It was a great night for Elmont. That was the sentiment at Thursday night's Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education meeting as school board, library board and community members were all smiles.

The Sewanhaka Central High School District Board of Education voted unanimously 6-0 to sell a portion of the Alva T. Stanforth (ATS) property to the Elmont Public Library, which intends to construct a new facility on the grounds.

Elmont library board and school board members saw it as a major victory for Elmont, a community which has always been passionate about the ATS property.

Since the property is owned by the high school district, which encompasses Elmont, Franklin Square, New Hyde Park and Floral Park, all communities had to agree on the use for the property, something that never seemed to happen since the building ceased being a school almost 20 years ago. However, now, with a proposal to build a new library for Elmont on the table, it seems at long last a viable solution that the abandoned building may finally become a reality.

So far, the plan is three for three in votes. The Elmont Library Board, Elmont School District Board of Education and now the Sewanhaka Board of Education approved the sale of a portion of the property.

"This is a wonderful decision by the high school board. It shows a cohesiveness in the Elmont community. This is a win situation for everyone. We hope everyone enjoys a state-of-the-art library in the future," said Elmont Library Board President Brian Lynn.

Mr. Lynn was joined by his fellow board members Joe Marziotto, Michael Rothstein and Cheryl Lee. The board members celebrated the Sewanhaka School Board's decision.

Making the motion to approve the sale for the Sewanhaka School Board was longtime board member Deanna Doreson of Elmont, who has seen her share of controversy surrounding the ATS property.

Mrs. Doreson also expressed her joy at the possibility of having a new library on the site. "This benefits Elmont in many ways," she said, referring to the fact that Elmont may have a new library and also the plan would allow the community the opportunity to rid itself of a dilapidated building that deteriorated to the point of being an eyesore.

According to David Rosenberg, special real estate counsel to the Sewanahaka Central High School District, the plans call for the Sewanhaka High School District to retain the athletic fields, which are used by the district.

The Elmont Library, under the plan, would take ownership of just under four acres of the 20-acre site. The four acres are located approximately where the auditorium is located and part of the ATS building west of the auditorium.

The library would be responsible for the demolition of the entire ATS building, including re-grading the portion of the property the building was located on that the school district is retaining. Also, the Elmont Library will be giving the Sewanhaka School District $560,000, which the district will use to put in a new driveway on its share of the property from Hempstead Turnpike north to behind where the new library would be located for vehicles accessing the athletic fields.

It is estimated that by the library assuming the cost of the demolition, the re-grading of the property and the funding for Sewanhaka's driveway, the Sewanhaka Central High School District will be saving $3 million.

The Elmont Library Board then plans on constructing a new library on its share of the property with adequate parking, something the current library does not enjoy.

According to Mr. Lynn, the total cost to the Elmont community of the project including the construction of the new building would be $12 million to $15 million.

Although the plan has received the support from all three boards involved, it still must receive public approval. A referendum must be held involving all of the residents in the Sewanhaka Central High School District to sell a portion of the land. Another referendum must be held for just the residents of the Elmont School District to fund the purchase of the property and the construction of a new library. Both votes are expected to take place on or before January 30, 2004.

Mrs. Doreson is one resident who plans on supporting the plan. "Elmont has to band together to pass this," she said.

Elmont School Board President Aubrey Phillips, who is also a member of the Sewanhaka Board of Education, has also been an advocate for creating something educationally and culturally beneficial for the site.

"This is one of the best things to happen to Elmont because the Elmont community has been wanting that property to go for education," he said.

Mr. Phillips credited those who have been vocal over the years about having the property used to benefit the community.