Three Village bond asks voters to fund repairs, turf for Ward Melville field

The Three Village Central School District is asking voters to approve a bond on Jan. 20 to pay for building repairs, safety and accessibility upgrades and several athletic-facility projects, district presenters said.

Speaker 2, an unidentified presenter, said the package covers “structural repairs, valve and boiler replacements, paving, [and] air conditioning the gymnasiums and cafeterias to adhere to state law” and includes work to repair cupolas. He added that “Proposition 2 . . . contains ceiling work, auditorium repairs, and renovating the Ward Melville Football Field to artificial turf.”

District speakers framed the proposal as both maintenance and an investment in learning environments. “This bond will enhance our learning spaces, making them safer and more functional,” Speaker 2 said.

Speakers gave context for the request: Speaker 3 said the newest district building—the high school—was built in 1972, while the oldest building, Setauket, dates to 1952, and that prior extensions have left some facilities deteriorating. Speaker 4 acknowledged the current financial pressures on households but argued that addressing repairs before they become crises is fiscally prudent and noted that “the district receives 66% of the cost, including interest” for projects completed under the bond.

Athletic facilities were highlighted as a priority. Speaker 6 identified three major targets for work: the football stadium, the swimming pool and the tennis courts. Speaker 7 said seating at football games is inadequate for families wanting to sit together, and Speaker 8 said tennis courts last fully resurfaced about 15 years ago have required patch repairs and loss of playable courts this season. Speaker 9 urged passage to allow “upgrades that are so desperately needed for the pool area” to preserve a safe and efficient environment for users.

The district did not provide a total bond amount or detailed cost breakdown in the presentation, and no board vote was recorded in this transcript. The bond will appear on the Jan. 20 ballot; voters must approve it for the district to proceed with the work.

Next steps: the bond goes before voters on Jan. 20. If approved, the district says state reimbursement will cover about two-thirds of eligible costs, including interest, and work would proceed according to district planning and funding availability.