By Dominic Konareski
Voice Writer
There was a packed house inside the City Hall Council Chambers on Monday night for an Oct. 5 special meeting that many hoped would lead to the construction of the new Allingtown Library. The borough has been without a branch library for a little over six years, dating back to September 2020 with the loss of the Louis Piantino Branch on Forest Road, when it was sold to developer David Beckerman.
On one side of the room was the American Rescue Plan Act Committee, by Chairman Ken Carney and attorney Jeff Donofrio. On the other was the Village Improvement Association, led by library Executive Director Colleen Bailie, and attorney John Marini.
While both sides were far apart as to course of action, both shared a common goal: Wanting a library in Allingtown. The sticking point is the use of the earmarked $1 million in federal funds, and whether the proposed use complies with federal directives.
The ARPA Committee, citing compliance and changes in the allocation’s structure by the VIA, is willing to fund the renovation of a bookmobile. Those changes, made in 2024, and are specific to one site, cannot be altered to suit the new plans, the committee contends.
Attorney Marini presented the VIA’s current proposal, noting that the library would prefer use of the full federal allocation for purchase of properties of 703 Boston Post Road and 89 Newbern St. A Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed by library officials earlier this year.
Library Executive Director Bailie said that if a vote to move ahead with the project occurred that night, the sale of the property that the library wants to acquire would go through in 30 days. Overall, the letter of intent (LOI) signed by the library is placed at $995,995.
Bailie noted that an estimated construction time would be approximately three years, which includes time for design, permitting and fundraising for $10 million, in what is an estimated construction cost.
This new proposal is the crux of the issue between library officials, and the ARPA Committee, which has withheld release of the funds.
A “subrecipient agreement,” made in 2024 allows the library to renovate and remediate the Blake Building only, according to the committee, and precludes use for the new site.
The committee holds that “approved activities” consisted of the remediation and renovation of portions of the Blake Building as approved by the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) in the summer of 2024, with an agreement by the city and VIA in October, limiting the purchase to the Blake Building.
It centers on a change in the approved agreement, where library officials removed the word “purchase” to allow for “renting” space in the Blake Building.
The library originally wanted to reside on the first floor of the Blake Building, while renting out the second floor. ARPA funds are not allowed for the purchase of any building if a portion of the building is for rental purposes, the committee contends. The deal fell through in 2025, with the library subsequently looking for a new location.
Adding to the issue are two requirements of federal law, which denoted that funds must be allocated by Dec. 31, 2024, and fully expended by Dec. 31 of this year.
In an opinion issued on Oct. 2 by Ciulla& Donofrio, LLP of North Haven, the collapse of the Blake Building agreement under the ARPA timeline, does not allow a change in the agreement structure.
“Federal Law does not permit the city to amend the agreement to allow the proposed scope change,” the executive summary states in the opinion.
In this case, moving the funds to renovate 703 Boston Post Road would be allowable the funds, but does not allow the purchase the 703 Boston Post Road and 89 Newbern St. as that is a “change of scope.”
Once the library announced plans to demolition 703 Boston Post Road and 89 Newbern St., and build a brand-new building, leadership lost what would have been the “same scope” under federal guidelines, the committee and Ciulla & Donofrio contend.
As a result, ARPA funds cannot be used at 703 Boston Post Road or 89 Newbern Street for anything, according to federal guidelines, contends the committee.
If the council chooses to change the resolution to allow for the renovation of the mobile library bus, better known as a Book Mobile, then the library could use a portion of the $1 million that was allocated. The proposed pivot would be for the bus renovation being the same scope and same purpose under the subrecipient agreement.
The council can only change its resolution, as any changes to the subrecipient agreement would violate federal guidelines and result in the city having to pay back the federal government.
Another concern of the ARPA committee is the $995K price tag for the properties when the combined appraisal came in at $650K.
When ARPA came to the podium, Chairman Carney dismissed published reports concerning the project. He then handed out a packet highlighting the discrepancies of the library in a 23-page report, which included not only the library site allocation, but other projects funded with ARPA funds.
Inside the packet is a list of numerous missed Navigator invoice deadlines and incorrect priced invoices made by the library. The Navigator Program is a separate allocation, providing internet access, laptops, and training to disadvantaged families.
Councilwoman Anne Heffernan (1st District – D) complained that the library was not receiving the navigator program funds on time.
The packet by Chairman Carney showed numerous invoices that were added incorrectly. Other invoices lacked proper backup, and a spreadsheet showing that 13 of the 14 invoices were dated after the ARPA Committee’s monthly meeting to approve the invoices.
Overall, seven of the 14 invoices were presented to the ARPA Committee 6-9 months after they were dated, Carney noted.
Between Carney and attorney Jeff Donofrio, the two would cite how the library ‘VIA’ has failed to use the potential $1 million in an efficient amount of time. Although Dec. 31, 2026, is the deadline to cut a check, both Carney and Donofrio stated that “the ship has sailed,” in making a potential deal.
The main concern from ARPA is one that would directly affect all those involved. If the library /VIA’ fails to spend any funds before the last day of the year, the city could be on the hook for reimbursing the federal government.
Carney stated the timeline has made spending the allocated library funds “mathematically impossible.”
This is concerning especially since the federal procurement requirements are especially difficult to achieve and require more time than is currently available.
The ARPA Committee warned that the improper use of the federal funds could lead to the money needed to be returned to the federal government.
Carney then said the funds could be used for other city needs that would meet the Dec. 31st federal deadline, citing potential paving and sewage projects that already have funding, but may not be fully covered.
After the presentation, attorney Marini requested three weeks to come to an agreement, but that was met with doubt by the ARPA representatives.
Marini and the library acknowledge it would be a “gamble” using the funds at this point of time but asked the West Haven council for a “fighting chance.”
Council members were split in their opinions with Gary Donovan (D-4) being one of the most vocal throughout the entire session.
Donovan said he and the council as a whole support the library but did note his concerns with the VIA/library.
“We are way beyond the witching hour,” said Donovan. “This money was given out over two years ago.”
He later said he did not think that there would be enough time to use the funds.
After going into a brief caucus, both attorneys agreed to hold a meeting later in the week for possible new paperwork, with an agreement that could occur.
“We think any action from the council tonight or any further action may happen without the proper information,” said Carney.
City Council Chairman Christopher Vargo (D-8) ruled the issue would be “tabled” until the next meeting on Oct.13, and that a decision will be made.
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