West Haven ARPA committee approves a slate of invoices, signs warming center lease

The West Haven ARPA Committee on Jan. 7, 2025 unanimously approved a package of invoices and estimates covering city projects from parks and fire services to city‑hall improvements, and voted to accept a city lease for a warming and cooling center at 689 Campbell Avenue.

The approvals were routine and mostly uncontested: committee members moved and seconded motions for each invoice or estimate, and the chair called the vote; in every recorded instance the motion passed unanimously. Committee members asked a small number of clarifying questions during the meeting — most notably about architect sign‑offs on construction invoices and whether utilities are covered under the warming center lease — and staff said they would follow up in writing.

The most newsworthy approvals included: a $20,000 invoice from Carmody (CareZach Financial Management 2022‑001); three invoices for Imperial Company tied to the Child Development Center roof project (two larger invoices approved subject to the architect’s approval); Frankston Fence invoices for Painter Park work; an invoice from NewReach for food‑bank support; and six estimates from Utility Communications for boardwalk/parking cameras. The committee also approved a city contract with Campbell Common Associates for use of 689 Campbell Avenue as a year‑round warming and cooling center.

Committee members explicitly recorded a few follow‑ups: (1) the three Imperial Company child‑center invoices were approved “pending the architect’s approval” as stated on the record; (2) the NewReach invoice was approved even though the approval form was not in the packet, and staff said they would prepare and file the form indicating the committee’s approval; and (3) members asked whether utilities are included in the warming/cooling‑center lease; staff said the lease as in the packet does not explicitly assign utilities to the tenant and that staff will confirm and report back.

Most motions were short and noncontroversial. The committee briefly discussed procurement compliance for several smaller facility projects and confirmed that some vendors are on state contracts or state bid lists. A Bridges Healthcare progress report covering May 15 through Dec. 31 (community mental health support) was provided for review; no vote was required.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to waive reading of the Dec. 3, 2024 minutes — approved unanimously. (motion recorded; no individual mover noted)

- Motion to approve the Dec. 3, 2024 written minutes — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve the meeting agenda as printed — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve Carmody invoice 590‑838 (CareZach Financial Management 2022‑001), amount listed in packet: $20,000 — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve Dow Films invoice (packet page 18), amount listed in packet: $200 — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve three Child Development Center roof invoices from Imperial Company (packet pages 19–24): invoice #5 ($28,000), invoice #6 ($15,000), invoice #7 ($4,000) — approved unanimously, subject to architect approval (architect sign‑off pending as recorded).

- Motion to approve Frankston Fence invoices for Painter Park (packet pages 25–35): invoice #13682 (amount listed in packet), invoice #13693 (amount listed in packet) — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve estimate from Ivy League Landscaping for drainage at Kelsey Avenue (packet pages 36–38), amount listed in packet — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve NewReach invoice for Food Bank (packet page 39), amount listed in packet $7,019.38 — approved unanimously; staff will prepare and file an approval form for the record because one was not in the packet.

- Motion to approve Cerili Construction invoice for Stormwater Management 2022‑008 (packet pages 40–46), amount listed in packet — approved unanimously.

- Motion to approve two Hoffman Architects invoices for City Hall windows (packet pages 47–48): invoice 267704 ($2,020) and invoice 267721 (amount listed in packet) — approved unanimously.

- Motions approving a series of Allingtown Fire District estimates and invoices (Russell and Dawson, Diversity Construction, MES shipments, Northwest Hills Automotive for a vehicle for the fire marshal) — each approved unanimously; full vendor names and packet pages are recorded in the packet.

- Motion to approve six estimates from Utility Communications for Boardwalk monitoring/parking‑lot cameras (packet pages 57–63) — approved unanimously; packet contains estimates for multiple camera locations.

- Motion to approve a lease/contract with Campbell Common Associates for 689 Campbell Avenue to be used as a warming and cooling center (packet pages 72–82): annual amount as stated in the packet $45,600; to be paid quarterly at $11,400 — approved unanimously. Committee asked whether utilities are included; staff said the lease in the packet does not clearly assign utilities to the tenant and that staff will confirm and report back.

Other business and follow‑ups

- Progress report from Bridges Healthcare (community mental health needs) covering May 15–Dec. 31 was provided for review; no action taken.

- Multiple facility upgrade estimates from Classic Drywall for city‑hall work were approved after a brief procurement question; staff confirmed vendor checklist/completed vendor documentation is on file per the meeting record.

- Committee members asked staff to ensure architect signatures or payment certifications are filed before final payment for construction work where that sign‑off was required.

Ending

Committee members closed the meeting after approving the agenda items and new‑business invoices. Staff committed to filing missing approval forms and to clarifying whether utilities are included in the warming/cooling center lease. The meeting adjourned by unanimous vote.