Residents Ask Superintendent for More Time

At the last meeting Commack Union Free School District of the school year, several residents requested more time to propose a plan for the Marion Carll Farm.

"We had a solution brought to our attention, but it was not acceptable to the voters and we are evaluating that. We do not want to take any time off, that's why we instituted the July 31 deadline. It doesn't have to be a full plan, but some sort of idea or way to work with the property," board President Mary-Jo Masciello said.

"We look forward to Dr. James' recommendations. We've learned that the Golf Course [The Hamlet] may be sold to a purchaser, so that needs to be evaluated as well," board attorney, Eugene Barnowsky said.

"The building is falling apart. Let's do something about it before we lose the entire set of beautiful buildings. We want to avoid , we'd rather spend that educating your children. The house cannot wait another summer, every time it rains we risk losing the whole building," Masciello said.

Residents also questioned the information presented from the district.

"It is good that you say there was not enough information. One set of people during the vote were very passionate about saving the property; the second set were very passionate about the belief that we weren't getting enough money. We will push to educate the community when a new plan is developed," Masciello said.

Vito Cottone, long-time Commack resident and active member of the Commack Community Association, gave Dr. James a brief history of the property.

"You're probably wondering what this Marion Carll farm is. I'll give you a brief history. Marion Carll gave her 9 acre farm to the school district when she died with the intent of making it into a historic museum so the children of Commack would understand that milk comes from cows, not bottles. Now it's falling apart and we want to use it for residents. I want to be escorted onto the property, with the parties interested in making proposals, to determine what needs to be done. And I want to go in soon, because of the July 31 deadline," Cottone said.

"Dr. Feltman felt it was not safe to allow residents onto the property, but the board is now looking at a plan to do so. We will be arranging supervised access for people who wish to submit proposals and waiting for Dr. James' recommendations," Barnowsky said.

"I'd like to say that you will be able to visit the Carll farm within the next week or two. I will be visiting it myself and then decide. I don't want to put anyone ion danger. The board recognizes that people need to visit property to make a decision on a proposal plan and we will arrange that as soon as possible," James said.

Herb Roth, resident, said that the farm should be "sold as a private house and used for the community on certain days so it is restored and maintained." Al Wesnofsky, resident and former Carll farm worker, said "We should make it a soccer field, put a plaque up to remember the home, but let the children use it."

The board requested proposals be submitted by July 31 for review. The school board will meet on August 26 at 8:00 p.m. at the Hubbs Administration building on Clay Pitts Road.