Neighbors press Wantagh district for answers on proposed athletic-field lights donation

Neighbors raised concerns during public comment at the May 8 Montour Board of Education meeting about a previously accepted donation to install lights at a district athletic field, saying they have not been given details about timing, conditions or neighborhood impacts.

One resident asked the board to notify neighbors when the matter will be discussed and whether alternatives exist to installation, noting fundraisers and other local options might be considered as substitutes for an outside donor with attached conditions. "Please let us know when this discussion is gonna be made and bringing up whether there could be an alternative," the resident said.

Maureen O'Donnell, who identified herself as a neighbor, said she and other neighbors want a seat at the table to review details with the donor because the lights, she said, "are gonna affect us greatly." She said the community is concerned about neighborhood impacts and wants more communication from the district.

Superintendent John McNamara responded that the board had agreed several months earlier to accept the donation but that the district is still in discussions to determine whether an agreement will work for all parties. "Until we can get to some point with this organization in terms of that agreement, it's just premature for me to speak about it," McNamara said, and he told residents that the district would share information when negotiations progress.

There was no board vote on the lights at the meeting and no final agreement was presented. The transcript records community requests for a meeting with district officials and the donor to review terms; McNamara said he expected to have more to share in the coming weeks but did not provide a timetable.

The public-comment segment on this issue preceded the close of the meeting and the board moved on after the superintendent’s reply.