West Haven charter panel hears public concerns over appointed officials, orders qualifications language and two alternates

The West Haven Charter Revision Commission heard several residents press for guardrails on changes that would make some municipal positions appointed rather than elected, and the commission instructed its attorneys to add two alternates to the Allentown fire commission and draft broad qualification standards for appointed department heads.

The public hearing and subsequent regular meeting on May 21 at Harriet North community room drew residents who urged transparency and protections as the commission prepares to file its draft report with the city council. "I believe effective local government should balance what I call the three Ps: Professionalism, productivity, and people," said Kristen Jacome Hakome, a West Haven resident, urging that modernization not reduce public influence.

Sana Abella, a member of the public who served on the prior charter revision, recommended mandatory qualifications for positions that will be appointed. She said the tax collector "should be a certified tax collector" and proposed minimum credentials for treasurer such as "a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, economics or related field or five years' experience," while noting two-to-five years of municipal experience might be acceptable. Abella also urged the commission to note that the Village Improvement Association is a 501(c)(3) and suggested holding special elections, rather than mayoral appointment, for council vacancies.

During public question-and-answer, attorney Mednik told the commission he would correct a drafting error on page 48 that had left a residency and elector requirement in the section title but removed it from the body: "I did not take it out of the title. So, I will make that correction when we act on this finally next week," he said. Mednik also said the final draft will reflect "five members and two alternates" for the Allentown fire commission and that alternates would be able to serve with full duties when seated.

Commissioners generally welcomed the public recommendations and asked counsel to draft non-prescriptive, broad qualification language that sets base standards (for example, professional experience, certifications or educational requirements) without encoding detailed job descriptions in the charter. Several commissioners noted that tax-collector certification programs exist through the Office of Policy and Management and that requiring base qualifications could reduce politicization of operational roles.

On specific actions, the commission voted to: add language directing attorneys to draft broad qualification standards for appointees and to include two alternates for the Allentown fire commission (motion moved by Commissioner Garlock, seconded by Commissioner Idola; motion carried); modify annual-report provisions so that the annual audit satisfies reporting requirements and consider relocating audit-related language to the council section (motion moved by Commissioner Gilbert, seconded by Commissioner Mancini; motion carried); approve minutes from the prior meeting (seconded by Commissioner Gilbert; motion carried); and adjourn the meeting (final motion moved by Commissioner Garlock, seconded by Commissioner Mancini; motion carried).

The commission plans to file the draft report with the city council the following Friday and expects a joint conferral meeting with the council on June 24 to review recommendations. Attorneys said they will consolidate redundant provisions flagged in the draft and circulate revised language to commissioners before the next meeting.

The meeting record shows public commenters consistently sought clearer standards and stronger transparency for appointed roles; commissioners directed counsel to translate those concerns into broad charter language to be reviewed at the commission's next meeting and during the conferral with the council.