Savin Rock Festival Canceled In West Haven

WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven Mayor Nancy R. Rossi announced Thursday that she is canceling the 2018 Savin Rock Festival, held annually in July, as a budget cost-saving measure.

“It is with sadness that I announce that the City of West Haven will not sponsor a Savin Rock Festival in 2018 as a result of my administration’s ongoing cost-saving measures,” Rossi said in a statement via the city’s website. “I know what the festival represents, and I know the community looks forward to it; but the truth is, we cannot afford it this year. The City of West Haven is facing an $8 million revenue shortfall.

“We are eliminating 17 positions in the fiscal year 2019 budget and are asking our employees to take furlough days and forgo raises for the next several years. I think we would be sending the wrong message to our employees and residents not to cancel some of the more costly events while we balance our budget and get our fiscal house in order. I apologize to our residents — but I did promise to make tough and unpopular decisions to get our city back on track, and this is one of those decisions.

“I am also canceling the mayor’s annual holiday party in December and am currently reviewing all the other events and festivals that the city sponsors or participates in for opportunities to cut costs.

“The fireworks will continue as long as the fireworks committee and the city are successful in raising enough money through donations and sponsorships to pay for the display.

“I hope that we can resume the Savin Rock Festival and any other budget casualties in 2019 and into the future, but we could not in all good conscience hold these events this year when we are asking so many to make personal sacrifices.

“We will turn the city’s finances around, but it will take patience and tough decisions along the way. We knew this task would not be an easy one — and it has not been.”

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