Mattituck Cutchogue School District

Mattituck school officials to host public meeting on track proposal

BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Mattituck High School track team members (from left) Anna Goerler, Tracy Grim and Caitlin Penny could only use their deteriorated home track for practice.
BARBARAELLEN KOCH FILE PHOTO | Mattituck High School track team members (from left) Anna Goerler, Tracy Grim and Caitlin Penny could only use their deteriorated home track for practice.

The Mattituck-Cutchogue School District will host an informational meeting tonight to let residents know about its upcoming track bond proposal vote.

District residents will be asked on Oct. 29 to approve the proposed $925,000 capital improvement project for reconstructing the junior-senior high school’s aging cinder track, which is estimated to cost about $675,000. The remainder of the bond would go toward purchasing portable bleachers, irrigation upgrades, perimeter sport netting, sidewalks and asbestos remediation work inside the school. It also includes a $120,000 contingency budget.

School officials have said the state will reimburse the district about 10 percent of the total cost since the plan also includes asbestos remediation work.

As for estimated tax increases if the bond passes, district officials have said the yearly increase over 15 years would range between $8 and $12 for houses assessed between $400,000 and $650,000. The new all-weather track would also be open to the public during non-school hours, school officials have said.

The community has debated on what to do with the track for several years and school board members have said they believe it’s time to let the public weigh in on the proposal.

In August, the school board voted 5-1 in favor of putting up the track bond proposition. Sara Hassildine was absent from the meeting and Doug Cooper voted no.

Thursday’s informational meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and will take place in the high school auditorium, one hour prior to the regular school board meeting.

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