Cleanup Event Targets Litter In Downtown West Haven

Written by Michael P. Walsh

WEST HAVEN, CT — The city and Moby Dick’s, a new “raw bar cafe” at 560 Campbell Ave., are planning a downtown cleanup from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 15.

The public-private partnership is aimed at cleaning up litter along Campbell Avenue from Elm to Court streets, said organizer Doug Ruickoldt, who owns Moby Dick’s with Evan Mink on West Haven’s main thoroughfare.

Anyone who wants to volunteer for the cleanup can call Ruickoldt at 203-415-2470.

The Department of Public Works will supply volunteers with bags, gloves and pokers, and Moby Dick’s will provide water.

“We’re hoping to get the city more involved in enforcing regulations on the books and do what we can to help the cause,” Ruickoldt said.

Public Works Commissioner Tom J. McCarthy said the cleanup is also aimed at ensuring that business owners maintain the public spaces in front of their properties.

A public space is defined as the area from a business’s front door to the street. The area also includes the sidewalk and the tree belt, a strip of ground lying between the sidewalk and curb lines.

“All merchants are responsible for keeping the sidewalk in front of their business premise free of litter,” McCarthy said. “They are also responsible for maintaining their dumpster.”

Violations of the “Littering” ordinance under Chapter 142 of the West Haven Code carry a $150 fine per offense per day.

The ordinance is enforced by the city’s property maintenance/zoning enforcement officer and police.