[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6286292,"mediaKeyId","2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078","parentId",2562940,"title","Single-audit reports show progress; auditors, mayor and finance director highlight improved fund balance and outstanding items","audioSeconds",3017,"startMs",1455000,"endMs",4472000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078&start=1455&end=4472","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078/thumbnail_1455000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6286292/West-Haven/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/Single-audit-reports-show-progress-auditors-mayor-and-finance-director-highlight-improved-fund-balance-and-outstanding-items","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286292-71de434af5fc3aa7e35823cef4414045/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161464&Signature=WpQ9pRnPYbWFYI2SIACFuT1b7l63L31rvJzq0TKVWQo-f21jSNT~WU9OPp9~LkBS0YPW58N7rUWEPgvktido5vp4hmlImz17Om1y5RsoNtvsCbggbcUqvCRtxcohmqQUKxTsV1OAWvDbX0mT0SRKhoz~SkMxJ8IyQzPOmGrNmy3uOGyNcd78NysW2hWhOnAUxwktQnJplHfbrmcYEmLJ1hMCPtiAuwCFzpqHnX~OALFWr4YsY99bQlnkXNE14CU8~tow6g1WwR9wWBOdXr9flbhP7b9fSxnqurw4MeW2NxAyM7q-4s3Dbr~4drKpCFWtIswo0bk5Arhq1dJTSs94iA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of West Haven","date","2025-03-11T15:12:24Z","article","External auditors and the city's finance team presented results from the FY2024 audits and ongoing financial monitoring at the March 10 council meeting, reporting improvements in fund balance and fewer material weaknesses but noting remaining control items to resolve.

Joe Santifani of PKF O'Connor Davies walked council members through the audit highlights. He said the city received a modified opinion on the financial statements and that the management's discussion and analysis (MD&A) offers a concise executive summary of major changes. Santifani reported the city's unassigned general-fund balance rose to about $21.2 million, roughly 12.5% of general-fund expenditures, up from 9% the prior year.

Santifani said the city's net position improved in part because of higher revenues (including a one-time revenue-sharing grant and investment income) and underspending across multiple departments. He highlighted the establishment and recording of OPEB trust funds, which reduced long-term liabilities, and noted that pension funding and fair-value investment gains improved funded ratios.

The federal and state single-audit reports showed an unmodified compliance opinion overall; auditors noted a remaining significant deficiency related to bank reconciliations that auditors expect to be cleared with continued controls and documentation. Santifani recommended continuing to strengthen policies for payroll review, receivables, capital assets and formalized investment policies for pension plans.

City Finance Director Michael Gormani gave monthly and mid-year budget updates, saying the city is projecting a small surplus on the general-fund side (he estimated about $315,000 at the time of the meeting) and a surplus in the Allentown Fire Department operations. He noted sewer operations remain monitored because they can vary with plant needs and capital work.

Mayor Borer told the council the city had presented materials to Moody's for a credit review and expected an update the following day. She also updated the council on MARB: she said the city has met most statutory exit criteria but that MARB added a requirement in May 2024 related to \"unsound financial practice\" that MARB had not fully defined. She said the outstanding MARB issue centers on the police pension structure, which is in mediation and the courts; a MARB executive-session meeting on March 21 would further examine the police pension question.

During questioning, auditors and finance staff said progress has been made on prior-year findings and that remaining recommendations are primarily formal documentation and policy items. The city and auditors said they expect further improvements in the coming audit cycle if the implemented controls remain in place.

Ending
Council members thanked auditors and staff for the updates. Auditors recommended continuing to document and institutionalize controls; city staff said they have engaged consultants and made operational changes designed to eliminate prior material weaknesses and support an improved credit profile.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-03-10 City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","External auditors reported improved financial results and reduced findings for West Haven for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024. The finance director said the city projects a small general-fund surplus, while the mayor noted ongoing work with the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) and a Moody's presentation due the following day.","taxTitle","West Haven, New Haven County, Connecticut","taxId",4248,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286298,"West Haven schools present $95 million FY26 request; special education, transportation and benefits drive increases",2587,4702000,7289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078&start=4702&end=7289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078/thumbnail_4702000.jpg","/articles/6286298/West-Haven/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/West-Haven-schools-present-95-million-FY26-request-special-education-transportation-and-benefits-drive-increases","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286298-d9fd0182fa182bac4a42737c6e065beb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161464&Signature=JxhDbgpGbmputW9gtU-0pmZf0ce9yGvcNDGSpXGnEAZcaVwzD5sdUm1iSSEoSUC-ubBYMlsLt10YK0rRbkZ49742Mqe1nP8EoHw7WcWyp770xbGn7VqaZZ55azs-RANomSC37lH8rjhh1yfLhoiQtbQ4jCzwdtATRK2dQAqqe3n~x257ndkOEsVb3UA06xxdgEDM34OdDdG5lBJHZZq048qWf4ExHifiDrInMpyrvg5m9GMCTRVuPLIqwmcSe05y8bclXFI6CUeQPAPmWYDCsCI3wttb8v3bz464Wy9XC6OfB~Or7bzkIWRq6EvnPW1wQhvQn4aFuBbAyxkFzaji4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Haven Board of Education presented a proposed $95 million operating budget for fiscal year 2025-26 during the March 10 council meeting, Superintendent Neil Cavallaro told the City Council and audience members.

Cavallaro said about 53% of the board's proposed spending is for salaries, with benefits and special-education tuition making up much of the remainder. He said the district negotiated a teacher contract that raises payroll costs and used an increase in the state's Alliance Grant to offset a portion of teacher raises in the FY26 proposal.

\"When we come to you to get a teacher contract approved, I'm not coming here so you can tell me how great my teachers are. I'm coming here to tell you this is what I negotiated. Can you afford to pay it?\" Cavallaro said, summarizing the board's approach to bargaining and the council's role in funding final settlements.

Cavallaro and pupil-services director Stefania (Stef) described a growing bill for out-of-district special-education placements and said many of those providers are private residential or therapeutic schools that set their own tuition. The district projected a roughly 10% increase in special-education tuition line items and noted the state's excess-cost reimbursement program has not kept pace with local tuition growth.

Transportation costs were also flagged: Cavallaro said bids for specialized special-education runs are rising and that some routes require additional staff or equipment because of medical or behavioral needs. The district budget shows increased spending on transportation and bus services compared with prior years.

On benefits, the district used a conservative projection supplied by the city's third-party benefits advisor; Cavallaro said the board budget includes a near-10% increase for health-care costs, mirroring city projections and state trends.

Cavallaro emphasized limited discretionary spending: most increases are fixed or contractual (salaries, pensions, tuition, benefits) and the district has limited line-item flexibility. He also described steps the district has taken to reduce out-of-district placements by creating in-district programs in partnership with ACES and by converting existing buildings into specialized classrooms.

Councilors pressed the superintendent on options to contain costs, shared procurement, and greater coordination with city departments. Council members asked the district to identify one-to-five concrete cost-saving ideas and to meet with city finance staff and council members as the budget process continues.

The superintendent and city finance director Michael Gormani said they plan to continue regular information-sharing; Cavallaro invited councilors to attend Board of Education meetings and to schedule follow-up discussions. The board will submit its final operating request to the mayor; the mayor then forwards budget recommendations to the council as part of the city's budget cycle.

Ending
Cavallaro said the final numbers could shift with the state budget and one-time state allocations: the district expects a $550,000 supplemental payment from a recent state allocation for excess-cost reimbursement, but said that money must be spent in the current fiscal year and does not replace ongoing funding. The council and board scheduled follow-ups during the April budget review process.","Superintendent Neil Cavallaro presented a $95 million proposed Board of Education operating budget for FY2026, citing a teacher contract, rising special-education tuitions, transportation costs and health benefits as principal drivers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6286303,"City council approves sale of Stiles School to Ideal Group for 30 apartments",433,122000,555000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078&start=122&end=555","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2562940-6f573c374f2256e70d0074407fc4c078/thumbnail_122000.jpg","/articles/6286303/West-Haven/New-Haven-County/Connecticut/City-council-approves-sale-of-Stiles-School-to-Ideal-Group-for-30-apartments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6286303-718e98cc94a33d668fb425a43e6f3c28/orig.mp4?Expires=1771161464&Signature=cDyEkgfks15MKIzEbfCAgoAlsHNEpXwQJ90Q7l1VzlQGYv8TIqaxgiw4UdlMM1m1hLcN84NAikk7sCCOrlCUUJqCQhtKHn1pmIvPC8uhKbu3As1mk7Usm4UcaOeMySLT4XxmWtBkQONuB97SW-oPV8WDvnsbk6G8vtaRaFfLOUNHziBKQv34cyNZVA346L3tK899kT4N6-GF8VRD17cibIWVQmectJ47qBgadL08N0WyGuAZOzkjeZi4AHoafouPYVmhM6CrESJ-0RNFe~8-jdQJVKGFn0ISExBSEF8KQBApjS6rtQWCJZebxXP1cVNrXnldXMbWcLT9nRv8ygfDHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The West Haven City Council on March 10 approved a purchase-and-sale agreement to sell the city-owned Stiles School at 561 Main Street to Ideal Group LLC for redevelopment as housing.

The resolution, brought to the council after a public lands committee recommendation, authorizes Mayor Dorinda K. Borer to execute the agreement and related documents; the approval is contingent on the Municipal Accountability Review Board\u0000(MARB) clearance. The council recorded the measure as approved by voice vote with no opposition reported during the meeting.

At a public hearing earlier in the meeting, Steve Fontana, the city's director of economic development, introduced the proposal and the principals from Ideal Group and described the city's multi-step selection process. \"We were able to solicit 3 proposals. 1 that we've selected and brought to you tonight, we believe is the strongest of the 3 in that it preserves and protects and renovates this iconic landmark,\" Fontana said.

Developer Fernando Pastor presented the design concept and unit mix. He told the council the plan would preserve the building exterior while converting classroom space into apartments: \"every classroom will be an apartment\" and the project would yield about 30 units, including one-bedroom units from classrooms, two-bedroom units in larger rooms and studio units on a lower level with new light and ventilation.

Mayor Borer told the council she supports the sale, saying the building is vacant, damaged and costly to remediate. She cited an estimate that abatement alone would cost about $1,000,000 and said selling the property would both remove a hazardous eyesore and generate revenue: \"we hold in building for $3,000,000 or we sell it for the 450,000. And not only will we get the revenue from the sale, but we will get the revenue from the new sewer fees... and then, of course, our building fees,\" she said.

Fontana and counsel\u0000staff told the committee the purchase-and-sale draft before the council reflects the deal terms recommended by staff. The motion approved by the council directs the mayor to sign the agreement substantially in the form attached to the committee report and to take further steps necessary to close the transaction, conditional on MARB approval.

The developers and city staff said they will continue to brief neighbors and pursue required approvals and building permits as the project moves from agreement to detailed design and construction.

Votes at a glance
The council approved the purchase-and-sale agreement to sell 561 Main Street (Stiles School) to Ideal Group LLC. The council approved the resolution by voice vote; the meeting record reports \"all in favor\" with no opposition or abstentions noted. The authorization is contingent on Municipal Accountability Review Board approval.

Ending
City officials and the developer said the sale aims to remove an underused, vandalized building and create about 30 housing units while preserving the school's historic exterior. Council and staff stressed the sale's MARB contingency and said further project details, permitting and construction timetables would be shared in subsequent meetings.","After a public hearing and committee recommendation, the West Haven City Council voted to approve a purchase-and-sale agreement to convey the city-owned Stiles School at 561 Main Street to Ideal Group LLC for redevelopment as about 30 residential units, subject to MARB approval.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Single-audit reports show progress; auditors, mayor and finance director highlight improved fund balance and outstanding items

West Haven schools present $95 million FY26 request; special education, transportation and benefits drive increases

City council approves sale of Stiles School to Ideal Group for 30 apartments