Residents Vote on New Track for Mattituck-Cutchogue Tuesday

Voters will head to the polls Tuesday to vote on a new track that could be in store soon for students in the Mattituck-Cutchogue Union Free School District.

The Mattituck-Cutchogue UFSD Board of Education has authorized a special vote on Tuesday asking taxpayers to approve a bond to reconstruct the high school track at a cost not to exceed $925,000.

The reason behind the vote is that the current cinder track is over 40 years old and is not suitable for a high school track program, according to the BOE.

The replacement track will be a six-lane polyflex track surface that would meet all high school track standards. The new track would be in the same location as the existing track.

A breakdown of costs includes a complete all-weather track, for $675,000; sidewalks, for $15,000; perimeter sport netting for $40,000; portable bleachers & irrigation for $50,000; asbestos floor abatement for $25,000; and a 15 percent contingency budget of  $120,000.

The interior project allows the district to receive building aid from New York State at a rate of approximately 10 percent.

If the voters approve this project, construction would begin in late June, 2014 and would be expected to reach completion three months later.

The total cost is not to exceed $925,000 and will be bonded over 15 years. 

For residents with homes with a market value of $400,000, taxes would rise $8 per year for 15 years; for a home with a market value of $500,000, taxes would rise $9 per year for 15 years; the hike would be $12 per year for 15 years if residents own a home with a market value of $650,000.

The special district vote will be held in the gymnasium of the junior-senior high school between the hours of 3 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Oct. 29.