Planning staff: bylaws submitted to Attorney General; short-term rental bylaw postponed

Planning Department staff reported to the Select Board on Nov. 26 that staff are preparing Form 7 and the required documentation to submit the recent Town Meeting-approved bylaw language to the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office for review. "Following Town Meeting… we are putting together the Form 7 that we need to send to the Attorney General's Office, inclusive of all the required documentation," Planning staff (S5) told the board.

Staff said the short-term rental bylaw was indefinitely postponed at Town Meeting. "The bylaw was indefinitely postponed at town meeting," S5 said, and the working group will likely reconvene to address public concerns with the aim of bringing a revised proposal back in April. S5 said staff typically hear back from the Attorney General within two to three months and estimated a response by roughly late February.

Board members cautioned that Town Meeting floor amendments can complicate the Attorney General review process and urged residents to review proposed bylaw language ahead of time at precinct meetings or contact the town office. One board member (S2) said late amendments can have unanticipated zoning ramifications and urged voters to take the process seriously.

Separately, the board voted to cancel the Dec. 24 meeting (recorded as 6 out of 6 in favor) and agreed to future agenda items including transfer development rights and a presentation on a local centennial/anniversary. The meeting adjourned following a brief motion to close.