by and | May 9, 2022 1:36 pm | Comments (13)
Nora Grace-Flood Photo
Chief John Sullivan at an "all-abilities dance party" the HPD co-sponsored with community groups.
Hamden Police Chief John Sullivan is retiring after a quarter-century with the department, effective next Monday.
by | May 9, 2022 12:45 pm | Comments (2)
Symone Roberts, Kettia Saint-Surin, Joanna Ishmael, and Michaelin Thomas: Help overcoming the debt trap.
Aspiring teachers like Symone Roberts will soon be able to fill vacant teacher roles in Hamden — and diversify the ranks — thanks to a program boosted by an infusion of federal money.
by | May 9, 2022 8:41 am | Comments (3)
Allan Appel Photo
Pastor Jack Perkins Davidson in the tree in front of Spring Glen Church.
With kids in colorful masks and skirts, praise of God as the “womb of life and source of being,” and a pastor high up in a sugar maple helping to secure a long gauzy rainbow banner, Spring Glen Church marked both Mother’s Day and the 25th anniversary of becoming an “open and affirming” congregation within the United Church of Christ (UCC) denomination.
Continue reading ‘Spring Glen Marks 25 "Open & Affirming" Years’
by | May 6, 2022 2:21 pm | Comments (8)
Nora Grace-Flood Photos
DeNardis at nominating convention.
Lesley DeNardis won her party’s endorsement to challenge 16-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro this November with a promise to promote moving decisions about public school curriculums and abortion access from the federal to the state government.
by | May 6, 2022 8:29 am | Comments (0)
Allan Appel file photo
Timothy F. Wydra.
Hamden Mayor Lauren Garrett has nominated Captain Timothy Wydra to fill the role of deputy police chief, more than five months after the non-union position was first left vacant by a retiree.
by | May 4, 2022 10:02 am | Comments (21)
Nora Grace-Flood Photo
Luiz the skeleton protests tax hike Tuesday evening. "He can’t afford food. He’s starving to death," explained chaperone Corene Randall (not pictured).
Hamden’s Legislative Council chipped away at a proposed 3.68 mill rate hike in July — with the intention of paving a route to ease residents’ tax burden in years ahead.
by | May 2, 2022 6:52 pm | Comments (18)
Tenants and organizers on Monday.
Tenant-taken snapshots of neglected apartments.
A tenant union has formed in Hamden to take on a landlord over not just rents, but allegedly relentless towing by a contracted company.
by | Apr 28, 2022 4:07 pm | Comments (18)
The 3+-acre plot: No factories in sight.
Paul Bass Photo
Erik Johnson: Prioritize affordable housing.
Hamden’s top planner and development chief delivered a pitch to allow an affordable-housing complex to rise on long-vacant manufacturer land — but unconvinced commissioners are holding out on giving the go-ahead.
Continue reading ‘Affordable Housing Faces More Hamden Hurdles’
by | Apr 26, 2022 4:08 pm | Comments (4)
Abandoned 560 Newhall St. property ...
... will continue to look like this for foreseeable future.
After ten months of delaying a decision on whether to solidify a seven-year contract with a nonprofit affordable housing developer, Hamden’s Legislative Council has officially axed a plan to have a nonprofit turn an abandoned Newhall Street middle school into apartments.
Continue reading ‘Hamden Dumps Affordable Housing Developer’
by | Apr 26, 2022 8:37 am | Comments (4)
Hamden Deputy Chief of Staff Alexa Panayotakis, ARC Board President Elinore Mulligan, State Rep. Josh Elliott, Mayor Lauren Garrett, 28-year veteran employee Sherry Warren, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, ARC Executive Director Ashley Dennis, and ARC Board Member Nelson Alino.
A Hamden nonprofit serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as those with autism spectrum disorders, has found a way to keep their program participants happy even in the midst of growing hardships facing the caretaking industry — but is asking for more support from the state as the level of need among their target populations expands.
Continue reading ‘Support Sought Beyond Autism Awareness Month’
by | Apr 22, 2022 10:24 am | Comments (7)
A rendering of 2972 Dixwell Ave.'s future with Vessel.
A New York City developer working to bring “aspirational” affordable apartments to New Haven, Stratford and New London has its sights set on a town-owned parking lot in Hamden — and is promising that the company will build on the town’s sense of community.
by | Apr 19, 2022 1:18 pm | Comments (5)
It’s official: Alcoholic beverages will now be up for grabs at Hamden’s town events.
by | Apr 18, 2022 5:07 pm | Comments (2)
Daughter Michelle Hines: "Beep beep! I'm driving to the babysitter!"
Jeffrey Hines and family pick up activity packs — and job applications — at firehouse open house.
Jeffrey Hines brought his kids to touch a Hamden fire truck — and left with an application to drive the truck one day himself.
In the process, his family participated in a two-pronged mission launched by a fire department looking to bulk up its ranks.
by | Apr 14, 2022 3:45 pm | Comments (1)
Hamden Parents United members Lena Smith Parker, Christina Larrow, Sarah Northrop, Principal Nadine Gannon, and Melissa Atterberry-Jones.
Thursday's spread.
Hamden High School teachers, social workers, nurses, and security showed up to work at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, ready to be released into a highly anticipated week of spring break following a tough few years — then were surprised with a breakfast buffet served by smiling parents.
Continue reading ‘Parent Appreciation Breakfast Brings Energy Boost To Hamden High's Teachers’
by and | Apr 14, 2022 2:06 pm | Comments (9)
Nora Grace-Flood photo
Bob Lamothe points to osprey circling above.
Bob Lamothe photo
Lamothe's portrait of a Cape May Warbler.
As Bob Lamothe walked along the Mill River, he positioned his Canon camera towards the sky, prepared to capture birds in flight — and was reminded of shared migration patterns that help people and avians alike call back and forth between their homelands.
by | Apr 14, 2022 9:37 am | Comments (3)
As one of Hamden’s local Goodwill stores will be moving out of its 2369 Dixwell Ave. home, the chain’s officials have told the Independent the nonprofit is officially searching for a spot to reopen elsewhere in town.
Continue reading ‘Update: Hamden Goodwill Hunting For New Home’
by | Apr 12, 2022 11:48 am | Comments (8)
Proposed new Dixwell Ave. home for Hill Health in New Haven.
A New Haven-based nonprofit is looking to bring goodwill to Hamden — in the form of community health care.
by | Apr 7, 2022 2:55 pm | Comments (5)
Next year, these a capella ladies will likely be able to buy alcoholic drinks at Hamden Fest ...
... but other town events, like this dance for disabled children, will probably still not include liquor.
It’s June 11, 2022. You’re getting ready for a day of purchasing homemade postcards, sampling the products of local potrepreneurs, and either encountering or evading politicians campaigning at Town Center Park during the annual Hamden Fest.
How much would buying an ice cold Corona on-scene contribute to the experience?
This year’s attendees of Hamden Fest may get to find out for themselves, thanks to a proposed amendment put forward by Hamden’s mayor to allow for the sale and distribution of alcohol at town celebrations on a case-by-case review basis.
Continue reading ‘Hamden Looks To Lift Spirits By Allowing Booze Sales At Town Events’
by | Apr 1, 2022 10:57 am | Comments (6)
Josh Watkins: "Help is on the way!"
The director of New Haven’s Community Soup Kitchen is challenging the owner of two natural foods stores in a race to represent Hamden in the state legislature — setting up the latest potential face-off between the two wings of the town’s Democratic Party.
by | Mar 31, 2022 5:48 pm | Comments (4)
Contributed Photo
DOT Deputy Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto (center) with State Rep. Vincent Candelora (to his right) during Tuesday visit to Hamden bus garage.
Vincent Candelora showed up at Hamden’s CT Transit bus maintenance and storage garage — not to catch a ride, but to ask questions.
by | Mar 29, 2022 4:58 pm | Comments (32)
Pina Dattilo plans her exit -- from budget hearing, maybe from town.
Another $700 tax hike? So long, Hamden.
Pina Dattilo may just be ready to take that step, she said, echoing other seniors at a public hearing who expressed outrage over a proposed 7 percent mill rate hike.
by | Mar 28, 2022 4:05 pm | Comments (17)
Nora Grace-Flood Photo
Tammaro scrolls through social media, commenting on portrayals of town Republicans, during reluctant visit to Hamden Plaza's Starbucks.
Newly named Hamden Republican Town Chairman Andrew Tammaro ordered a Starbucks salted caramel cream cold foam cold brew — and stated that the same drink would be twice as tall and cost half as much over at Dunkin’ Donuts.
Therein brewed the 24-year-old’s strategy for reversing the blue tide that has swept his hometown.
by | Mar 25, 2022 4:42 pm | Comments (1)
Town Clerk Karimah Mickens Thursday swearing in Morton.
After leaving the Board of Education to deploy overseas with the National Guard last May, Walter L. Morton IV is back in town and ready to return to local service.
Continue reading ‘Morton Returns To Ed Board After Djibouti Deployment’
by | Mar 24, 2022 4:05 pm | Comments (14)
15-year-old Jamarion Lalanne: Tired of the fighting.
While Hamden High juniors were taking their SATs on Thursday, other students displaced from their usual classes crowded the school’s auditorium — until a fist fight involving two students sent an older staff member to the hospital.
Continue reading ‘Hamden High Fight Sends School Staffer To Hospital’
by | Mar 23, 2022 5:58 pm | Comments (29)
Seniors turn out Wednesday to hear from town officials and Hamden Plaza's owner about shopping-center safety.
Miller Memorial Library employee Kathy Galasso wasn’t at work Wednesday — but she sent a public explanation to her boss and 100 fellow seniors from her “uncomfortable hospital bed” where she is currently recovering from two pelvic fractures sustained during a broad daylight carjacking at the Hamden Plaza.
Continue reading ‘After Plaza Attack, Seniors Press Officials’