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Pownal Select Board approves short-term rental policy, hires DrummondWoodsum for legal services
Summary
The Select Board approved a Short-Term Rental Policy with a $20 one-time registration fee and, after executive session, accepted a proposal from DrummondWoodsum for legal services; routine warrants and minutes were also approved.
At its May 12 meeting the Town of Pownal Select Board approved several procedural items and two substantive decisions: adoption of a Short-Term Rental Policy with a $20 one-time registration fee, and selection of a legal services provider following an executive session.
On routine financial business the board approved FY25 AP Warrant #26 for $60,577.96 and Payroll Journal #423 for $9,922.59. The board also approved the April 28, 2025 meeting minutes and signed the final draft of the annual town meeting warrant after the Town Administrator presented edits from the second public hearing; all routine motions passed on 3-0 votes with Selectperson Andy O’Brien moving and Selectperson Kate Day seconding several of the items.
The Short-Term Rental Policy, which had been tabled at a prior meeting, was presented with a single edit to add a $20 one-time registration fee. Selectperson Andy O’Brien moved to approve the policy and Selectperson Kate Day seconded; the board voted 3-0 to adopt it. Resident Bo Chesney asked when the registration fee is paid; Town Administrator Becky Taylor-Chase said the fee is paid at the time the application is submitted. Resident Heidi Richards read a prepared statement urging clarity, transparency about whether the measure should be a policy or an ordinance, and public input; she said the intent was not opposition but to ensure the document will be clear and durable. She told the board, “My hope is that it was clear to this board and to those in attendance... that I have not been in opposition of some sort of guidelines being put into place for short term rentals in Pownal.”
The Town Administrator reported two proposals for legal services (DrummondWoodsum and PretiFlaherty) and read hourly costs; after an executive session under 1 M.R.S.A. §405(6)(D) regarding contracts, Chair Jon Morris moved to accept the DrummondWoodsum proposal, Selectperson Andy O’Brien seconded, and the motion passed 3-0.
The meeting also recorded correspondence from a realtor and a report from Casella seeking to make a 6 a.m. summer pickup time permanent to help scheduling and reduce EcoMaine lineups; Casella offered a flyer the town can distribute.
Votes at a glance: - Approve FY25 AP Warrant #26 ($60,577.96): motion by Andy O’Brien; second Kate Day; vote 3-0. - Approve Payroll Journal #423 ($9,922.59): motion by Andy O’Brien; second Kate Day; vote 3-0. - Approve minutes of April 28, 2025: motion by Andy O’Brien; second Kate Day; vote 3-0. - Approve Annual Town Meeting Warrant (final draft): motion by Andy O’Brien; second Kate Day; vote 3-0. - Approve Short-Term Rental Policy (includes $20 one-time registration fee): motion by Andy O’Brien; second Kate Day; vote 3-0. - Accept DrummondWoodsum proposal for legal services (post-executive session): motion by Chair Jon Morris; second Andy O’Brien; vote 3-0.
The board adjourned after the final motion passed.
