 Holding oversize scissors, West Haven Mayor Dorinda Borer cuts the ribbon with American Family Care franchise owner Muhammad Zaman, center left, and Medical Director Dr. Felix Pacheco, center right, to celebrate the grand opening of West Haven’s new AFC Urgent Care center at 354 Sawmill Road on Tuesday. With them are, from left, West Haven Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4; Barbara Ronalter, the center’s director of operations and business development; Zaman’s son, Musa, 15, and wife, Anila; City Clerk John W. Lewis; and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing at the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh) |
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AFC opens urgent care center on Sawmill Road
WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2024 — American Family Care, the city’s newest urgent care center, marked its grand opening with the snip of a blue ribbon Tuesday.
Using oversize scissors, Mayor Dorinda Borer helped American Family Care franchise owner Muhammad Zaman and Medical Director Dr. Felix Pacheco cut the ribbon to formally open the state-of-the-art AFC West Haven Urgent Care center at 354 Sawmill Road.
The late-afternoon ceremony was organized by the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce. It included welcoming remarks by Borer and Simon McDonald, the chamber’s director of membership and marketing, as well as remarks by Zaman and Pacheco.
“Access to quality, affordable health care is critical, and language can be a barrier,” Borer said. “A facility like this will provide equitable access to quality, affordable care.”
Also celebrating the event were City Clerk John W. Lewis and Councilman Gary Donovan, D-4, along with chamber President and CEO Michael Moses and Barbara Ronalter, the center’s director of operations and business development.
They were joined by members of the AFC medical team and a delegation of chamber board members, including West Shore Associates of West Haven owner Erin Eberhardt, New Haven Bank of West Haven branch manager Hala Urban and Edward Jones of Milford financial adviser Jay Borelli.
The center is open seven days a week and has walk-in options — urgent care, lab testing, vaccinations — to meet the immediate health care needs of patients of all ages. No appointment is needed.
“Our medical team is staffed with medical professionals who are dedicated to ensuring your health and overall well-being,” said Zaman, who was accompanied by his wife, Anila, and son, Musa, 15.
The center is off Interstate 95’s Exit 42 and has seven exam rooms, a manager’s office, and X-ray and storage space.
It is located in a plaza with an Aspen Dental practice, a Chipotle Mexican Grill and a former Starbucks store.
Starbucks recently opened a new stand-alone store with drive-thru service next door at 340 Sawmill Road, the site of a former Stewart’s All American Grill. The AFC center space was formerly occupied by a T-Mobile store.
Zaman said that although it just opened, the 2,670-square-foot center is already expanding into the vacant Starbucks space. The expansion is expected to take about two months to complete and will bring the center to 4,475 square feet, he said.
Zaman chose West Haven’s bustling Sawmill Road retail corridor for his first AFC Urgent Care center because of the area’s dense population and high visibility from I-95.
“We are very grateful Mr. Zaman chose his first location to be in West Haven,” Borer said.
The West Haven center joins 17 other franchise-owned AFC urgent care centers in Connecticut. |
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Borer makes more key hires
WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2024 — Mayor Dorinda Borer has expanded the city’s workforce by making several key hires, including the appointment of Jennifer Daddio as the new personnel director.
Borer said Daddio brings 32 years of human resources experience to West Haven, including a vast knowledge of employee relations, labor relations, benefits and payroll.
Daddio, who will serve as a member of the mayor’s Cabinet, previously worked for Barnes & Noble in New York City and several large pharmaceutical companies.
Also in the Personnel Department, Borer said Lisa Langella has been hired as Daddio’s personnel generalist.
Receiving the most new hires is the Finance Department with five: Christopher Tiberio, director of risk management; Erin Sweeney, payroll manager; Kathy Chambers, senior buyer/analyst; Vanessa Hruszko, assistant grant writer; and Michele DePascale, senior accountant.
The Health Department has two new hires: sanitarian Gelacio Sanchez and social worker Alyssa Eckstein.
Borer said Nicholas DeJohn will serve as the new director of the city’s Emergency Reporting System, also known as ERS.
DeJohn, whose first day on the job is May 6, will oversee the 911 Communications Center at police headquarters.
“All of these positions are vital to the day-to-day operations of the city,” Borer said. “I look forward to working with this talented team of new employees, who each brings a high level of expertise in their respective field to West Haven.
“Blending our current experienced staff with new members to the team is a perfect mix to deliver services for the residents of West Haven. These hires not only provide vesting into the role but will cut down on overtime and high-priced consultants the city has engaged in recent years.”
Borer said interviews continue and additional job offers have been made, which the city will announce soon.
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Borer leads Earth Day discussion with Haley students
WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2024 — (Pictured): Mayor Dorinda Borer, right, with Haley Elementary School Principal AmyJo Palermo, visits with students Monday to discuss the importance of Earth Day.
Borer invited Dr. Kelsey E. Fisher of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, not pictured, to talk about the role bees play on Earth.
The mayor provided flower seeds to all students in attendance.
(City Photo/Derrick Midy) |
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Johnstone resumes council duties after medical leave of absence
WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2024 — After a two-month medical leave of absence, Republican Councilman Steven J. Johnstone, who represents West Shore’s 10th District, has resumed his City Council duties.
Johnstone, the council’s minority leader, expressed his “sincere gratitude” to Mayor Dorinda Borer and to council members Meli Garthwait, R-at large, and Brian Laucks, D-at large, who handled Johnstone’s 10th District matters during his medical leave.
“I want to personally thank fellow council members Meli Garthwait and Brian Laucks for stepping in during my absence,” he said.
Johnstone, who has been medically cleared, officially returned to the City Council on Monday night.
Residents of the 10th District can contact Johnstone with all district matters at sjohnstone@westhaven-ct.gov.
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Bulk trash pickup week is 1 day behind schedule
WEST HAVEN, April 24, 2024 — Bulk trash pickup week is one day behind schedule.
West Haven residents are reminded to separate metals, recyclables and regular trash from bulk trash and put them out no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense, acting Public Works Commissioner Robert Sandella said.
Residents are also reminded to “Put a Lid on It!” and use lids on all trash cans. Rain-soaked trash costs West Haven 10 times more at the dump, according to Sandella, adding that using trash can lids will save the city money by reducing the weight of trash and cost of tipping fees.
Bulk items include couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing, which may not exceed 6 feet in length. No building materials, tires, mattresses, propane tanks or hazardous waste are accepted.
Options for disposing of building materials include renting a dumpster or bringing the materials to a disposal facility for a fee.
Tires and mattresses are not considered bulk trash and will not be collected.
Tires can be brought to Town Fair Tire, 63 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $2.75 per tire.
To dispose of mattresses, residents must buy mattress bags from the Department of Public Works and put them out for pickup on their weekly curbside collection day through Oct. 4. The bags cost $30 for the first one and $20 each after that. They are payable by cash and available in the public works office on the third floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.
Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings from mid-May through October.
Propane tanks can be brought to Taylor Rental, 304 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $10.60 per tank.
The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash about 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.
Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster or hire a junk removal service at their expense if trash exceeds 6 cubic yards. Otherwise, trash exceeding 6 cubic yards will be left at the curb, and a $100 fine per daily offense will be imposed, Sandella said.
To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines at Public Works.
Bulk trash must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. Trash will not be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home.
Bulk items must be separated and orderly. Do not place them next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence, Sandella said.
Also, do not place bulk items in front of a vacant lot or home — they will not be collected, he said.
Details at Bulk Trash Pickup & Other Services.
In addition to bulk trash, the city picks up metals, including household appliances, also known as white goods, and toilets. To schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day, residents must call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644 or 203-937-3585. Appliance doors must be removed.
Leaf bags are picked up through Dec. 13. The bags are picked up on residents’ weekly collection days. Leaves and grass clippings must be in separate biodegradable paper bags and will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags.
The city also picks up brush that is cut into 3-to-6-foot lengths and tied in small bundles, no more than 70 pounds. Logs and stumps are prohibited.
Residents can bring grass clippings as well as bagged leaves and untied brush to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and, starting in June, from 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturdays. The first cubic yard of compost is free with proof of residence. Additional compost costs $25 per cubic yard. Residents must bring buckets and shovels.
For a $50 fee, the Public Works Department will deliver up to 2 cubic yards of compost to homes in West Haven. Prior to the pickup or delivery of compost, residents must make a cash payment in the public works office on the third floor of City Hall. No credit cards or personal checks are accepted.
For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at West Haven City Hall. |
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Join Paige’s Purple Pirates in cystic fibrosis fight
WEST HAVEN, April 12, 2024 — Help support 2-year-old Paige McCormack in her fight against cystic fibrosis, an inherited disorder that causes severe damage to the lungs, digestive system and other organs in the body.
Paige was diagnosed with CF when she was only 2 weeks old.
Now, her parents, Mark and Jill McCormack, and her grandparents, Tim and Debbie Collins and Keith and Maureen McCormack, will not stop until CF stands for “Cure Found.”
On May 19, join Paige’s Purple Pirates in the Great Strides walk for a cure at Jimmies of Savin Rock, 5 Rock St.
Any donation is appreciated to help reach Paige’s $5,000 fundraising goal for the walkathon, which is presented by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
Donate to Page or join her team at Paige’s Purple Pirates. |
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Noncompliance checks continue in West Haven; violators fined
WEST HAVEN, April 12, 2024 — On April 10, the West Haven Police Department, working with the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and its Tobacco Prevention and Enforcement Program, conducted unannounced compliance inspections of establishments that sell tobacco products and/or electronic cigarettes.
The inspections were performed in an effort to determine compliance with state laws concerning the prohibition of the sale of e-cigarettes and/or tobacco products to young people under age 21.
Retailers are required by state law to inspect the photo ID of anyone who appears under age 30 before selling a tobacco product or an e-cigarette. Free online training is available to retailers at https://www.ctclearinghouse.org/tobacco-merchant/.
A total of 25 unannounced compliance inspections were conducted. Of the 25, four establishments were found noncompliant with Connecticut General Statutes Section 53-344 (Sale of tobacco to a person under 21) or Section 53-344b (Sale of an e-cigarette to a person under 21).
The offending clerks at the establishments were issued a first-time infraction of $300, with an increasing violation sum of $700 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third offense with a potential suspension.
Police Sgt. Patrick Buturla of the department’s Crime Prevention Unit, which led the local effort, said: “Our agency is committed to holding those accountable that are intentionally poisoning our community. We will continue to enforce these laws and take all necessary action against offenders.”
Mayor Dorinda Borer, who worked on youth vaping laws when she was a state representative, has been focusing on this area, saying: “While I am disappointed to see we still have some stores in violation, I am encouraged that the noncompliant list has dropped considerably in the past few months. Perhaps word is out that we are taking this seriously and will continually have these compliance checks until everyone gets the message that we are no longer allowing stores to make a profit from illegally contributing toward the youth vaping health crisis.”
Borer added: “Thank you to the great work of the Police and Health departments and the West Haven Prevention Council. And thank you to the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which has come to West Haven to lead this process. I’m grateful for this amazing local and state collaboration that is committed to protecting our youth.”
City Health Director Maureen B. Lillis, who participated in the compliance checks, said, “As the local public health official responsible for the health and well-being of our community, myself and the department will continue to do all we can to address the vaping epidemic hurting the children of our city.”
Tobacco retailers are licensed by the state Department of Revenue Services. Noncompliant and compliant inspection results are referred to the DRS for possible administrative action.
The following retailers were found noncompliant:
1. Smoker’s Variety, 193 Boston Post Road 2. Take Away Market, 983 Boston Post Road 3. A1 Discount Liquors, 1055 Boston Post Road 4. West Haven Smoke World, 315 York St.
The following retailers were found compliant:
1. Puff City, 293 Elm St. 2. Sam’s Food Store, 665 Campbell Ave. 3. West Side Smoke Shop, 785 Campbell Ave. 4. FNF Food Mart, 912 Boston Post Road 5. Happy Harry’s Wine and Liquor, 897 Boston Post Road 6. Noble Gas, 949 Boston Post Road 7. Family Dollar, 1055 Boston Post Road 8. Smoker’s Choice, 1055 Boston Post Road 9. Lumpy’s Smoke Shop, 531 Campbell Ave. 10. Morrissey’s Package Store, 625 Campbell Ave. 11. Grillo’s Market, 137 Campbell Ave. 12. Best Food Mart/Best Gas, 147 Campbell Ave. 13. Cigarette Express, 307 Captain Thomas Blvd. 14. West Haven Shell, 261 Platt Ave. 15. Sid’s Package Store, 258 Platt Ave. 16. Krauzer’s, 10 Jones Hill Road 17. Baybrook Tobacco, 4 Jones Hill Road 18. Shell, 5 Jones Hill Road 19. Krauzer’s, 191 Platt Ave. 20. Saw Mill Package Store, 317 York St. 21. York Street Market, 185 York St.
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Tickets available for Kickoff Dinner supporting Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Fest
WEST HAVEN, April 11, 2024 — West Haven is the host community for October’s Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Festival.
Kicking off the festivities is a dinner from 6-10 p.m. May 15 at West Haven’s Cielo Banquet Hall, 85 Chase Lane, where the city will recognize this year’s grand marshal, longtime resident Mark Consorte.
Mayor Dorinda Borer, who tapped Consorte, said: “Mark is a great representative of what the Italian culture stands for: kindness, charitable and family-oriented. As a longtime teacher, he’s mentored thousands of students with his knowledge and passion and additionally has volunteered toward organizations across our city.”
Also being recognized is West Haven Funeral Home owner Celia Pinzi, who will receive the Greater New Haven Italian American Heritage Committee’s Laura Luzzi service award.
“Celia has been there for so many of us, myself included, and I felt it was important to recognize a wonderful person who silently stays behind the scenes and doesn’t look for recognition but provides great comfort and support to our residents,” Borer said. “Celia always steps up and generously participates in our nonprofits, lifting up the community.”
In addition to West Haven, the host community rotates annually among New Haven, North Haven, Branford, East Haven and Hamden, the host of last year’s festival.
West Haven was the host for the event, which was a parade before transitioning to a festival, in 2017, 2011 and 2006.
According to organizers, the committee transitioned the parade to a festival to allow for wider participation.
The cost of the Kickoff Dinner is $50 and includes a buffet dinner, coffee and dessert, as well as a cash bar and raffles. A separate raffle will be held for two round-trip tickets on Avelo Airlines to anywhere Avelo flies out of Tweed-New Haven Airport.
To buy dinner tickets, call committee members Michael Luzzi at 203-671-9415 or Paul Frosolone at 203-887-6089.
The free Heritage Festival, in its second year, is scheduled from noon-4 p.m. Oct. 12 on the West Haven Green. The rain date is Oct. 13.
Festivities will include live music and family-friendly activities to celebrate the region’s deep-rooted Italian heritage. Details are forthcoming.
To participate in the festival as a sponsor or vendor, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510. |
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Marchers sought for Memorial Day parade
WEST HAVEN, March 21, 2024 — 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 27. 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. The parade grand marshal is Gerald Cafferty, an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Download a Participation Form. 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 203-937-3705 or mailed to the West Haven Memorial Day Parade, Office of the Mayor, 355 Main St., West Haven, CT 06516. |
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Applications available from April 1-26 for Summer Youth Employment Program in West Haven
WEST HAVEN, March 14, 2024 — Applications for the Summer Youth Employment Program will be available from April 1-26 in the main entrance at West Haven High School and the main office at Bailey Middle School.
Applications are available on the city website for students who do not attend West Haven High or Bailey. Download an Application.
The summer program, which begins July 8 and runs at least four weeks, is aimed at funding positions for low-income city residents ages 14-21.
Students must return applications, including students who downloaded them, with all required documents to West Haven High from 7-8:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and to Bailey from 8-9:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.
No applications will be accepted after April 26.
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. |
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