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Residents press board on short-term rentals and snow emergency rule; attorney suggests petition
Summary
During the 'Hearing of Visitors' at the Dec. 17 meeting, residents asked whether recent agenda items would affect taxes or streets, raised concerns about a neighbor renting rooms (short-term/rooming use), and questioned when the town's two-inch snow emergency rule was adopted. Officials advised contacting Code Enforcement, suggested a neighbor petition, and explained the rationale for the snow rule.
During the hearing-of-visitors period at the Town of Union Board meeting on Dec. 17, a small number of residents raised neighborhood concerns and sought clarification on town rules.
Carol Laskowski of 37 Edwards Street asked whether the public hearing topics discussed that evening would affect taxes or create one-way street changes; Supervisor Robert Mack responded that the proposals would not affect taxes or alter street directions.
Josh Owen of 1200 Oakdale Road described a neighbor who has converted a house into a boarding-style rental, renting rooms while continuing to reside in the property, and asked whether the Town has rules or regulations governing Airbnb-style operations. Councilman Joseph P. Nirchi suggested Owen contact the Code Enforcement office. Town Attorney Alan Pope recommended that Owen and his neighbors collect petition signatures and research the specific restrictions they would like the town to enforce, then bring that information back to the board for further consideration.
Later, Gary Robbins of 32 Frederick Street asked when the town's snow emergency law was passed and voiced disagreement with it; Supervisor Mack explained that the town's two-inch threshold was adopted after outreach to other municipalities and two public hearings, and cited concerns that had influenced the change (discrepancies in snow measurement, increased accidents involving plows, insurance questions and the presence of larger plow trucks).
No formal action was taken at the meeting in response to these comments; board members offered procedural guidance (contact Code Enforcement, compile neighbor petitions) and noted the rationale behind the snow rule.
The board proceeded with its agenda and adjourned at 7:33 PM.
