One of Dublin’s warrant articles attempts to proactively address problems that can be caused by Airbnb rentals. The proposed zoning ordinance would require a conditional use permit for short term rentals (two weeks or less) where the owner or operator does not live on the premises.
“We didn’t want to outlaw them, but we wanted to have a kind of oversight on them,” Planning Board Chair Bruce Simpson said.
Rentals without an owner on the premises can be at risk of becoming a nuisance party house and there has already been such an issue in Dublin, he said.
Additionally, a property’s location or septic system capacity might not be able to handle high volumes of guests, Simpson said.
It’s an issue a lot of towns across the state are addressing, Simpson said, and he’s heard from supportive community members as well as residents who don’t see it as a necessary ordinance.
“Generally, I think the town tends to trust the Planning Board,” he said.
As of Monday, there were three Airbnb listings in Dublin, ranging from $85 to $120 a night. Two were for private rooms in a home, and one was for a private apartment attached to a home. In September, the state Supreme Court upheld a ruling that a Portsmouth couple wasn’t allowed to rent a home they owned adjacent to theirs on sites like Airbnb. Burlington, Vermont is currently considering similar regulations, with proponents citing the city’s lack of rentals for residents, and with Airbnb hosts on the other side of the issue saying that their short-term rentals help them afford living in the area themselves.
There were no changes or questions from residents during Dublin’s Wednesday night budget and warrant hearing.
About 30 people attended, Town Administrator Sherry Miller said.
She said she believes many in the audience were there to find out more about the proposed broadband internet item on the warrant, but said there were “no questions about anything, which is a bit strange actually.”
The 1.35 million dollar broadband bond proposal would deliver high speed internet to every resident in town.
The town’s overall proposed budget increased by 4.7 percent this year, to $2,095,373 from last year’s approved budget of $2,001,959.
Two petitioned articles concern tax credits for veterans.
“The first would increase credits for all veterans from $500 to $750,” proponent Leo Plante said, and the second would provide a $4,000 credit for veterans with a 100 percent military disability rating.
“It’s basically a gesture of appreciation,” Plante said. “We’re talking about a handful of people.”
He estimates that just one or two Dublin residents could benefit from the disability tax credit. Dublin has just one resident World War II veteran, Plante said.
Peterborough passed a similar tax credit measure last year, Plante said, and efforts are underway this year to improve credits in Swanzey and Marlborough.
“Since most veterans are fairly mid- to low-income, this would be substantial for them.” Plante said.
He and fellow Dublin veteran Jerry Branch brought the two articles to the town as individuals, although they are members of the American Legion. The two articles are not recommended by the Board of Selectmen or the Budget Committee.
Also included in the town warrant are funds for repairing the steps and railing at the Post Office, to spray foam the library basement walls following a mold remediation, and to publish the Dublin Advocate. The warrant also includes contributions to existing Capital Reserve Funds established for heavy highway equipment, a police cruiser, fire equipment, road construction, bridge repair and replacement, and town buildings maintenance.
There is no article associated with moving the town’s Civil War monument, Miller said, although there’s $1000 budgeted for cleaning the monument. Miller said the town will be forming a committee this summer and taking a closer look at the issue.
Dublin’s pre-town meeting forum is scheduled for March 3.