West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cuts the ribbon with Moby Dick’s owners Evan Mink, back, fourth from left, and Doug “the Rake” Ruickoldt, back, fifth from left, on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the “raw bar cafe” at 560 Campbell Ave. With them are, from left, Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce; city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; Ruickoldt’s sons, Nicholas and Douglas; Moby Dick’s manager Gina Calabrese; Ruickoldt’s wife, Kelly; Councilman Gary Donovan, D-at large; Nicholas Ruickoldt’s girlfriend, Julie Hutchinson; City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, D-6; and Councilwoman Colleen O’Connor, R-at large. (City Photo/Patricia C. Horvath)

Moby Dick’s ‘raw bar cafe’ opens on Campbell Ave.

West Haven, Sept. 6, 2022 — Mayor Nancy R. Rossi cut a blue ribbon with Moby Dick’s owners Doug “the Rake” Ruickoldt and Evan Mink on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the “raw bar cafe” at 560 Campbell Ave.

The quaint, 630-square-foot cafe offers “cold beer, cocktails, oysters and clam chowder” and is nestled in a plaza of small businesses near Center Street — in the former home of the original Moby Dick’s Cafe, which operated from July 1985 until owner Dick Turner’s death in October 1989.

The remodeled Campbell Avenue location, in the heart of the city’s bustling downtown business district, most recently housed Sonny’s Cafe, in addition to other bar-restaurant establishments since the late ’80s.

Marking the afternoon event with Rossi and the owners were Ruickoldt’s wife, Kelly, and sons, Nicholas and Douglas; Nicholas Ruickoldt’s girlfriend, Julie Hutchinson; Moby Dick’s manager Gina Calabrese; state Rep. Dorinda Borer, D-West Haven; City Council Chairman Peter V. Massaro, D-6, and council members Gary Donovan, D-at large, and Colleen O’Connor, R-at large; City Clerk Patricia C. Horvath; city Tax Collector Dorothy Chambrelli; and Simon McDonald, the director of membership and marketing for the Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Moby Dick’s modern barroom is bedecked with nautical-inspired knickknacks and complemented by a raw bar, featuring freshly shucked oysters and other “upscale raw” seafood dishes prepared by executive chef Jeff Lamberti. The space is further accentuated by black-and-white art deco tile floors, oyster white-painted walls and white subway tile walls, and walnut wooden beams, moldings and shelves.

The magnificent woodwork in the ship-themed pub is enhanced by brass porthole windows, dark brown leather bar chairs and dark brown wooden high-top tables.

The tavern’s signature cocktail, along with a line of local craft beers, is the Captain Campbell Collins, an iced drink made with gin or vodka and mixed with club soda, lemon juice and simple syrup.

The cocktail is named in honor of William Campbell, the British adjutant who spared the life of the Rev. Noah Williston of the First Congregational Church of West Haven and later died in Allingtown as part of the British Invasion of New Haven on July 5, 1779. Residents cherished Campbell’s merciful deed so much they christened West Haven’s main thoroughfare as Campbell Avenue.

Moby Dick’s is open for lunch and dinner daily starting at noon.

Red, white and blue rockets burst over Long Island Sound off West Haven’s Bradley Point at the Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday. (City Drone Photo/Andrew Kosarko, Courtesy of Jow Films)

Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular lights up shoreline

West Haven, Sept. 6, 2022 — Gene Wolcott flipped a light switch to launch the Savin Rock Fireworks Spectacular on Saturday.

The moment Wolcott flipped the switch, fireworks blasted off Bradley Point and exploded over Long Island Sound, dazzling the all-ages crowds along West Haven’s 3 miles of public beaches with a display of brilliant lighting and booming sound effects.

The 20-minute pyrotechnics show was presented by the Savin Rock Fireworks Committee.

Wolcott, an ardent fireworks committee supporter who lives in New Haven, was joined onstage in front of West Haven’s prominent Savin Rock landmark by Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, fireworks committee co-Chairwoman Sandy McCauley and radio personality Brian Smith, the master of ceremonies.

Wolcott’s name was drawn in a raffle to flip the switch to set off the fireworks, billed as “They Will Be Heard on the 3rd.”

Rossi welcomed the Savin Rock crowd and thanked the committee and city departments before turning it over to Smith and Wolcott.

Smith then led the crowd in a spirited countdown — “5, 4, 3, 2, 1!” — before Wolcott flipped the switch and triggered an assortment of red, white and blue rockets that flew and burst over Bradley Point.

Before the fireworks, people from all walks of life danced to R&B hits performed by E’Band.

As the music played, a fleet of food and dessert trucks lined the Savin Rock side of Captain Thomas Boulevard, near Dyke Street, and dished up fried dough, lobster rolls, meatball bombs and tacos, as well as ice cream and kettle corn.

Police closed Captain Thomas Boulevard and Ocean Avenue, from Kelsey Avenue to South Street, for several hours to give the festivities more of a block party feel.

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.”

For this year’s pyrotechnics show, the city focused 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.

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.

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.

Click Here to view the City Of West Haven City Notes - September 6, 2022