Residents across Brookhaven Town will head to the polls Tuesday, April 14, to vote on annual library budgets and elect trustees for their local library districts, with proposals reflecting rising costs and continued demand for services.
At the Mastics-Moriches-Shirley Community Library, voters will consider a $13.34 million budget for the 2026–2027 fiscal year, a 4.5 percent increase. The tax levy would rise to $12.96 million, with the average homeowner seeing an estimated $35 annual increase. Board President Joseph Maiorana is running unopposed. Voting will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Shirley facility.
Across Brookhaven, other library districts are presenting budgets shaped by similar pressures, including rising employee benefits, insurance, and state-mandated costs. The Middle Country Public Library, Patchogue-Medford Library, and Longwood Public Library are advancing spending plans that maintain staffing, technology, and programming, with trustee seats on the ballot.
The Sachem Public Library and South Country Library are also asking voters to approve budgets that balance fiscal restraint with continued investment in high-demand services, including digital media, educational programming, and community events.
Additional districts throughout Brookhaven are holding votes the same day. These include the Brookhaven Free Library, Comsewogue Public Library, and Center Moriches Free Public Library, each with their own budgets and trustee races before voters.
Polls across most districts will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at designated library locations. Residents are encouraged to check their local library websites for specific budget details, candidate information, and absentee or early voting options.