Rossi hosting ‘Mayor’s Night In’ to hear residents’ concerns, ideas

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 25, 2018 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi will host her first “Mayor’s Night In” to talk with city residents and business owners about their concerns and ideas.

The event is set for 5-7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the mayor’s office on the third floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

Rossi said: “For many people, it is not practical to meet with me during the hours that City Hall departments are open — Monday through Friday, 9 to 5. I want to accommodate those folks by being accessible after traditional business hours.”

Anyone who wants to meet with Rossi can start arriving at 4:30 p.m. and sign in with the mayor’s staff in the City Council chambers, next to the mayor’s office.

Rossi and her staff will meet with constituents on a first-come, first-served basis.

Residents are asked to maximize their time with the mayor by coming prepared for their short meetings.

The mayor’s staff is encouraging people to bring their talking points and, if appropriate, prepare a handout that can be left with Rossi so she can research their issues and do the appropriate follow-up.

In the interest of time, the length of individual meetings may be limited depending on the number of people who attend.

Rossi said she plans to hold the Mayor’s Night In on a regular basis and will add “Mayor’s Night Out” events throughout the city as well.

For information, call the mayor’s office at 203-937-3510.

Temporary road closures take effect in Water St. area

Temporary road closures take effect in Water Street neighborhood

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 25, 2018 — The city temporarily closed Richards Place and Center Street between First Avenue and Water Street on Monday to help curb illegal dumping and vagrancy in the area, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi said.

Most of the residential neighborhood is now owned by The Haven Group LLC, a Dallas-based development company that is preparing to build “America’s first upscale waterfront outlet mall” in the 24-acre Water Street project area.

Rossi said she is informing residents and businesses of the road closures so they can plan ahead, adding that she will notify the public of any updates to the traffic plans.

The Board of Police Commissioners approved the city’s request for the temporary closures on Dec. 19.

In a letter to the police commission, the Department of Planning and Development recommended that Richards Place and Center Street be “shut to traffic at the intersection of First Avenue and Richards Place and First Avenue and Center Street.”

To coincide with the closures, acting Public Works Commissioner Louis P. Esposito Jr. said the city is working with the state Department of Transportation to re-time the neighborhood’s traffic lights on First Avenue.

Esposito said the city also plans to permanently close Water Street from Main to Elm streets tentatively on Feb. 5.

West Haven, Orange health agencies holding joint flu clinic for uninsured

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 25, 2018 — In an effort to protect the public’s health and reduce the spread of the influenza virus in Connecticut, the state Department of Public Health is teaming up with the West Haven and Orange health departments to provide free flu vaccine as part of its Flu Vaccination Day on Saturday.

To mark the special day, the Orange Visiting Nurses Association and Orange Health Director Dr. Amir Mohammad are holding a free flu clinic for uninsured Orange and West Haven residents.

The clinic is available by appointment from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Orange Health Department, The Clark Building, 605A Orange Center Road.

The DPH strongly encourages all state residents older than 6 months to get a flu shot.

West Haven Health Director Maureen B. Lillis said the clinic aims to ensure that all flu resources are properly used during this active flu season.

For an appointment, call the Orange VNA at 203-891-4752. Vaccine is limited.

Licensed contractors sought

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 25, 2018 — The Community Development Administration is seeking licensed contractors who are interested in becoming vendors for CDA-approved home improvement projects in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The city-based projects include rehabilitating multifamily and single-family homes and installing handicapped-accessible ramps and lifts, CDA Manager Mark J. Bisaccia said.

Eligible contractors must have a certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and a lead-based paint certification. They must also have liability and workers’ compensation insurances, Bisaccia said.

Licensed contractors can request a CDA vendor form through administrative assistant Rosa Richardson at 203-937-3550 or at richardson@westhaven-ct.gov.

Tax help offered in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 18, 2018 — The West Haven Senior Center is offering a free tax preparation service to help low- to middle-income taxpayers.

The AARP Tax-Aide program is available by appointment from 9-11 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, starting Feb. 7, at the Johnson Community Center, 201 Noble St.

Special attention is given to help those 50 and older fill out federal tax forms.

The service, which includes tax counseling, is offered by trained volunteer tax preparers from AARP, in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service.

For an appointment, call the senior center at 203-937-3507.

Residents reminded to shovel their sidewalks or face a fine

Residents reminded to shovel their sidewalks or risk a fine

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2018 — In the wake of Thursday’s snowstorm, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi is reminding residents and businesses to shovel their sidewalks within 24 hours after a storm or face a $25 fine “for each day that the violation persists.”

Rossi said that after the storm, a number of residents and businesses had allegedly been in violation of the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code.

According to the ordinance, residents and businesses are given 24 hours to remove snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Violators are subject to the $25-per-day fine, which is enforced by the Police Department, the ordinance states.

To report a complaint, call the department’s non-emergency line at 203-937-3900. Complaints are kept confidential.

Rossi also pointed out that plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited and violators are subject to a $60 fine for each offense, per the ordinance.

During the next storm, she said, residents and businesses will see police step up enforcement of the ordinance.

To help crews expedite snow removal, Rossi is also reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

Once snow begins to fall, a parking ban is in effect on the even-numbered side of most roads, unless one is posted with a “No Parking” sign on the odd side.

The ban is in effect for 36 hours after a storm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.

However, during an official snow emergency declared by Rossi, a parking ban will run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. on both sides of Campbell and Savin avenues, Morgan Lane, Elm Street, Meloy Road, Second Avenue from Elm to Beach streets, and Main Street from Savin to Washington avenues.

Police will tag and tow vehicles violating the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code at the owner’s expense.

Also, residents and businesses with mailboxes damaged by snow thrown from a plow are the responsibility of the property owner. The city will only repair mailboxes damaged by the striking of a plow blade if there is visible evidence, such as paint or tire tracks.

Snow removal around mailboxes is the property owner’s responsibility.

Residents are also urged to help firefighters keep hydrants clear of snow.

For more information, call the Department of Public Works at 203-937-3585 or visit Public Works.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CityofWestHaven.

West Haven Youth Hockey sets coaches game benefit for Gardner

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 9, 2017 — West Haven Youth Hockey will hold its fourth annual Coaches vs. Coaches benefit game at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 26 at Bennett Rink.

Tickets cost $5, but admission is free for Youth Hockey players who wear their jerseys.

All proceeds will support West Haven High School Principal Pamela B. Gardner, who has cancer.

The Friday night event will include raffles, including a chance for Youth Hockey players to win $500 off their 2018-19 tuition, along with Rita’s Italian Ice.

Details at Youth Hockey.