Elsie Encarnacion named city’s Hispanic of the Year

Elsie Encarnacion, a longtime downtown business owner, will receive the city’s Hispanic American of the Year award at the fourth annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

Rossi and the West Haven Hispanic Heritage Committee will fete Encarnacion, whose grandparents hailed from Puerto Rico, at noon Friday at City Hall, 355 Main St.

The committee bestows the award annually on a Hispanic resident who epitomizes service in the city’s thriving Hispanic American community.

“I wasn’t expecting this (award) at all, and I’m very grateful,” said Encarnacion, a State Farm agent who has owned Encarnacion Insurance & Financial Services Inc. for 14 years at 487A Campbell Ave., opposite City Hall across from the Green.

Encarnacion, 50, will honor her Puerto Rican ancestry with dozens of friends and loved ones, along with an array of dignitaries and descendants of folks from Puerto Rico and Latin America.

Committee members and West Haven officials led by Rossi will escort Encarnacion to the steps of City Hall for her special recognition. A Latin-flavored lunch will follow.

West Haven’s diversity is its strength, Rossi said, and Encarnacion is a testament to the American dream.

“Elsie Encarnacion is an outstanding business professional, and it is a privilege to recognize her as our Hispanic American of the Year,” Rossi said. “She is both a local business owner and an active member of our community who is known for being charitable and always willing to volunteer.”

In observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through Oct. 15, West Haven recognizes the important legacy of Hispanic Americans and the inspiring contributions they have made to the culture and history of the United States.

Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on the civic and cultural life of America through their strong commitment to faith and family, hard work and public service. They have enhanced and shaped the national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

Hispanic Heritage Month, which traces its roots to 1968, begins each year on Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days during that period.

The term Hispanic refers to Puerto Rican, South American or Central American, and other Spanish cultures or origins regardless of race. On the 2020 census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic or Latino origins could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino or Spanish origin.”

Rossi said Encarnacion personifies the noble qualities of serving her vibrant community and carrying on the proud traditions of Puerto Rico.

Rossi praised the public-spirited Encarnacion, whom she called a woman of faith and service, for her devotion to the city and its robust Hispanic American community.

Encarnacion, a member of Vertical Church, is widely known for her volunteerism at the Meloy Road church, where she helped deliver meals to needy residents during the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

At the City Hall event, Rossi will present her with a Puerto Rican flag and a mayoral citation for her civic-minded good works.

Encarnacion will also receive an embroidered “Hispanic American of the Year” jacket from Rossi and a General Assembly citation from Rep. Treneé McGee, D-West Haven, on behalf of the city’s delegation.

The cultural event will include remarks by Rossi and her executive assistant, Louis P. Esposito Jr., the master of ceremonies. It will also include the singings of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Puerto Rican national anthem, “La Borinqueña.”

The former Elsie Velasquez was born and raised in Christiansted, the largest town on St. Croix of the Virgin Islands, where she graduated from St. Croix Central High School in 1990.

Five years later, she received a bachelor’s degree in business from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, where she met her husband, Emilio Encarnacion.

After the couple moved to West Haven in 1996, she received a master’s degree in business management from Albertus Magnus College.

She and her husband of 26 years live with their Chihuahuas, Chilly and Princess, on Sanford Street in Allingtown.

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‘Tree tenders’ set tree planting in Brennan Field Park on Saturday

Tree Warden Leo Kelly and the city’s volunteer “tree tenders” will plant a red maple from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday in Brennan Field Park at Highland Avenue and Arlington Street.

The event, held near the park’s basketball court, is one of many tree plantings planned for parts of the city under the auspices of Kelly and his tree tenders.

The group of volunteers — about 30 in all — is tasked with helping the city implement a $10,000 grant from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to plant and maintain trees in urban areas of West Haven.

Anyone is welcome to join the group and volunteer for future plantings.

According to Kelly, many city trees have been lost because of storms and utility projects and have not been replaced or replenished. The tree tender initiative hopes to change that, he said.

Energy assistance offered in West Haven starting Oct. 3

The city will begin accepting applications for the federally funded Connecticut Energy Assistance Program.

Starting Oct. 3, appointments for all heating sources can be made by calling 203-937-3572.

Applications will be processed via phone by appointment Monday through Thursday. No walk-ins will be accepted.

Applicants who have difficulty speaking English are asked to have a translator.

Eligibility for assistance is based on the income of an applicant’s household. To qualify, applicants must provide pay stubs, including monthly Social Security benefits and pension incomes, for all household members 18 and older.

Applicants must also provide SNAP benefits, Social Security numbers and birthdates for all household members, as well as current utility and water bills for the household.

Moody’s confirms West Haven’s ‘stable’ bond rating outlook

Moody’s Investors Service on Sept. 20 confirmed a Baa3 rating on the city’s general obligation bonds while assigning a “stable” outlook, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The confirmation “reflects the city’s improved financial position as a result of growth to cash and reserves and decreasing reliance on state-administered municipal restructuring funds,” Moody’s said in its bond credit analysis. “The likelihood of gradual improvement is enhanced by the increased presence of the (state) Municipal Accountability Review Board, which amplified its oversight of the city following (alleged) financial malfeasance by former employees … in an effort to defraud the city of federal COVID relief dollars.”

“That episode, combined with the MARB’s increased scrutiny of the city, resulted in a delay of the fiscal 2021 audit,” Moody’s said. “While the fiscal 2021 audit is still unavailable, the city has provided detailed unaudited information to both Moody’s and MARB that are of sufficient quality to maintain the rating pending receipt of the fiscal 2021 audit in November.

“However, Moody’s does not anticipate a substantive difference between the city’s unaudited and audited figures for fiscal 2021 because of the presence of MARB oversight and the redoubled efforts of new staff to strengthen the city’s financial reporting and controls.”

West Haven’s “solid economy” and “manageable debt profile” are also factored into the bond rating.

In its report, the New York agency pointed out that West Haven’s stable outlook “is driven by our expectation that the city will continue gradual financial improvement while strengthening its policies and procedures. This effort will be enhanced by the oversight of MARB, which will heighten the probability for fiscal stability.”

West Haven Fire/Police Service, Public Safety & Health Exposition scheduled for Oct. 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

West Haven’s three fire departments and the city will salute National Fire Prevention Week with an exposition of all things fire, police, public safety and health.

The second annual West Haven Fire/Police Service, Public Safety & Health Expo is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Old Grove Park and Palace Street. The rain date is Oct. 16. Free parking is available in the lots off Captain Thomas Boulevard.

See the Flyer.

West Haven’s collective fire services include the independent West Haven Fire Department, which serves the First Fire Taxation, or Center, District, and the independent West Shore Fire Department, which serves the Shore’s 2nd District. It also includes the 3rd District’s formerly independent Allingtown Fire Department, which was taken over by the city in July 2012 and is now known as the City of West Haven Fire Department Allingtown.

Together, the departments have been in operation for 350 years — West Haven since 1888, Allingtown since 1907 and West Shore since 1918.

West Haven Chief James P. O’Brien, West Shore Chief Stephen Scafariello and Allingtown Chief Michael R. Terenzio are organizing the large public exhibition, which will feature fire engine and firetruck displays, including antique fire apparatus, and a fire service exhibit at Old Grove Park and Palace Street.

The expo will include Mack firetruck rides, a hazmat trailer, food trucks, the departments’ rescue boats and fire merchandise vendors, as well as live music by Tre Paul and an appearance by Sparky the Fire Dog, said organizer Beth A. Sabo, the Expo Committee’s chairwoman.

It will also include educational demonstrations on smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, drone technology, home sprinkler systems, first aid, and fire code and investigation.

West Haven firefighters will demonstrate the department’s 35-foot smoke trailer and show children what to do in the event of a fire.

West Haven Professional Firefighters Local 1198 will collect donations for its annual Muscular Dystrophy Association charity event.

Allingtown firefighters will perform a certified inspection or installation of child safety car seats for the public free of charge. They will also show how to ensure that the portable seats have been properly fastened for securing small children.

Fire apparatus dealers and members of the University of New Haven’s Fire Science and EMS/Paramedic clubs will have resource tables with information on products and programs.

Jennifer A. Amendola, the director of West Haven’s 911 Emergency Communications Center, which operates out of police headquarters at 200 Sawmill Road, will educate the public on the structure of the city’s Emergency Reporting System and what the dispatchers do.

Amendola and other ERS dispatchers will demonstrate how to make a “real” phone call to 911 while showing people what the dispatcher on the other end of the call would be doing. For example, dispatchers will show the public the premade, established card sets that consist of a series of questions they must ask when receiving certain types of medical emergencies to give the callers an idea of why the questions need to be asked and why.

Dispatchers will show how to “TEXT 911” if people cannot place a phone call in an emergency. There will also be a display of what the dispatcher workstations look like, along with some of the equipment they use, such as headsets and portables.

“West Haven 911 will be happy to educate the public on any questions they may have about the system, how it works, what to do,” Amendola said. “We want to make sure people know when to call and reassure them that there will always be a voice on the other end to help them.”

ERS dispatchers will also distribute educational materials and pass out goodies to people of all ages to remind them that 911 should be called for any police, fire or medical emergency, Amendola said.

The West Haven Department of Emergency Management will have information on the city’s Community Emergency Response Team, storm preparation, post-storm recovery, and natural and human-made disasters.

Emergency Management Director Joseph Soto said the CERT program, which needs volunteers, educates volunteers on disaster preparedness for hazards that could impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization and disaster medical operations.

Soto will sign up residents for West Haven’s emergency notification system to receive alerts. The Citizen Notification System enables the city to quickly provide residents with critical information in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons, and building or neighborhood evacuations, he said.

The system is operated in partnership with Everbridge Inc. of Burlington, Massachusetts, the world’s leader in incident notification systems.

Once registered in Everbridge’s secure database, the site will send subscribers time-sensitive messages via cell, home or business phones or email or text messages. The notifications are broadcast through the city’s Emergency Operations Center.

Members of the West Haven Health Department will give doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to those 18 and older and have information on the coronavirus, food sanitation and the flu.

Local health care agencies, including Bridges, will present their programs.

The West Haven Police Department will hold a K-9 demonstration and have information on public safety, crime prevention and law enforcement programs.

The call to “save the date” for vendors and fire, police, public safety and health organizations to participate is underway.

“Save the Date”

Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

West Haven seniors empowered by National Senior Center Month events

Today’s senior centers deliver vital connections to help older adults age well.

Senior centers offer enriching daily activities, socialization opportunities and resourceful information. Therefore, it is fitting that the National Council on Aging recognizes September as National Senior Center Month.

During the special month, the West Haven Senior Center is celebrating the shared experiences that strengthen community connections for older, independent adults.

From intriguing brain fitness to diverse creative arts and educational seminars to unique fitness programs and classic bingo, the senior center, based in the Johnson Community Center at 201 Noble St., is a community hub where older, independent adults can find friendship, meaning and purpose.

To share the power of those connections, WHSC has planned a variety of special events to celebrate Senior Center Month, including reestablishing the West Haven Public Library’s Bookmobile program, viewing DVDs of past parties the senior center hosted, and reminiscing about Savin Rock with a screening of “See Ya at the Rock!”

Other forthcoming events include cardio drumming and WHSC members stocking the Purple Pantry Box at the First Congregational Church, 464 Campbell Ave.

For the full Senior Center Month itinerary, see the West Haven Senior Highlights Newsletter.

“Betty Friedan said, ‘Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength,’” said Alyssa Maddern, the director of the Department of Elderly Services at the West Haven Senior Center.

Maddern continued: “WHSC members are finding opportunity and strength each and every day. They demand the opportunity to continue connecting: We serve them and this community the best we can with fun and engaging programs while also providing practical information and resources to help them stay healthy and independent.”

Senior Center Month emphasizes the tremendous potential senior centers deliver in their communities, including programming that empowers older, independent adults to holistically age well and strengthen mind, body, spirit and community connections.

WHSC provides opportunities for older, independent adults to travel together in various local daytrips and enjoy the daily nutritious lunch program through the LifeBridge Community Services Community Cafe.

It also provides health screenings through the West Haven Health Department and other health centers, transportation to local spots three times a week through the West Haven Senior Shuttle, and tax assistance and driver safety courses through AARP.

To learn more about WHSC, call 203-937-3507 or visit Elderly Services/West Haven Senior Center.

Public invited to take regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey from SCRCOG

The South Central Regional Council of Governments and its municipalities are working together to update the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is aimed at identifying and assessing the region’s natural hazard risks — flooding, hurricanes, winter storms — and determining how to best minimize or manage those risks.

To increase public participation, SCRCOG has launched the South Central Connecticut Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey so those in the planning area can share their opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process.

The information provided by the five-minute survey will help the planning team better understand local concerns and issues as expressed by the region’s residents and can lead to mitigation activities that should reduce the impacts of future disasters.

Read the news release and take the survey at SCRCOG.

See the Flyer.

See the Fact Sheet.

For more information, visit the plan’s webpage, or contact Rebecca Andreucci, SCRCOG’s senior transportation planner, at [email protected] or 203-466-8601.

Public input sought for bike and pedestrian plan in West Haven

The city needs input from residents to help craft the West Haven Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Be part of the process and let your voice be heard.

Tour the virtual meeting room and take the survey: http://vmr.betaftp.com/WestHavenBikePedPlan/.