Land Parcel to be Sold at MacArthur Airport

A resolution before the Islip Town board that would approve a survey of a parcel of land to be sold at Long Island MacArthur Airport was passed by a 3-2 margin Tuesday afternoon.

Councilman John H. Edwards made the motion, which was not seconded. Councilman Steven J. Flotteron and Councilwoman Trish Bergin Weichbrodt were both opposed.

The resolution authorized Town Supervisor Phil Nolan to enter into an agreement with L.K. McLean Associates of Brookhaven, who would perform the survey. The cost of the survey as of the meeting was listed at $12,810.

When asked by Weichbrodt if she could be kept "in the loop of potential transactions," Ms. Rizzuto said that she would pass along information to the Supervisor.

Councilwoman Weichbrodt responded: "I'd like to add that you answer to the board, not just the Supervisor."

Although no buyer was named in the resolution, Ms. Weichbrodt mentioned the MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) as a potential buyer at the meeting, later confirming this via telephone. At the meeting, Ms. Rizzuto said the use of the parcel would likely be a laydown yard used for storage by the MTA.

Catherine Green, speaking on behalf of Ms. Rizzuto, declined to name specific buyers at this time, adding that it would be premature to do so, adding that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires surveys for airport land being sold for non-aviation use, and that that the reclassification of the land would allow the Town of Islip to have the option to raise revenue.

"We have to put it though the procedural process first," she said.

Ms. Weichbrodt said she opposed the resolution because of a lack of transparency on the part of Ms. Rizzuto, adding that a fair-market value of the parcel has not yet been reached. Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Rizzuto said the price is still in discussion but the Airport could negotiate up to $5 million, equating to roughly $166,000 per acre.

"I can't fund something that they're not going to give me information about," she said. "If they can't come up with a number, I don't want to just give it away."

Ms. Weichbrodt said that in real estate transactions, it's standard practice for a potential buyer to foot survey costs, adding that she wants those costs paid up front and that the public be made more aware of the transactions.

"If suddenly they don't want it, we're stuck with the bill," she said. "People deserve to know what's happening."

Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan, who favored the resolution, said that the sale would ease mass transit, adding that price quotes would currently be indefinite at best.

"It's like throwing darts at a board," he said.

This is a developing story. More to come on sachem.patch.com.