U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, the chair of the House Appropriations Committee, is joined by, from right, state Transportation Deputy Commissioner Mark Rolfe and West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi on Thursday to announce $105 million in federal infrastructure funding for building new Interstate 95 southbound and northbound bridges in West Haven. With them are local and state officials, including, from left, West Haven Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy and Rossi Executive Assistant Louis P. Esposito Jr. (Photo/Brian Perkins)

DeLauro, Rossi herald $105M in funding for I-95 bridges

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 9, 2022 — U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro joined state Transportation Deputy Commissioner Mark Rolfe and Mayor Nancy R. Rossi on Thursday to announce $105 million in federal infrastructure funding for building new Interstate 95 southbound and northbound bridges in West Haven.

“The widening of these structures will allow for the full realization of the I-95 improvements and achieve a combined five-minute travel time savings per vehicle over this half-mile project area,” said DeLauro, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee.

“When you multiply that five minutes by the total vehicle miles traveled, you end up saving 891 hours of vehicle hours traveled in one half-hour period, a significant travel reduction,” said DeLauro, D-3.

DeLauro, Rolfe and Rossi heralded the money, funded by the $1 trillion infrastructure legislation that passed last year, during a late-morning news conference in a commuter parking lot on First Avenue, just off I-95’s Exit 43.

“I’m very excited to announce the I-95 West Haven bridge project, which is an important investment into our infrastructure, our time, our air quality and the safety of our drivers,” said Rossi, who thanked the public safety-minded DeLauro for making the project a reality.

The I-95 West Haven Safety Improvement Project will encompass two bridges: one carrying I-95 southbound on three 12-foot travel lanes over the Metro-North Railroad line, and one carrying I-95 northbound on three 12-foot travel lanes over Route 122, First Avenue.

As part of the project, the acceleration lane along I-95 southbound from Exit 44 in New Haven will be extended as an operational lane and transition to a deceleration lane for Exit 43. A 12-foot acceleration lane on I-95 northbound will also be lengthened, Rolfe said.

“Not only will these structures be replaced, but they will also be widened to create operational lanes and standard shoulders,” Rossi said. “These changes will facilitate congestion relief in our area.”

According to Rolfe, the bridge replacement will allow for safer motor vehicle travel, “meaning fewer dangerous merges and crashes and less time being stuck in traffic due to minor fender benders.”

Rolfe said the project will also yield better traffic flow operations on First Avenue.

The federal government is funding 90% of the $115 million project, which is expected to begin in fall 2023 and end in summer 2027, according to the Department of Transportation.

Constructed in 1956, the bridges over the Metro-North line and First Avenue were last rehabilitated in 1988 and 1990, respectively.

West Haven observing 9/11 with flag-raising, candlelight vigil

The sun rises over Savin Rock in West Haven on Sept. 11, 2021, as hundreds of American flags blow in the wind near the boardwalk on Long Island Sound. The flags represent the 343 New York City firefighters who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11, 2001, as well as the 257 active and retired FDNY members who have died of 9/11-related illnesses, including cancer. (Contributed Photo/Andrew Sacco)

City observing 9/11 with flag-raising, candlelight vigil

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 7, 2022 — West Haven will observe the 21st anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on 9/11 with a flag-raising ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Bradley Point Park flagpole, followed by a candlelight vigil at the city’s 9/11 memorial.

The solemn service will begin with a presentation of the colors by the West Haven Police Honor Guard and the flag-raising by the West Haven Fire Department Honor Guard and the New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society Pipes & Drums.

The flag-raising will honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 people who died in the attacks. Remarks by dignitaries, including Mayor Nancy R. Rossi, will follow.

Louis P. Esposito Jr., Rossi’s executive assistant, will serve as the master of ceremonies, and West Haven High School senior Madelyn Roche will sing the national anthem and “God Bless America.”

At 7 p.m., the candlelight vigil will take place at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial on the boardwalk next to the former Savin Rock Conference Center, 6 Rock St.

Members of the West Haven Rotary Club will distribute candles and programs at the granite monument, which was paid for by the service club in 2002. It was designed by Harold J. Schaller of H.K. Peacock Memorials Inc. in Valhalla, New York.

Gabrielle, 50, of West Haven, was killed during the attack on the twin towers in New York’s World Trade Center complex. An insurance broker at Aon Corp., he was last seen on the south tower’s 78th floor.

Declared Patriot Day by Congress in 2002, the city will fly flags at half-staff in recognition of the national day of remembrance.

The vigil will feature taps played by retired West Shore Fire Department Lt. Kevin McKeon and Celtic folk performances by Irish singer-songwriter Liz McNicholl, including “The Bravest,” a tribute to the heroes of 9/11.

Board to hear appeals on vehicle assessments Monday at City Hall

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 7, 2022 — The Board of Assessment Appeals will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday 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.

Bulk pickup is Sept. 12-16; e-waste drop-off is Sept. 17

WEST HAVEN, Sept. 7, 2022 — The final bulk trash pickup week of 2022 is Sept. 12-16.

West Haven residents are reminded to separate metals, recyclables and regular trash from bulk trash and put them out no more than 24 hours before pickup. Violations carry a $100 fine per daily offense, Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said.

Residents are also reminded to “Put a Lid on It!” and use lids on all trash cans. Rain-soaked trash costs West Haven 10 times more at the dump, said McCarthy, adding that using trash can lids will save the city money by reducing the weight of trash and cost of tipping fees.

Bulk items include couches, chairs, tables, carpeting, padding and fencing, which may not exceed 6 feet in length. No building materials, tires, mattresses, propane tanks or hazardous waste are accepted.

Options for disposing of building materials include renting a dumpster or bringing the materials to a disposal facility for a fee.

Tires can be brought to Town Fair Tire, 63 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $2.75 per tire.

Mattresses can be disposed of for free in a container at the city’s highway maintenance garage, 1 Collis St. Mattresses must be dry.

Hazardous waste can be dropped off for free at HazWaste Central, 90 Sargent Drive, New Haven. HazWaste is open Saturday mornings through October.

Propane tanks can be brought to Taylor Rental, 304 Boston Post Road, Orange, for a fee of $10.60 per tank.

The amount of bulk trash per collection is limited to 6 cubic yards, which is equal to a pile of trash about 6 feet long, 6 feet wide and 4 ½ feet high.

Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster or hire a junk removal service at their expense if trash exceeds 6 cubic yards. Otherwise, trash exceeding 6 cubic yards will be left at the curb, and a $100 fine per daily offense will be imposed, McCarthy said.

To prevent a potential fine, property owners should familiarize themselves with the city’s trash guidelines at Public Works.

Bulk trash must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. Trash will not be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home.

Bulk items must be separated and orderly. Do not place them next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence, McCarthy said.

Also, do not place bulk items in front of a vacant lot or home — they will not be collected, he said.

Details at Bulk Trash Pickup.

In addition to bulk trash, the city picks up metals, including household appliances, also known as white goods, and toilets. To schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day, residents must call the Highway Department at 203-937-3644 or 203-937-3585. Appliance doors must be removed.

Grass bags are picked up until Nov. 18, and leaf bags are picked up from Oct. 1-Dec. 31. The bags are picked up on residents’ weekly collection days. Grass clippings and leaves must be in separate biodegradable paper bags and will not be accepted if they are in plastic bags.

The city also picks up brush that is cut into 3-to-6-foot lengths and tied in small bundles, no more than 70 pounds. Logs and stumps are prohibited.

Residents can bring grass clippings as well as bagged leaves and untied brush to the compost site, 1 Kimberly Ave., from 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays and 6:30-11:30 a.m. Saturdays. The first cubic yard of compost is free with proof of residence. Additional compost costs $25 per cubic yard. Residents must bring buckets and shovels.

For a $50 fee, the Department of Public Works will deliver up to 2 cubic yards of compost to homes in West Haven.

For electronic items, including TVs, the final e-waste drop-off day of the year is Sept. 17.

Residents can drop off electronic recyclables — typically anything that contains a circuit board or needs a battery — from 8 a.m.-noon at the highway maintenance garage.

The city is partnering with Take 2 Inc. of Waterbury, a state-approved recycler and collector of universal e-waste devices, to collect residential electronic items on a quarterly basis.

The collection is free for residents who have such items as computers, monitors, printers, keyboards, modems, computer mice, tablet computers, TVs, VCRs, DVD players, photocopiers, fax machines, scanners, video game machines, digital media players, personal digital assistants, stereo equipment, telephones, cellphones, cameras, microwaves and other small appliances.

Anything that has refrigerant, including air conditioners and dehumidifiers, is not accepted. Those items are considered white goods, and residents are asked to schedule a pickup on their curbside collection day by calling the Highway Department.

Details at E-waste Drop-off.

For the e-waste drop-off, residents are asked to heed the following guidelines:

—   Stay in your vehicle.

—   Vehicles will be spaced out. Event workers will remove electronics from your vehicle. There should be no interaction between residents and workers.

—   No mattresses or box springs will be disposed of at the moment.

—   No smoke detectors, ballasts or hazardous waste — lighter fluid, liquids, paint — will be accepted.

—   Electronic items left curbside will be tagged with information on the e-waste schedule and must be removed, or face a potential fine.

For the latest news and information, subscribe to the city’s Facebook page at West Haven City Hall.

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.

(City Drone Photo/Andrew Kosarko, Courtesy of Jow Films LLC)

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 Aug. 31 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 Aug. 31 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 Senior Center Month events

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.

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 randreucci@scrcog.org or 203-466-8601.

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/.