By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
The Charter Revision Commission has officially submitted its final recommendations for updates to the West Haven Charter to the City Council, commission Chairman Arthur Kelly announced.
The proposed changes aim to modernize city operations, enhance administrative efficiency and align West Haven’s governing document with current state standards.
“These recommendations are the result of diligent work and a commitment to ensuring West Haven has a government structure that works for its residents in the 21st century,” Kelly said. “Our focus was on professionalizing key roles, streamlining our departments and providing the clarity needed for effective governance.”
The commission’s proposal includes several significant shifts in the city’s elective and administrative structures, including extending the terms of the mayor and city clerk from two to four years to provide greater continuity while maintaining City Council seats at two-year terms.
The commission recommended moving the positions of tax collector and treasurer from elected to appointed roles to ensure technical expertise.
It also proposed updating department titles and positions, removing outdated language, and reorganizing the charter’s contents for better readability.
The commission recommended modernizing and changing Civil Preparedness to Emergency Management/Homeland Security, and the Allingtown Fire District is being incorporated into the charter since its change to a city department was previously made by resolution. The revisions allow for the regionalization of the Health Department via ordinance, which was previously prohibited by charter but is now allowable by state statute.
To strengthen governance and accountability, the commission proposed putting specific financial controls in place for both the city and Board of Education, including checks and balances and guidelines for multi-year contracts. The revisions also strengthen the ethics provisions and make clear that employees and elected officials are accountable and must follow the charter.
The commission also recommended updating the charter to use the gender-neutral term “Chair” instead of “Chairman” throughout and following state statutes for voting methods.
Other recommendations include provisions for mayoral vacancy succession, updated language for the Village Improvement Association, and a requirement that departments use city personnel and legal resources for labor and contract negotiations.
The City Council will now review the recommendations and schedule the necessary public hearings to allow for further community input before any changes are moved to a ballot referendum.
The members of the bipartisan Charter Revision Commission were appointed by the council and met for the first time March 19.
In addition to Kelly, the commissioners are West Haven residents Roberta Garlock, Arthur Gilbert, Bridgette Hoskie, Steven Iadarola, Tony Mancini, Lalani Perry and Gayle Tagliatela.
For more information on the charter revision recommendations, see the commission’s full report to the City Council on the city website, https://www.cityofwesthaven.com/, or visit the city clerk’s office for a hard copy.