Here's What's Going on in the Elm City This Week...
Nov. 19. Six Points by Chava Light.JCC 360 Amity Road. FREE
9 pm.
Nov. 20. Cycle New Haven. New Haven Museum. 114 Whitney Avenue. $4 adults/$3 seniors. 10 am.
Nov. 20. Talking to Turkeys. Make a turkey caller. Trowbridge Nature Center.
Free. 3-5 pm.
Nov. 20. Ling Dancing. Hill Health Center provides a weekly series of line dancing for families. Wilson Library. 5:15 pm.
Nov. 21. Hawk Watch. Lighthouse Point Park. 8-11 am.
Nov. 21. Annual Fall New Haven Exhibit. 300 George Street. 7 am to 6 pm.
Nov. 22. THANKSGIVING
Nov. 23. Annual Celebration Of American Crafts At Creative Arts Workshop. An exhibition and sale of fine contemporary crafts by over 300 artists from across the country, featuring ceramics, glass, jewelry, decorative and wearable fiber, wood, children's items and more.
80 Audubon Street. 11 am.
Nov. 25. Cityseed Farmers Market. Edgewood Park. Corner of Whalley Ave. and West Rock Ave. 10 am.
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Mark Your Calendars: Holiday Tree Lighting December 6
The annual New Haven Tree Lighting Celebration will take place on Thursday, December 6 from 4-8pm on the New Haven Green. New Haven's annual holiday celebration features an "animated" alpine safari, live choral groups and activites for the entire family.
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Greetings!
There is so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. I am thankful every day for having the opportunity to be Mayor of this wonderful City. We continue to serve as a national model for what communities can achieve by engaging and valuing the talents and contributions of all residents. From New Haven School Change and the New Haven Resident Card to the expansion of Community Policing and the growth of Downtown, New Haven is an open and welcoming community that seeks to foster an environment where everyone is welcomed and given the tools and opportunities to succeed.
I would also like to give thanks to the men and women of the New Haven Fire Department whose swift heroic actions last week saved the lives of 14 people from four different families on Hazel Street. The City and St. Andrew's Episcopal Church have partnered to assist the fourteen people displaced Tuesday by an early morning electrical fire on Hazel Street.
Reverend Tracy Johnson Russell of St. Andrew's is accepting donations of canned food, frozen turkeys, clean clothing (particularly coats, scarves, gloves and hats), packaged diapers, and other infant and toddler necessities. Monetary donations can be sent care of Reverend Tracy Johnson Russell at St. Andrew's Church, 262 Shelton Avenue, New Haven, CT 06511. Please write "for fire relief" in the memo line of the check.
Newhallville Livable City Initiative Neighborhood Specialist Carmen Mendez will also be accepting food and clothing donations in her office on the 3rd floor of City Hall at 165 Church Street. She can be reached at 203-946-7733.
I am grateful to the men and women of the New Haven Fire Department who responded heroically Tuesday morning and extinguished the fire without any injuries. But my heart goes out to the four families who have lost their homes and possessions this holiday season. Thank you to St. Andrew's and the Livable City Initiative for helping organize this drive.
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Blighted Properties to Becomes New Homes
The Board of Aldermen Monday voted Monday evening to approve the disposition of 129 Clay Street and 55 Dickerman Street, two properties acquired by the City in the first successful foreclosures actions under the City's Anti-Blight Ordinance passed in 2009.
The home at 129 Clay Street was purchased by developer Gil Marshak, who intends to rehabilitate the home for use as a rental property. Marshak will pay $3,500 for the property. The Dickerman Street home will be purchased by Alejandro Sampedro and Virginia Cruz, who currently live across the street. They intend to live in the home with their four children once it has been rehabilitated. They will pay $8,000 for the home. Total rehabilitation costs for both properties have not yet been determined, but both homes will require extensive repairs.
Both homes had been vacant eyesores for many years. With the passage of the Anti-Blight Ordinance in 2009, the City gained the ability to fine nonresponsive property owners up to $100 a day. In addition, the City gained the right to perform necessary maintenance work, bill the property owner, and place a lien on the property. Prior to 2009, the City had been able to fine owners for building code violations, but had limited remedies in cases of serious blight.
Anti-blight fines and maintenance fees for 129 ClayStreet totaled approximately $61,000 at the time of the foreclosure action. Among the necessary work performed by the City included removal of a dilapidated porch that posed serious safety hazards. Anti-blight fines at property maintenance liens for 55 Dickerman Street totaled approximately $68,000.
The level of blight experienced at these two properties was unacceptable to the neighborhoods and to the City. Fortunately, the anti-blight legislation gave the City the ability to assure that these uninhabitable eyesores will soon once again be safe and affordable homes for New Haven families.
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Library Unveils New Website
The New Haven Free Public Library yesterday unveiled a new website for customers, dramatically improving online access and information services to residents. The upgrade is the first major redesign of the Library website in more than 10 years.
The upgraded site features a new interactive calendar as well as enhanced daily event listings covering programs and events at all of the NHFPL's five locations. The new website will also enable residents to apply for library cards online. The website has a redesigned section for younger customers showcasing resources, programs and technology available to kids and teenagers. Another important addition to the new website is a service for information seekers entitled Encore. Through a single search box, Encore connects users to all the trusted resources the library collects. Customers can search the NHFPL's online catalog and many of the reference databases at the same time.
Other new website improvements include:
- Language features that will translate the website into Spanish and Chinese
- Easy access from the homepage to noteworthy books and DVDs by category
- How Do I feature that provides links to pages where the most frequently asked questions can be found
- Dynamic slideshow on various pages that provide enhanced knowledge of library programs and services
"I am delighted to offer this new website to library customers during our 125 Anniversary milestone year. As an organization that provides access to information, the new website allows us to take one more step in solidifying the NHFPL's reputation as a premier educational resource for the City of New Haven," said NHFPL Director Christopher Korenowsky.
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Very truly yours,
John DeStefano, Jr.
Mayor |
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