Selectmen back short‑term rental committee work and a $100,000 housing reserve from tax‑acquired sales

Stonington Selectmen heard a committee presentation on short‑term rentals and approved setting aside $100,000 from tax‑acquired property sales as a housing reserve to be used for housing planning and related projects.

At several meetings (July–November), the short‑term rental committee presented its findings and a PowerPoint to the board outlining distinctions between owner‑occupied rentals and non‑owner short‑term units, enforcement challenges, and model approaches used by similar communities. Selectmen thanked the committee and directed staff to begin drafting proposed ordinance language and fee/registration plans for public hearings in the fall.

In budget discussions (Nov. 7), the board opted to direct $100,000 of tax‑acquired proceeds into a housing reserve intended to support housing planning, scoping, or seed projects to address workforce and year‑round rental shortages. TM Billings described the reserve as a tool for “planning, scoping out housing options,” and the board discussed using the money for affordable housing initiatives or planning studies.

Next steps: staff will draft short‑term rental registration/fee language and prepare materials for public hearings; the housing reserve will be tracked in town accounts for planning and potential project support.