West Haven, Conn., Code of Ordinances ch. 97 (2026) § 97-4

A. The Commission shall have the power to make studies and investigations, conduct hearings and receive complaints relative to rental charges on housing accommodations, except those accommodations rented on a seasonal basis, within the City of West Haven in order to control or eliminate excessive rent charges on such accommodations and carry out the provisions of this chapter. The Commission, for such purposes, may compel the attendance of persons at hearings, issue subpoenas and administer oaths, issue orders and continue, review, amend, terminate or suspend any of its orders and decisions. [NOTE: For purposes of this subsection, "seasonal basis" means housing accommodations rented for a period or periods aggregating not more than 120 days in any one calendar year.] B. The Commission may attempt, through the process of informal conciliation and negotiation between a complaining tenant and landlord, to arrive at a rental agreement which is mutually acceptable to said tenant and landlord before initiating the formal hearing process. No formal or informal hearing shall be held less than 10 days from the mailing date of a notice of such hearing to the landlord or an agent of such landlord, at which he may be represented by counsel. C. The designated members of the Commission shall have the power to meet with the parties, if the parties consent, on an informal basis in a session closed to the public to attempt to reconcile the differences between the parties but shall receive no formal evidence nor make any decision thereon. Any agreement between the parties as a result of said informal conference must be in writing and fully enforceable by the Commission. The informal meeting shall be conducted by two members of the Commission appointed by the Chairman. The Commission members so assigned shall take no part at a formal hearing, if any, thereafter held on the case.