City Council asks commission to require council confirmation for some appointed posts

Christopher Evargo, junior chairman of the West Haven City Council, read a letter into the record asking the Charter Revision Commission to consider two specific items: (1) that any change converting an elected position to an appointed position be subject to confirmation by the City Council and (2) whether the treasurer’s responsibilities should be distinct from the finance department or could be performed by an external hire.

Evargo said the council’s requests followed the commission’s prior vote to revise the charter for the tax collector and treasurer positions from elected to appointed. The letter asked the commission to examine whether the charter should specify by whom treasurer duties are performed and whether council confirmation should be required for such conversions.

Commissioners acknowledged the council’s input and said they would consider adding language to the commission’s recommendations to address confirmation and role definition. The letter was accepted into the record and the commission requested a copy be circulated to members.