New Haven Board Approved Residency Waivers

Four city department heads secured exemptions from a local residency requirement.

Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in City Hall

New Haven Board Approved Residency Waivers

Live Poll

Should city department heads be required to live in the city where they work?

The New Haven Board of Alders has approved residency exemptions for four department heads, allowing them to live outside city limits. The decision follows a 2026 ordinance amendment that enables appointees to reside elsewhere in Connecticut if local living poses a hardship.

Why it matters

The city aims to retain specialized talent in leadership roles where recruitment has proven difficult. By providing flexibility on residency, officials hope to maintain department head stability despite the constraints of local housing and family requirements.

Four department heads were granted exemptions to the city charter requirement mandating residency within six months of appointment. Applicants are required to reside within Connecticut and attest that city living presents a substantial hardship.

The players

Board of Alders

This is the legislative body for the City of New Haven responsible for passing ordinances and approving official appointments.

Sarah Miller

She serves as the Fair Haven Alder and was the only member to vote against the residency waiver requests.

Michael Gormany

A department head who resides in Branford and has served the city since his time as an intern.

Alex Pullen

He is a department head living in North Haven who has served as the acting tax assessor since 2011.

The details

The Board of Alders vote was near-unanimous, with Fair Haven Alder Sarah Miller casting the only opposition. The officials receiving waivers include Alex Pullen, Michael Gormany, Gwendolyn Busch Williams, and Bob Dillon, who cited reasons including financial hardship, family connections, and long-term home ownership for their requests.

1999: Michael Gormany began his tenure as a city intern.
2011: Alex Pullen started serving as the acting tax assessor.
Early 2026: The Board of Alders passed an ordinance amendment creating the residency waiver system.
September 22, 2026: The Board of Alders voted to approve the four residency waivers.

Political Context

The vote follows a pattern set by the city charter residency requirement, which has historically bound appointees to the community. Opponents of the waivers argue that department heads should be fully invested in the city they serve, while supporters prioritize broader access to qualified talent.

This policy change shifts the expectations for senior city officials who previously faced strict residency rules. Residents may see a different composition of city management as officials are no longer mandated to live within the local jurisdiction.

The takeaway

The move reflects an effort by New Haven to prioritize specialized expertise over local residency mandates for high-level appointees. This highlights a balancing act between the desire for neighborhood-based leadership and the practical needs of filling competitive municipal roles.