In West Haven, the drum beat was especially uptempo at the town’s well-attended Memorial Day parade. Thousands showed up for the traditional celebration that honors West Haven’s servicemen, past and present. And, as the parade came to an end, the summer season at West Haven’s now repaired beaches started up.
The West Haven shoreline was battered by both Tropical Storm Irene and Superstorm Sandy, and tons of new sand was brought in to replenish the damaged coast.
Speaking by the parade grandstand on Main Street, West Haven Mayor John Picard said most of the work has been finished and the town’s important beach front is back in business. As for making the repairs, Picard says it wasn’t cheap.
“The sand replenishment up and down the shore front runs between a half million and a million dollars, just for the sand,” he said.
Additionally structural damage to the West Haven boardwalk area from the storms is approaching the $3.5 million mark, according to Picard. The Mayor noted that 75 percent of the beach repair money will likely come from FEMA.
West Haven boasts about 3 miles of shoreline, of which Picard encouraged visitors to venture out to visit.
“Our beaches are one of the great assets we have here,” he said.