New city restaurant, Tropical Caribbean, marks opening

Sporting a pair of oversize scissors, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut a blue ribbon with Tropical Caribbean co-owner Juan Reyes on Thursday to celebrate the homestyle restaurant’s grand opening at 703 Campbell Ave.

Tropical Caribbean is the life of the party on West Haven’s main thoroughfare of Campbell Avenue, enlivening the space formerly occupied by the Blue Horse bar and restaurant, about a mile south of the University of New Haven’s main campus.

The new restaurant, co-owned by Alex Brito, serves the tastes of the Caribbean — the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico — and specializes in authentic Latin cuisine prepared by Reyes’ parents, Pedro and Argentina Reyes, including Sancocho Dominicano, a popular Dominican meat and vegetable stew.

Reyes and Brito, who are best friends, hail from the Dominican Republic, where they met at age 7 and now live near each other in West Haven.

Among the time-honored family recipes on the restaurant’s savory menu are Chimi Dominicano, a traditional Dominican burger; Cuban sandwiches, known as Cubanos; Chuletas Fritas, Puerto Rican-style fried pork chops; and Shrimp Mofongo, a Puerto Rican dish consisting of fried mashed green plantains with fresh garlic, pork rinds and sauteed shrimp in a tomato lemon sauce.

Other menu favorites include beef empanadas, grilled meat, known as churrasco, and creamy Cajun shrimp over linguine.

The fusion of house-made Latin fare is enhanced by island-inspired cocktails of notable Caribbean places, events and personalities.

Tropical Caribbean exclusively brews Don Carvajal Cafe coffee, a company founded by Dominican entrepreneur Hector Carvajal, 26, and based in the Bronx borough of New York City.

The freshly remodeled restaurant and bar is decorated with festive furnishings, art and knickknacks that reflect the culture and warm vibes of the Caribbean, including Taino masks made in the Dominican Republican adorning the dining room’s dark shiplap walls, along with lamps fabricated from Brugal rum bottles hanging from the barroom ceiling above the natural stone and stained pine bar.

It is further accentuated by high-top tables and flat-panel TVs.

Rossi and Reyes marked the ribbon-cutting with his four children: Brenda, 22, Emily, 20, Justin, 14, and Julius, 11.

They were joined by City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath, city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli, Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr. and landlord Skip Voss.

They were also joined by Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, and chamber members West Shore Associates owner Erin Eberhardt, of West Haven, and Patriot Bank Vice President Robert Creigh, of Milford.

While the restaurant’s opening was grand, the best was saved for last.

Reyes surprised attendees with a special performance by diablos cojuelos — or limping devils, the main character of the Dominican Republic’s Carnival celebration — that had people on their feet and dancing.

The costumed devils danced and scampered to the vibrant sound of DJ Felix Solano’s merengue music mixed with other Latin and Caribbean rhythms.

Much to the delight of guests, the limping devils spontaneously expanded their performance to the outside of Tropical Caribbean, entertaining passersby on bustling Campbell Avenue, including a school bus of children, and turning the thoroughfare into a Dominican street festival for a showstopping moment.

Tropical Caribbean offers happy hour specials on weekdays and brunch on weekends, as well as live music, open mic events and karaoke.

The restaurant has 17 employees, including Reyes’ three oldest children, and is open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Warming center open today-Sunday at Carrigan Intermediate School

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 3, 2023 — The city is opening an overnight warming center for residents in need.

The warming center will operate from 4 p.m. today to 9 a.m. Sunday in the Carrigan Intermediate School cafeteria, 2 Tetlow St.

The center is for anyone needing relief from the cold. Face masks are recommended.

West Haven Valentine’s Day party honoring couples married 50 years

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 3, 2023 — For the first time in three years, the city will honor West Haven couples who have been married for at least 50 years with an in-person Valentine’s Day party, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The coronavirus pandemic had temporarily forced the city to reinvent its decades-old Valentine’s Day tradition by organizing back-to-back alternative events that celebrated the holiday of love from the safety of couples’ homes. While the events were welcomed and kept the tradition alive, they were not the same, Rossi said.

With that socially distanced reinvention now history, the city will play Cupid for the 33rd straight year by holding its Valentine’s Day party, complete with entertainment, dancing and refreshments, at the West Haven Senior Center, 201 Noble St.

At noon Feb. 14, Rossi will recognize those sweethearts who have reached the half-century mark and beyond with chocolates and roses from the mayor’s office.

The two-hour party will include live music and hors d’oeuvres.

Rossi will also recognize the oldest and youngest couples.

For reservations, call Elderly Services Director Alyssa Maddern at 203-937-3507 by Wednesday.

Allingtown Fire Department gets $927K FEMA grant for new radios

WEST HAVEN, Feb. 1, 2023 — The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Friday awarded the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown a $927,333 grant for new radios, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi and Chief Michael R. Terenzio announced.

The fire radio replacement grant is part of round 15 of FEMA’s fiscal year 2021 Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program.

“Firefighters put their lives on the line and deserve to have the most up-to-date equipment and resources available to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, D-3, who secured the funding for the Allingtown department. “With state and local budgets stretched thin, these federal grants help equip our first responders with lifesaving training and technologies to keep us safe.”

DeLauro, the chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee, added: “These critical grants will prepare our first responders for the lifesaving work of fighting and preventing fires. This federal funding plays an important role in guaranteeing they have the tools to protect themselves and the health and safety of the public.”

Terenzio said the regional award will pay for mobile, portable and base radios that will benefit the Allingtown department as well as the West Haven and West Shore fire departments.

“I would like to convey to Congresswoman DeLauro how much I, as the entire fire service does, appreciate all of her efforts in securing much-needed additional funding to purchase vital equipment needed for fire departments to meet their mission goals,” Terenzio said. “Brave men and women who become firefighters are able to meet the challenges presented by emergencies they are called to mitigate by being properly and appropriately trained and equipped to do so.”

Terenzio added: “The funding we were just awarded will enable us to replace unsupported analogue radio equipment that is experiencing communications gaps during firefighting operations within structures and challenge communications efficacy to outside command staff. The new digital technology equipment that will be purchased with this funding will ensure our forces are provided with the most effective communications necessary for coordinating emergency operations and routine incidents that involve firefighters and civilians’ safety while in immediately dangerous to life or health atmospheres.”

Rossi thanked DeLauro for supporting the AFG funding and fighting for West Haven.

“This crucial equipment will assist the Allingtown Fire Department in coordinating response efforts and communication, which improves safety for all residents of West Haven,” Rossi said. “I would like to thank Congresswoman DeLauro on behalf of the city of West Haven for her efforts to secure the AFG funding. I would also like to thank Chief Terenzio for hosting the application and city Grant Coordinator Doug Colter for writing and submitting the grant.”

According to DeLauro, an Assistance to Firefighters Grant is a competitive grant awarded to fire departments and emergency medical service organizations to enhance their ability to protect the health and safety of the public and first responders. Fire departments and EMS organizations can use the grants to buy emergency response equipment, personal protective equipment, firefighting and emergency vehicles, and training materials, she said.

The AFG program is part of a coordinated effort by FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to improve the nation’s ability to respond to emergency situations.

Taxpayers can appeal property assessments in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2023 — The Board of Assessment Appeals will hear appeals of real estate and personal property assessments on the 2022 grand list by appointment during March.

The board will also hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2021 supplemental motor vehicle grand list that received a tax bill due Jan. 1.

Any property owner who wants to appeal an assessment must submit a written application to the board. The assessor’s office must receive the completed form on or before Feb. 20.

Download an Application.

Applications are also available in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., or by calling the office at 203-937-3515. Staff members will answer questions about the appeal process.

Tax relief programs for elderly, disabled homeowners offered

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 30, 2023 — The assessor’s office is accepting applications by appointment for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners.

West Haven residents can apply for the programs, based on their 2022 taxable and untaxable incomes, weekdays from Feb. 15-May 15 in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St. For an appointment, call 203-937-3515. No walk-ins.

The state offers a tax reduction benefit depending on income and marital status through the circuit breaker program. To qualify, the applicant or spouse must be 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2022, or permanently and totally disabled as defined by Social Security.

Income limits, including Social Security, are $49,100 for a married couple and $40,300 for a single person. Those eligible for the program must reapply every two years.

To qualify for the West Haven tax freeze program, the applicant must be age 70 by Dec. 31, 2022, and have lived in the city for at least 20 consecutive years. The program will freeze the city portion of the resident’s taxes only for the upcoming year.

Income limits, excluding Social Security, are $50,000 for a married couple and $35,000 for a single person. Those eligible for the program must reapply each year.

The assessor’s office is also accepting applications until Oct. 1 for additional veterans exemptions. The maximum income is $49,100 for a married applicant and $40,300 for a single applicant.

For veterans who are 100% service connected, income limits are $21,000 for a married applicant and $18,000 for a single applicant. Social Security and veterans disability payments do not count for 100% disabled veterans only. All other ratings must include veterans disability payments and Social Security.

West Haven residents must bring leaf bags to compost site until April 15

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 24, 2023 — Residents are reminded that leaf bag pickup ended Dec. 15.

The city will not pick up leaf bags until the curbside service resumes the week of April 15.

Until then, residents must bring all leaf bags — paper, no plastic — to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Proof of residence is required.

The 2023 pickup schedule for leaf bags is April 15-June 1 and Oct. 1-Dec. 15.

West Haven permanently removing skateboard park on Beach Street

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 24, 2023 — In preparation for the second phase of this year’s road-raising project, the city is permanently removing the Beach Street Skatepark.

On Monday night, the City Council unanimously approved funds to dismantle the shoreline skateboard park. The money was initially approved by the West Haven ARPA Committee and is provided by the city’s American Rescue Plan Act spending plan through a grant from the U.S. Treasury Department.

The city awarded the skatepark contract, called “Demolition of Cement Structures,” in early November to Cerilli Construction LLC, which submitted the lowest bid of $23,525, said Ernie Chiarelli, the project coordinator and sidewalk inspector for the Department of Public Works.

By comparison, Chiarelli said the highest bidder submitted a proposal of $60,800 for the work.

Under the bid specifications, Cerilli, based in North Haven, is tasked with taking apart the park’s huge precast concrete ramps, removing the remaining asphalt, transporting the demolished concrete and asphalt to a location determined by the city, and removing and reinstalling the existing chain-link fencing.

The 170-by-90-foot park was constructed in 2004 for $96,000 by Skate Parks Inc. of Scituate, Massachusetts, and is based in the Morse Park municipal parking lot next to the former Chick’s Drive-in restaurant.

According to Chiarelli and other city officials, the 19-year-old skatepark has fallen into disrepair and out of popularity in recent years. Vandalism has caused dangerous conditions for skateboarders, and flooding from the nearby Old Field Creek salt marsh has deteriorated the concrete ramps, making them a liability, he said.

In addition, the raising of Beach Street is slated to incorporate 25% of the skatepark along the fence line and would force the city to relocate the park.

Chiarelli said that according to estimates, relocating the skatepark would cost at least $60,000, not including surface preparation work, such as installing an asphalt pad and fencing.

But after consulting with contractors, Chiarelli said the city determined that relocating the park could not work because the concrete ramps would likely fall apart when moved “due to concrete degradation.”

The demolition work is expected to begin within two weeks and take about 10 days to complete.

Residents learn ‘what goes in the blue bin, what doesn’t’

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 20, 2023 — A standing room-only crowd of more than 100 residents participated in a free recycling workshop at City Hall on Jan. 19 to learn “what goes in the blue bin and what doesn’t.”

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, a staunch supporter of recycling, greeted the crowd before introducing guest speaker Sherill Baldwin of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, who led the “What’s In, What’s Out” workshop with DEEP’s Emma MacDonald in the Harriet C. North Community Room.

“The city has recently received many questions regarding trash and recycling, and I hope this workshop will help clarify what goes in the blue bin and what doesn’t,” Rossi said. “Sherill is a knowledgeable professional, and I am glad she is here to join us tonight.”

Baldwin, an environmental analyst at DEEP since 2008, has been involved in sustainable materials management for 37 years. MacDonald, a 2021 graduate of UConn who earned a bachelor’s degree in sustainable forest resources, has been an environmental analyst at DEEP’s sustainable materials management office since June 2022.

Baldwin and MacDonald focused their 90-minute PowerPoint presentation on recycling education. They also discussed various recycling do’s and don’ts with residents, including the steps before putting acceptable items into recycling bins.

“Empty, clean, rinse and repeat for each item,” they said. “Do not shred, box or bag items.”

“In” recyclables include: paper and cardboard items, such as newspapers, magazines, food and beverage cartons, mixed paper and flattened boxes; glass items, such as bottles and jars; metal items, such as food and beverage cans, aluminum foil and foil containers; and plastic items, such as jugs, tubs and lids.

“Out” recyclables include: plastic bags and plastic wrap (return to retailer); food and liquid (empty all containers); clothing and linens (use donation programs); tanglers (no hoses, wires, chains or electronics); and combustibles (no propane tanks, batteries or nonfood-grade aerosol cans, such as spray paint and pesticides).

The informative workshop included a Q&A session and was attended by City Council members Robbin Watt Hamilton, D-5, Victor M. Borras, D-8, Robert Bruneau, D-9, Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large.

Participants received a green food scrap bin from members of the city’s recycling management team, including Grant Coordinator Doug Colter and assistant grant writer Olivia Bissanti, who organized the workshop. They were joined by team volunteers Lilia Rodriguez and Natalie Roach.

Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy, who also spoke, and Pamela Roach, the city’s waste and energy consultant, raffled off Dunkin’ gift cards and reusable tote bags.

City issues snow rules for parking

WEST HAVEN, Jan. 17, 2023 — To help crews expedite snow removal, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. 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 ticket 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 Highway Department at 203-937-3644.

West Haven heralds launch of state’s largest food-to-clean-energy program

WEST HAVEN, Nov. 14, 2022 — West Haven is the first city in the state to offer a citywide curbside food scrap diversion option to all single-family residents, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi said the program allows all single-family homes — one, two and three families — to easily separate food scraps and have them collected at the curb in the same container now used for residents’ trash collection.

The city has received a $1.3 million Sustainable Materials Management grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop and launch a food-to-clean-energy program.

Grant Coordinator Doug Colter, who secured the funding for the city, said the state is facing a solid waste disposal crisis, as traditional options for disposing of municipal solid waste are diminishing or becoming more expensive. With fewer and rapidly aging disposal options in Connecticut, residents and municipal leaders can expect disposal costs to increase at the remaining waste incineration facilities “as well as out-of-state landfilling,” Colter said.

On Nov. 7, the West Haven Food to Clean Energy program launched a nine-month pilot project for curbside food scrap diversion. Participation in the program comes at no cost to the 16,000 eligible households.

Colter said the funding covers the purchase of special color-coded bags for trash and for food scrap separation for the nine-month pilot. It also covers the cost of educational materials — mailers, a website and a Connect mobile app — along with personnel to sort the bags and the shipment of food scraps to Quantum Biopower in Southington, where the food will be converted into clean electricity, he said.

More details at Food Scrap Recycling.

Informational Materials

The Downsizing Donation Guide: A Resource for Residents of New Haven County (PDF)

What’s In? What’s Out? A Guide to Recycling (PDF)