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Chatham Board of Health reviews short-term rental rule changes, plans vote next meeting
Summary
At a June 1 public hearing, the Chatham Board of Health reviewed proposed revisions to the town’s short-term rental regulation: moving renewals to the calendar year and removing the fixed fee from the regulation so the select board can set it (staff said the select board plans to raise it from $50 to $200). The hearing was closed and the board will vote at its next meeting if town council returns no substantive edits.
Chatham — The Chatham Board of Health on June 1 held a public hearing on proposed revisions to the town’s short-term rental regulation, including changing the permit renewal period to the calendar year and removing the fee amount from the regulation so the select board can set it.
Karen, a health department staff member who reviewed the draft, said the renewal period would shift to Jan. 1–Dec. 31 rather than the current Mar. 1–Feb. 28 schedule and that the regulation text would no longer list a specific fee. "The intention is for the fee — the registration fee — to go up," Karen said, adding that the select board intends to set the fee at $200 (the regulation currently lists $50).
Board members said the fee change is driven by inspection workload. A board discussion noted a state requirement that short-term rentals be inspected once a year; staff said the town historically inspected properties on a three-year cycle and will likely need to hire an additional building inspector to meet annual inspection requirements.
Because town council must review the proposed change that moves fee-setting authority out of the regulation, the board agreed it would close the public hearing now and vote at its next meeting if town council returns the draft unchanged. If town council suggests changes, the board said it would re-advertise the hearing and hold another public session.
A motion to close the public hearing and vote at the next meeting (absent changes from town council) was moved, seconded and passed unanimously: Ron Wesler — in favor; Joanna Kale — in favor; Carol Gordon — in favor; Chair — in favor.
There were no in-person public comments; one online participant was present but did not speak. Staff said it will confirm the precise regulatory language with town council before the board’s next meeting.
The board closed the hearing and will place the item on its next agenda for final action if the town council returns no substantive edits.
