'I Will Not Be Resigning,' West Haven Mayor Tells WTNH

West Haven CT

14 April, 2022

9:59 AM

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WEST HAVEN, CT — West Haven Mayor Nancy Rossi will not be resigning from office despite the city council unanimously voting no confidence in her, she told WTNH. "I will not be resigning," Rossi told News 8 on Wednesday night. "The council has voted for an investigation which I welcome." Rossi's announcement comes days after the city council took its no confidence vote on Monday evening during a meeting that CT Insider reported was attended by over 150 residents — though Rossi didn't go, saying she was out of town for a long-standing commitment. Read more: West Haven City Council Votes 'No Confidence' In Mayor: Reports Displeasure with the mayor largely stems from an independent audit released earlier this month that found the city misspent almost $893,000 — or nearly 80 percent — of its federal COVID-19 relief funds. In a news conference on Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont said the city's issues have been "ongoing" and that they're "not getting better." "I would think the people of West Haven would want a fresh start," Lamont said when asked whether Rossi should stay in office. "But let's hear what comes out of the meeting." Today, the state Municipal Accountability Review Board will vote on whether the state should start controlling West Haven's finances, according to another WTNH report. Lamont predicted on Tuesday that the state would mostly take over the city's finances, but that will depend on the outcome of the meeting. Related: West Haven Misspent Nearly $893K In COVID Relief Funds: AuditRossi 'Outraged' By West Haven's Misspent COVID-19 Relief Funds