Council reallocates $1 million to paving, schedules public hearing on $12.48 million bond ordinance

The City Council of West Haven voted to amend the fiscal‑year 2024–25 capital budget and to schedule a public hearing on a companion bond ordinance.

Acting Finance Committee Chair Councilman Ronald Quaglani introduced an amendment to Communication F that increases the paving appropriation by $1,000,000 and reduces the water pollution control outfall pipe appropriation by the same amount after staff said the outfall project is projected to be postponed to fiscal 2028. Finance director David Taylor told the council the change was made because the outfall will not need the full appropriation in FY27 and that redeploying the funds to paving would be prudent.

Taylor confirmed the amended paving total will move from $1,400,000 to $2,400,000 and that the outfall reconstruction line would decrease from $1,250,000 to $250,000. The committee voted to recommend the amendment, asked staff to revise Exhibit A for the required legal notice, and the motion carried in committee.

Quaglani also sought first reading and a requested public hearing for Communication G, an ordinance authorizing the issuance of up to $12,477,252 in bonds to finance certain FY2024–25 capital projects. The committee amended Exhibit A to reflect the paving/outfall changes and scheduled a public hearing for July 27. The council acted to carry forward the first reading and hearing request as recommended.

What this means: The council has formally signaled intent to shift capital resources toward near‑term paving needs and has begun the legal process to issue bonds to fund a package of capital projects. The public hearing will be the next formal opportunity for residents to comment on the projects and the bond plan.

Next steps: Exhibit A will be updated for public notice and the council will hold a public hearing on July 27 as part of the ordinance’s first‑reading process.