The West Haven City Council on July 28 reappointed members to the Fair Rent Commission and voted to set a public hearing on an ordinance that updates chapter 97 of the municipal code to clarify commission procedures, quorum rules, complaint filing criteria and powers.

Reappointments and public support: The council reappointed Steven R. Mullins (term through Feb. 26, 2027) and Effie Prokopis (term through March 25, 2027) to the Fair Rent Commission. Multiple public commenters and commission members spoke in favor of reappointments and praised the commission’s work. Paige Weinstein, Diane Dieteman and other speakers said the commission has taken pressure off other city offices and made tenant‑landlord processes more accessible.

Ordinance amendments and next steps: The proposed ordinance adds authority for alternates to vote when regular commissioners are absent, permits the commission to report offenses to other city departments (including police and public health), and establishes timelines and criteria for hearings and decisions. Vice Chairman Christian Sanchez said the subcommittee modeled the ordinance on other Connecticut commissions (New Haven, Norwalk) and sought to make the commission “pro law” rather than pro‑tenant or pro‑landlord. Councilman Eduardo Vargo’s committee recommended a public hearing on August 25 at 6:55 p.m.

Why it matters: The state legislature recently required municipalities with populations of 25,000 or more to establish fair rent commissions; West Haven has reconstituted its commission and is now codifying procedures to handle disputes and rental‑increase matters. The council carried motions to reappoint commissioners and to schedule the ordinance public hearing.