West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi receives a framed certificate from Trinity College professor Daniel J. Mrozowski, left, and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities President Neil M. O’Leary, the mayor of Waterbury, on Dec. 3 for completing 36 hours of study to become a certified Connecticut municipal official. Rossi was honored for her achievement in the CCM training program at its annual convention at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard. (CCM via City of West Haven)

Rossi cited for municipal leadership and city’s sustainability designation at CCM conference

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 11, 2019 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi was presented with a framed certificate from Connecticut Conference of Municipalities President Neil M. O’Leary and Trinity College professor Daniel J. Mrozowski on Dec. 3 for completing 36 hours of study to become a certified Connecticut municipal official.

Rossi was honored for her achievement in the CCM training program at its annual convention at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard.

The CCMO coursework, developed by Trinity, educates elected and appointed municipal officials in working collaboratively, solving problems, building partnerships, and working across political and organizational boundaries, said O’Leary, the mayor of Waterbury.

During the CCM convention, Rossi was also recognized with an award for West Haven’s Bronze designation by Sustainable CT at its 2019 Certified Towns Award Ceremony.

The city met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments, including improving air quality in public spaces, to earn the prestigious Bronze certification, according to Lynn Stoddard, executive director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy at Eastern Connecticut State University, which manages the Sustainable CT program.

West Haven was also nominated as a CT Success Story for its commitment to addressing climate vulnerability.

The Bronze certification is good for three years and can be upgraded to Silver with the achievement of additional sustainability actions, said Robin Parsons, who leads the West Haven Sustainability Team.

During the CCM convention, Mayor Rossi also receives an award for West Haven’s Bronze designation by Sustainable CT at its 2019 Certified Towns Award Ceremony. The city met high standards in a broad range of sustainability accomplishments, including improving air quality in public spaces, to earn the prestigious Bronze certification. (City Photo/Robin Parsons)

Christmas get-together

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 11, 2019 — (Pictured): Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, sitting third from right, joins Physicians Physical Therapy Sports Complex & Wellness Center owner Carolyn Sires, kneeling left, and her senior fitness enthusiasts and their friends and families at the center’s annual Christmas party at 544 Campbell Ave. on Monday. (Contributed Photo)

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 11, 2019 — To help crews expedite snow removal, Public Works Commissioner Tom McCarthy is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after storms.

Per the “Severe Weather” parking ordinance under Chapter 188 of the West Haven Code, police will tag and tow vehicles violating the ordinance at the owner’s expense. Violators will receive a $100 fine.

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 Mayor Nancy R. 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.

McCarthy is also 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.”

According to the “Removal of Snow and Ice” ordinance under Chapter 195 of the West Haven Code, people 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 nonemergency line at 203-937-3900. Complaints are kept confidential.

McCarthy 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.

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.

Fighting cancer

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 6, 2019 — (Pictured, from left): Art Gilbert and Dubel’s Cafe owner Fred Hugendubel, co-chairmen of the Dubel’s Golf Tournament, present a $7,680 check for the West Haven Breast Cancer Awareness Program to committee member Beth A. Sabo at City Hall on Thursday as tournament organizers Elma Dunn, Kate Kane and Kc Duffy look on.

The money was raised at the annual golf tournament in October. Other organizers included Kaci Fabish, Jo-Anne Hugendubel-Case, Sue LePre and Mary Price.

Since its inception in 2000, the program has collected about $700,000 for breast cancer research and education.

(City Photo/Marissa Franco)

West Haven tax bills due Jan. 1

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 5, 2019 — The second installment of city tax bills — real estate, personal property, motor vehicle and sewer — are due Jan. 1.

The 2018 supplemental motor vehicle bills are in the process of being mailed for vehicles registered after Oct. 1, 2018, and are also due Jan. 1.

Payments after Feb. 3 are considered delinquent and subject to interest, Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli said.

The tax office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. The city has an ATM outside the office.

Taxpayers can make a payment at Tax Collector. Sewer bills are on the same page but under a separate heading. Tax payment history can also be viewed and printed.

The fees for credit cards and electronic checks are posted at Tax Collector and outside the tax office.

During tax season, Dec. 23-Feb. 3, current taxes can be paid by the drop box outside the tax office from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Current taxes can also be paid by mail to the tax office lockbox, P.O. Box 150461, Hartford, CT 06115-0461. When paying by lockbox or drop box, the canceled check is the receipt.

After Feb. 3, taxes with interest can be paid by mail to the Office of the Tax Collector, P.O. Box 401, West Haven, CT 06516. Payments can also be made in person.

Anyone needing a motor vehicle clearance must pay in person with cash, credit card, bank check or money order.

Special guest Gabriella “Gabby” Murillo, center, joins Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, with grandson Arthur Rossi, 9, and Santa and Mrs. Claus to light the Christmas tree on the Green during the annual holiday kickoff Nov. 30. (City Photo/David W. Richards)

Gabby Murillo helps Rossi light Christmas tree on Green

WEST HAVEN, Dec. 2, 2019 — Santa and Mrs. Claus joined Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and very special guest Gabriella “Gabby” Murillo to light the Christmas tree on the Green during the annual holiday kickoff Nov. 30.

After arriving to the Main Street side of the Green on the West Haven Fire Department’s 1935 Mack pump firetruck, Santa and Mrs. Claus were escorted to the nearby stage by the West Haven High School and Seahawks cheerleading teams to the sound of applause and shouts of glee from several hundred merrymakers who braved the bitter cold.

Before the lighting of the tree, which is encircled by five smaller evergreen trees adorned with fluorescent-colored lights, Rossi recognized Murillo, who strolled in on a motorized wheelchair to enthusiastic applause from the all-ages crowd.

Beside the stage, Murillo was surrounded by her parents, Eric and Amanda Murillo, and her sister Jennifer Maurutis, 32. Sisters Amanda Murillo, 34, and Cassie Murillo, 25, were unable to attend.

Gabby Murillo is back home in West Haven — the first time the Murillos have all been together since she was paralyzed from the neck down in a June car crash while embarking on her dream internship at Disney World.

On June 16, Murillo was struck by a truck while driving in Orlando, Florida, causing spinal damage beyond repair. She had reportedly been hit at full speed by a drunk driver while she was stopped at a red light with a friend.

Murillo’s hometown immediately rallied around the 22-year-old, holding multiple “Gabby Strong” fundraisers large and small to help her family pay for the incalculable medical and other expenses that have accompanied her recovery, including a specialized wheelchair, an addition to the family’s Hickory Street home and a handicapped-accessible vehicle.

Rossi, who was accompanied onstage by her 9-year-old grandson, Arthur Rossi, said Murillo’s strength, determination and fighting spirit is a source of inspiration for her close-knit family, the community and her legion of friends, who have all pledged their unwavering support for her continued progress.

The holiday festival opened at 2 p.m. with Christmas music, food trucks, face painting, train rides and wreath decorating, as well as craft and artisan vendors.

It was presented by the city, the First Congregational Church of West Haven and West Haven United, an organization aimed at bringing the city’s volunteer groups together.

Lou Esposito, Rossi’s executive assistant, served as the master of ceremonies for the six-hour event, which featured a cast of costumed Christmas characters that roamed the Green.

The festivities continued into the afternoon with the opening of Santa’s village and eight craft stations, where children decorated wooden ornaments, wrote letters to Santa, and made cards for U.S. troops overseas and those at the Veterans Affairs Hospital on Campbell Avenue.

West Haven High junior Nora E. Mullins sang the national anthem, and the school’s Drama Club performed a holiday play.

The ceremony continued with performances by the West Haven High dance team, holiday carols sung by the St. Lawrence School chorus and performances by the Top Hat Dance Academy.

Cheerleaders of the West Haven High varsity and junior varsity teams and Seahawks JV team performed a medley of game day cheers, followed by Yuletide classics sung by the Bailey Middle School chorus and a singalong led by Victorian carolers.

Before their long sleigh ride back to the North Pole, Santa and Mrs. Claus posed for snapshots in their workshop. Organizers offered the photos with Santa as a free digital download online.

People can view and download their photos on the city’s Flickr page at https://goo.gl/EkLxZz. The internet address is case sensitive.

Just steps from Santa’s workshop, boys and girls dropped off their wish lists at St. Nick’s official U.S. Postal Service mailbox.

Huge electric snowflakes decorated The John C. Ireland Bandstand, and Victorian streetlamps bedecked with angels blowing on trumpets illuminated the walkways.

The decorated Green also included an inflatable snow globe that kids went in and had their pictures taken.

Along with hayrides, youngsters rode on a vintage firetruck from the West Shore Fire Department. They also rode on the Roaming Railroad, a trackless train sponsored by the West Haven PTA Council.

People brought nonperishable items for the West Haven Emergency Assistance Task Force, which provides food for residents in need.

Volunteers from the West Haven Chamber of Commerce handed out free hot chocolate, and vendors sold food and novelties.

The vendors included the First Congregational Church and Franco’s Fried Dough-Licious and Ted’s Steam Machine food trucks.

Also, volunteers from West Haven United sold hot apple cider, coffee and hot chocolate.

After the lighting, the sounds of the holiday season filled the air with rock ’n’ roll renditions of Christmas favorites by bands from The Rock House School of Music, followed by a holiday-themed concert by Off the Hook, “Connecticut’s premier party band.”

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

With the flick of a switch, the Green is transformed into Santa’s village. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mayor Rossi welcomes families to the ceremony. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Santa waves to the crowd as Mayor Rossi’s executive assistant, Lou Esposito, the master of ceremonies, flashes a smile. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Nikoli Latham, 8, is all smiles with Santa and Mrs. Claus in their workshop. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Costumed characters ride around the Green on the Roaming Railroad, a trackless train sponsored by the West Haven PTA Council. (City Photo/David W. Richards)

Isabella Sisson, 9, and her sister, Esmeralda Sisson, 10, make cards for U.S. troops overseas and those at the Veterans Affairs Hospital on Campbell Avenue. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Mileena Rivera helps her daughter, Giamma Graham, 6, make a card for the troops. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Laura Roche, owner of Happy Daze Costumes, paints a black star on the face of Anthony Haydu, who was later attending a party dressed as the Starchild, Kiss frontman Paul Stanley. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Franco’s Fried Dough-Licious owners Mark and Marissa Franco are all smiles selling their homemade fried dough. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Chris Burns helps his son, Carson Burns, 6, and his stepson, Luca Tufano, 9, write letters to Santa. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)

Victorian carolers lead a singalong at The John C. Ireland Bandstand. (City Photo/Michael P. Walsh)