Wainscott School District Expresses Concern Over Proposed Low Income Housing Projects

Wainscott School District recently posted a letter by school board President David E. Eagan, to taxpayers on the district’s website expressing concern of the impact of two low income housing projects that are being actively considered by the Town of East Hampton and the Village of Sag Harbor.

The project proposed in East Hampton, in conjunction with Windmill Housing Development Fund Co., Inc., will create 49 units (86 bedrooms in total) at Stephen Hands Path behind the Town soccer fields. While in Sag Harbor, the village has proposed an eight unit work force housing project at 782 Route 114 (located outside the Village limits but within the Town of East Hampton and the Wainscott School District). That property currently has one main house and 8 cottages (17 bedrooms in total) and the Village has announced it intends to maximize the re-development of the property, according to the letter.

The letter states the projects will result in a significant financial impact on the 264 households which comprise the District and fund the school tax levy. The increase in the student population can result in significant and unprecedented increases in the tax rate.

“The doubling or tripling of our student population will result in significant and unprecedented increases in our tax rate. At best case, that increase will be approximately 66% and more likely it will be approximately 168%,” the letter reads.

The school district also claims this will force Wainscott School to “alter its programming and become a conventional grade school” according to the letter.