West Haven charter commission approves draft, sets public hearing for May 21

The West Haven Charter Revision Commission voted to approve a consolidated draft of the city charter and to post the document for a public input hearing next Thursday, May 21, after adopting several substantive changes and a number of scrivener edits.

The commission’s attorneys presented a red-lined draft and a clean version showing margin notes and asked members to focus on substantive changes before the public hearing. "This is what will be considered by the public in advance of next Thursday's public hearing," Attorney Cassini told the commission as he reviewed the materials.

The commission approved a set of policy-level edits: it agreed to make the Water Pollution Control Administrator a standalone department head reporting to the mayor, adopted language requiring boards, commissions and other bodies that hire, discipline or engage in contracting to consult with the personnel director (for personnel matters) and the corporation counsel (for contracting), and voted to set the threshold for removal for cause at a supermajority of nine of 13 council members. Member Hoski moved the WPCA reporting change, and the motion carried; a separate motion to adopt the consultation requirement for boards and commissions likewise passed.

Commissioners also resolved an inconsistency in the police and fire chief sections. The commission approved language stating the chief of police "shall be appointed by the board of police commissioners with approval of the mayor," and the body voted to have police chief appointment wording mirror the language used for the fire chief. The provision specifies that the chief must be an elector of the City of West Haven.

On vacancy timelines, counsel recommended splitting the prior 30-day requirement into two 30-day periods — 30 days for the mayor to nominate, followed by 30 days for council consideration — to prevent rushed approvals; the commission approved that change.

The commission also removed a proposed charter section on economic and community development and directed that those functions remain governed by ordinance so future administrations retain flexibility. A scrivener change clarifying that unpaid board and commission members may receive expense reimbursements was added as well.

Discussion at the meeting included a lengthy exchange about whether a future motion from city council might seek to change council terms from two years to four years. Corporation counsel explained possible permutations if council returns the draft recommending different term lengths; commissioners debated conflict-of-interest concerns and turnout implications but did not make a final decision on term lengths at tonight’s meeting.

Chair and staff confirmed the next steps: the draft will be posted on the city website, physical copies will be available at the clerk’s office, and the commission will hold the public input hearing on May 21. The commission plans to reconvene May 28 to finalize any changes before transmitting the report and draft to city council on May 29.

"You have done the lion's share of the work to this date," the mayor told the commission, thanking members and the legal team for the expedited effort.

The commission adjourned after approving the draft and scheduling the public hearing.