Stonington moves toward short‑term rental registration as town funds housing planning and resiliency work

A committee report on short‑term rentals prompted the selectmen to authorize next steps on local regulation and the town approved planning steps to address housing and downtown resiliency.

Committee members presented a PowerPoint outlining short‑term rental issues and possible regulatory models (registration, fees, ordinances). The board thanked the committee and directed staff and the committee to begin drafting ordinances and prepare hearings for later in the fall. Discussion focused on balancing year‑round rentals and seasonal short‑term units so long‑term housing is not unduly reduced.

Separately, the board voted to set a housing reserve of $100,000 drawn from tax‑acquired property sales to support future housing efforts. The selectmen also approved contracting a Camoin economic resiliency planning study for $35,000 to evaluate downtown and fisheries resilience measures and to inform grant and planning priorities.

Next steps: staff and the short‑term rental committee will draft ordinance language and notices for hearings; the Camoin study will begin and produce recommendations to guide housing/resilience work.