By Dorinda Borer
Mayor of West Haven
Happy New Year!
It’s hard to believe that just last month marked the one-year anniversary of my tenure as Chief Executive Officer of this great city. It’s a perfect moment to reflect on the progress we’ve made and identify what more we need to achieve.
In the past year, we’ve made significant strides toward the top priorities I outlined in January 2024: rebuilding trust, fostering transparency, and reimagining West Haven. I can already sense a renewed sense of community and optimism as we move forward.
One of our key achievements is the City’s two credit rating upgrades in just 10 months, alongside the full acceptance of our financial plan by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB). These are tangible indicators of progress in strengthening our financial position. Additionally, working with our insurance company to recover the $1 million lost in the 2021 theft is another financial success that demonstrates our commitment to accountability and recovery.
Our new Economic Development team has been instrumental in building a foundation for future growth. We’ve attracted investors for the Conference Center and successfully completed the redevelopment of Beach Street, which helped launch the new coffee shop and RIVA.
Recognizing the challenges in downtown, we secured a $250,000 planning grant from the State to professionally assess parking, building, and business expansion options. I also launched a small business program that distributed over $400,000 for façade upgrades, which will benefit not just downtown, but businesses across the city. Through my state network, we secured funds to restore the Masonic Temple, a long-awaited project.
In addition to strengthening our financial standing, we made strategic investments in education and public safety. By restructuring funds and securing additional grants, we were able to make the largest investment in years toward these critical sectors.
Throughout the year, I prioritized environmental sustainability and health, managed several city departments, and modernized city services and buildings to better serve our residents.
These achievements would not have been possible without the support of the City Council, my colleagues, and, most importantly, the residents of West Haven. By listening to your concerns and staying focused, we’ve made great strides together.
So, what’s next?
A lot! The goals for 2025 are ambitious.
One of the major priorities for the upcoming year is our release from the MARB. While the Board has been invaluable in providing guidance and funding over the past seven years, it’s time for West Haven to stand on its own. Our progress in transforming our governance and finances has earned us their praise, but we must continue to meet their expectations. Achieving this will send a powerful message to potential investors and demonstrate our growing fiscal stability.
In terms of development, we are moving forward with repurposing the Debonair site, a project that is nearing fruition. Additionally, we are working to convert surplus city properties into revenue-generating assets that will strengthen our Grand List, such as the sales of Stiles School and North End Field, which are now open for bids after extensive environmental reviews.
Another critical objective is to strengthen our partnerships with the University of New Haven and Yale University. These institutions play a key role in our city, and while we value their presence, we are exploring innovative ways they can further support West Haven and its residents. We expect progress in these conversations soon.
Equally important is securing the right buyer for the HAVEN site. After settling a lawsuit with the Simon Group in early 2024 and addressing lingering environmental challenges, we are now engaging with several interested investors and will shrink the list to those that share our vision for the property. We aim to finalize a redevelopment plan with the property’s owner in the near future.
A major goal for 2025 is to break ground on the new Community Center, a vital space for seniors, youth, and veterans. The $1.7 million in funding we secured in 2024 is currently on hold until the students at Molloy School transition to their new Washington School.
Additionally, we are continuing to invest the remaining ARPA funds into beautifying our parks and improving our stormwater infrastructure to address flooding issues. Planning for these projects is nearly complete, and work is expected to begin this spring. We are also seeking additional funding to modernize our city’s transportation, broadband, and essential services.
In public safety, we will complete the implementation of a $1 million public safety camera system across the city. This is part of our ongoing effort to enhance security and emergency preparedness. I hold biweekly meetings with public safety officials to discuss funding, strategies, and the next steps for ensuring the safety and well-being of our community.
Finally, I am committed to meeting with more businesses in 2025 to understand their needs and explore ways to support them. While much of my time in 2024 was dedicated to internal operations, I look forward to making this a top priority in the year ahead.
There is much more to do, and while it’s challenging to capture everything in one message, my final goal for 2025 is to find a balance—ensuring West Haven makes continued progress while also taking time for us all to enjoy the journey.
Congratulations on a job well done…..and I’ve no doubt it will contine.