Residents Launch Website In Opposition To Masera Property Sale

WEST ISLIP, NY — Local community members recently launched a new website to express their opposition to the controversial Masera property sale in West Islip.

The 11-acre property, located on the west side of Udall Road north of Sunrise Highway, is currently owned by the West Islip School District. The site originally opened in 1955 as Paumanok Elementary School and has remained closed in recent years.

According to the district, officials have been exploring several options for the site, but in September, "due to the age and condition of the school," the school board contracted Winkler Real Estate, based in West Islip, for offers to build a proposed senior citizen housing. The proposed development would consist of 26 condos with over 100 rental units.

According to the school district, the total purchase price for the property is $8,545,455 plus a charitable contribution of $1 million to be made for the purpose of replacing and/or improving the district’s athletic fields.

The district hosted several public forums over the past year to provide additional information to the community on the sale. For the sale to be finalized, it will require approval from the community through a vote.

The vote is scheduled for Jan. 19 at West Islip High School from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Residents can also submit for absentee ballots by Jan. 12. Click here for more information.

There has been opposition from several residents who are concerned with overdevelopment. The new website, stopmaserasale.com highlights some concerns that some community members have.

"This is a major property development in a residential neighborhood and it will have a permanent impact on West Islip for generations," the website reads. "This will set precedent for any other properties, public or private, to be overdeveloped."

However, according to the West Islip School District, officials believe senior housing is the best use for the property and would "provide the best financial outcome."

"West Islip is the only hamlet in the Town of Islip that does not have condominium or rental options for its over-55 population," the West Islip School District wrote on their website. "The District is sensitive to the fact that it is a residential area and a 55-and-older development could stabilize the student population by allowing families with school-aged children to move into homes vacated by those who move to an apartment or condo."

What do you think? Do you support or oppose the proposed sale? Let us know in the comments below.