West Haven ARPA committee approves invoices, hears updates on animal shelter and Savin Avenue abatement

The West Haven ARPA Committee on May 5 approved a series of invoices and heard project updates including an animal shelter bid process and an abatement scheduled for a Savin Avenue property.

The committee, led by the chair, first waived the reading of the April 7 meeting minutes and approved those minutes by voice vote. A series of payments and invoices then moved through the agenda by voice vote, covering media and construction services, stormwater work, testing services and shelter support.

The chair said the committee is "spending down the money" in the ARPA tracker and highlighted several active projects. "Our biggest projects right now are the animal shelter, which is out to bid. There's a walkthrough this Thursday at 2 o'clock," the chair said. The chair also announced that abatement work on a three‑family house on Savin Avenue "is going to start tomorrow morning 8:00." Both the animal shelter bidding schedule and the Savin Avenue abatement were presented as operational updates rather than votes requiring additional committee action.

The meeting record shows the committee approved an invoice listed on pages 10–13 (invoice 12525) and multiple invoices for Jou Films (pages 14–17). The committee reviewed and approved a group of stormwater/drainage invoices (pages 18–40); the chair singled out public works and "Commissioner Phil," saying the department has been "serious about drainage" and commended his work locating and clearing blocked drains. Cerui Construction's pipe work (page 41) and supporting photos were accepted as presented.

Other approved items included a final invoice for coastal materials testing related to the Allentown garage annex ($1,899), a Westshore design payment to Antonazi ($1,195), a Diversity Construction payment application ($2,771.34), and a storage‑shed design payment to Anthonyazi ($13,930). The committee approved payment for K&W Construction ($28,260) for asphalt and parking modifications at the Krian site, and Century Protective Services' invoice for warming‑shelter services ($12,437.10). Two invoices from Central Protective Services (reported as $9,887.87 and $10,289.46) and a cleaning invoice for the shelter (SMG, invoice 2274) were also approved.

The chair noted a specification issue on the City Hall window/door project: the requested door specification includes a large vent that would compromise the door's fire rating. The committee plans a Zoom meeting to resolve that specification. The committee was also notified that the Noble Community Center will be without power on May 15 for a main breaker replacement.

Votes at a glance: all recorded motions were approved by voice vote in the meeting transcript (recorded as "All in favor say I" followed by "Motion carries"). Specific motions recorded in the meeting included waiving the minutes reading and approving the April 7 minutes; approving invoice 12525; approving Jou Films invoices (pages 14–17); approving multiple stormwater/drainage invoices (pages 18–40); approving Cerui Construction page 41 work; approving coastal materials testing final for Allentown garage annex; approving Antonazi Westshore design payment; approving Diversity Construction payment application; approving Anthonyazi storage shed payment; approving K&W Construction invoice for asphalt/parking; approving Century Protective Services invoice for warming shelter; approving two Central Protective Services invoices; approving SMG cleaning invoice for the shelter; and adjourning the meeting.

The committee had no new business, moved to adjourn, and the chair closed the meeting, noting the group will reconvene next month.

Next steps: staff and contractors will proceed with the abatement and upcoming project walkthroughs listed by the chair; the committee will address the City Hall door specification in a scheduled Zoom meeting.