Ansonia's Wakelee Avenue to get major facelift

City receives $3.5M state grant 
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.

ANSONIA - Wakelee Avenue, a major thoroughfare on the city’s West Side, will soon receive a $3.5 million upgrade.

Mayor David S. Cassetti Tuesday announced the city’s Wake Up Wakelee! initiative, which will mean a complete reconstruct of a mile of Wakelee Avenue. 

The project will stretch from Division Street to Franklin Street.

The city received a $3.54 million grant from the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction. The work will include new concrete curbing, curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveway aprons, pavement markings, drainage structures/pipes and utility pole relocation.

Cassetti held a press conference in front of Lear Pharmacy at 198 Wakelee Ave. to make the announcement. Republican Fifth Ward Alderman Joan Radin owns Lear Pharmacy.

Cassetti said, “Wakelee Avenue is a major artery for the City of Ansonia that has been neglected for too long. The pavement is in poor condition, the sidewalks are intermittent and in disrepair and there is a lack of adequate drainage. I am pleased that ConnDOT has granted us the funding for this project.

“With this initiative to ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ we will breathe new life in both the street and its surrounding neighborhoods. This is one more major victory for the City of Ansonia,” he said.

The construction phase will be paid for by DOT funds, while the city will be responsible for paying design fees, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said. The city hopes to start construction in the fall, she said.

“The ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ initiative is part of an overall plan to help improve the look and feel of Ansonia. It’s a significant step forward for our residents and the myriad businesses that line Wakelee Avenue,” O’Malley said.

“Infrastructure means everything to economic development,” she said. “The infrastructure has been sorely neglected.”

There are about 50 businesses located along Wakelee Avenue.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell hailed the plan. He called Wakelee Avenue “a beautiful street and a vital corridor.”

Radin said the reconstruction project “means a lot for this area. We get more traffic than Main Street.”

Ansonia's Wakelee Avenue to get major facelift

City receives $3.5M state grant 
Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.

ANSONIA - Wakelee Avenue, a major thoroughfare on the city’s West Side, will soon receive a $3.5 million upgrade.

Mayor David S. Cassetti Tuesday announced the city’s Wake Up Wakelee! initiative, which will mean a complete reconstruct of a mile of Wakelee Avenue. 

The project will stretch from Division Street to Franklin Street.

The city received a $3.54 million grant from the state Department of Transportation for the reconstruction. The work will include new concrete curbing, curb ramps, sidewalks, crosswalks, driveway aprons, pavement markings, drainage structures/pipes and utility pole relocation.

Cassetti held a press conference in front of Lear Pharmacy at 198 Wakelee Ave. to make the announcement. Republican Fifth Ward Alderman Joan Radin owns Lear Pharmacy.

Cassetti said, “Wakelee Avenue is a major artery for the City of Ansonia that has been neglected for too long. The pavement is in poor condition, the sidewalks are intermittent and in disrepair and there is a lack of adequate drainage. I am pleased that ConnDOT has granted us the funding for this project.

“With this initiative to ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ we will breathe new life in both the street and its surrounding neighborhoods. This is one more major victory for the City of Ansonia,” he said.

The construction phase will be paid for by DOT funds, while the city will be responsible for paying design fees, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley said. The city hopes to start construction in the fall, she said.

“The ‘Wake Up Wakelee!’ initiative is part of an overall plan to help improve the look and feel of Ansonia. It’s a significant step forward for our residents and the myriad businesses that line Wakelee Avenue,” O’Malley said.

“Infrastructure means everything to economic development,” she said. “The infrastructure has been sorely neglected.”

There are about 50 businesses located along Wakelee Avenue.

Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell hailed the plan. He called Wakelee Avenue “a beautiful street and a vital corridor.”

Radin said the reconstruction project “means a lot for this area. We get more traffic than Main Street.”

Griffin Hospital in Derby to host child car seat training Wednesday

DERBY - Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Hospital, and the Derby Elks are teaming up to offer free training on child car seats and a seat giveaway from 1-7 p.m. Wednesday at Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach parking lot, 4 Mountain St.

The training will help adults that take care of children learn about safety requirements for children in various car seats. 

At the end of the training, participants will receive a free seat appropriate to their child’s needs and instruction on proper use. 

There are 40 appointments scheduled for this event.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Seymour to mark Founders Day in June

Seymour is gearing up to celebrate its 165th birthday as a town.

Read all about the upcoming event here in a story by New Haven Register correspondent Jean Falbo-Sosnovich.

Wesley Village in Shelton welcomes 2 employees

Wesley Village welcomes Lori Pisani, left, as the new Executive Director of Crosby Commons and Lisa Bisson as Director of Community Outreach. / Contributed photo

SHELTON - Wesley Village welcomes new staff, Lori Pisani and Lisa Bisson, to their Shelton campus. 
Pisani joins the team as the new Executive Director of Crosby Commons, the award-winning assisted and independent living community on the campus. 

Pisani has over 15 years’ experience in Assisted Living and an extensive background in providing relationship-centered care.  She is replacing long-time Executive Director Lois Poutney who is retiring.  

Also new to the campus is Lisa Bisson, who will be working as Director of Community Outreach.  
Bisson has many years of experience working with care providers in the Valley and in this new position, she will be the first point of contact for people looking to explore senior living options at Wesley Village. 

Wesley Village is a campus of senior care communities including Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Assisted and Independent Living Apartments and Cottages, Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care at Wesley Heights, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, faith-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community. It is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. 

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Bisson, 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Ansonia mayor announces $3.5M Wakelee Avenue project

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti announces 'Wake Up Wakelee!' initiative Tuesday morning outside Lear Pharmacy on Wakelee Avenue.


Stay tuned for more information on the reconstruction project.

Shelton shop marks first anniversary

SHELTON - I was happy to meet Jon and Michele Vallee, owners of Lighthouse Rum Cakes at 480 Howe Ave., on Monday as they celebrated the first anniversary of their shop.
They now have crepes on the menu, and dare I say the crepes are delicious!

Stay tuned for a story in the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Youth group to host plant sale at church in Ansonia

8th annual dinner to benefit Seymour Pink is almost here

Derby Library to host social media talk, art class, more

DERBY - The Derby Public Library Teen Chess Club invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to meetings Mondays in May (excluding holidays) from 6:30-7:30 p.m. 

All skill levels are welcome. 

Participants will learn how the game is played as well as defensive/offensive strategies. 

Julio Maldonado provides superb expertise from a life-long love for the game. 
Registration is requested. 

YA Wednesdays

The Derby Public Library hosts YA Wednesdays every month from 6-7:30 p.m.
All young adults ages 12 to 17 are invited to join the fun each Wednesday in May as Nintendo Wii, board games, and Legos will be available. Light refreshments will be provided. 
Registration is requested. 

Social media

The Derby Public Library invites young adults ages 12 to 17 and parents to discuss current issues regarding social media 3:30-4:30 p.m. May 7.

In a presentation by Roger Mayers of the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, participants will gain understanding and learn to avoid pitfalls that negatively impact on teens using social media. 

Watercolor workshop

The Derby Public Library invites all young adults ages 12 to 17 to a Teen Watercolor Workshop, from 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays, May 14 and 21.

This two-session workshop will be led by Valley Arts Council President Rich DiCarlo. All materials will be provided. 

Registration is requested. 

For more information on any programs stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203-736-1482, or visit www.derbypubliclibrary.org.

This is a press release from Tony DeLos, young adult/reference librarian, Derby Public Library.