coalition, led by Women Impacting Public Policy, a nonpartisan small-business advocate known as WIPP, is rallying mayors nationwide to encourage local consumers to shop small on Nov. 27.

“Some of our small businesses are still trying to bounce back from the pandemic and now supply chain issues,” Rossi said. “Please consider doing your holiday shopping locally — and don’t forget, gift certificates make some of the greatest gifts.”

In recognizing the importance of supporting independently owned businesses, Rossi has issued a Small Business Saturday proclamation declaring the special observance in West Haven.

Read the Proclamation.

Merchants and consumers can learn more about Small Business Saturday, including how to participate, at Shop Small.

Rossi, Shine sign centennial book; next signing is Nov. 17

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and author Dan Shine sign a paperback copy of the new centennial book, “City of West Haven: Village to Town,” for Juliet Taylor, an Army veteran from Bridgeport, in the first-floor foyer of City Hall on Oct. 20. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Centennial book signing set for Wednesday at library

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 15, 2021 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and author Dan Shine will sign copies of the new centennial book, “City of West Haven: Village to Town,” from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday at the city’s Main Library, 300 Elm St.

The $20 book, printed in partnership with GHP Media of West Haven, chronicles the stories and photos that shaped West Haven’s past 100 years. The information was sourced from the “Historian’s Corner” series written by Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history.

The 116-page historical work, which has black-and-white and full-color photos, was commissioned by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee to commemorate West Haven’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest town, said Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman.

The book is also available for purchase in the Department of Human Resources at City Hall, 355 Main St., or by calling Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, the committee’s chairwoman, at 203-937-3558.

This holiday season, give the gift of the West Haven centennial book. Get a copy while supplies last!

From left, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown firefighter/paramedic Thomas O’Toole, Chief Michael R. Terenzio, Capt. Jason Cameron and firefighter Mike DiMassa at the Centennial Fire Expo in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center on Nov. 6. The department recently kicked off its Child Safety Car Seat Installation and Inspection Program. (COWHFD Allingtown Photo)

Allingtown FD kicks off child passenger safety program

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2021 — City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio has announced the department’s new Child Safety Car Seat Installation and Inspection Program.

Read the full News Release.

Terenzio has also announced a donation of eight car seats by Target of Orange to the child passenger safety program.

Read the full News Release.

City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo talks about the memorials, monuments and statues for veterans in West Haven and the annual ceremonies commemorating them during “A Salute to 100 Years of Veterans,” a centennial exhibit honoring the community’s service members at the West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center on Nov. 7. Sabo is chairwoman of the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, which presented the four-hour exhibit in the 9,000-square-foot museum at 30 Hood Terrace. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Exhibit honors 100 years of veterans; watch on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 12, 2021 — The West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center on Nov. 7 presented “A Salute to 100 Years of Veterans,” a centennial exhibit honoring the community’s service members.

The four-hour exhibit, held by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, was part of a six-month series of free events marking the community’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality, said Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman.

The public display included a “visual representation,” or wall, of more than 300 names of West Haven men and women from the past 100 years who defended the liberty and integrity of the United States while serving in all branches of the armed forces, said Arlene DeGrand Painter, who manages the museum.

Frank Chasney, the president of the museum’s board of directors, led the Pledge of Allegiance before introducing Russell Armstead, the deputy executive director of the West Haven VA Medical Center, who delivered remarks on the long history of the Veterans Affairs hospital at 950 Campbell Ave.

City Human Resources Commissioner Beth A. Sabo, the committee’s chairwoman, talked about the memorials, monuments and statues for veterans in West Haven and the annual ceremonies commemorating them.

Read the full story, see the photos and watch the video at Centennial Veterans Exhibit.

Community input sought for ARPA funds

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — The city has received funding from the U.S. Treasury Department’s American Rescue Plan Act and is seeking input from residents.

West Haven residents are asked to provide suggestions and recommendations regarding project proposals for consideration. Projects must fit the federal criteria.

Read Mayor Nancy R. Rossi’s full announcement letter and take the online survey at Letter and Survey.

An aerial view of the West Haven Centennial Fire Expo on Nov. 6. Families, fire service enthusiasts, and paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state turned out to see the colorful fleet of engines and trucks, including antique fire apparatus, on display in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center. West Haven’s three fire departments held the free exposition to salute the community’s 100th anniversary. (City Drone Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Centennial Fire Expo salutes fire service; see on YouTube

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 9, 2021 — West Haven’s three fire departments saluted the community’s 100th anniversary while celebrating their storied fire service at the Centennial Fire Expo on Nov. 6.

The five-hour exposition, presented by the City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee, was part of a six-month series of free events commemorating the community’s 1921 birth and its incorporation by the General Assembly as Connecticut’s youngest municipality, said Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, the committee’s honorary chairwoman.

Families, fire service enthusiasts, and paid and volunteer firefighters from across the state turned out to see the array of engines and trucks, including antique fire apparatus, on display in the parking lot of the Savin Rock Conference Center, along with a fire service exhibit in the center’s Savin Rock Museum featuring West Haven Engine & Hose Company 1.

The colorful fleet included apparatus from West Haven’s three fire departments and the Orange Volunteer Fire Department.

The large public exhibition, also held in front of Savin Rock, was organized by West Haven Fire Department Chief James P. O’Brien, West Shore Fire Department Chief Stephen Scafariello, City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio and committee Chairwoman Beth A. Sabo.

Read the full story, see the photos and watch the video at Centennial Fire Expo.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fifth from right, joins executives of New England Brewing Co. and city and state officials Nov. 1 to announce a tentative lease agreement to relocate the Woodbridge craft brewery to the former Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. With Rossi are, from left, Connecticut Brewers Guild Executive Director Phil Pappas; NEBCO Director of Sales and Marketing Jamal Robinson, Director of Operations John Dieli, Director of Brewing Operations Greg Radawich, Director of Business Development Marty Juliano and founder Rob Leonard; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; state Sen. James J. Maroney, D-Milford; Councilman William X. Conlon, D-2; mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.; Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven; and city Treasurer Michael P. Last. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

New England Brewing Co. relocating to West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 2, 2021 — Woodbridge craft brewery New England Brewing Co. announced a tentative lease agreement Nov. 1 to relocate to the former Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven.

Marty Juliano, NEBCO’s director of business development, heralded the news in front of the seaside conference center with Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, state Sen. James J. Maroney, D-Milford, and state Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven.

Juliano was joined by Connecticut Brewers Guild Executive Director Phil Pappas and NEBCO founder Rob Leonard, Director of Operations John Dieli, Director of Brewing Operations Greg Radawich and Director of Sales and Marketing Jamal Robinson.

Also attending the late-afternoon announcement were City Council members William X. Conlon, D-2, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large, as well as city Treasurer Michael P. Last and mayoral Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr.

Under the lease agreement, which requires City Council approval, NEBCO, the brewer of Sea Hag and other popular India pale ales, would build a two-story, 52,000-square-foot craft brewery at the site of the conference center on the Savin Rock shoreline.

The center — formerly The Casino and Harbour Mist restaurants and originally Phyllis’ Restaurant — opened in April 1997 and closed for renovations in February 2019.

NEBCO was founded by Leonard in Woodbridge in 2002.

Pappas said that after 20 years, NEBCO has found its forever home — in West Haven.

Juliano said the new brewery would include a production facility and office space, along with event space and a taproom for up to 1,000 patrons.

“This is the place you want to be,” said Juliano, a native of West Haven. “The community is second to none.”

Rossi praised the agreement and thanked NEBCO for choosing the prime West Haven site to brew its craft beer line, including Sea Hag, the No. 1 craft IPA in Connecticut.

The mayor said she always supported a long-term lease for the waterfront location and never entertained selling “one of the most beautiful pieces of property” in the city.

The brewery’s move from 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge to a larger site at 6 Rock St. in West Haven would create 75 to 100 jobs, Juliano said.

Plans include demolishing the existing building, built in 1971, and constructing a new building overlooking Long Island Sound.

A preliminary rendering shows New England Brewing Co.’s proposed two-story, 52,000-square-foot craft brewery at the site of the Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. The rendering shows the back of the building, facing Long Island Sound. (NEBCO)

Become a certified lifeguard

WEST HAVEN, Oct. 21, 2021 — If you’re 15 or older and looking for a great part-time job or a challenging career that’s in demand, the American Red Cross Lifeguarding Program is one of the best places to start.

Lifeguarding lets you work as part of a team to help people safely enjoy the water. You could even save a life!

By registering for the free Red Cross-certified lifeguard training course, you will save $450 and gain a job working for the Department of Parks and Recreation.

The starting pay is $13.50 per hour.

Learn more and register at Park-Rec.

#FunFactFriday coming to West Haven centennial Facebook page

Every Friday is #FunFactFriday on W. Haven centennial Facebook page

WEST HAVEN, July 29, 2021 — The City of West Haven Centennial Celebration Committee has launched a new series called #FunFactFriday to promote the community’s 100th anniversary this year.

Every Friday, the committee will post tidbits celebrating historical events, people and places in West Haven from the past 100 years on its official Facebook page, City of West Haven Centennial Celebration - 1921-2021.

The page is administered by the city and edited by Dan Shine, one of the foremost authorities on West Haven history. Like the page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CityofWestHavenCentennialCelebrationCommittee.

The historical facts are compiled from various West Haven Library references by staff members Taylor Cordova and Kiana Arevalo under the supervision of Executive Director Colleen Bailie.

The committee is planning a number of commemorative events, starting this month, to observe the 1921 birth of Connecticut’s youngest town.