Residents urge city action on short‑term rentals after disruptive stays in Wildemere Beach

Residents of the Wildermere Beach area urged the Milford Board of Aldermen to address problems they said arise from frequent short‑term rentals.

Janet Rivers described an incident in which an Airbnb‑style rental housed a guest who remained in crisis for a week, knocked on doors in the middle of the night and prompted repeated police responses. "I had no recourse. I had no one local," Rivers said, describing the owner as out of state and the property manager located in another state. She said the property management firm could not be contacted locally and that calls to the platform did not resolve the problem.

Felicia Sheshinka, president of the Wildermere Beach Association, told the board that some short‑term rentals operate "more like businesses than homes," bringing increased cars, noise and trash and reducing neighborhood stability. She asked the city to create a city‑led task force or working group "that includes representatives from beach associations, planning and zoning, and law enforcement to review best practices and recommended regulations of these rentals."

Speakers asked the board to consider ordinances that would require local contact information for rentals, stronger enforcement tools for repeat nuisances, and cooperation among city departments and neighborhood associations. Police were praised for their response during one incident, but residents said enforcement is hampered when owners and managers are out of state.

Board members did not take immediate formal action during the meeting but acknowledged the issue and the requests for a task force and ordinance review. Several residents offered to participate in any working group the city establishes.