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Seaside Heights Board backs voter outreach ahead of $4.45M HVAC referendum
Summary
The Seaside Heights Board of Education heard architects’ plans for a March 10 referendum to replace classroom ventilators and upgrade HVAC systems, approved voter mailers and texts, and was told the project’s total cost is $4,445,415 with a state share of $1,511,441 and an estimated $81 maximum tax increase on the average home.
Seaside Heights Board of Education members on Feb. 5 reviewed plans for a March 10 referendum to replace aging HVAC equipment at Hugh J. Boyd, Jr. Elementary School and approved outreach to registered voters via mailers and text messages to explain the proposal. Board President Dr. Marko led the discussion and the board recorded a roll-call approval for the outreach motion.
The referendum covers replacement of 13 classroom unit ventilators with new hot-water unit ventilators, new rooftop condensers, a new boiler room and gas service, a whole-building management system, corridor ceiling and lighting upgrades, a backup generator, IT infrastructure upgrades and phase-loss and surge protection. “The total cost for these improvements is $4,445,415 and the state would cover $1,511,441. This would leave the estimated maximum tax increase on the average home of $81,” Superintendent Dr. James Roselli said during the meeting.
Board President Dr. Marko urged members and the public to consider a gas hot-water heating approach, arguing for its performance in extreme cold and longer-term operational savings. “I can state categorically that Hugh J. Boyd would be better off with a gas hot-water heating system as a long-term solution for heat,” Dr. Marko said, adding that an engineered HVAC analysis and a Building Management System would help avoid oversized, inefficient equipment.
Representatives from Settembrino Architects (Kevin and Rita Settembrino) presented the scope and schedule, and answered questions from community members who asked whether construction would disrupt the district’s Extended School Year program, about unit ventilator costs and about the certainty of the projected debt service. Philip Dudak asked specifically whether July building use for summer programs would be affected; Suzanne Heagen asked about unit-ventilator costs; and Rich Sasso questioned the certainty of the projected debt service amounts. The architects and district staff provided an update but the minutes record the questions rather than an expanded technical response.
A motion to approve district use of informational mailers and text messages for all registered borough voters was made by Mr. Hershey and seconded by Ms. Franciosi. The minutes record the roll-call as: Mr. Boyd — Yes; Ms. Franciosi — Yes; Mr. Wright — Abstain; and Dr. Marko — Yes. The motion carried.
If voters approve the referendum on March 10, the district plans to complete the projects by summer 2027. The board meeting minutes note the presentation and the approved outreach; the referendum itself will be decided by voters on the scheduled March ballot.
