Local Government
- The City of West Haven was incorporated in 1961 and is Connecticut’s ‘youngest’ city.
- John M. Picard (D) is West Haven’s 10th Mayor.
- The city’s legislation is formed by the Mayor and a thirteen member council.
- The City Council meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 pm in the Council Chambers, unless there is a change due to a holiday. During July and August, the Council only meets on the fourth Monday of each month.
- There are 10 local voting districts and 12 districts in state elections.
Please visit Mayor Picard’s Message and our City Directory.



The City of West Haven has been lauded by "BusinessWeek" as one the "best places to raise your kids." Noting that West Haven is home to the University of New Haven and is about five miles from Yale University and offers easy access to Bradley Point Park beach and the Sandy Point bird sanctuary, the publication narrowed the list of towns using the following weighted criteria: affordability; school performance; number of schools; household expenditures; crime rates; air quality; job growth; family income; museums, parks, theaters, and other amenities; and diversity.
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