Since taking office in early December, Mayor Dorinda Borer has made it a priority to significantly improve communication across the city, both internally with department heads and externally with residents.
To that end, Borer has created a series of meetings in each of West Haven’s 10 districts and is hosting them along with the respective City Council members, at-large council members and Board of Education members, as well as with a representative from the Department of Public Works.
The meeting sessions will begin in mid-January and run through early February.
See the district meeting schedule below for details.
“Each forum will be 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. I pride myself on having an open line of communication, which should be a two-way street — both listening to our residents but providing updates so that trust in transparency can be rebuilt.”
Additionally, Borer will host periodic Saturday morning office hours for those unable to visit City Hall during regular business hours.
Continuing along the external communication ramp-up, Borer has worked with Police Chief Joseph S. Perno to set up quarterly community forums, similar to the late-summer event that was well received by the public.
“As a result of the excellent citizen participation and interaction at our last meeting, the Police Department has discussed with the mayor scheduling quarterly meetings,” Perno said. “The Police Department with the city will be posting the dates soon.”
Internal communication is important as well, and Borer has implemented a weekly Cabinet and department head meeting.
“Cabinet meetings may sound basic, but they are a great way to not only collaborate across city agencies but also an opportunity to brainstorm together as our city leaders and employees have a lot of great ideas,” the mayor said.
Finally, Borer this week organized the inaugural meeting of stakeholders from West Haven’s three fire departments “to bring together all the principal players — fire chiefs, commissioners, union representatives — to one table for the first time to continue to look for opportunities for synergy.”
The first monthly meeting was held Monday.