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🐝 More Budgets & Boats

🐝 More Budgets & Boats

Southold School Budget, Boating Legacy, Upcoming Events

Thomas Loncar
May 13, 2025

Together With

Good Morning, North Fork! If you can dream it, you can probably postpone it until Wednesday.

In today’s North Fork Buzz:

Southold School Budget
Boating Legacy
Upcoming Events

Ready, Set, Go!

The Lowdown

Budget, Buses & Ballots 💰

Here’s what’s cooking in the Southold School District for 2025–26: a $35.63 million budget. That’s a $1.1 million jump from last year (a 3.18% increase if you're keeping score). The tax levy? It’s going up by 2.75%, but still playing nicely within the state’s cap.

If your home is assessed at $5,450 (which shakes out to a market value of around $461K), expect your school taxes to climb by about $146 this year—landing at roughly $5,432 total. Not exactly pocket change, but not a full-blown wallet crisis either.

Where’s all that money going?

Programming: $26.53M (a whopping 76.6%)
Capital Improvements: $4.44M (12.8%), including a shiny new minibus
Admin Costs: $4.66M (13.5%)

Superintendent Anthony Mauro says no programs are being cut, and all student opportunities are safe, even with some delays in the state budget.

Now for the ballot box drama:
There’s one open seat on the school board and two folks gunning for it.

Kristian Prior: FDNY lieutenant, dad of three Southold students, and ready to bring the firehouse budget discipline to the school board.
Jason Barkley: 15 years experience in school district business offices, dad of two Southold students, pushing for a STEAM lab and more partnerships with organizations.

Mark your calendar:
The budget vote and Board of Ed election happen Tuesday, May 20, from 3–9 p.m. at Southold High School’s gym. ($)

A North Fork Boating Legacy 🚤

If you’ve ever cruised the North Fork and spotted a pristine boat that made you think, “Now that’s the life,” there’s a good chance it came from Strong’s Marine.

This family business didn’t just drift into success—it’s been riding the waves since 1945, when Stewart Strong launched Strong and Holland Marine in Lindenhurst. Fast-forward to 1965: son Dave and his wife Dottie moved the helm to Mattituck, renamed it Strong’s Marine.

Dave was a bayman by trade and a teacher by nature, passing his love for the water to his kids, Jeff and Nancy. Jeff kept the family tide rolling, hustling in sales during high school and going to college at night. In ’78, he married Re, Southold local, fishing enthusiast, and perfect first mate.

By 1992, Jeff and Re were steering the ship, growing Strong’s Marine into a powerhouse of boat sales, repairs, storage, and some serious community vibes. Their sons, Ryan and Jay, joined the crew early. Now? Ryan’s VP, Jay’s on the board, and the Strong name is basically boating royalty.

They’ve won the national Elite Fleet Award four years in a row (yes, that’s a big deal), and their programs like “Women on the Water” and boating safety classes keep the community connected—and seaworthy.

Bottom line: The Strong family doesn’t just sell boats. They’ve been building a legacy of salt, service, and family for nearly 80 years—and they’re still full speed ahead.

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Happenings: Upcoming Events

🎶 Experience WindSync Join CAST for a special performance by the acclaimed wind quintet WindSync on Wednesday, May 28. Known for their dynamic blend of classical and contemporary music, WindSync offers a vibrant and engaging concert experience. This free event is open to all and is part of CAST’s Arts & Culture program. More Info

🐑 Tour the Farm, Taste the Magic On Thursday, May 29, Slow Food East End invites guests to a special evening of farm-to-table flavors and behind-the-scenes discovery. Farmer Tom will lead a private tour of 8 Hands Farm, complete with lamb meet-and-greets—and share the family’s sustainable farming philosophy. The evening continues with a multi-course tasting menu from Matt & John of Fyr & Salt, perfectly paired with Bedell wines and Doublespeak Craft Cocktails. More Info

🦪 Last Friday Nights Kick off your weekend with wine and freshly-shucked local oysters by Peconic Gold. Suhru & Lieb Vineyards’ Last Friday Night series begins on Friday, May 30 and brings all the good vibes. Sip your favorite wines, savor the freshest shellfish on the North Fork, and toast to summer one Friday at a time. More Info

🎥 Classic Movie Trivia Grab your popcorn (and your smartest friends) for Trivia Night at Clovis Point on Friday, May 30. This round’s theme is classic movies—think silver screen legends, iconic quotes, and old Hollywood glam. Sip wine, show off your film knowledge, and compete for bragging rights in a night of cinematic fun. More Info

🎹 Dueling Pianos Get ready for a night of high-energy music and nonstop fun. On Friday, May 30, The JAM Dueling Pianos Show takes over Pindar Vineyards with crowd favorites, sing-alongs, and musical mayhem. Grab a glass of wine, make a request, and let the good times roll. More Info

💪 Bootcamp in the Vines Bedell Cellars and Wicked Fit Mattituck are teaming up for a fitness experience like no other on Saturday, May 31. Join them for a 50-minute bootcamp set against the stunning backdrop of the vines. After you sweat it out, enjoy a complimentary glass of wine and a light continental breakfast from Lombardi’s Love Lane. More Info

^{_{Nothing in this section is sponsored. They’re just fun things you need to know. I’ll always let you know when something is sponsored}}

Live Music + Fun Breakdown

Tuesday

First and South | Jeff LeBlanc | 6-9 PM
The Piano Bar at Sound View | Sara Mundy | 6-8:30 PM

Wednesday

Greenport Harbor Brewing (Peconic) | Music Bingo | 6-8 PM
Alize Brewing Co | Trivia | 6:30 PM

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THANKS!

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Tom Loncar- Publisher