Mount Sinai outlines $27.99 million bond plan at town hall; vote set for Sept. 25

Mount Sinai Union Free School District officials on Sept. 10 presented details of a $27,993,200 bond proposal at a town-hall meeting, saying the measure is aimed at urgent roof, bathroom, roadway and athletic-facility repairs and would be repaid over 15 years. Nick DeVito, president of the board, opened the meeting and said the session was intended to ensure transparency about the projects and costs.

Superintendent Dr. Christiani walked through the district’s needs and the process that produced the list of projects, saying the package focuses on ‘‘needs’’ rather than ‘‘wants.’’ She told residents the district must submit building-condition surveys to the state and that some items left over from previously failed bond proposals remain on the list. Dr. Christiani said the district expects to receive roughly 78% in state building aid on average for these projects.

Officials provided a category breakdown of the proposed spending: roughly $10 million for the building envelope (roofs, siding, windows), about $5 million for interior improvements (bathrooms, library, auditorium, flooring), just over $7 million for site work and athletic facilities, approximately $666,000 for mechanical and potential hazardous-material abatement, and about $4.6 million in soft costs for legal, bonding, engineering and contingencies. ‘‘The total amount is $27,993,200,’’ Dr. Christiani said.

Using the Town of Brookhaven’s average assessed value of $3,700, the presentation estimated an average homeowner impact of about $221 per year. Officials said exact project prices will be set through design and competitive bidding and that contingency funds were included to address unforeseeable conditions such as asbestos found during construction.

The presentation highlighted specific needs: original elementary-school bathrooms with failing flooring and fixtures; an elementary-school roof more than 20 years old that requires replacement; an outdated elementary-library space; deteriorating auditorium seating and flooring at the high school; gutter and ice-guard upgrades; and the district’s primary elementary playground (referred to as ‘‘Big Toy’’), which officials said is close to being closed for safety reasons because replacement parts are no longer available.

Officials defended a proposal to upgrade a multiuse field to turf, saying turf reduces irrigation and maintenance costs, increases usability during wet weather and serves daily instructional uses as well as athletics. ‘‘Right away, we can take off irrigation and that cost is gone,’’ DeVito said in response to residents who questioned whether the turf is the best use of funds.

Residents used the Q&A to press officials on priorities and process. One asked how the turf cost was estimated and whether that million-dollar line might be better spent on HVAC or other infrastructure; another asked why long-term capital items had not been funded earlier through the annual budget. A district official with experience in statewide building aid explained that New York State changed its reimbursement schedule so aid is now paid over 15 years and begins after project closeout, which has made bonding the practical approach for large projects.

Board members also addressed community outreach and transparency, saying the district has expanded communications with mailings, social posts, signs, ParentSquare notices, a dedicated bond webpage with FAQs and photos, and student volunteers helping distribution. Officials encouraged residents who did not attend the meeting or who lack social media access to call the district office for information.

There was no vote at the town hall. DeVito reminded the community of a board meeting next week and of the districtwide vote scheduled for Sept. 25. He said if the bond passes and state approvals are obtained, the district hopes to begin work in phases and ‘‘have the first shovel in hand by April.’’