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Resident begins process to legalize short-term rental; board outlines ZBA, planning steps
Summary
At the Sept. 9 Board of Selectmen meeting, David Saggese said he had been listing a Springfield property on Airbnb without knowing about local rules. The board and Zoning Coordinator Tim Bray outlined next steps: ZBA special‑exception hearing followed by Planning Board site‑plan review; several other STR applications remain pending or under enforcement.
At the Board of Selectmen meeting on Sept. 9, 2024, resident David Saggese told the board he has been operating a short‑term rental in Springfield that is listed on Airbnb and said he was unaware of the local process required to operate a business there. Selectmen Chair Poul Heilmann and Vice Chair Amy Lewis heard Saggese describe that he currently lives in Bedford and uses the Springfield property with family, and that his long‑term plan is to move to the property after retirement.
Zoning Coordinator and Health Officer Tim Bray explained the formal pathway to compliance: Saggese must first seek a special exception before the Zoning Board of Adjustment, and, if required, follow with a Planning Board site‑plan review. Bray said he will work directly with Saggese through those next steps. The board thanked Saggese for appearing to begin the process.
The discussion came amid several other short‑term‑rental items on the agenda. Board staff noted that Kieth Matte had already received a ZBA special exception and is preparing materials for Planning Board site‑plan review; Timothy and Shannah Stone’s proposed tent rental at 2513 Route 4A remains pending both a special exception and site‑plan review; and Robert Costello, previously identified as advertising a short‑term rental at 178 Meadow Brook Road, had not responded to letters and was reported as no longer listed on Airbnb. No formal enforcement action or fines were recorded at the meeting.
The board directed staff and Bray to proceed with the established review process for applicants and to continue attempting to contact nonresponsive operators. Next procedural steps for applicants are clear: obtain a ZBA special‑exception decision (where required), then submit the required scaled site plan for Planning Board review.
