Society hosts Rossi
West Haven Historical Society is to host Mayor Nancy Rossi on Thursday March 8. The mayor is scheduled to speak at 7p.m. at the Poli House, 686 Savin Ave., opposite the Green. This is the first meeting of the Society in 2018.
“The Historical Society is looking forward to having the new mayor as our first speaker of 2018,” noted President Jon E. Purmont. Rossi took office in December and is the city’s first female chief executive in West Haven history.
All members are urged to attend. Society meetings are open to members of the public.
Refreshments will be served.
Bulk trash pick-up week, e-waste drop-off March 5-9
The next bulk trash pickup week is March 5-9, and the next e-waste drop-off day is March 10.
City officials said the two services are not the same, however, and are reminding residents to take note of the difference.
During bulk trash week, crews will not pick up electronic items, including TVs. They will only pick up such bulk items as couches, chairs, mattresses, tables, carpeting, padding, fencing and small amounts of bundled lumber, which may not exceed 6 feet in length.
The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4.5 feet high.
For electronic recyclables, which are defined as typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery, residents must drop off those items from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St.
Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to put them out for pickup on their weekly curbside collection days.
The collection is free for residents who have such items as TVs, hand-held video games, computers, monitors, copiers, scanners, microwaves, toaster ovens and other small appliances.
Historical Society seeks info on artist Lockwood
The West Haven Historical Society is seeking information on a local artist William Lockwood for a planned exhibit on the local man.
He was well-known locally for having painted signs for owners of businesses at Savin Rock and his murals were known to grace the walls of several Savin Rock restaurants.
His family lived in West Haven for many years. He was a gifted artist and performed other functions of art work for booths and exhibits at Savin Rock. He was also a portrait artist particularly of children.
Anyone who has information on this African-American painter is asked to call the West Haven Historical Society at (203) 932-0088.
Elderly, disabled offered tax relief
Assessor Ann Marie Gradoia is accepting applications for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled homeowners.
Residents can apply for the programs, based on their 2017 incomes, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, through May 15, in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.
The state elderly and disabled homeowners program offers tax reduction benefits depending on income and marital status.
To qualify, the applicant or spouse must be 65 or older by Dec. 31, 2017, or permanently and totally disabled as defined by Social Security.
Income limits, including Social Security, are $43,000 for a married couple and $35,300 for a single person.
To qualify for the West Haven senior tax freeze program, the applicant must be 70 years old by the end of the previous calendar year and have lived in the city for 20 consecutive years.
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 state tax freeze program is only for residents already enrolled with incomes not exceeding $6,000, excluding Social Security.
Applicants who receive railroad retirement benefits must include the taxable portion.
The assessor’s office is also accepting applications until Oct. 1 for additional veterans exemptions. The maximum income is $43,000 for a married applicant and $35,300 for a single applicant.
Taxpayers can appeal property assessments
The Board of Assessment Appeals will hear appeals of real estate and personal property assessments on the 2017 grand list by appointment during March in the assessor’s office at City Hall.
The board will also hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2016 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 to have it stamped in by 5 p.m. Feb. 20.
Applications are 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. To download an application, go to the assessor’s office page at www.cityofwesthaven.com and click on Forms at the top of the left column.
Licensed contractors sought
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 [email protected].
Tax help offered in West Haven
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.
City issues snow rules for parking
To help expedite snow removal, the Department of Public Works is reminding residents and businesses to observe parking regulations during and after snowstorms.
Under normal snow conditions, 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 snowstorm. Residents are urged to park in driveways or designated private lots.
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.
Police will tag and tow vehicles violating the parking ordinance at the owner’s expense.
Per city ordinance, residents and businesses are responsible for removing snow from sidewalks on and bordering their properties. Also, per ordinance, plowing or blowing snow into city streets is prohibited, and violators are subject to fines.
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.
For information, call the Public Works Department at (203) 937-3585.
Toy Drive underway
West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198, in conjunction with West Haven High School, will be holding its annual Toy Drive this year. Anyone wishing to donate new (unwrapped) toys may do so at any city firehouse or various drop box locations throughout the city. There is an increased need of specific donations for infants and 8 years old and up.
Any West Haven resident who may be in need of toys this holiday season for children from birth to 11 years old may call West Haven High School at (203) 933-9347. Calls will be accepted until Dec. 16 on a first come, first served basis.
WHEAT open third Saturday
The West Haven Emergency Assistance Taskforce Food Pantry (674 Washington Ave.) is now open the third Saturday of each month from 9-noon. Volunteers also accept donations during this time.
To get food requests must be from West Haven residents. They must bring a valid photo ID, two pieces of current mail, and proof of household income. Call (203) 931-9877 or email [email protected] with questions.