Jan 18, 2012 12:45 PM

Tempers flared during Tuesday night’s East Quogue Board of Education meeting when approximately 20 residents, mostly senior citizens, demanded that the district delay the public referendum on the proposed purchase of land adjacent to the elementary school to accommodate future expansion until May.

“Let’s not cut the seniors out!” one woman yelled while addressing board members before storming out of the meeting, held in the East Quogue Elementary School cafetorium. “We are not wealthy!”

Other attendees expressed similar concerns that many of the hamlet’s senior citizens will not be around for the referendum, scheduled for Tuesday, February 28, that, they said, will result in an increase in their school property taxes.

East Quogue Superintendent Les Black explained that the $250,000 needed for the purchase is already included in the district’s 2011-12 budget.

Another woman, who did not offer her name to board members and later refused to provide it to a reporter, questioned why the district is still considering buying the estimated 1-acre property on Central Avenue when enrollment at the elementary school has been declining over the past few years. The woman, citing statistics provided by the district, said 432 students are enrolled at the elementary school this year. In 2009, 451 students attended the school.

“You are putting the burden on the poor people who are retired,” said the woman. “Please think about this.”

The property in question is located at 10 Central Avenue and sits just south of the elementary school. A vacant house now stands on the land, which town records state is part of the estate of Louise Oliver.

School Board Vice President Kathryn Tureski tried to defuse the situation by explaining that the district currently has no plans for an expansion project. She also said that next month’s vote will be to acquire the property, adding that taxpayers would have to vote separately on an expansion project, if and when it is proposed.

“Right now, the only thing on the table is the purchase of the lot,” Ms. Tureski said. “Down the road, if we want to build on the property, it would be a community discussion with a vote.”

In the middle of the meeting, district officials had to request that those wishing to voice their concerns directly address board members in order to stop residents from arguing with each other.

“It would not be prudent as a district for us to not be looking at this space to accommodate some of our needs,” said School Board member Ralph Naglieri in an attempt to calm people down.

Not all of those who addressed the board opposed the purchase. Carol Combes of East Quogue said she thinks the district should jump at the opportunity to buy the land, adding that the current price is “a steal.” She said it makes sense for the district to acquire property even if it does not have immediate plans to develop it.

“I think this is one great buy in the right direction,” Ms. Combes said. “I say buy. If you don’t buy this property, I think you are all being very foolish.”

School Board members agreed, by a 4-0 margin, to hold the public hearing on the proposed purchase on Tuesday, February 7, starting at 7:45 p.m., at the school. Board President Mario Cardaci did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.

The same resolution also set the date of the referendum for Tuesday, February 28. Registered voters can cast their ballots at the Central Avenue school between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Prior to the vote, Mr. Black explained that those who are not going to be around for next month’s vote can still cast absentee ballots. The unidentified woman who yelled at board members, and accused other meeting attendees of lying to her, said she was told that absentee ballots cannot be sent from Florida.

Mr. Black said that was inaccurate, while Ms. Tureski said the board would investigate her concerns.

“We are coordinating our vote with the Board of Elections,” said East Quogue Elementary School Principal Robert Long, who was also in attendance Tuesday.

He said next month’s vote will be conducted using machines provided by the Suffolk County Board of Elections, adding that the county will provide an employee who will supervise the referendum.