By Michael P. Walsh
Special to the Voice
More than two dozen 9th District residents turned out at Haley Elementary School on Jan. 30 to participate in Mayor Dorinda Borer’s “Conversation & Connection” series.
Borer has been meeting with residents in each of the city’s 10 districts and giving updates on all things West Haven.
At each meeting, the mayor is joined by the district’s City Council member, members of the Board of Education and other city officials.
“Each forum is a one-stop shop for questions and input,” Borer said. “Residents are hungry to connect with their elected officials, and the goal is to be an accessible administration.”
Since taking office in early December, Borer has made it a priority to improve communication across the city, both internally with department heads and externally with residents.
At Haley, Borer was accompanied by Councilwoman Kathleen Mueller, D-9, and answered questions from engaged residents on topics ranging from city finances and taxes to economic development initiatives and quality-of-life issues.
Several residents in turn pitched ideas and solutions to Borer on many of those pressing matters facing the city, including making trash and recycling pickups more efficient.
During the interactive meeting, Borer and Mueller were joined by Board of Assessment Appeals member Suzanne Mink and school board members Kimberly Kenny and Heather Shea, who talked about Haley’s new playground, which is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the new Washington Elementary School, which is under construction.
For nearly two hours in the school cafeteria, Borer discussed the status of the state Municipal Accountability Review Board, which oversees West Haven’s finances, and the city’s upgraded credit rating and “positive” outlook by bond rating agency S&P Global.
The mayor talked about filling key city positions, including a new economic development director, and extending the Building Department’s weekday hours by an hour in the morning.
Borer also discussed projects funded by West Haven’s American Rescue Plan Act spending plan, a proposed six-month moratorium on new smoke shops in the city, and infrastructure enhancements to prevent beach erosion and improve water quality.
The mayor shed light on the status of the 26-acre waterfront development formerly known as The Haven and a taproom proposed by New England Brewing Co. at the waterfront site of the former Savin Rock Conference Center.
Borer also touched on potential redevelopment opportunities at the former Masonic Temple and Stiles Elementary School buildings, along with a long-overdue renovation of the West Haven Animal Shelter, which has been closed since 2020.