NEW SALEM — After rejecting one warrant article pertaining to new zoning bylaw definitions and regulations of short-term rentals, voters at Annual Town Meeting on Tuesday took no action on an article regarding a proposed tax on the transfer of occupancy of any room in a short-term rental in town.
The two matters had been tabled at last year’s Annual Town Meeting following a lengthy discussion, and the first article once again generated significant conversation in the basement at Town Hall. Amy Fagin, the author of the first article, stood up to explain regulations are needed because “the short-term rental business is growing, and it’s growing fast.”
She said New Salem consists of many large, single-family homes that are often unoccupied and she fears some will be purchased by out-of-town corporate entities. She said her proposed article’s purpose is to “streamline the licensing process.”
Fagin said nine of the 26 Franklin County towns have 10 or more short-term rentals, 18 have at least five, and 10 have five or fewer.
“We’re in the 10 that have five or less,” she explained, “but every single town in Franklin County now has short-term rentals. Many towns do not have short-term rental regulations.”
After voting down the article 13-17, the article pertaining to a proposed tax on short-term rentals was rendered moot and voters took no action on it. State law allows towns to impose a 6% tax on the transfer of occupancy of any room in a short-term rental.
Voters gave their blessing to a $3.1 million fiscal year 2023 budget that is virtually the same as the one approved for the current fiscal year. They agreed to spend nearly $1.88 million on education — specifically $828,956 on Swift River School, $177,438 on Swift River transportation, $695,627 on Ralph C. Mahar Regional School and $177,330 on Franklin County Technical School.
Residents also opted to raise and appropriate $21,000 for the Fire Department’s heating system. Fire Chief Joe Cuneo explained the department would prefer a propane system to replace the oil-fired one at the station, but the purchase must first go out to bid.
Resident Zara Dowling mentioned the state provides grants and technical assistance to help municipalities implement clean energy projects in municipal buildings. Cuneo responded that the department is in “a time crunch” because it needs the new system before winter, and there is a supply chain crisis. He said the current system, installed at 33 South Main St. circa 1993, has “let go” and become non-functioning, spilling water onto the floor.
Voters also adopted the non-binding article declaring support for the Fair Share Amendment, which would alter the state Constitution and create an additional 4% tax on annual income of more than $1 million.
An error on the warrant resulted in two articles being listed as “Article 42.” For the purposes of sending the results to the state for certification, they were referred to as “Article 42A” and “Article 42B.”
According to Town Clerk Stacy Senflug, 49 of New Salem’s 832 registered voters attended Tuesday’s meeting.
Reach Domenic Poli at: dpoli@recorder.com or 413-772-0261, ext. 262.