Gripe Vine Readers:
Over the past few years, Gripe Vine has been receiving complaints relating to the condition of the Cove River Tide Gate. I’m going back to 2014 with this issue. I thought I would relate a little background to my readers and the success West Haven is apparently going to realize with an improvement at this site.
One of the complaints I received from a Gripe Vine reader back in 2014 indicated the pedestrian access way above the Cove River tide gate was wooden, and in an unsafe condition, but according to information from a city representative at the time,, the pedestrian access way above the Cove River Tide Gate is concrete, not wooden and it was closed by the city and fire officials several years ago for safety reasons after there was an unfortunate accident involving a minor.
At that time, 2014, Gripe Vine was told that the city was in the process of applying for a $5 million grant as part of efforts to mitigate flooding in the Cove River salt marsh area. Preliminary plans called for preserving the flood plain area, replacing the pedestrian bridge with possibly an aluminum walkway and restoring the tide gate.
West Haven’s City Engineer, Abdul Quadir also contributed to background information on this project, back in 2015 with the comment, “We just applied for a grant for this Project to HUD. The State is going to send the application in June this year, 2015 and wait for the decision. I don’t think we will know anything before August.”
Now, good news readers, according to a recent news release from a local newspaper, the state has agreed to fund and rebuild the tide gates at the mouth of the Cove River between Sea Bluff Beach and Bradley Point Park. According to the news release item, if you live anywhere upstream of the tide gates, your home will be protected from potential catastrophic flooding. The new high school will also be affected by the tide gates. Good news $3.9 million in state funding has been approved for this project, plus a new pedestrian bridge that will connect Bradley Point’s Veterans Walk of Honor to Sea Bluff to replace the original bridge that has been closed 20 years ago.
Progress!
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
When will residents in the Sharon Avenue neighborhood get relief from early morning leaf pickups? When I say early, I mean 5 a.m.
Sleepy
Dear Sleepy:
Here’s the latest on your gripe and other similar complaints. I have been in touch with Louis Esposito, Mayor Nancy Rossi’s Executive Assistant regarding your complaint (and similar complaints)
Dear Eleanore Turkington:
“I checked with our contractor and his contract for leaves is over. The city will begin picking them up next week.”
Readers living in the Sharon Avenue area, please let me know if you are sleeping a little later these days because of an improved leaf pickup schedule.
Readers can submit your complaints, issues and comments to gripevine4wh@aol.com please include your name, address and phone number, kept in strict confidentiality with me. If you prefer to mail your issues to me, send them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. You can also contact us online by clicking here.