Featured

Josh LaBella

Voice Reporter

Down the street from the University of New Haven, on Campbell Avenue., Blue Horse hosted its official grand opening last Friday.

While the bar officially opened April 19, the grand opening included a ribbon-cutting by Mayor Nancy Rossi. The owner of Blue Horse, Tara Severino, said she wanted to open the bar for two reasons.

“The Chargers from the University of New Haven did not have any good place [bars in walking distance] to go,” said Severino. “We also thought this [the building] was a great space and it was large enough.”

Severino said she wanted college students and residents to be able to come to a unique and family place to enjoy their time. She added they are looking to have fun and “controlled chaos.”

The bars large menu, written on a chalk board on the wall, had a section called “broke college kids” with cheap food priced from $2 to $5 in addition to the usual food that can be found at a bar.

Severino said business has been good so far and she wants to keep it going. She said they have different bands every Saturday night and different themed events on other days.

The owner said she would like to hear any type of feedback – positive or negative to see what people like.

According to Severino, who coached sports in West Haven for 15 years, she wants to give back to the community. She said in 2011 she was in a gas explosion and the people of the city rallied around her and hosted a fundraiser.

“Even when I had my second accident, I had a cardiac arrest five years later, the community was so supportive and they really welcomed us into West Haven when we moved in,” said Severino. “So I want to return the favor.”

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced that the city will close fiscal year 2019, which ends June 30, with an estimated $3.5 million general fund operating budget surplus.

The surplus represents the second consecutive fiscal year with positive operating results. Fiscal 2018 ended with an audited $3.1 million surplus.

Both years include state restructuring grant funds, approved by the state Municipal Accountability Review Board, that gradually decrease and finally phase out after 2022.

The MARB originally approved $6 million in restructuring funds for fiscal 2020. The MARB recently reduced the $6 million to $4.1 million after the city documented a second year of positive operating results and the MARB determined that West Haven was ahead of its five-year plan objectives.

The projected surplus of $3.5 million will bring the city’s fund balance, or rainy day fund, to more than $5 million after closing out general fund deficits from previous years.

The other major city funds — the Allingtown Fire District and the sewer fund, which is operated by the Water Pollution Control Authority — are also projecting surpluses for the current year.

“The $3.5 million surplus is a direct result of higher-than-expected revenue of $1.3 million and expenditures coming in $2.2 million lower than budgeted,” Rossi said. “Higher tax collection rates and commercial building permit fees are driving the additional revenue, while departmental and overtime savings are bringing the expenditures in under budget.”

For fiscal 2020, which begins July 1, the city will implement additional efficiencies. Among them is a new health insurance plan, the state of Connecticut’s Heath Insurance Partnership Plan 2.0, for all city employees beginning Jan. 1, 2020.

Board of Education employees will join the State Partnership Plan 2.0 on July 1, 2020.

The state plan will provide employees with better health coverage and will save the city about $4 million annually.

“It is important to note that this plan truly is an improvement for employees; it is not a high-deductible plan,” Rossi said. “I want to thank city and Board of Education employees, not only for their personal sacrifices but for working together to make our government operations more effective and less costly to our taxpayers.”

The mayor continued: “The city’s financial situation is improving. We are not out of the woods yet, and we still have a difficult period of recovery; but I can confidently say we are making the necessary decisions and are on the right path.”

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

In preparation for the annual Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular on July 3, the Police Department is rolling out a comprehensive traffic-management plan aimed at protecting the public.

The large-scale traffic plan will close many shoreline roads in the hours before the 9:15 p.m. fireworks display in an effort to protect pedestrians and allow for the safe passage of emergency vehicles.

The rain date is July 5.

Residents and nonresidents should take note that “No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of Platt Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Randall’s Restaurant; Dyke Street from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Educational Way; Kelsey Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Graham Avenue; Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets; and the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets.

Also, “No Parking” signs will be posted on the north side of Connecticut Avenue; the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue to Highland Avenue; the even side of Highland Avenue from Arlington to Linden streets; and the even side of all side streets off Beach Street to Thomas Street.

Police can tag and tow vehicles violating the traffic plan at the owner’s expense. Violators are also subject to a $100 fine.

All municipal beach parking lots will open at 9:15 a.m. July 3. Both residents and nonresidents will be charged for parking per entrance. The fee is $5 for vehicles with a valid beach sticker that is adhered to the windshield and $10 for vehicles without a valid beach sticker.

Metered parking in all beach lots will be suspended July 3. However, metered parking will be offered on Palace Street, a pay-for-parking site for both residents and nonresidents. Beach stickers are not valid on Palace Street.

Please be advised that at 6 p.m. July 3, the following road closures will be in effect: Ocean Avenue from South Street to Platt Avenue; Platt Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Educational Way; and Captain Thomas Boulevard from Platt Avenue to Rock Street.

Those who park in the South Street, Dawson Avenue or Sea Bluff beach lots during the day can stay for the fireworks, but they will have to keep their vehicles in the lots until the road is reopened at 11 p.m. Otherwise, they will have to leave the lots before 6 p.m. because of the road closure.

Residents and nonresidents should also take note that police will strictly enforce all beach regulations, which are posted at each access point along the shoreline, as well as the following restrictions:

—    All bags will be subject to search before entering the beach area.

—    No coolers or alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the beach.

—    No disorderly or obscene conduct will be tolerated.

—    No open fires or cooking will be allowed on the beach.

The July 3 fireworks display draws an estimated 100,000 people of all ages to the city’s 3.5-mile shoreline each year.

Billed as “the region’s largest Independence Day fireworks show,” the display is launched off Bradley Point and presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee.

Before the patriotic event, partygoers can dance the night away to rock ’n’ roll hits performed by The Navels at the Savin Rock bandstand from 6:30-9 p.m.

The pre-event festivities will also include a smorgasbord of food trucks dishing up eats and sweets at designated locations on the south side of Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue.

The mayoral field is expected to rise to five, tonight, as the former chairman of the Republican Town Committee will add her name to the list in an announcement. Michele Gregorio has invited the press and members of the town committee to the announcement, which will make her the second member of the city’s minority party to declare for the candidacy. At press time, no pre-information was given on her announcement statement.

Last month, Planning and Zoning Commission member Steve Mullins announced his run for the nomination. The Gregorio announcement could set off the first primary in the party in several years, and give the GOP some much needed exposure in a highly Democratic community.

The list of announced candidates grew to four last week as City Clerk Deborah Collins made official what had been the subject of speculation for weeks. She announced her bid to unseat incumbent Mayor Nancy Rossi for the nomination.

Meanwhile, former Mayor Edward O’Brien had announced in March that he was seeking a return to City Hall, this time as an independent, thus avoiding the expense of a three-way primary. O’Brien, who has lost the support of those who stood by him in his two terms as mayor, is hoping a three-way race in November will split the vote in his favor.

Both the Democratic and Republican town committees have their caucuses planned for July to vote on their endorsed slates. Once that is done, the losing candidates will have to go through the petition process in order to force a primary in September.

Collins, who announced an exploratory committee back in March as well, said she has spent those weeks talking to people, and those talks gave her the impetus to move onto a run for the mayoralty.

“I have spent countless hours speaking with residents to better understand what the most important issues are facing the city today. You all have confirmed what I already know: That we need a change,” she said.

Collins listed the fact the residents want a city where they feel safe, have good schools, “But most importantly, we want a city we can afford to live in. That brings us to our finances. Let’s be honest, we are in bad financial shape. It is real and it is undeniable.”

She said she was not standing before her supporters to point fingers or lay blame. The only way the city can get out of its financial doldrums was growth of the grand list.

“The time is now to create ideas and opportunities so that developers want to come to the table. We must roll up our sleeves and do the hard work necessary to attract the type that will actually happen,” he said. “The potential for development in West Haven is enormous. Beach Street, the Boston Post Road, our downtown and train station areas are all ripe for development yet remain untouched and abandoned for too long with no realistic plan in sight.”

Collins then moved to a development much in the minds of the last three administrations.

“And that brings me to the elephant in the room, the Haven. With another 18 months of boarded up homes and lack of communication gone by, I believe it is about time we strengthen our approach to this development and demand a timeline. We will not be fooled by props like empty bulldozers that show up around election time,” she said. “We must develop a collaborative relationship with public and private businesses, non-profits, our educational institutions and state and federal government in order to move West Haven forward and achieve the growth it needs to thrive once again.”

She ended her announcement saying, “We need a team that will help us achieve smart growth that will adopt a “do more with less” philosophy and will be 100% transparent about changes throughout your city.”

As if to catalogue the achievements and goals set out by her administration, Mayor Rossi issued a statement earlier this week, defending her administration.

In the last few weeks, the mayor has taken criticism from some quarters regarding the Beach Street renovation project and the utilization of funds already allocated (see letters, p. 18). She pointed out the project is going on as expected.

“The Beach Street project, which excludes the former Debonair Motel, is a complex construction project consisting of three phases. It is and has always been a top priority of my administration,” she said. “We received funding for phase one, the design and construction aspect, which is scheduled to begin this fall. The design for phase two is underway. Once phase one is complete, phases two and three can move forward. If the project proceeds as planned, our city engineer estimates the completion of phase one by July 2020.”

Rossi said the Savin Rock Conference Center and the Arts Center at the former Masonic Temple on Center Street remain goals to be worked on by the administration.

“After years of deferred maintenance, the building needs a new roof and other upgrades. Removing the interior walls to make one large banquet facility and adding a kitchen will make the facility more marketable. The SRCC can bring people and business to West Haven if it is renovated and managed properly. The SRCC will also bring a reliable, long-term revenue stream to the city, which given our financial condition is an important part of necessary structural change,” she said. “The future Center for the Arts continues to sit vacant in the center of West Haven.I believe that converting the 107-year-old building into a performing arts center will further our goal of revitalizing our downtown. Downtown West Haven would benefit from the addition of commercial attractions supported by foot traffic, and I believe the arts center will be an important component of downtown revitalization as well as structural change.”

The lack of movement on the sale of properties on Beach Street has been a focal point of criticism, including from this newspaper. Rossi said all that can be done is being done to facilitate progress.

“While I understand the frustration created by vacant properties on Beach Street, our economic development commissioner has been in close contact with those property owners,” she said. “It is important to remember that these properties are privately owned. That said, we will continue to push for the properties’ proper maintenance, aggressive marketing and eventual development. We encourage the owners to find buyers who will invest in these commercial spaces and grow our grand list. All these efforts will benefit residents and visitors to our beautiful shorefront.”

As far as the Haven, Rossi said she remains optimistic.

“We sold Bayview Park, have worked with the developer to secure local approvals, and are now awaiting a certificate from the Connecticut Department of Transportation’s Office of the State Traffic Administration to install turn lanes and widen Elm Street. It is taking longer than I would have liked, but once The Haven demolition begins, it will spur development along Beach Street and throughout our city,” she said.

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

Planning and zoning officials will hold a public meeting focusing on the center of West Haven and how the city can reach the goals of the recently adopted Plan of Conservation and Development by creating a new village district regulation.

The meeting, sponsored by the Planning and Zoning Commission, is set for 7 p.m. June 18 in the Harriet C. North Community Room on the second floor of City Hall, 355 Main St.

P&Z Chairwoman Kathleen Hendricks said the commission aims to attract a wide range of participants for the workshop in hopes of creating a dialogue among area businesses and property owners, neighborhood residents and community leaders.

According to Assistant City Planner David W. Killeen, the meeting will include a presentation highlighting components of the POCD vision for downtown West Haven, with a focus on elements of the new village district zoning concept under consideration by the commission. The area is roughly bounded by the railroad tracks, Washington Avenue, Atwater Street and Savin Avenue.

Elements of the concept include establishing design standards and an architectural review process for visible changes to buildings in the area; guiding new development in the central business district; protecting and improving the residential and business character of the area; performing an architectural review of proposed projects as part of the current zoning approval process; and discussing other ways to improve the business climate in the West Haven Center.

The workshop will include opportunities for participants to share their reactions and ideas. The commission will use the input in finalizing how the regulation is written, Hendricks said.

The concept for a village district in the downtown area was first envisioned in the POCD, which was adopted by the commission in June 2017.

See the POCD at https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/DocumentCenter/View/827/Plan-of-Conservation-and-Development-Final-PDF.

For more information, call the Department of Planning and Development at 203-937-3580.

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi led development officials on a pre-construction site tour of the former Edgar C. Stiles Elementary School on May 28.

Rossi was accompanied on the tour, along with a pre-construction site tour of the former Clarence E. Thompson Elementary School, by R.J. Pasquesi, president of KCG Development LLC of Indianapolis; KCG Vice President Joel Silver; Peter Wood, principal of Collaborative Development Consulting of Stamford; Paul B. Bailey, principal of Paul B. Bailey Architect LLC of New Haven; and Susan B. Odell, senior project architect and certified passive house consultant for the Bailey architectural firm.

They were joined by Rossi’s executive assistant, Lou Esposito, and city Corporation Counsel Lee Tiernan.

On May 13, Rossi announced that her team, led by Planning and Development Commissioner Fred A. Messore, negotiated the sale of the long-vacant schools to KCG for $852,000.

The city had issued a request for proposals for both properties, with KCG submitting the highest offer with the best plan for the sites.

“Our entire team is honored to have been chosen to collaborate with the city of West Haven on these important projects,” Silver has said. “We look forward to bringing new life to these schools and adjacent property by creating a vibrant mixed-income and mixed-use community.”

KCG is a nationally respected developer that operates in 21 states and specializes in adaptive reuse projects.

The Stiles building, located at 575 Main St. in the Transit-Oriented Development District around the train station, would be composed of about 50 housing and studio units that would be marketed to millennials because of their proximity to the station and Interstate 95, Messore has said.

According to Messore, the Thompson building, 165 Richards St., would be a mixed-use approach that would include commercial and business incubator spaces and about 21 housing units.

The former schools have been vacant for years with no real plans for development, Rossi has said.

Stiles closed in 2004 and Thompson in 2010.

In 2016, then-Mayor Ed O’Brien’s administration sold the Thompson building to the West Haven Housing Authority for $10, but the financing for senior housing fell through and the property reverted back to the city.

“These buildings have been vacant, quickly deteriorating and off the tax rolls,” Rossi has said. “This agreement would generate needed tax revenue and would be promoted to commuting millennials and others because of their location with easy access to public transportation and I-95. Neither one of these properties includes any tax abatements, which will make them fully taxable on day one.”

Rossi said she will soon submit an informational package to the City Council so members can set up a public hearing and vote on the proposal.

According to city officials, the estimated value of the renovated Stiles building will be about $13 million, with an assessment for taxation of about $9.1 million that will generate an estimated $330,000 in annual tax revenue for West Haven. The renovated Thompson building will be valued around $10 million, with an assessment of $7 million that will produce about $254,000 in annual tax revenue for the city.

“The one-time influx of cash from the sales will further improve the city’s fiscal health, but beyond the short term, these properties will generate about $584,000 in tax revenue a year,” Rossi has said. “With this transaction, we will be growing our grand list, relieving the burden of ownership on the city’s taxpayers, and anticipating the improvements that come with restoration and modernization.”