A rendering of New England Brewing Co.’s $23 million, 46,165-square-foot building that would house a brewery, a taproom and event space at the waterfront site of the former Savin Rock Conference Center in West Haven. The City Council on Wednesday night unanimously approved a 60-year lease agreement between the city and Delaware developer Rock Street Brewery LLC that would relocate the Woodbridge craft brewery to its “forever home” at 6 Rock St. (NEBCO)

City Council unanimously approves 60-year NEBCO lease

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 2, 2022 — The City Council on Wednesday night unanimously approved a lease agreement between the city and Rock Street Brewery LLC that would relocate New England Brewing Co. to the former Savin Rock Conference Center site at 6 Rock St., Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

“NEBCO will be an invaluable addition to our community, and I am grateful for the City Council’s unanimous approval of the project,” Rossi said. “This sends a clear signal to developers that West Haven is not only ripe for development but is eager to embrace it!”

The 60-year ground lease allows for the city to maintain ownership of the 4-acre property while allowing developer Doug Gray, the principal of the Delaware-based limited liability company, to demolish the existing conference center and construct a 46,165-square-foot building that would include a brewery, a taproom and event space.

Within its footprint, the new building would incorporate the Savin Rock Museum, which occupies the conference center’s basement, and preserve the museum’s artifacts from the 20th-century amusement park.

According to the agreement, Gray will pay the city rent and serve as the brewery’s landlord at its “forever home” on the Savin Rock shoreline overlooking Long Island Sound.

On Nov. 1, 2021, the Woodbridge craft brewery announced a tentative lease agreement with the city in front of the conference center, where Marty Juliano, NEBCO’s director of business development, heralded the news with city and state officials, including Rossi, Sen. James J. Maroney, D-Milford, and Rep. Charles J. Ferraro, R-West Haven.

Juliano, a native of West Haven, was joined by Connecticut Brewers Guild Executive Director Phil Pappas and NEBCO founder Rob Leonard, Director of Operations John Dieli, Director of Brewing Operations Greg Radawich and Director of Sales and Marketing Jamal Robinson.

NEBCO, founded by Leonard in Woodbridge in 2002, brews Sea Hag and other popular India pale ales.

Gray said he hopes to complete the more than $23 million brewery project within a year.

In its first year, the project is estimated to generate $500,000 in lease payments and permit fees for the city.

The lease agreement calls for an annual rent of $106,000 per year for the first five years before increasing over the next 50 years.

Rossi praised the agreement and thanked NEBCO for choosing the prime West Haven site to brew its craft beer line, including Sea Hag, the No. 1-selling craft IPA in Connecticut.

The mayor said she always supported a long-term lease for the waterfront location and never entertained selling “one of the most beautiful pieces of property” in the city.

The brewery’s move from 175 Amity Road in Woodbridge to a larger site at 6 Rock St. is expected to create up to 100 jobs, Juliano said.

According to city records, the Savin Rock Conference Center opened in April 1997 and closed for renovations in February 2019. The building, constructed in 1971, previously housed The Casino and Harbour Mist restaurants and originally Phyllis’ Restaurant.

Rockets burst over Long Island Sound off West Haven’s Bradley Point at the Centennial Fireworks on Sept. 3, 2021. (City Photo/Andrew Kosarko)

Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular set for Saturday

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 1, 2022 — The 2022 Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular is set to launch off Bradley Point at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced.

The display, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd,” is presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee. The rain date is Sunday.

In early June, the city decided to move the fireworks from July 2 to Sept. 3 — the same date as last year’s Labor Day weekend display — to give West Haven’s biggest event “more of a local flavor.”

“The Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular is a meaningful event for all of us who live in West Haven,” Rossi said. “It is a special opportunity to come together as friends and neighbors to celebrate our city by demonstrating the best of the American community spirit.”

For this year’s pyrotechnics show, the city is focusing less on attracting out-of-town visitors and more on attracting West Haven residents, a strategy aimed at decreasing crowds to reduce overtime costs for police and public works crews, organizers said.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, police will close Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, to give the festivities more of a block party feel. The roads will reopen around 11 p.m., according to police.

A fleet of food and dessert trucks will line the Savin Rock side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, near Dyke Street, and dish up fried dough, lobster rolls, meatball bombs and tacos, as well as ice cream and kettle corn.

Before the fireworks light up the sky over the West Haven shoreline, E’Band will perform R&B hits on a portable stage in front of Savin Rock from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Residents and nonresidents should take note that “No Parking” signs will be posted on both sides of Platt Avenue from Ocean Avenue to Randall’s Restaurant; Dyke Street from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Educational Way; Kelsey Avenue from Captain Thomas Boulevard to Graham Avenue; Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets; and the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue from South to Ivy streets.

Also, “No Parking” signs will be posted on the north side of Connecticut Avenue; the even side of all side streets off Ocean Avenue to Highland Avenue; the even side of Highland Avenue from Arlington to Linden streets; and the even side of all side streets off Beach Street to Thomas Street.

Police can ticket and tow vehicles violating the traffic plan at the owner’s expense. Violators are subject to a $100 fine.

Residents and nonresidents should also take note that police will strictly enforce all beach regulations, which are posted at each access point along the shoreline, as well as the following restrictions:

All bags will be subject to search before entering the beach area.

No alcoholic beverages will be allowed on the beach.

No disorderly or obscene conduct will be tolerated.

No open fires or cooking will be allowed on the beach.

West Haven seniors empowered by National Senior Center Month events

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 1, 2022 — Today’s senior centers deliver vital connections to help older adults age well.

Senior centers offer enriching daily activities, socialization opportunities and resourceful information. Therefore, it is fitting that the National Council on Aging recognizes September as National Senior Center Month.

During the special month, the West Haven Senior Center is celebrating the shared experiences that strengthen community connections for older, independent adults.

From intriguing brain fitness to diverse creative arts and educational seminars to unique fitness programs and classic bingo, the senior center, based in the Johnson Community Center at 201 Noble St., is a community hub where older, independent adults can find friendship, meaning and purpose.

To share the power of those connections, WHSC has planned a variety of special events to celebrate Senior Center Month, including reestablishing the West Haven Public Library’s Bookmobile program, viewing DVDs of past parties the senior center hosted, and reminiscing about Savin Rock with a screening of “See Ya at the Rock!”

Other forthcoming events include cardio drumming and WHSC members stocking the Purple Pantry Box at the First Congregational Church, 464 Campbell Ave.

For the full Senior Center Month itinerary, see the West Haven Senior Highlights Newsletter.

“Betty Friedan said, ‘Aging is not lost youth, but a new stage of opportunity and strength,’” said Alyssa Maddern, the director of the Department of Elderly Services at the West Haven Senior Center.

Maddern continued: “WHSC members are finding opportunity and strength each and every day. They demand the opportunity to continue connecting: We serve them and this community the best we can with fun and engaging programs while also providing practical information and resources to help them stay healthy and independent.”

Senior Center Month emphasizes the tremendous potential senior centers deliver in their communities, including programming that empowers older, independent adults to holistically age well and strengthen mind, body, spirit and community connections.

WHSC provides opportunities for older, independent adults to travel together in various local daytrips and enjoy the daily nutritious lunch program through the LifeBridge Community Services Community Cafe.

It also provides health screenings through the West Haven Health Department and other health centers, transportation to local spots three times a week through the West Haven Senior Shuttle, and tax assistance and driver safety courses through AARP.

To learn more about WHSC, call 203-937-3507 or visit Elderly Services/West Haven Senior Center.

Board to hear appeals on vehicle assessments Sept. 12 at City Hall

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 1, 2022 — The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 in the assessor’s office on the first floor of City Hall, 355 Main St., to hear appeals of motor vehicle assessments on the 2021 grand list.

Any owner of a city-registered vehicle can appeal the assessment.

Public input sought for bike and pedestrian plan in West Haven

WEST HAVEN, Aug. 3, 2022 — The city needs input from residents to help craft the West Haven Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

Be part of the process and let your voice be heard.

Tour the virtual meeting room and take the survey: http://vmr.betaftp.com/WestHavenBikePedPlan/.

Public invited to take regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey from SCRCOG

WEST HAVEN, July 8, 2022 — The South Central Regional Council of Governments and its municipalities are working together to update the Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The plan is aimed at identifying and assessing the region’s natural hazard risks — flooding, hurricanes, winter storms — and determining how to best minimize or manage those risks.

To increase public participation, SCRCOG has launched the South Central Connecticut Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey so those in the planning area can share their opinions and participate in the mitigation planning process.

The information provided by the five-minute survey will help the planning team better understand local concerns and issues as expressed by the region’s residents and can lead to mitigation activities that should reduce the impacts of future disasters.

Read the news release and take the survey at SCRCOG.

See the Flyer.

See the Fact Sheet.

For more information, visit the plan’s webpage, or contact Rebecca Andreucci, SCRCOG’s senior transportation planner, at [email protected] or 203-466-8601.