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Four schools in West Haven have been recognized by the Connecticut State Department of Education based on recently released testing results for the 2018-19 school year. Alma E. Pagels Elementary, Forest Elementary, Seth Haley Elementary, and Savin Rock Community School were cited as Schools of Distinction in mathematics. Pagels and Haley were also named Schools of Distinction status in the area of Language Arts. In addition, students at Carrigan Intermediate, Bailey Middle School and West Haven High School also achieved high marks on the Next Generation Science Assessment.

While this isn’t the first time that schools in West Haven earned praise from the Department of Education, it is important to note that there is no achievement gap in any of the District’s nine schools. In recent years, Forest and Mackrille Elementary achieved Blue Ribbon Status from the Federal Government as well. When examining West Haven’s scores to those in their District Reference Group, West Haven was at the top in most categories.

District administration credits the growth to ongoing curriculum changes and focused teacher training. A conscious effort has been to expand academic opportunities for all students and their families both during and after school. “We believe that all students can learn, and have high expectations for everyone who enters our schools,” said Superintendent of Schools Neil Cavallaro.

Dr. Anne Druzolowski, the District’s Assistant Superintendent in charge of Curriculum, stated, “We know our students have been making great strides, based on our own assessments and students’ classroom work. The state’s Next Generation of Accountability Report is further validation that the resources we have put into place will continue providing West Haven’s youngsters with an education that sets them up for a successful and fulfilling future while in school and after graduation.” She added, “This is a testament to the work ethic and commitment to education demonstrated by both our teachers and students. We also congratulate our four Schools of Distinction for earning special acknowledgement from the state.”

At its last regular meeting on Monday, March 2^nd, the Superintendent also congratulated Dr. Druzolowski, administrators, teachers, and other support staff for their hard work and efforts. Upon listening to the report, the Board of Education offered their congratulations, and gave those educators in attendance a standing ovation.

Putting down the rumor mill and presenting a fact-based rundown of what is to happen, Allingtown Green Project liaison Ken Carney told the City Council at its last public meeting (before the Coronavirus outbreak) the update for the landmark is on schedule. The Green, at the nexus of Forest Road, Campbell Avenue and the Boston Post Road, has been the subject of several rumors and misinformation, according to Carney.

The project, which has cost the city about $900,000 so far in grant funds, has seen its share of hurdles.

“The project survived compliance demands, funding issues, multiple design obstacles from the Department of Transportation, utility companies, and the project survived the rumor mill,” Carney told the council

Since the rebuilding of the RT 1-Forest Road area, what was to happen to the iconic common area was the subject of constant chatter, including the elimination of the area all together. Carney dismissed that notion outright. Since Acorn Group began building the Park View complex on Cellini Place, the stories concerning Cellini Place and the surrounding area have multiplied.

“I am here to tell you tonight the rumors are not true,” he said. “The name of Cellini Place is not changing, the Green and the street are not being taken over by a private developer, no parking will be lost on Cellini Place, Cellini place is not being closed to traffic, the monuments are not going to be removed, and yes, there is still room for a Christmas tree.”

He said the new design “offers a completely useable green that is fully ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant.”

The space will allow for gatherings, the monuments will get display and access upgrades. Additionally, plans call for granite walls with bluestone caps, colored, stamped concrete, new sidewalks, ornamental fence similar to that on the New Haven Green, a 30-foot-tall flagpole, refurbished clock, new light poles and lighted walks, new trees and landscaping, and a leveled grade to make the green fully useable.

According to Carney, another feature will be a “traffic calming area” to slow down traffic on Cellini Place.

“If the city wants to hold an event on the Green, recessed bollards on either end of the Cellini Place can be raised to temporarily close the street,” he said.

The liaison estimated the cost of the upgrade project will be in the neighborhood of $957,000, paid for by DOT funds, and a request for $250,000 additionally from a Community Development Administration block grant.

“Originally, all of the work for the green, and the site work that the city was responsible for, were funded by a $1.5 million DOT grant,” he said. “Presently, we have $676,000 left and our lowest bid for the new green area is $607,028.”

This brings of the question of why the city wants an additional $250,000 in CDA funding.

“The answer is that in order for the project to be 100 percent completed, additional funding is needed. The project requires a contingency fund,” Carney said. “The following items are required to complete the project: paving all of Cellini Place, not just half; upgrade of the stamped concrete to pavers; replacing the stamped concrete by the clock; added lighting to the clock; a stone base for the clock; up-lighting at the tree grates to illuminate the trees; purchasing new benches and trash cans, and re-paving Chester and Lee streets.”

No date of completion was available at press time, but any schedule would be contingent upon the awarding of contracts, and the procurement of the additional funding the city is requesting.

The West Haven Democratic Town Committee unanimously selected Michael Last to lead the party for another two year term at its organizational meeting last week. Last was first elected Chairman in 2018 after Mayor Nancy Rossi won the mayor’s office. He is also a State of Connecticut agency Chief Financial Officer and was elected West Haven City Treasurer.

The 60-member town committee is comprised of 6-members from each of the city’s ten districts. There was no opposition to this year’s Democratic Town Committee slate of candidates and therefore no primary.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to continue leading the Democratic. The last two years were strong and successful for our party and we elected some really talented and dedicated people. We have a lot of capacity and energy on this town committee with some exciting elections coming up. Our efforts will be dedicated to recruiting and electing hard-working, passionate and qualified democrats to represent our residents,” said Last.

The committee also elected Kathy Tucker and Christopher Suggs to serve as vice-chairman, Cebi Waterfield as secretary, Patty Horvath as corresponding secretary, Toni Paine as treasurer, Sarah Ackbarali as assistant treasurer, Rachel Solveira as social media coordinator and Brandon Paterson as public relations officer.

The Town Committee members set and execute the policy of the local party and will be busy this spring participating as delegates at conventions to endorse candidates for regional and local races that will include US congress, State Senator and State House Representatives.

“As we craft our goals and direction for the next two years it’s important that we communicate with our constituents so we can make sure we have the same priorities. We will continue recruiting new and diverse talent for the Democratic Party and will carry on our efforts to unify the party over the next two years. The diversification and unity of the Democratic Party will be top priorities,” concluded Last.

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

The city paid tribute to the proud legacy of African Americans and the immeasurable contributions — courage, imagination and unbeatable determination — they have made to shaping the American nation at the 24th annual Black Heritage Celebration at City Hall on Feb. 27.

During the cultural event in observance of Black History Month, the city’s Black Heritage Committee cited West Haven High School seniors Esther Boadiwaa Danso and Edward Kruah for leadership and honored Freddy Jackson and the late Teresa S. Blackwell as African American Citizens of the Year.

On behalf of their mother and grandmother, who died of cancer in 2005, Edwin Blackwell and his sons, Eli, 16, and Quincy, 15, accepted a citation from Mayor Nancy R. Rossi recognizing the former city welfare director’s “conviction, integrity and wisdom.”

Jackson, the commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9422, also received a citation from Rossi for his “courageous spirit and inspiring good works.” He was joined onstage by his wife, Miriam Silas Jackson.

Reading the citations, Rossi said: “I am grateful for your pioneering contributions in shaping the fabric of our African American community. Your story, an American story, speaks to the hopes and dreams we all have in common.”

A native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Blackwell moved to West Haven in the mid-1950s. She later became involved in the city’s Democratic Party and worked on several campaigns, including Azelio M. “Sal” Guerra, who was elected the sixth mayor of Connecticut’s youngest city in December 1985.

Seven months into his inaugural two-year term, Guerra appointed Blackwell as West Haven’s first African American female director of welfare. She led the Welfare Department from Aug. 4, 1986, to Jan. 5, 1990.

After her stint with the city, she served as U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro’s office manager.

Blackwell was a member of the Democratic Town Committee, the Board of Education and the Democratic Women of West Haven. She was also an avid bowler and golfer.

Jackson, 75, an Army veteran who served in Colorado and Korea in 1963-66 during the Vietnam War era, was the ceremonial grand marshal of the city’s 2018 Memorial Day parade.

Born and raised in Opp, Alabama, he came to West Haven with his wife in 1968.

Jackson is a longtime member of Hughson-Miller Post 71 of the American Legion and served as its commander in the early ’90s.

He has also volunteered for many years at the West Haven Veterans Affairs Hospital and is a former girls softball coach.

Jackson and his wife live on York Street and have two adult daughters, Tiffany and Joya, and eight grandchildren.

The hourlong program, held in the Harriet C. North Community Room, included an awards presentation by Rossi and committee Chairman Steven R. Mullins, the master of ceremonies, whose daughter, West Haven High junior Nora E. Mullins, sang a moving rendition of the black national anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” She was accompanied on the performance by the standing room-only assembly of dignitaries, family, friends and residents.

The ceremony also included a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Eli and Quincy Blackwell.

Danso, who aims to study mechanical engineering at a university next fall, and Kruah, who also aspires to pursue higher education, received a Black Heritage Committee certificate of achievement from Mullins, who was joined by Rossi, Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro and West Haven High Principal Dana Paredes.

Danso is enrolled in Advanced Placement courses, has earned high honors and was named West Haven High’s Student of the Month. Kruah, whose interests are video games, basketball and football, is also enrolled in college-level courses and has earned honors all four years while tackling a challenging workload.

The program featured remarks from Rossi, Cavallaro and 7th District Councilwoman Treneé McGee, the keynote speaker, as well as committee founder Beulah “Bea” Johnson and committee President Emerita Ernestine Jackson.

Rossi thanked the committee for “celebrating West Haven’s African American community.”

McGee focused her speech on the history of black soldiers, including the Tuskegee Airmen of the Army Air Forces’ 332nd Fighter Group and 477th Bombardment Group who fought in World War II, and how they played a significant role in the history of the U.S. military.

After saluting the veterans in the room, she concluded her remarks by empowering the crowd, made up of people from all walks of life, to embrace diversity and “be part of the cultural expansion in our country.”

In honor of the monthlong black history celebration, organizers have decorated the walls of City Hall with banners and posters depicting important black leaders and role models worldwide.

The committee has worked since 1996 to promote racial harmony across West Haven, transforming City Hall into an exhibition of African American art and literature throughout Black History Month to educate residents about black culture.

By Michael P. Walsh

Special to the Voice

The Department of Public Works is continuing its sidewalk repair and replacement program this spring.

City sidewalk inspector Ernie Chiarelli recently announced that 372 addresses were reported and inspected last year. Among the addresses, 997 4-by-4-foot concrete sections were replaced and 111 trip hazards were removed by a shaving process to meet guidelines under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act for a total of 1,108 sidewalk hazards corrected, Chiarelli said.

The 2019 sidewalk list has been fully completed, he said, adding, “We are looking forward to spring with the continuation of this program to help make West Haven a better and safer place to live.”

The Public Works Department is able to repair sidewalks damaged by city trees because of funding from a state grant. The grant money is for sidewalk repair and replacement only, Chiarelli said.

City trees are defined as those located between the sidewalk and street curb. Otherwise, it is the owner’s responsibility to repair the sidewalk fronting their property, according to Article 1, Section 1 of the “Streets and Sidewalks” ordinance under Chapter 206 of the West Haven Code.

Anyone who has a sidewalk in need of repair due to a city tree can have their address added to the 2020 inspection list by emailing the Department of Public Works at sidewalks@westhaven-ct.gov or calling (203) 937-3585.

The city’s grand list of taxable property has grown by nearly $36 million, or just over 1%, for fiscal year 2019, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The net grand list is now more than $2.7 billion, said Rossi, adding that the grand list also grew by more than 1% in fiscal 2018.

“The grand list growth, specifically in the commercial area, is critical to stabilizing our tax mill rate as we move forward,” Rossi said. “Although the grand list growth is relatively small as a percentage, it will generate about $1.3 million in new revenue for the fiscal year 2021 budget cycle, which begins on July 1, 2020.”

Rossi noted that growth occurred in all three taxation districts. The 1st District (Center) grand list assessments increased by about $2 million and the 2nd District (West Shore) by $13.9 million. The 3rd District (Allingtown) saw the largest increase at $20.1 million.

Real estate had the largest growth in the 2019 grand list, with an increase of $15.3 million citywide. Personal property increased by $10.9 million and motor vehicles by $9.8 million.

The real estate growth included the Yale New Haven Health distribution center project on Route 34 in Allingtown, the continued revitalization of the Allingtown Center, and new and expanded business activity throughout the city.

“The continued growth in the city of West Haven’s grand list is encouraging,” Rossi said. “We have worked hard to show investors that we are fiscally accountable and serious about economic development.

“We will continue to aggressively market the city to attract new investment and business. We have put the city in a good position to create more commercial opportunities moving forward.”

The mayor continued: “Grand list growth is essential and will generate much-needed revenue from commercial investments and help stabilize our tax rate for our residents. There is much more work to be done, but seeing the grand list continue to grow is a positive indicator and will build momentum for our future success.

“As we begin the budget process, the increase in the grand list is vital to reducing and hopefully mitigating the tax increase suggested by the state Municipal Accountability Review Board for fiscal year 2021.”

“We continue to move in the right direction,” Rossi said.

The Department of Planning and Development is seeking one or more local architects who are willing to volunteer their time to assist with the review of applications submitted within the recently established Village District in the Center.

The new regulation, adopted in September 2019, establishes a series of design standards for new buildings, additions and renovations that can be seen from public streets in the district. Design standards guide building placement and orientation, building massing and form, facades, roof and cornice lines, landscaping, parking, and streetscape and sidewalk design.

The regulation requires the Planning and Zoning Commission to receive a report from a professional architect or architectural firm on proposed plans before acting on them.

The department invites interested parties to contact the planning and zoning office at City Hall and provide a letter of interest stating the reasons for wanting to serve in the advisory role. They must provide a resume or statement of the individual’s or firm’s qualifications to perform the work, including education and training, past experience and current employment. Examples of past work the individual or firm has completed would be helpful, as well as examples of how the individual has served in a similar advisory capacity in the past.

For consideration, interested parties must submit all requested information to the planning and zoning office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., no later than Feb. 28.

For more information, call Assistant City Planner David W. Killeen at (203) 937-3500, ext. 3007.