Council authorizes Savin Rock roof grant application, forms project committee and funds schematic design

The West Haven City Council voted to authorize the Board of Education to apply for a state grant to replace the roof at Savin Rock Community School, to establish a project building committee, and to approve payment for schematic design and outline specifications.

Ken Carney (staff member) told the council the city expects roughly 78% state reimbursement for the project and that schematic design work has already been completed by an architect the mayor previously contracted. Carney said the total project budget in the materials is $3,100,000 and that the city has presently bonded $550,000 toward its share. He noted the architect's fee listed in the packet as $49,080 and that the firm negotiated a $7,200 reduction. Carney also reported that asbestos testing was completed and that “no asbestos was detected.”

Council members asked procedural and budget questions. Councilman Steven Johnstone confirmed the project was not part of ARPA and learned state reimbursement would not be available if ARPA funds were used. Councilman Christopher Vargo and others clarified that the council previously authorized the bonded amount and that the state requires a clean motion from both the Board of Education and the council to submit the reimbursement application. Council members asked for ongoing updates; Carney said he would return with status reports as the project progresses.

Council votes followed motions to (1) authorize the Board of Education to apply for and accept or reject a grant for the Savin Rock roof replacement project; (2) establish the Savin Rock Community School Roof Project Committee and appoint named members; and (3) authorize expenditure of funds previously allocated in the FY 2025 capital budget to pay for schematic drawings and outline specifications. Each motion was moved and seconded and carried on voice votes. The building committee will include Ken Carney (chair), Jerry Calabrito (vice chair), Dwight Knowles (clerk), Gary Purdo, Ken Distasio, Mark Palmeri and Thomas Hunt (principal of Savin Rock Community School).

Carney told the council that the state requires schematic design to accompany the application and that the city had already hired an architect and produced the schematic drawings, meaning the motions appear out of sequence but are consistent with state requirements. He said if bids come in higher than the city's 22% share, the mayor would choose whether to sign a contract, pursue value engineering, or decline to sign.

The council asked for visibility of the architect's assessment and schematic materials; Carney noted those documents were in the packet provided to members and to be submitted with the state application. Council members also asked whether solar could be added later; Carney said solar was not included in the current design but the roof can be built to allow solar as a later phase.

The three related resolutions were approved by the council during the meeting.