West Haven hearing draws public support for four-year mayoral term and calls to clarify alternates, contracts and board oversight

Arthur Kelly, chair of the West Haven Charter Revision Commission, opened a special public hearing on March 26 and invited residents and officials to comment on proposed charter changes.

Frederick Brown, who identified himself as a commissioner with the West Haven Fire Department, urged clearer charter language on the role of “alternate commissioners.” "I'd like to ask the commission to look at the definitions of alternate commissioner," Brown said, arguing alternates should be appointed when a regular member is absent and that the charter should specify whether alternates may participate in meetings and executive sessions.

Several speakers and city council members endorsed changing the mayoral term to four years. "I am in support of the possibility of taking the 2 year mayor's term to go to 4 years," Thomas McKeown, a resident, told the commission, saying a longer term would help department heads settle into their positions. Councilman Ron Quagliani (10th District) said he favors a four-year mayoral term and proposed a special-election rule if 25% or more of a term remains vacant. "For mayor, I am in favor of a 4 year term," Quagliani said.

Other panelists and council members pressed for clearer contract-and-budget procedures. An unnamed council member urged aligning West Haven's budget calendar with state timelines and suggested setting a higher threshold for council review of multi-year contracts, noting the current $50,000 threshold was burdensome. The mayor (speaking on the record as "mayor" but not giving a full name during the hearing) said a longer mayoral term could aid recruitment of qualified staff and described a review process that requires legal and finance sign-offs before he will sign some contracts.

Councilwoman Melly Garthley (at large) raised personnel and governance questions, including whether the charter should include minimum qualifications for some key positions (for example, director of public works) and proposed creating an animal welfare commission and a youth services advisory committee with student representation.

Kevin Nathan, the commission/ corporation counsel present, said outside counsel Steven Mednick will lead the legal work and warned the commission's schedule is aggressive. "We won't have all the insight into what this board body is doing. But certainly helping people find out where to get the information so that they can inform themselves before we get to November is probably the chief way I can offer my services here," Nathan said.

No formal charter amendments were adopted at the meeting. The commission approved the minutes of its March 19 meeting (a motion was made and seconded; the second was named only as "Steve") and adjourned after closing remarks from Chair Arthur Kelly, who said, "Looks like we have our work cut out for us." The commission plans to continue work at the next scheduled meeting.

Actions at a glance: - Motion to approve special meeting minutes (03/19/2026): moved (not recorded on the public record), seconded (named in the record only as "Steve"); voice vote, approved. - Motion to adjourn: moved and seconded; approved; meeting adjourned.

What's next: Commissioners and counsel said they will refine proposals, check statutory constraints (including state election and recall rules), and prepare materials for public outreach and the commission's next meeting.