There is a feud over farmland on the East End.
Riverhead Charter School is planning on expanding its campus on what is now 71 acres of neighboring farmland that they are in contract to buy.
The project would include athletic fields, a gymnasium and would increase the high school’s capacity from 125 to 500 students.
Aimee Lomonaco, vice president of the Board of Trustees for Riverhead Charter School, says, “It is a phased approach that will eventually have two buildings, a high school and middle school.”
The school says this would be a long-term solution for the growing number of students enrolled in the charter school – the total enrollment they could have from K to12 is up to 1,500 students.
Residents in the surrounding community have started a Facebook group, placed signs on their lawns and plan on attending town meetings to oppose this plan that they say will change the character and charm of the east end enclave.
A special permit will have to be granted by the town for anything other than farming on the Sound Avenue property.
People who live in the surrounding community are planning on attending a Town Board meeting and bringing this issue up Wednesday evening.