By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

CASCO — The local selectmen are booking ahead — putting the topic of short-term rentals sometimes known as Airbnb’s on the agenda for its July 6 meeting.

Prompted by residents living along Watkins Shores Road, the Casco Board of Selectmen decided to start the conversation about whether or not the town wants to regulate short-term rentals of private properties. 

People brought up the discomfort of having rowdy renters in their neighborhood. At the same time, a resident brought up the importance of short-term rentals as both a source of income and a way for vacationers to enjoy what Maine has to offer.

“We’ve heard two sides now and if we have it on agenda, we should research and delve into it,” according to Casco Chairman Thomas “Tom” Peaslee.

“It is on an upcoming agenda,” said Vice Chair Mary-Vienessa Fernandes, referring to  agenda for the July 5 meeting.

The topic of short-term rentals was discussed during Public Participation at the selectmen’s meeting on June 15. It wasn’t the first time that  the problems and plusses of Airbnb had been aired by the public.

Donna Murphy is a resident living off Watkins Shores Road on Thomas Pond.

“Please take up the issue of short term rentals/Airbnb’s. I know that this is an issue in other communities as well, here in Casco. We have an issue on our own road,” Murphy began.

“When you have a short-term rental come into your community and it’s a home that is rented all year long, it effects the very fabric of your neighborhood,” she said. “People talk about the quality of life. Well, we all purchase our homes in certain neighborhoods and we look for comfort, safety, enjoyment. Those are things that are being threatened, if not taken away when some of these problematic short-term rentals come into a community.”

“I truly hope that you would take this up. I would be happy to be involved in any way, if you have a work committee,” Murphy said.

“This is a real serious issue. I know you’ve heard it from other people as well, and I hope you will address it. We have communities —  like South Portland that has created a ban on Airbnb’s under certain stipulations. It has to be rented greater than 30 days or it has to be owner-occupied rental,” she said. 

“If you have an absent owner, particularly if you have an owner who does not take responsibility for the rentals, it can open up a can of worms,” Murphy said.

Fernandes confirmed the topic was on a future agenda.

“This is something that we do need to address. You are not the first person who has come in and mentioned it. It will be higher on the list,” Selectman Scott Avery said. 

Chairman Peaslee said, “Looking at other communities, it is sometimes helpful to watch what other communities are doing. As we all look at news, other communities are struggling with this, too.”  

Dianne Sample, another resident living on Watkins Shores Road, suggested that the town establish an annual permitting fee for people who use homes for short-term rentals.  

“I don’t know how many short-term rental are in Casco,” she said, adding, “Many communities legislate those short-term rentals.”

“If you would charge like $100 a year or whatever you decide, it would bring a great amount of income into the Town of Casco,” Sample said. 

Tom McCarthy, Watkins Shores Road, spoke, agreeing with Donna Murphy that there are rentals that have become issues. He also talked about the positive aspects of vacation rentals.   

“My wife Michelle and I rented on Thomas Pond for 10 years before we bought. If those rentals were not available, we would not have moved to the community,” McCarthy said. 

“So when we look at this issue, we need to balance. Maine is a vacation state. We all come up here to vacation. We all come up here to have a good time. People go to the lakes to have a good time. And, there’s a dividing line between having a good time and making noise, and being an annoyance,” he said. “There are ways to deal with people who are an annoyance without legislating and taking away the ability to rent or for people to come to Maine and rent.”

“As we look at the issue, going forward we need to balance both sides of that. It would be a big shame, it would hurt Casco a lot if we lost the summer rental income. It would be a detriment to the people who live out of state and want to come visit this state. We need to take the balance. We need to address the issues when people don’t take care of property or aren’t controlled. But, we should not be eliminating the ability” for homeowners to rent out their private property, McCarthy said. 

The selectmen made statement indicating the issue of short-term rentals is one that should be approached thoughtfully before creating any ordinance.  

“This is not something we could decide in one meeting,” Selectman Avery said.

Chairman Peaslee said that part of the equation is how to enforce any rules or requirements regarding short-term rentals.