About The West Haven Post

Major news headlines for West Haven, Connecticut, on January 16, 2026, included regional legislative priorities, firefighter health initiatives, and significant infrastructure investments. 

Local Governance and Policy

• SCRCOG Regional Legislative Breakfast: Mayor Dorinda Borer joined other regional leaders and state legislators at the University of New Haven on January 15 to discuss unified priorities for the 2026 legislative session. Key topics included:
  • Blight Legislation: Requests for state support to address neglected properties.
  • Education Funding: Advocacy for increased state aid to local schools.
  • Renewable Energy: Discussions on adjusting caps for green energy projects.
  • PILOT Programs: Seeking adjustments to the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes program to support municipal budgets. 

Public Safety and Health

• Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month: City and state officials held a news conference on January 15 at the Allingtown Minor Park Station to highlight occupational cancer risks. Highlights included:
  • Screening Programs: State Comptroller Sean Scanlon provided updates on comprehensive health screenings for firefighters now available under the state health plan.
  • Decontamination Technology: West Haven showcased its new heavy-duty washer and dryer, funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, designed to extract carcinogenic toxins from firefighter gear.
• Police Department Promotion: Earlier in January, Capt. Joseph Romano was officially sworn in as the West Haven Police Department’s new deputy chief, focusing on maintaining state accreditation and enhancing body-worn camera programs. 

Infrastructure and Environment

• $9 Million Traffic Safety Grant: Mayor Borer announced a $9 million grant from the CT Department of Transportation (DOT) for modernization of traffic signals at nine high-traffic intersections, including Captain Thomas Boulevard and Elm Street.
• Mystery "Hum" Investigation: The City Council recently approved a $16,000 contract for a third-party acoustic study to identify a low-frequency hum reported by residents. Monitoring stations are being set up throughout January 2026 to track the noise