when will the comp plan part of the discussion happen? tonight?

if the dirt road extension of North Causeway Lane to the coast is indeed public - shouldn’t it be made clear so that we know where we can walk?

is this a

places where kayaks could be launched?

Cora, if I heard correctly, there is no place down that dirt road to park a car or turn around.

Dear Marjory,

thank you - I concur, but we could carry/use a manual trailer to carry a kayak down. I tried to do this years ago, but felt that I was on private property and intruding.

Well, we’ve lived here 33+ years, and my husband grew up here, but neither of us knew until tonight that that road was a town right of way!

It would be wonderful if all the public access points and public right of ways were documented in one place where we could all access the information!

I am amazed that that “driveway” down N Causeway Lane is public land… Been here (in and out) since 1974 and always was told that “driveway

“ was private. CAn’t wait to walk down there and check it out (liberate it)!

is there a copy of the plan we on zoom can see

On the town website the changes are in the Select Board Packet and more info from the task force is on the main page of the town website....

thanks

Fee for licensing weekly rentals could pay for enforcement

don’t all rental units (short term and long term) need to be licensed with SWH Township? they certainly should be.

Sorry—that comment about fees for licensing was from my husband Miff Lauriat.

Cora, no. I registered my place with the police and they were unfamiliar With the process.

registering. not licensing

The other issue that greatly impacts housing is the sale of many houses in town to be used for housing by workers at certain summer employers, thus taking these properties off the market for year round work force.

That is certainly a major issue, but also totally legal. The question is how to preserve years ‘round housing for year-round residents.

I have a rental. I'm following along intently.

State programs exist to fund affordable housing development if developers commit to affordable rates and at the same time assist buyers and renters. Trouble is, more money is to be made at the high end of the market.

This is not an issue of just selling to someone local - but keeping as much housing available for long term residents

regarding licensing, what enforcement are we looking to pay for?

Can we get language in to ensure that everyone needs to register properties for long term and short term rentals? this would give us data, and thus the ability to create informed regulations

The question of RV's on properties is pretty specific, but relevant may be, SHOULD this (temporary housing) be a layer in the housing recommendations of the Comprehensive Plan?

good point

A key recommendation (A2) is to inventory all ownership and rentals. That data would help clarify issues.

STR is an issue that needs to be addressed separately in a meeting to specifically look at the problem. Additionally, I've always been curious why we don't have a bed tax in SWH. I know we have a guest tax but that is to the state.

I would be happy to help research the statistics of STRs in SWH if a task force is going to be put together.

The state of Maine does not allow local taxation by municipalities! I agree- Maine has a 9% lodging tax on short term rentals that municipalities don't directly benefit from.

Judy, why not go down to the police station where folks are supposed to register. everything else, like a license involves a hurdle and a cost