Moxie Owner Wants To Hold ‘Summer Festival’ in Downtown Madison

MADISON, CT - The owner of the popular Moxie Restaurant on Wall Street and the infamous "Black House" on the Boston Post Road has a new idea - a summer festival of sorts on property he owns on Wall Street, adjacent to the downtown area.

William Plunkett brought his idea to Zoning officials at the most recent Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.

Plunkett presented a site plan of his property on Wall Street to discuss the concept of having a summer event there; he said the idea is to have a party, or “event,” on the property that would be family friendly, there would be live music, but it would consist of smaller acts, such as jazz; there would also be grills, picnic tables, a food tent, local brewers, a magician, face painting, and balloons, according to Plunkett.

He said he would like it to be at the start of summer and festive. He described it as a goodwill effort, to serve as a reward for students getting out of school, as well as an event for parents to enjoy.

Plunkett stated that he is thinking about doing more than one event at the location.

Director of Planning and Economic Development David Anderson stated that the Planning and Zoning Commission would have to give site plan approval for ongoing, regular events, but a single event has a permitting process involving various town officials, such as the health department and the fire marshal.

Plunkett stated that he is considering having the event on a Sunday, possibly from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Chairman Clark stated that there are concerts on the green, but he asked that thought be given to noise and whether it should actually take place on a Sunday.

All of the commissioners were in favor of the event taking place.

Anderson stated that he will work with Plunkett on the plans and keep the Planning and Zoning Commission updated.