Town counse Peter Malia (left) recommended at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting that Conway bring in attorney Russ Hilliard (right) to assist with litigation stemming from the town's recently announced ban on short-term rentals in residential areas. (DAYMOND STEER PHOTO)
North Conway resident Abbey Moore of the Mt. Washington Valley Association for Responsible Rentals reads a letter from the association to Conway selectmen at their meeting Tuesday night. (DAYMOND STEER PHOTO)
Town counse Peter Malia (left) recommended at Tuesday's selectmen's meeting that Conway bring in attorney Russ Hilliard (right) to assist with litigation stemming from the town's recently announced ban on short-term rentals in residential areas. (DAYMOND STEER PHOTO)
North Conway resident Abbey Moore of the Mt. Washington Valley Association for Responsible Rentals reads a letter from the association to Conway selectmen at their meeting Tuesday night. (DAYMOND STEER PHOTO)
CONWAY — Despite entreaties from a property owners’ group, a statement released Wednesday by Town Manager Tom Holmes as well as the fact that the town has brought in another attorney “to deal with anticipated litigation” indicate that selectmen are spoiling for a court fight over their plan to enforce a ban on short-term rentals in residential areas.
At Tuesday’s selectmen’s meeting, several people spoke about short-term rentals, including the representative of a group called the Mt. Washington Valley Association for Responsible Vacation Rentals. One woman asked if an economic study could be done before enforcement begins. A man was told by selectmen’s chair David Weathers to “keep it clean.”
Hehe. The town gleefully collects all those exorbitant property taxes, and then chooses to violate the Takings Clause of the Constitution, which says Government cannot take away something of value without compensation.
Further, this is truly a double edged sword for Conway, as they will lose revenue when the STR's are banned due to lack of tourism.
Welcome to the bigtime, Conway. Hope the legal fees you'll pay won't impact your town budget too much, hate to see taxpayers paying for this frivolity
When the town loses, the group should sue for legal fees and damages as well. It is known law that you cannot make a thing illegal that has been legal forever, without grandfathering or compensation. Edicts don't do it. The voters had a chance to decide.
About time. I’m surprised STR owners want this fight considering they can’t even afford to own there homes without the financial income of STRS. Better hope they win 😂 can’t wait for all the foreclosures and mass selling off of property they can’t afford to start 😂
I don’t want to disappoint you, but you will not see houses prices even go down, forget about foreclosure 🤣
Second home owners are smart enough to secure their investments.
You will see higher unemployment and low tourism, what will hit North Conway economy, local businesses and hard working people. I am not even talking about legal part of STR ban
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
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(5) comments
Hehe. The town gleefully collects all those exorbitant property taxes, and then chooses to violate the Takings Clause of the Constitution, which says Government cannot take away something of value without compensation.
Further, this is truly a double edged sword for Conway, as they will lose revenue when the STR's are banned due to lack of tourism.
Welcome to the bigtime, Conway. Hope the legal fees you'll pay won't impact your town budget too much, hate to see taxpayers paying for this frivolity
When the town loses, the group should sue for legal fees and damages as well. It is known law that you cannot make a thing illegal that has been legal forever, without grandfathering or compensation. Edicts don't do it. The voters had a chance to decide.
About time. I’m surprised STR owners want this fight considering they can’t even afford to own there homes without the financial income of STRS. Better hope they win 😂 can’t wait for all the foreclosures and mass selling off of property they can’t afford to start 😂
I don’t want to disappoint you, but you will not see houses prices even go down, forget about foreclosure 🤣
Second home owners are smart enough to secure their investments.
You will see higher unemployment and low tourism, what will hit North Conway economy, local businesses and hard working people. I am not even talking about legal part of STR ban
Tom Holmes, who has been in a 27 year tax payer funded roll for the town of Conway, continues to milk his job for all he can.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.