Woodmont News

Even if they don't know his name, 200 families here will have 12-year-old Tyler Pelham to thank for their holiday meal.

The owner of a Woodmont beach house is in hot water for allegedly not providing any to an elderly tenant.

When voters go to the polls Tuesday, there is only one candidate that hasn't been part of newspaper advertising, nor does he have the endorsement of any of the city's three political parties.

The city could soon have four historic districts, including an "umbrella'' district that would protect significant properties scattered throughout the city.

The National Weather Service has issued a TORNADO WARNING until 6:00 p.m. South Central New Haven and Fairfield Counties.

Protecting historic buildings here could evolve into a two-step process. Even as the Board of Aldermen was expanding the "demolition delay'' ordinance Monday night to cover structures at least 75 years old, preservationists urged that a new Historic Structures Commission be created to protect newer and smaller structures worthy of saving.

During a power point presentation by Warden Bonessi at the Borough of Woodmont Annual meeting held on August 27, 2009, Warden Bonessi updated the Borough residents on Freedom of Information matters. I would like to rebut these quotes the warden made to the public at that meeting............

Woodmont Day will be a homecoming of sorts for the late John H. Volk. The director of the aquaculture division of the state Department of Agriculture for 21 years, Volk is credited with improving the cleanliness of Long Island Sound and the farming of shellfish.

Singing next to a tractor wasn't the oddest gig Aaron Caruso has ever had, although he declines to name the others.

B.K. Angeletti / Staff photographer "Breaking The Sound Barrier" Walking the beaches of Woodmont on Saturday morning.

Looking at the stately, almost prim houses tucked along the quiet streets of Woodmont, you'd hardly guess that in its heyday this beach neigborhood was a hopping place.

Ed Bonessi has a mandate most politicians would envy. The first new chief elected official the borough of Woodmont has had in 38 years, he received 93 of the 108 votes cast.

By Frank Juliano STAFF WRITER Updated: 05/31/2009 12:30:30 AM EDT MILFORD -- Ed Bonessi has a mandate most politicians would envy. The first new chief elected official the borough of Woodmont has had in 38 years, he received 93 of the 108 votes cast. He took office immediately after the polls closed May 4, accepting the gavel from Richard Austin. But Bonessi didn't need a long transition -- he has served on the Board of Warden and Burgesses for several years and his family has lived in the shorefront neighborhood on the eastern edge of Milford since 1959. Austin, who was first elected in 1973 and only faced opposition twice, said he has a lot of confidence in Bonessi. "It was time to get some new blood in there,'' he said. Bonessi said his goal "is to try to bring the borough into the 21st century, and to make government as open and transparent as possible. "We also plan to appoint a new charter revision commission,'' he said. An attempt to revise the borough charter narrowly failed five years ago when voters rejected changes including moving the budget cycle to coincide with the city's. Currently, property owners vote every August on a budget that will take effect 11 months later. Woodmont property owners pay a separate tax of 0.56 of a mill, or 56 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value, to fund services, including snow plowing, road paving, street lights and extra police patrols in the summer. The city of Milford provides an annual grant of about $180,000 in lieu of providing those services to the borough..

By James Tinley, Register Staff Published: Wednesday, May 6, 2009 MILFORD — For the first time in 36 years, the name Richard Austin was not at the top of the ballot when Borough of Woodmont residents went to the polls Monday. Instead, an unopposed slate of candidates, headed by Warden Edward Bonessi Jr., was elected by 100 voters. Austin, 78, said he decided not to seek re-election after serving 36 years as warden to allow someone else a chance to lead the borough. He was opposed only twice in 18 elections. “Just like anything else, I thought it was good to get someone younger and get him started. Maybe he can go for 36 years,” Austin said, referring to the new warden. Bonessi is a former burgess and had Austin’s endorsement for warden. “When I thought about making a change, I thought he’s the right one of the people who were on my board who want to keep it going,” Austin said. “I’m not moving out of the borough. I’m not sick; I’m fine and I’m here to help them. All they have to do is pick up the phone,” Austin said. For borough Clerk Robin Brady-Boxwell, Monday marked the end of an era. “It was really a bittersweet election for me,” Brady-Boxwell said. “Richard Austin gave his all to the borough. He’s the most selfless man I have ever met. He left to a standing ovation, but true to his character he never turned around to actually see it.” Austin said Tuesday he was proud of what Woodmont leaders were able to accomplish during his tenure. The borough has the authority to levy taxes, which have been used for such things as road upkeep, adding street lights, fighting beach erosion and extra police patrols, Austin said. In addition to Bonessi, those elected were: burgesses John Barrett, Blaine Boxwell Jr., Phyllis K. Medvedow, Christopher Schmeisser, Glenn Vitale and Mike Krauss; Clerk Robin Brady-Boxwell; Treasurer Kelley Cummings; Constable Raymond Jablonski; and auditors Brendan Casey and Linda Casey.

If the city's third historic district is created in the Gulf Street neighborhood, it will likely be the last with defined boundaries.