By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
Mayor Dorinda Borer, Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana and Parks and Recreation Director Mark E. Paine, Jr. on May 22 announced an “aggressive” water safety program for beaches and pools to keep residents safe.
The morning announcement — held on the dawn of Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of summer — touted West Haven’s far-reaching efforts to implement precautionary measures to protect people across its 3 ½-mile shoreline, which comprises 25% of Connecticut’s public beaches.
During the news conference at Sea Bluff Beach, Borer heralded the construction of the city’s first-ever lifeguard rescue station and several first-of-their-kind programs for residents, including free swim lessons, life vest giveaways and free boating safety classes.
“West Haven is the host city to the longest accessible coastline in the state of Connecticut, so we have a responsibility to make sure we put strong measures in place,” Borer said, addressing the crowd of reporters and public safety officials. “We took a very proactive, aggressive approach this year — an approach we started in January to put together, and we’re very proud of the teamwork that we’ve done.”
Fontana stood next to a large easel, showing a detailed color rendering of the lifeguard station, slated for construction on a 4-foot elevated deck near Sea Bluff’s busy Charlotte Bacon playground and Cover River area.
“This is going to be a state-of-the-art system; it’s going to be fully solar powered,” Fontana explained, pointing to the rendering.
Funded by a grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the station will feature security cameras, a 911 call box, rescue boards for rapid deployment and a lifeguard radio communication system to the city’s 911 Emergency Communications Center, as well as an automated external defibrillator, Fontana said.
Construction was expected to kick off this week and wrap up by late June.
Fontana also announced that 15 strategic beach locations along the shoreline will immediately receive ring-shaped life preservers called life buoys for rapid bystander deployment. Each orange buoy has a long rope and is stored in an orange case.
In addition, Fontana announced plans for a beach rescue watercraft.
The news conference then shifted focus toward community education and equipment, with Paine holding up a new dark blue life vest adorned with the “West Haven Recreation” logo.
“This personal flotation device is the single most effective thing you could do to ensure your safety,” Paine said.
The no-cost life vests were paid for by the city’s at-risk youth fund and are offered in four sizes on a first-come, first-served basis.
To receive a life vest, register at https://www.rec.us/organizations/city-of-west-haven. Pickups will take place at Park-Rec’s Painter Park office, 190 Kelsey Ave., from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through June 5.
City Pool and Waterfront Coordinator Margaret Ruggiero took the microphone to expand on the educational front, highlighting no-cost Park-Rec swim lessons and Coast Guard boating safety classes, also paid for by the youth fund.
“So excited that the mayor has been able to roll out this free swim lesson program for this summer,” Ruggiero said. “Boating lessons also are going to be available free for West Haven residents. You can head to our website, and we will be glad to register you.”
The swim lessons and boating classes are offered on a first-come, first-served basis at https://www.rec.us/organizations/city-of-west-haven.
The community spirit of the announcement was further anchored by West Haven native Paul Skerritt, who stepped forward to donate seven torpedo-shaped rescue cans to the Police Department for shoreline patrol units.
The department was well represented by Chief Joseph S. Perno, Deputy Chief Joseph Romano, Capt. Anthony Pacileo, Lt. Jay Masi and Sgt. Scott Allard, as well as Board of Police Commissioners Chairman Paul E. Butler.
“I just thought it was a good idea to help,” said Skerritt, who owns Precision Cutting Services in New Haven. “If somebody’s got to go in the water, at least they have the opportunity to save themselves and hopefully save somebody that they’re going after.”
Borer warmly thanked her “good friend” Skerritt, noting how local partnerships strengthen the city’s safety net.
“I want to thank Paul on behalf of the city,” she said.
As the news conference drew to a close, West Haven Fire Department Deputy Chief Willam S. Johnson IV and West Shore Fire Department Chief Rafael Zayas, Deputy Chief Kevin Mullen and Capt. Collin McBurney stood shoulder to shoulder with the mayor. Their departments shoulder the heavy burden of responding to all local water rescues, and their presence underscored a unified front.
Also attending were city Human Resources Commissioner John M. Carrano, who oversees Park-Rec, and Councilmen Gary Donovan (D-4), and Ronald M. Quagliani (D-10).
Before taking questions from reporters, Borer announced a dedicated Pool Safety Night, hosted by the Building Department at City Hall on June 18, ensuring that West Haven’s safety campaign leaves no stone unturned as summer heats up.
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