Council votes to list West Haven Public Library and WPCA as city departments

The West Haven City Council on June 9 approved an amendment to the charter’s definition of “department” to explicitly include the West Haven Public Library and the Water Pollution Control Authority (WPCA).

“I make a motion that the definition of department specifically includes West Haven Public Library,” Chairman Christopher Vargo said when moving the change; he amended the motion on the floor to add the WPCA. Councilman Ron Quagliani seconded the motion, which passed on a voice vote after discussion.

Attorney Cassini explained the practical implications: when an entity is listed as a department its department head becomes a direct appointee reporting to the executive and is subject to the city’s uniform procurement, contracting and employment frameworks. Cassini also noted several subject areas remain governed by state law; for example, certain Board of Education authorities are set by statute and cannot be overridden by charter language.

Council members debated the change’s administrative effects. Supporters argued the addition improves transparency and consistent application of purchasing and contracting rules, while some members sought reassurance that the change would not inadvertently transfer statutorily protected functions out of their current framework.

The motion passed with no recorded roll call tally; minutes record the result as "motion carries." The council asked legal staff to confirm downstream ordinance changes that may be required if the new definitions are adopted in final charter language.

Next steps: the council will continue reviewing remaining charter sections and will send recommended edits back to the Charter Revision Commission for redrafting and legal scrivener’s review.