Council discusses short-term rental rules, agrees to consider ad-hoc committee and approves appointments

Jamestown council members heard an update on short-term rental permitting and moved several personnel items before adjourning. The Town Administrator reported 29 applications for the 2025 short-term rental permit season (January–December), including 13 new applications, and said the application deadline is Oct. 1 "according to the ordinance." The administrator said the 2025 application period is closed and that only ownership changes would allow exceptions until the 2026 season.

Council members and staff discussed operational issues from the 2024 permit season, including that inspections were not required in 2024 (which sped renewals) and that some properties required multiple inspections in prior years. Staff said only three 2024 short-term rental operators chose not to renew. The Town Administrator noted that notice and advertising practices will change going forward: renewal hearings will show the property address so residents with concerns can identify which properties will be considered.

A council member proposed forming an ad-hoc committee composed of supporters and opponents of short-term rentals to gather information and reduce staff workload; council agreed to place a draft charge for that committee on the next council agenda for formal consideration.

On appointments and votes, council moved to appoint Julie Bartlett to the Jamestown 250th Commission; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Council also appointed Mark Conovaly to the Tree Preservation/Protection Committee to fill an unexpired term through Dec. 31, 2024; that motion was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote. The consent agenda — which the mover said included three short-term rental items (listed as Nicholas Negoy at 59 Coronado St., an entry recorded as "Nicholas Negoye" at 24 Cole St., and Matthew Thompson at 120 Bayview Dr.) — was approved by motion and voice vote.

What the record shows: motions were made, seconded and approved by voice votes (the transcript records "Aye"). The transcript does not include a roll-call vote or a named, recorded tally for the appointments and consent-agenda approval.

Next steps: Council will add the short-term-rental ad-hoc committee charge to the next agenda for a formal vote and to set the committee's scope.

All direct attributions in this account come from the meeting transcript and statements recorded under the Town Administrator's report and subsequent motions.