Residents urge strict rules, contactability and enforcement as state creates short‑term rental registry
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Summary
After the governor signed a law creating a registry for short‑term rentals, a string of residents told the board they want strict local enforcement, reliable contact information for owners, and limits on party houses and nuisance activity; the town said it will await guidance on the new state registry.
Several residents spoke at length about short‑term rentals during the Town of Goshen meeting, responding to news that a state law creates a registry for short‑term rentals. Speakers said the registry could help with enforcement but urged the town to adopt strong local rules and penalties for hosts who do not cooperate with neighbors or the police.
One resident reported hearing that the state "has now said you can't ban ... Airbnbs," and noted the new registry was intended to ensure municipalities receive appropriate tax revenue and have accurate owner contact information. Commenters described experiences with repeated noise, blocked phone numbers for hosts, garbage and large gatherings. "If they cut us off and block our phone ... I rip up their license," one resident said, calling for license suspension if hosts do not respond to municipal or police calls.
Nut graf: The board and residents said they needed written details about the state registry before drafting local rules, but speakers recommended that any local policy require accurate owner contact information, limits on overnight guest counts, enforceable penalties for nuisance behavior, and clearer registration/licensing requirements that prevent anonymous or multiple‑owner arrangements from evading enforcement.
Ending: Town officials said the short‑term rental agenda item was held over to April 10 while attorneys and planning staff review the new state law and potential local measures to ensure enforceability and community protections.