Selectmen advance short-term rental committee work and consider housing reserve amid affordability concerns

The Selectmen received a multi-meeting short-term rental committee presentation and agreed to move the committee's recommendations toward formal drafting and hearings.

At meetings in July and October the committee presented a PowerPoint outlining options including registration, nominal fees for year‑round rentals, and potential ordinance language. The board thanked the committee and authorized staff to begin drafting necessary documents for a public hearing in the fall. TM Billings, planning board and economic development contractor Linda Nelson participated in the discussions and emphasized the distinction between owner‑occupied short‑term rentals and year‑round rentals.

Separately, the board discussed housing shortages and voted in one meeting to set aside $100,000 from tax‑acquired property sales as a housing reserve to support planning, scoping and potential projects. TM noted the funds could be used for planning or housing initiatives but did not record a specific project allocation in the minutes.

The board also approved a $35,000 contract for an economic resiliency plan (Camoin) to help the town evaluate downtown economic pressures, fisheries-related impacts and climate vulnerabilities; the plan was described as a tool to align grants and local strategy.

No ordinance text or fee schedule appears in the minutes; the record shows the board directing staff to move the recommendations forward and hold public hearings before adopting any regulation or fee.