Why a YES Vote on the Masera School Sale Makes Sense

The Masera School sits empty, and there is no revenue coming into the school district or town from the land or building. Terwilliger & Bartone would like to change that with a proposal to purchase the property for over $8.5 million dollars, adding this land to the tax rolls, and providing an inspired 55+ living community for active adults.

The West Islip School District’s idea to sell the property did not come out of thin air. As a result of a competitive proposal process administered by the Board of Education, a purchase and sale agreement with our company was approved in September for the 11-acre Masera School property. We are proposing to build 100 luxury rentals and 26 townhome units, all for 55+ residents, that shall fully conform to current zoning.

It is important to separate the facts from the hyperbole around this sale. First, the vote on January 19 is just to finalize the sale – no development project will be approved that day. A ‘YES’ vote approving the sale simply allows us to put an application into the land use boards of Islip, where residents can continue to provide input and attend hearings to participate in the public process. This vote will not “open the door” to other school sales or other development projects.

Second, the property currently brings in zero tax dollars. It is a defunct school that, with each passing day, will require maintenance to keep from falling into disrepair and becoming an eyesore. This project, if approved, will bring in almost $1.2 million in tax dollars per year over the ten year phase-in, on top of the over $8.5 million up front sales price.

We have also agreed to donate $1 million to replace any athletic fields lost from the sale of Masera. We will invest a total of $45 million in the community to build this project and create local jobs as well.

Regarding traffic, active adult residences will create less traffic than when Masera was open with 170 employees and students all arriving at the school during peak times, along with weekend activities and sports. The property will also be served by private sanitation, and the internal roads will be private to avoid any burden on local services.

Why are active adult residences a better choice than single family homes? Active adult communities do not generate virtually any impacts on the school district, whereas single family homes would add approximately 88 school-age children, and the costs associated with educating them, for a net revenue loss to the district. West Islip has nearly 8,500 households, and not one is a luxury rental. This project would represent just over 1% of the housing stock, and create opportunities for empty nesters, retirees and others over age 55 to stay in the area and live maintenance-free lifestyles.

We are thrilled at the response we have received already from West Islip residents interested in residing here, and many have asked that their names be put on a waiting list. Given the current financial climate caused by the pandemic, this project is tax boon for the school district, town and area. Local businesses that have been devastated by shutdowns will see upticks in business from those residing here, who will add over $5.7 million in incremental discretionary spending to support the local business community.

We invite you to visit our website www.stayinwestislip.com or call us at 516-420-0727 with any questions. We hope you will vote YES on January 19th to allow the school property to serve a new generation of local seniors, and we look forward to becoming part of your community.

Anthony Bartone

Terwilliger & Bartone