With the makeup and method still under discussion, the City Council is moving forward with its own investigation into misuse of funds by city officials and former city officials as it regards federal COVID relief programs.
Nearly a month after the Council voted to conduct its own probe, Chairman Peter Massaro has arranged discussions with legal counsel outside the corporation counsel’s office, and what form that investigation might take.
According to two members of council (out of more than half a dozen who were contacted), the legislative body is acting under Chapter 4, section 9 of the city charter, and looking into the findings of the recently completed audit by Cohn Reznick.
That audit found the city misused hundreds of thousands of dollars, including expenditures for a marching band for the Memorial Day parade, and allocations to city department heads for COVID-related extra time.
Both former chairman Ron Quagliani (D-at-large) and Bridgette Hoskie (D-1) said the probe is still in the formative stages, with the “who” and “how” still to be determined.
“The Chairman has arranged for us to meet with an independent attorney to oversee our investigation, and we will be discussing the committee and its composition,” Quagliani said.
Hoskie echoed those remarks, saying “There also have been conversations on the selection process of committee members.”
Both Quagliani and Hoskie say they are responding to the anger and concerns of their constituencies.
“The residents I spoke with are angry and/or embarrassed to have West Haven the subject of continued negative news,” Quagliani said. “I don’t blame them for feeling this way as I feel the same way. While improved oversight is imperative, they are concerned about the mill rate and if their taxes will go up due to this. I don’t feel that the residents should have to pay for the mistakes of government, they pay enough already, and I will do all I can to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Hoskie said her constituents wanted various answers.
“The calls I’ve received have been supportive of me, asking for clarification on facts and how I will move forward,” she said. “The residents in my district ask many tough questions and want to (assurance) the American Rescue Plan Act money is safe.”
Quagliani’s comments concerning the mill rate and taxes comes in the wake of the Municipal Accountability Review Board (MARB) voting to put the city into receivership under a Tier IV designation. The MARB has been overseeing the city’s financial progress since 2017, when it was empaneled after the city bonded to pay off a decade-old deficit.
The decision to put the city into Tier IV is still to be made official by Gov. Ned Lamont, following a 30-day questioning period under the law. Lamont is expected to ratify the panels request.
Hoskie, meanwhile said she feels some pressure, mostly self-imposed concerning doing the investigation, and use of future federal funds correctly.
“The pressure I feel is from my own-self, I hold myself accountable as do the residents who voted for me,” she said.
In his final comment, Quagliani wanted to reassure the public the council is being stringent in its procedures regarding the investigation.
“The Council is being very methodical and cautious with the appropriation of ARPA funds to ensure transparency and appropriate usage of the funds. My hope is that the city will work collaboratively with the MARB to improve governmental operations going forward. I welcome their support and expertise,” he said finally.