West Haven charter commission elects Art Kelly chair, sets weekly meetings and public hearing timeline

The West Haven Charter Revision Commission organized its work and set a schedule at its inaugural meeting, electing Art Kelly as chair and Leilani Perry as vice chair and hearing a legal briefing on home rule and the timeline for producing a draft charter.

The commission met in person with livestreaming enabled. After the pledge of allegiance the clerk, Stacy Riccio, conducted roll call and confirmed a quorum. A fellow commissioner nominated Art Kelly as chair; the nomination was seconded and approved by voice vote. Kelly then called for a vice‑chair nomination; Leilani Perry was nominated, seconded and approved.

The meeting’s central feature was a presentation by retained counsel Steve Mednick, who reviewed the legal framework for local charters and the statutory steps the commission must follow. Mednick described the distinction between municipal powers that are expressly granted by the state and the limits on implied local authority, summarizing the familiar formulation associated with Dillon’s Rule: “Silence is not authority,” he said, arguing that municipalities can exercise only powers granted expressly or necessarily implied by statute.

Mednick reviewed practical drafting guidance—recommendations included structuring the charter by chapters (mayor, council, elected officials, departments), including clear definitions and open‑government language, avoiding overly micromanaged provisions, and creating a sunset or transition chapter to prevent disruption of existing boards and commissions. He urged commissioners to prioritize clarity so that residents can read and understand charter provisions.

On timing and process, Mednick outlined the commission’s statutory obligations: hold a public hearing to gather resident input; prepare a draft report to the city council (the attorney noted the commission aimed to provide a draft by May 29); the council then must hold its own hearing and has up to 60 days for review before finalizing questions for the ballot. Mednick advised limiting ballot questions where possible and preparing a neutral explanatory text to accompany any charter question on the ballot.

Commissioners discussed scheduling and notice. Mednick confirmed that municipal public‑meeting postings must satisfy the state’s freedom‑of‑information notice requirement (24 hours) and suggested posting a full meeting schedule in advance to simplify subsequent notices. The commission tentatively agreed to meet weekly at 7 p.m., with the first public hearing to take place in late March/early April and follow‑up weekly meetings to continue through May in order to meet the target of delivering a draft to the council.

The commission also agreed to invite the full city council and the mayor, and to distribute invitations to department heads; the mayor noted some departments have already sent recommendations about outdated office titles and department structures. With no further business, a commissioner moved to adjourn; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The commission’s next step is the statutory public hearing, which commissioners said they hope to schedule promptly so they can gather residents’ priorities and begin triaging items for the condensed timetable.