West Haven ARPA committee approves dozen invoices, updates progress on shelters, storm projects and training

The West Haven ARPA Committee approved a series of vendor invoices and heard progress reports on projects paid with American Rescue Plan Act funds during a regularly scheduled meeting. Committee members voted, by voice, to approve payments and move several projects toward closeout.

The actions covered routine contractor invoices, payments for storm-drain work, library internet-access support and training for the fire department. Committee members also received updates on a pending house acquisition connected to a fire-district project, boardwalk security cameras and the replacement of main electrical breakers at City Hall.

Why it matters: The committee’s approvals release ARPA funds for local infrastructure, social-support programs and public-safety training. Several items either completed construction and await closeout documentation or will require further monitoring, meaning the committee will track follow-up paperwork and warranties before final payments on some projects.

Most notable approvals and updates

Votes at a glance (selected items from the meeting) - Approve payment to UHY for $12,706.25 — approved by voice vote. - Approve payment to Carmody (amount not specified clearly in transcript) — approved by voice vote. - Approve storage-shed contract to Clatter Farms (lowest bid shown as “93.9” in packet) — approved by voice vote; one-year warranty noted; warranty does not cover fire per discussion. - Approve Painter Park French-drain work, $2,490 — approved by voice vote. - Approve Saruli storm-drain invoice, $23,000 — approved by voice vote; second Saruli invoice for similar work, $19,000 — approved by voice vote. - Approve SLR design work for Fairview Avenue storm sewer, $3,700 — approved by voice vote. - Approve Broadbran Library draw to fund internet access, staff training and laptops (packet lists the draw as “25 69.29” and discussion referenced about $2,500) — approved by voice vote; committee discussed the Navigator program and who qualifies for the service. - Approve Hoffman Architects invoice (balance for City Hall consulting), $2,211 — approved by voice vote. - Approve Russell Dawson reduced invoice, $400 (reduction referenced) — approved by voice vote. - Approve invoice for fire-department training equipment (listed in packet as a roughly $47,800 contract previously approved) — approved by voice vote after committee discussion about the nature of the live-fire training. - Approve City Hall electrical main-breaker work, roughly $46,448 — approved by voice vote; work included testing and replacement of switch gear. - Approve Hearst Media ad, $690 — approved by voice vote. - Approve W.B. Mason furniture and dividers for offices, $26,173.61 — approved by voice vote. - Approve library architect work on Blake Building, $7,725.66 — approved by voice vote. - Approve Century Protective Services invoices for warming-center security (packet shows $8,635.52 and another invoice shown as “7 6 9 2” in the transcript) — approved by voice vote. - Approve SMG cleaning invoices for the warming center (amounts listed across pages; totals not clearly stated in transcript) — approved by voice vote. - Approve lease payment to Campbell Commons Associates LLC, listed as $15,200 (the agenda initially listed $152,000 but the clerk said the correct amount is $15,200) — approved by voice vote.

Discussion highlights and clarifications

Library Navigator draw: Committee members reviewed the Broadbran Library request for funding to provide one-year internet access and laptops under the Navigator program. The committee discussed who would qualify for the service; members said qualifying households include families and individuals for whom internet is cost-prohibitive. Committee members requested that Colleen Bailey be the contact for scheduling or information and noted that staff should not perform undercover checks of program enrollment.

Fire training: Members discussed a previously approved contract to bring external training equipment to local firehouses to perform live-fire and forcible-entry training. A member asked whether similar training is available at regional facilities; the committee concluded the local training involves different, hands-on evolutions (including chainsaw use on burning structures) and justified the expense as part of firefighter readiness.

Housing and warming-center support: Committee members reviewed invoices for the housing-crisis grant fund and security guards for the warming center. Staff reported the warming center serves about 15 people per night under current operations and can increase capacity if an official emergency is declared. The committee approved the guard invoices and daily-cleaning contracts.

Capital and facilities closeouts: Members noted several projects are complete but awaiting closeout paperwork or warranties. The child development center roof is finished but staff requested closeout documentation and warranties before final payment. A city staff member asked contractors for missing paperwork, and committee members instructed staff to send follow-up letters as needed.

Administration and next steps: The committee chair said the ARPA expenditure tracker shows obligations and paid invoices; staff will continue to present closeouts and remaining invoices at future meetings. Several projects—boardwalk monitoring cameras, Painter Park tennis-court demo, the Allentown firehouse work and electrical testing at Noble Community Center—were reported on as in-progress. The committee adjourned with no new business.

Ending: Committee members directed staff to monitor outstanding closeout paperwork and report back at the next regular meeting. All motions recorded in the meeting transcript were carried by voice vote.