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Residents say West Haven budget process lacked transparency; raise concerns about taxes and mayor pay
Summary
Two residents told the council its budget process was insufficiently public and criticized a recent increase in the mayor's salary and expected property tax increases.
Two West Haven residents used the public comment period on Tuesday to criticize the city's budget process and recent changes to the mayor's compensation.
Robert Witkowski, of 93 Dalton Street, spoke during a public lands hearing and again during the public comment portion. He said the budget hearing was not adequately publicized and that portions of the hearing were omitted or not available on the city's YouTube channel. "It was pretty much kept tight secret," he said. Witkowski also said he obtained a full copy of the budget only after effort and that the hearing featured mostly city employees praising the budget rather than residents describing hardships.
Robert Wachowski, also of 93 Dalton Street, criticized an increase in the mayor's pay and projected property tax hikes. "They voted to increase the mayor's pay to get her to run from 88,000 to a hundred and 13,000. And she served 1 year, and now she wants a 6% raise," Wachowski said. He said his property tax bill would rise about $1,100 and that other residents reported increases ranging from $800 to $2,200. "That's insane," he said, adding he felt the council had sided consistently with the mayor's proposals.
Council members interrupted one speaker on a point of order when his allotted time exceeded five minutes; the transcript records the chairman enforcing the time limit. Council members did not provide an immediate substantive response to the budget criticisms during the public comment period recorded in the meeting excerpt.
The comments will be part of the public record for council consideration as it finalizes budget decisions.
