The week in photos – August 29, 2019

Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ceremonial ribbon Tuesday with, from left, City Council Minority Leader Richard DePalma, R-at large, Superintendent of Schools Neil C. Cavallaro, Principal Dana Paredes, paraprofessional Patricia C. Horvath and Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli to mark the first day of school at West Haven High School and welcome the approximately 1,600 students to the 2019-20 school year.

“I want them happy. I want them to have a good experience.”

The city’s first rain garden has been installed at Pagels Elementary School.The 270-square- foot garden, constructed just off the school bus drop-off and pickup lane by Benham Hill Road, can treat more than 40,000 gallons of stormwater per year. The project is the result of a collaboration with the UConn Center for Land Use Education and Research, which analyzed and reported on several potential sites in West Haven for tackling stormwater runoff reduction last year. CLEAR, based in Haddam, provides information, education and assistance to land use decision-makers in support of balancing growth and natural resource protection. Storm-water management is necessary to reduce flooding and protect bodies of water from pollutants that collect on roads, parking lots and driveways and flow into storm sewers. Rain gardens are designed to collect runoff and allow the water to percolate through soil before finding its way to rivers and Long Island Sound.

The Rev. Kevin Dillon, pastor of Our Lady of Victory Church holds a silver rose that was received by the parish in a service of prayer last week. The rose, one of several said to miraculously appear as a sign, came from the garment worn by St. Juan Diego at the apparition now known as Our Lady of Guadalupe. That garment contained the image of the lady that appeared the the saint and is on display in the basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe over the main altar. Dillon is flanked by the Rev. Jose Mercado, pastor of St. Louis and St. Lawrence Churches, and the Rev. Eric Zuniga. The visit was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, standing behind.

The Savin Rock Observatory was an early attraction at the playland George Kelsey established.

The West Haven Public Library has established a “Carnegie Community Garden” and club to honor its great benefactor Andrew Carnegie on the centennial of his death in 1919 and to inspire Westies to imitate him in his generosity and philanthropy. The library hopes to engage the community in planting, harvest- ing, and maintaining the garden, with all produce grown to be donated to local food pantries. The groundbreaking took place on Aug. 14, in a small grassy area at the rear of the parking lot with about 20 persons in attendance. The raised garden bed and sign were constructed through the kindness of Wilson and Eddy Cordova, who donated all materials and labor. For more information about the Carnegie Community Garden and joining the club, please call the Reference Room at (203) 937-4233 ext. 3

The West Haven Public Library has established a “Carnegie Community Garden” and club to honor its great benefactor Andrew Carnegie on the centennial of his death in 1919 and to inspire Westies to imitate him in his generosity and philanthropy. The library hopes to engage the community in planting, harvest- ing, and maintaining the garden, with all produce grown to be donated to local food pantries. The groundbreaking took place on Aug. 14, in a small grassy area at the rear of the parking lot with about 20 persons in attendance. The raised garden bed and sign were constructed through the kindness of Wilson and Eddy Cordova, who donated all materials and labor. For more information about the Carnegie Community Garden and joining the club, please call the Reference Room at (203) 937-4233 ext. 3

The West Haven Public Library has established a “Carnegie Community Garden” and club to honor its great benefactor Andrew Carnegie on the centennial of his death in 1919 and to inspire Westies to imitate him in his generosity and philanthropy. The library hopes to engage the community in planting, harvest- ing, and maintaining the garden, with all produce grown to be donated to local food pantries. The groundbreaking took place on Aug. 14, in a small grassy area at the rear of the parking lot with about 20 persons in attendance. The raised garden bed and sign were constructed through the kindness of Wilson and Eddy Cordova, who donated all materials and labor. For more information about the Carnegie Community Garden and joining the club, please call the Reference Room at (203) 937-4233 ext. 3

School started Tuesday, but high school fall sports teams have been practicing for a couple of weeks. West Haven’s Blue Devils were seen out on Ken Strong Stadium’s turf running through some basic offensive plays and defensive coverages. The Blue-and-White open the sea- son Thursday, Sept. 12 v. the Gaels of Shelton in an early season showdown between the two Southern Connecticut Conference rivals.

An aerial rendering from the state Department of Transportation showing the soon-to-be upgraded Oyster River roundabout at Jones Hill Road and Ocean Avenue in the city’s Baybrook area.