Propose an Initiative

Have an idea for Ward 9 or New Haven?

Ask Alder Maria’s office to consider a new law, a policy change, a public investment, or a significant community initiative. Residents, organizations, businesses, and other neighbors are all welcome to propose.

Submit a Proposal Understand How Proposals Are Reviewed

Community ideas

From an idea to a next step.

Explore what you can propose and how the office reviews ideas from our neighbors.

Ward 9 initiative proposal guide: proposal types, five review steps, who can submit, expectations, privacy, and where to get immediate help. Open full-size guide (English, new tab)

Ward 9 proposals guide · In English

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Submit a proposal

What you can propose

  • Ordinance (a new or changed city law)

    New or changed city rules, for housing, streets, businesses, or public spaces.

  • Policy or agency reform

    Changes to how a city department or agency does its work.

  • Budget priority

    Where the city should spend money in a coming budget.

  • Infrastructure or public investment

    Streets, sidewalks, lighting, parks, buildings, and other public investments.

  • Public program or service

    A new or better public program or service for residents.

  • Partnership or institutional project

    Projects with schools, nonprofits, institutions, or local businesses.

How proposals are reviewed

  1. Submit

    Tell us your idea with the form below. You get a reference number right away.

  2. Review

    The office reads each proposal and checks whether it is something the office can act on.

  3. Follow-up

    If you left contact details, we may reach out with questions or ask for more information.

  4. Decision

    The office decides whether to develop the idea, refer it to a better-placed office, or not pursue it.

  5. Potential action

    Some ideas become ordinances, budget requests, or projects. That takes time and further decisions.

Who can submit

Anyone with a real interest in Ward 9 or New Haven: people who live or work here, business owners, organizations, and other stakeholders. No account is needed.

What to expect

A proposal is a request for the office to consider your idea. It is not a promise. Submitting does not mean Alder Maria will sponsor an ordinance, fund a project, or take any action. Decisions depend on the office’s priorities, the city’s legal authority, and available resources.

How your submission is handled

  • Your proposal is stored privately and is not published.
  • Only people who review proposals for the office can see your name, contact details, and files.
  • Your name is shared publicly only if you allow it below. You can also submit anonymously, but then we cannot follow up with you.
  • Files go to private storage. They are checked before anyone opens them.
  • Messages to an elected official’s office may be subject to public-records laws. Do not include Social Security numbers, bank or card numbers, medical records, or other sensitive personal information.
  • Proposals are kept as long as needed to review them and as records rules require.

Read the full privacy policy · Notice version 2026-10-23

Submit a proposal

Fields marked Required are needed. Everything else is optional. Your answers stay in this browser tab until you submit.

About you

If you submit anonymously, we cannot ask you questions or tell you what happens with your idea.

Who is submitting? Required

You, or the contact person for your organization.

Give an email address, a phone number, or both, so we can follow up.

What is your connection to Ward 9? Required
Your proposal
What kind of initiative is this? Required

A short name for your idea, like “Safer crossings on State Street”.

What should change, and why does it matter?

For example: propose an ordinance, ask a department to change a practice, or prioritize a budget item.

Residents, groups, institutions, or neighborhoods this touches.

A neighborhood or general area is enough. Please don’t give a home address.

Timing and supporting material
How time-sensitive is it? Required

Urgent means a decision or deadline is coming soon, not an emergency.

For example a hearing, a budget vote, or a grant deadline.

Attachments Optional

Up to 3 files, 10 MB each and 25 MB in total: PDF, photos (JPG, PNG, WebP, HEIC), Word, Excel, or plain text.

    Sharing and confirmation
    If the office talks about this idea in public, may we name you? Required