New Haven Independent

“It’s a never-ending battle,” said Sweeney-Burns, the district manager for Newhallville and East Rock.

The subject was discussed at the Newhallville Management Team meeting Tuesday night. Neighbors and Newhallville Alderwoman Alfreda Edwards voiced concerns about the bar, even after it was denied the renewal of its liquor license a month ago.

The chain-link fence was taken from the bar, said Sweeney. The city is going to put it back up, she said.

The state denied renewal of the bar’s liquor license after neighbors traveled to Hartford to complain about crime associated with the bar. The bar’s supporters argued that the bar itself was well-run and separate from crime problems that already exist on Winchester Avenue. City Hall helped neighbors fight the bar as part of a crackdown on neighborhood problem bars.

Discussion circulated in the room about rumors that the bar was sometimes open between 2 and 4 a.m.

Edwards said she hopes the area will be rezoned, providing one more obstacle for the Taurus to reopen.

Alfred Alvarez, pictured with Newhallville Alderman Charles Blango, suggested circulating a petition among all neighbors who live near the Taurus. Alvarez owns a property next to the Cafe. Edwards seconded the idea.

“We’re trying to bring change in our neighborhood,” she said.

Sweeney also briefed those in attendance on three violent assaults in the neighborhood in the past month, all involving obscure and especially gruesome weapons — not guns.

Two young men from Hamden were assaulted with a samurai sword while on Bassett Street, admittedly buying drugs. One victim lost 90 percent of his fingers. Another assault involved a 19-year old man on Dixwell Avenue and Division Street who was assaulted for “being in the wrong neighborhood” by a group on bikes. He was assaulted with a broken beer bottle and tree limbs. The third was another youth on Dixwell Avenue and Bassett Street who was stabbed by one person and beaten with a belt by another.

In other news, the splash pad discussed at last month’s meeting is ready to go. Plans have been drawn up and the project will be completed for next summer. David Moser, landscape architect from City Plan, pictured, explained the design.

The pad was the brainchild of Sgt. Romano Ratti and East Rock resident Debbie Hauser.

A splash pad kick-off ceremony will be held when it opens next year.