West Haven meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

West Haven P&Z approves new Allingtown library branch, liquor permit

The West Haven Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special permit and site plan for a new library branch at 703 Orange Avenue and 89 Newbern Street, merging two parcels into one. The commission also approved a liquor permit for a restaurant at 564 Campbell Avenue. Both approvals followed public hearings.

Planning and Zoning Commission (Aug. 11)

• Approved special permit, site plan, and grading for new library branch (4-0)
• Approved liquor permit for restaurant at 564 Campbell Avenue (3-0)
• Closed public hearings for both applications
• Approved minutes of July 14, 2026 meeting

Other recent meetings

• The Seniors Commission meeting scheduled for Aug. 11 was cancelled due to lack of quorum.
• The Inland Wetlands Commission cancelled its Aug. 18 regular meeting.
• The Board of Ethics cancelled its Aug. 19 meeting due to lack of agenda items.
• The Allingtown Fire Board of Commissioners meeting was postponed to Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at 20 Admiral Street.
• The Emergency Reporting System Administrative Authority held a routine procedural meeting Aug. 13.
• The Board of Health met Aug. 18 with no listed action items.
• The Allingtown Fire Department Board discussed the Admiral station renovation, a University of New Hampshire agreement, and the intern program at its Aug. 18 meeting.
• The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing Aug. 19 on nine variance and special exception requests, including three for 128 Lee St. by Rosewood Home Builders. Minutes have not been published.

Coming up

• The City Council meets Aug. 24 to vote on nine ordinances, including amendments to short-term rental regulations, noise codes, and water pollution rules. It will also consider a 99-year lease with Altschuler Building LLC for 10 parking spaces at 9 Curtis Place to support a residential conversion at 507 Campbell Avenue, and review a monthly financial report projecting a $0.4M general fund surplus. The council will act on appointments, including Steven Iadarola to the Economic Development Commission, and accept animal shelter donations totaling $732.41.
• The Planning and Zoning Commission holds a public hearing Aug. 25 on regulation updates to the Village District Overlay and Transit Oriented districts. It will also review a letter from Yale New Haven regarding a pharmacy at 600 Derby Avenue.

West Haven Council Approves Charter Revision Ballot Questions; P&Z Clears New Library Branch

The West Haven City Council unanimously approved three ballot questions for the upcoming election, including a four-year term for the Mayor and City Clerk, replacement of the VIA chapter with new library governance provisions, and an omnibus question on government clarity and accountability. The council also set the order of the questions. In other action, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a new library branch and a restaurant liquor permit, and the Board of Police Commissioners approved hosting a Special Olympics event.

City Council adopts charter revision ballot questions

At its Aug. 5 meeting, the council voted unanimously to approve the final Charter Revision Commission report and adopt three ballot questions. The questions will appear on the ballot in the order: #1 four-year term for Mayor and City Clerk, #2 VIA chapter replacement, and #3 omnibus. The vote on the order was unanimous, with Councilmember Heffernan abstaining. No other substantive decisions were made.

Planning and Zoning approves new library branch and liquor permit

On Aug. 11, the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a special permit, site plan, and grading for a new West Haven Library branch at 703 Orange Avenue and 89 Newbern Street, merging two parcels into one. The vote was 4-0. The commission also approved a liquor permit for a restaurant at 564 Campbell Avenue by a 3-0 vote. Both approvals followed public hearings. Minutes from the July 14 meeting were also approved.

Police Board approves Special Olympics CT event

The Board of Police Commissioners unanimously approved hosting Special Olympics CT on Sept. 19-20, 2026. The board also accepted the amended agenda, minutes from July 7, and entered executive session to discuss personnel and the June street crime report. No other substantive decisions were made.

ARPA Committee reviews spending (agenda only)

The ARPA Committee met Aug. 4 to review its spending plan and approve invoices. The agenda included a proposed $60,000 transfer from paving to project 2022-001, library project updates, parks fund invoices totaling $35,929.32, storm water management invoices including $84,450 to Connecticut Precast Corp., and $45,536 for electrical main breakers for five city buildings from Newington Electric. No minutes have been published, so these items are not yet final decisions.

Other meetings and cancellations

The Harbor Management Commission cancelled its Aug. 5 meeting. The Seniors Commission cancelled its Aug. 11 meeting due to lack of quorum. The Economic Development Commission met Aug. 5 with agenda items including an economic development update and Restaurant Week planning, but no decisions were listed. The Emergency Reporting System Administrative Authority held routine meetings on Aug. 5 and Aug. 13 with no listed decisions.

Coming up

• **Board of Health** – Aug. 18, regular meeting with no listed action items; includes review of May 19 minutes and Health Director's report.
• **Allingtown Board of Fire Commissioners** – Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. at 20 Admiral Street; meeting postponed from an earlier date; agenda includes only a smoke detector reminder.
• **Zoning Board of Appeals** – Aug. 19, public hearing and regular meeting to consider nine variance/special exception requests, including three for 128 Lee St. by Rosewood Home Builders, and a special exception for rental property at 51 Delawan Ave.

West Haven City Council weighs $12.5M bond, charter revision questions

West Haven's City Council met several times over the past two weeks to consider a $12.5 million bond for capital projects, a charter revision report, and other items. However, minutes from these meetings have not yet been published, so no official decisions or vote tallies are confirmed. The council also held special sessions on proposed charter revision ballot questions.

Capital bond and budget amendments

At its July 27 regular meeting, the council held public hearings on two ordinances: one to issue $12,477,252 in bonds for capital projects from the FY 2024/2025 Capital Budget, and another to amend that budget. The bond would fund capital projects, though the specific projects were not listed in the agenda. No vote results are available.

Charter revision discussions

The council held three special meetings to deliberate and act on the Charter Revision Commission's final report and on proposed ballot questions for a charter revision. These took place on July 28 and August 5. The agenda items were limited to deliberations and action on the report and ballot questions, plus procedural steps. No outcomes have been published.

Other council items

Also on the July 27 agenda were several resolutions and ordinance amendments:

• A resolution requiring city departments to donate eligible surplus food to local agencies assisting residents experiencing food insecurity.
• A resolution approving a lease agreement with Altschuler Building LLC for 10 parking spaces at 9 Curtis Place.
• An amendment to Chapter 154 (Noise) of the City Code.
• An amendment to Chapter 80 (Bicycles/EPA devices/golf carts).

These items were listed for consideration, but no votes or decisions have been reported.

Cancelled meetings

Two meetings were cancelled during the period:

• The Planning and Zoning Commission's regular meeting scheduled for July 28, 2026, was cancelled.
• The West Haven High School Building Committee's regular meetings scheduled for July 14 and July 28, 2026, were cancelled. The committee had no new business to conduct this month.

Coming up

No upcoming meetings are scheduled in the next 14 days, according to the provided data.

West Haven City Council eyed $12.5M bond and charter revisions; several boards cancelled July meetings

West Haven's City Council dominated the past two weeks of municipal business, with a packed July 27 regular meeting scheduled to take up a $12,477,252 bond issuance for capital projects and a July 28 special meeting on charter revision. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of the meetings below, outcomes — including vote tallies — are not yet confirmed; this roundup reports what was on each agenda.

City Council — July 27 regular meeting

The council's agenda listed two public hearings tied to the FY 2024/2025 Capital Budget: one on an ordinance amending that budget, and one on a separate ordinance authorizing $12,477,252 in bonds to fund capital projects. No vote tally is available yet.

Other scheduled items included:

• A resolution requiring city departments to donate eligible surplus food to local agencies assisting residents experiencing food insecurity.
• A lease agreement with Altschuler Building LLC for 10 parking spaces at 9 Curtis Place.
• Amendments to Chapter 154 (Noise) and Chapter 80 (Bicycles/EPA devices/golf carts) of the City Code.
• Several board appointments and committee reports on audits and the annual financial report.

An ordinance regarding short-term rentals was removed from the agenda, according to the meeting summary.

City Council — July 28 special meeting

The council scheduled a special meeting to deliberate and take action on the Charter Revision Commission's Final Charter Revision Report and on proposed charter revision ballot questions. The agenda listed only that substantive item, along with procedural steps such as the pledge, roll call, and adjournment. Whether the council voted, and how, is not yet recorded in published minutes.

Board of Health — July 21

The Board of Health had a regular meeting scheduled for July 21. Agenda items included a public session for resident comments, review of minutes from May 19, 2026, and a Health Director's Report. No details from the Health Director's Report were provided in the agenda. One summary entry for the same date states the meeting was cancelled; the record is unclear on which applies.

Cancelled meetings

Several boards cancelled their July meetings:

• **Fair Rent Commission** — July 21 regular meeting cancelled; no business conducted.
• **Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency** — July 21 regular meeting cancelled.
• **Planning and Zoning Commission** — July 28 regular meeting cancelled.
• **West Haven High School Building Committee** — July 14 and July 28 regular meetings cancelled; the committee had no new business to conduct this month.

Coming up

• **City Council special meeting — August 5, 2026:** The council is scheduled to deliberate and take action on proposed charter revision ballot questions, including a public hearing and vote on the wording and content of questions that may appear on a future ballot. This is a continuation of the charter revision work from the July 28 special meeting.

Residents seeking confirmed outcomes from the July 27 and July 28 council meetings should watch for published minutes, which were not available as of this roundup.

Charter Commission Keeps City Council Terms at Two Years; Police Board Accepts Officer Resignation

The West Haven Charter Revision Commission voted 5–3 on July 16 to reject a proposal that would have extended City Council terms from two years to four, keeping the current two-year term in place. The same meeting unanimously kept the Board of Assessment Appeals term at two years and accepted draft library language for the West Haven Library/Village Improvement Association.

Charter Revision Commission

The July 16 special meeting was the commission's second session in under two weeks. On July 7, commissioners had approved minutes from a July 1 meeting unanimously and scheduled the July 16 vote on Village Improvement Association budget language and council term lengths before adjourning at 7:17 p.m.

At the July 16 meeting, the commission approved July 7 minutes unanimously, accepted the library language unanimously, then voted 5–3 against the four-year council term proposal. The Board of Assessment Appeals term was kept at two years by unanimous vote, and the meeting was adjourned unanimously.

Board of Police Commissioners

On July 7, the Board of Police Commissioners unanimously accepted the resignation of Officer Joyce DuBay, effective June 24, 2026.

The board also acted on disputed alcohol-related tickets: it unanimously denied disputed ticket #10279 for an open alcohol container, and unanimously denied disputed ticket #15382 before upholding it with a $100 fine reduction.

The board unanimously approved the Closer to Free Ride event for September 19, 2026, added Item 8.1 (a pension report) to the agenda unanimously, and accepted minutes from the June 2, 2026 meeting with Carrano abstaining. The board entered an executive session and adjourned unanimously.

ARPA Committee

The ARPA Committee met July 7, but minutes have not yet been published. The agenda called for action on a proposed $60,000 fund transfer from paving to an unspecified project and a library ARPA project request with a letter regarding unspent funds. Invoices listed for approval included $14,560 to Carmody and $4,690.80 to Milestone Construction for park projects, and $192,513 to LATEC for storm water management. A Cherry Hill demolition bid was listed as won by Diversity for $197,736.62.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission held a July 14 public hearing on three items: a liquor license application at 564 Campbell Avenue (File # SP 26-26), a commercial garage application at 210, 216, and 220 Fresh Meadow Road (File # SP 26-27), and a proposed regulation change adding Section 19 for Middle Housing (File # ZR 25-25). The agenda also listed discussion of Phase 3 of Zoning Regulation Amendments and approval of June 23, 2026 regular meeting minutes. Minutes have not yet been published.

Meetings Cancelled

Several meetings were cancelled due to lack of business or quorum. The West Haven High School Building Committee cancelled its July 14 and July 28 regular meetings, citing no new business. The Seniors Commission's July 14 meeting was cancelled for lack of a quorum. The Energy Commission cancelled its July 15 meeting. The Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency cancelled its July 21 meeting, and the Planning and Zoning Commission cancelled its July 28 regular meeting.

Coming Up

• **Board of Health** — July 21, 2026: Regular meeting to review May 19, 2026 minutes and receive the Health Director's report.
• **West Haven High School Building Committee** — July 28, 2026: Meeting cancelled.
• **Planning and Zoning Commission** — July 28, 2026: Meeting cancelled.

West Haven Charter Revision Commission Accepts Over 40 Council Recommendations; ARPA and Police Boards Review Pending Items

The West Haven Charter Revision Commission unanimously accepted more than 40 City Council recommendations for the revised city charter on July 1, setting up a key vote later this month on budget language and City Council term lengths.

Charter Revision Commission

At its July 1 meeting, the commission voted unanimously to accept City Council recommendations on items #1 through #45, excluding items #32 and #11. Commissioners also approved the language "at the pleasure of the Mayor" for Chapter VII Section 1(e) (item #32) and kept the existing charter language for item #11, both by unanimous votes. The meeting adjourned at 7:14 p.m.

On July 7, the commission approved minutes from the July 1 meeting unanimously and scheduled a special meeting for July 16 at 6:00 p.m. to vote on Village Improvement Association budget language and City Council term lengths. Commissioners discussed two-year versus four-year City Council term options, but no substantive charter changes were decided at this meeting, which adjourned at 7:17 p.m.

ARPA Committee

The West Haven ARPA Committee met on July 7 to discuss an updated spending plan. The agenda included a proposed $60,000 fund transfer from paving to an unspecified project and a library ARPA project request regarding unspent funds. The committee also planned to review invoices for park projects, including $14,560 to Carmody and $4,690.80 to Milestone Construction, as well as a $192,513 storm water management invoice to LATEC. A Cherry Hill demolition bid was won by Diversity for $197,736.62. Minutes from this meeting have not yet been published, so final decisions are not yet available.

Board of Police Commissioners

The Board of Police Commissioners met on July 7. The agenda included reviewing two disputed traffic tickets (#10279 from May 20, 2026, and #15382 from May 26, 2026), planning for the "Closer to Free Ride" event on September 19, 2026, and hearing the Chief's budget report. The board also scheduled an executive session on personnel matters. Minutes have not been published.

Other Meetings

The West Haven Fair Rent Commission held a July 7 public hearing on Case #26-017. The Emergency Reporting System Administrative Authority met on July 8 to hear the Acting Director's report and hold an executive session on personnel matters. Minutes for both meetings are not yet available.

Coming Up

• **July 14:** The Planning and Zoning Commission will hold a 6:00 p.m. public hearing on a liquor license for 564 Campbell Avenue (File # SP 26-26), a commercial garage for 210, 216, 220 Fresh Meadow Road (File # SP 26-27), and a regulation change to add Section 19 for Middle Housing (File # ZR 26-25).
• **July 16:** The Charter Revision Commission will meet at 6:00 p.m. to vote on VIA budget language and City Council term lengths.
• **July 21:** The Inland Wetlands Watercourse Agency regular meeting has been cancelled.

West Haven Council approves $1.96M lien sale, yard waste ordinance; zoning amendments adopted

The West Haven City Council approved the sale of delinquent 2024 tax and sewer liens to RAM Financial Group for $1,956,434.79 and adopted a new ordinance prohibiting leaves and yard waste in streets, sidewalks, and waterways, both by unanimous vote at its June 22 meeting.

City Council: Lien sale, yard waste ordinance, and upcoming bond hearing

The lien assignment covers delinquent 2024 tax and sewer liens totaling $1.87 million, sold for $1,956,434.79. The council also approved $1,121.40 in animal shelter donations and a FY2025 Homeland Security Grant memorandum of agreement, both unanimously.

The new yard waste ordinance, designated Chapter 206, Article VIII, prohibits leaves and yard waste in streets, sidewalks, and waterways. It passed unanimously.

The council scheduled a public hearing for July 27 on two items: a capital budget amendment and a bond issuance of $12,477,252 to fund the FY 2024/2025 Capital Budget. Both were set for first reading. Re-appointments to the Ethics Commission and Energy Commission were referred to committees.

Planning and Zoning: Phase 2 amendments approved

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved Phase 2 amendments to the city's zoning regulations on June 23, on a motion by Commissioner Biancur. The amendments set buffer distances of 800 feet for nail salons, cannabis establishments, and liquor stores, and maintained a 1,000-foot radius for adult establishments.

The commission reverted the electric vehicle charging station language in Section 49.4.2.(1) to its original text, reverted display size to 24 inches diagonally (Section 8), and reverted the summary table in Section 49.4.5.6 to R and SP for Level 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Minutes from June 9, 2026 were approved; Commissioner Biancur abstained on that vote.

Charter Revision: Joint deliberations held, no actions recorded

The City Council and Charter Revision Commission held multiple joint special meetings on June 23 and June 24 to deliberate on the council's recommendations for revisions to the draft revised city charter. The agendas list only deliberations and review of the draft charter, with no specific amendments, dollar amounts, or votes recorded in the available materials. The Charter Revision Commission met again on July 1 to discuss the council's recommendations, approve May 28 meeting minutes, and consider scheduling additional meetings. No outcomes from that session are available.

High School Building Committee: June meetings canceled

The West Haven High School Building Committee canceled its regular meetings scheduled for June 9 and June 23, 2026, citing a lack of new business to conduct.

Coming up

• **Board of Police Commissioners — July 7:** The board will review two disputed traffic tickets (#10279 from May 20, 2026, and #15382 from May 26, 2026), discuss planning for the Closer to Free Ride event on September 19, 2026, hear the chief's budget report, and hold an executive session on personnel matters.
• **City Council public hearing — July 27:** Public hearings are scheduled on the capital budget amendment and the $12,477,252 bond issuance for FY 2024/2025 capital projects.

West Haven Council Approves $1.96 Million Lien Sale, New Yard Waste Rules, and Zoning Updates

West Haven’s recent government actions centered on a $1.96 million lien sale, a new ban on leaves and yard waste in streets, and zoning buffer changes for certain businesses. The City Council also scheduled public hearings on $12.5 million in bonds, while Charter Revision Commission discussions continued without a formal decision.

City Council: lien sale, yard waste ordinance, and public hearings

On June 22, the City Council voted unanimously to assign the city’s delinquent 2024 tax and sewer liens to RAM Financial Group for $1,956,434.79. The sale lets the city collect a lump sum now rather than pursue individual overdue accounts.

In the same session, the council adopted a new ordinance (Chapter 206, Article VIII) that prohibits leaves and yard waste from being placed or left in streets, sidewalks, or waterways. The measure passed unanimously.

The council also approved $1,121.40 in animal shelter donations and a memorandum of agreement for a FY2025 Homeland Security Grant, both by unanimous vote. Two re-appointments—to the Ethics Commission and the Energy Commission—were referred to committees for vetting.

Looking ahead, the council set July 27 as the date for public hearings on two financial measures: a proposed amendment to the FY 2024/2025 Capital Budget, and a bond ordinance authorizing up to $12,477,252 in borrowing for capital projects. Both are at the first-reading stage.

Planning and Zoning: Phase 2 buffer and signage changes

The Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved Phase 2 amendments to zoning regulations on June 23. Key adjustments include:

• A uniform 800-foot buffer radius for nail salons, cannabis establishments, and liquor stores.
• A 1,000-foot buffer radius for adult establishments.
• EV charging station language (Section 49.4.2.(1)) reverted to its original wording, along with a restoration of the 24-inch diagonal maximum display size for certain signs (Section 8).
• The summary table (Section 49.4.5.6) reverted to “R” and “SP” designations for Level 1, 2, and 3 uses.

Commissioner Biancur made the motion; the vote was unanimous. Biancur abstained from approving the June 9 meeting minutes.

Charter Revision: joint meetings but no final decisions

Several joint special meetings of the City Council and Charter Revision Commission took place between June 23 and July 1. Agendas focused on City Council recommendations for changes to the draft revised city charter. No minutes have been published, and no final votes or proposed amendments were reported. The Charter Revision Commission’s July 1 meeting also included discussion of scheduling future commission meetings.

High School Building Committee meetings canceled

The West Haven High School Building Committee canceled its regular June 9 and June 23 meetings due to a lack of new business.

Coming up

The Board of Police Commissioners meets on July 7. On the agenda: review of two disputed traffic tickets (#10279 from May 20, 2026, and #15382 from May 26, 2026); planning for the Closer to Free Ride event on September 19, 2026; the chief’s budget report; and an executive session on personnel matters.