NORTHPORT — Residents of the town of Northport will have the chance to participate in the final vote Monday, June 15, at 6:30 p.m. on a moratorium to temorarily stop any proposed RV Campgrounds, Glampgrounds, and/or Event Centers  in the town, other than those developed along Route 1. 

The meeting will take place at the Edna Drinkwater School, and residents must attend the meeting in order to have their vote counted. 

"Moratorium on RV Campgrounds, Glampgrounds, and/or Event Centers: The Town 77 hereby declares and imposes a moratorium prohibiting the development of any new RV 78 Campgrounds, Glampgrounds, and/or Event Centers, located on any road other than Route 1 79 (Atlantic Highway) in the Town of Northport. No person or organization shall develop or operate 80 a new RV Campground, Glampground, and/or Event Center, located on any road other than 81 Route 1 (Atlantic Highway) in the Town of Northport," the Moratorium Ordinance reads in part. 

A recently proposed RV park to be located on Beech Hill Road sparked the action, with the proposal leading to opposition from many of the town residents, who are concerned about the destruction of the large thus-far undisturbed blueberry barrens that sit roughly 3.5 miles from the Route 1 entrance to the road. 

Opponents to the project said the area has long been held as an area of beauty, with the field turning into a stunning crimson carpet in the fall. 

Hundreds of residents signed a petition in opposition to the proposed Beech Hill Resort RV Resort, which was first introduced to town officials at a Febryuary town meeting.

The 115 acres was purchased by Michael Ruggiero and April Savitz, with the proposal aimed at building infrastructure to support not just RVs, but geodesic glamping domes, and food options. The structures would be positioned on the side of the road, facing the rolling blueberry barren. Ruggiero said he hopes to begin building this summer. 

Opponents said that along with marring the beauty of an otherwise pristine site, other concerns included the dangers associated with large vehicles traveling the sometimes winding road. 

Residents said the road feels alreayd narrow when passing dump trucks on the straight sections; concerns amplify when negotiating the sharp turns at the portion of the road residents call the dog leg. There, where the road turns tight and winding, with Knights Pond Road branching off at one curve and Flanders Road at the other, drivers must navigate with caution when two vehicles are traveling in opposing directions at the same time.

Prior to the purchase of the fields by Ruggiero and Savitz, the barrens were open to recreational walkers, provided they didn’t damage the barrensy. That courtesy ended when a sign was posted shortly after residents voiced their opposition, leading to increased tension between Ruggiero and opponents of the proposed RV park.

Town meeting will be held at the Edna Drinkwater School, 56 Bayside Road, Northport. 

Additional information abouth the proposal, including links to the document signed by residents are available.

Erica Thoms can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com