NARROWSBURG, NY — A discussion about zoning laws pertaining to camping became heated at the recent Town of Tusten Town Board meeting on January 5. The question of regulating camping trailers, or RVs, was at issue.

At the previous two meetings, residents of Perry Pond Road had showed up to voice their concerns over camping trailers being left on vacant lots. In addition, the new company Tentrr wants to target Tusten as a showcase destination for its camping services. These two components have come into play at meetings of the Tusten Zoning Rewrite Committee, which is tasked with writing a law to regulate camping and RV trailers.

An old law that was taken out of the code in 2011 during a zoning rewrite is being suggested for reinsertion into the zoning laws. Councilman Tony Ritter has pushed for the town board to reinstate the law, rather than having the zoning committee doing so. But at the January 5 meeting, there was some disagreement about this.

The law in question dates back to 1993 and pertains to camping. It had been presented at the December town board meeting, and a public hearing was held at that time. The residents of Perry Pond Road wanted to see it passed. However, no resolution to pass the law was put on the January agenda. Ritter took issue with this, and argued forcefully for having the town board vote on and pass the law. However, Councilman Ned Lang and Supervisor Carol Wingert said that they believe the law is not enforceable, and that the zoning committee should rewrite it.

Iris Helfeld, who was in the audience and is on the zoning committee, said, “We want to do it correctly.” After discussion, Wingert agreed to put a vote on reinstatement of the old law on the agenda for the February Town Board meeting.

Camping regulations also came up in the discussion of Tentrr, a new company that is like Air Bnb for camping. Landowners can rent out their property to people who want to camp. Tentrr will set up a platform with a tent and provide other amenities. Tourists can find destinations and book their stays on the Tentrr website.

Tentrr creator Michael D’Agostino came before the zoning committee to explain the process. Wingert said they want to promote Tusten as a highlighted destination. Landowners interested in hosting a campsite preferably must have 10 acres or more, with five acres a bare minimum. “The whole thing is about seclusion,” Councilwoman Jane Luchsinger explained. For instance, a parcel on the Flats in Narrowsburg wouldn’t be enough land. “Then you’re talking density, and that’s not what this is about; that wouldn’t fit our rural character,” Wingert said.

Some potential problems were brought up. For instance, campers are supposed to be responsible for taking out their trash, which includes the waste from a toilet that Tentrr sets up. Some on the board pointed out that people are probably not going to want to take that waste back with them to dispose of it. Councilwoman Brandi Merolla questioned whether campers will be notified about certain local rules, such as hunting season and burn bans. These are things the zoning committee will take into consideration as they create a law. “It’s a wonderful concept, but it needs to be regulated,” Ritter said.

Solar panel update

The solar panels that were supposed to be installed in Tusten are still on hold, as the board deals with the problem of having to pay the prevailing wage. Wingert said they are in conversation with a financing company. Merolla said, “If we don’t have to change the contract, we can move forward,” adding that they can install the panels in the winter.