CORNWALL INN needs your SUPPORT

Everyone needs a fair playing field!!!

While I find it difficult to respond to an "anonymous" comment, I will try my best. We agree, totally, the problem is NOT airbnb and do not claim it is. Airbnb clearly states that anyone listing their property should check with their local zoning office, tax tax regulations and insurance companies to ensure proper compliance. Legitimate BnBs do so and get the proper permits, collect and pay the proper taxes and do business above board. Many properties listed on AirB&B are operating correctly. Properties accepting payment for transient visitors on a daily basis should all play by the same rules. Respectfully, Stacey Marcin P. s. Thank you for your business advice.

It may be that the real problem is not airbnb. The problem may be a combination of the economy, other inn/ B & B offerings in the area, food offerings and price. So how do you fill empty rooms? You could lower the price, pump up the food (i.e. not "boiled eggs and pod coffee but local farm eggs cooked how you like them with Nodines bacon.) So - the real question is: what can the Inn do to boost business other than demand that 'cease and desist' orders be slapped on private local home rentals?

There are several statements in your response to my letter – and I’d like to address them one at a time. First – Your effort is absolutely designed to strip away your neighbor’s rental ability – by subjecting them to unfair and misapplied rules and regulations that would make it so difficult that they stop renting. They do not operate commercial properties, they have residential properties - and by placing commercial standards on them you are making it impossible for them to rent. It’s the equivalent of saying to local farmers who have farm stands: “I don’t want to stop local farmers from selling produce – I just want them to have to submit to the same regulations, stocking requirements and employment rules of large super-markets.” If that were to ever happen – the misapplication of regulations, taxes and legal requirements would very much strip them of their ability to sell farm produce. Residential properties should not be taxed, inspected, nor made to adhere to the same standards as multi-room commercial properties because they are NOT MULTI-ROOM COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. A residential property, whether it is rented by the year, by the month, by the week, or portion thereof is still a RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. Here’s the difference: you have a commercial kitchen, a check-in area and over 10 units, each with a bathroom; you offer daily housekeeping, breakfast, etc. You own a hotel or at the very least a true bed and breakfast. The neighbors you seek to intimidate are NOT hotel owners or bed and breakfast owners and you know that… they are individuals with other occupations, trying to make ends meet with the occasional rental of their houses. It is a complete, ingenuous mischaracterization to classify them as anything else. Second - In your response, you continue your attempt to fear monger – alluding to the possibility of strangers coming in and out of Cornwall, “As a mother of two, I know I would want … to make my children aware that strangers are co

Fully in favor of regulating this new business.

Dear Bill. Please note that we are not stripping homeowners of any rights. If homeowners choose to use their properties as lodging accommodations for transient guests on a daily basis for a fee...that is, of course, totally up to them. We are simply asking that they play by the rules and seek the proper approval. We believe that Cornwall's regulations do, in fact, require that a special permit be issued before a homeowner can operate as a lodging facility. Part of the process of getting a special permit requires the home owner to have a public hearing. This would inform the residents near these properties that their neighbors are hosting transient guests on a daily basis for a fee. Don't these homeowners have the rights also? As a mother of two, I know I would want to know this information...not to necessarily fight it but to make my children aware that strangers are coming and going from the neighbor's house. Secondly, as a permitted lodging facility we must meet certain standards. We receive an annual inspection that confirms that there is a fire exit route, exit signs are properly lit, fire extinguishers are present and functioning, handrails are secure, steps are safe among many, many other factors. Our pool is inspected at least once a year, our boiler is inspected annually and our water is tested quarterly. While these inspections can be cumbersome and expensive, we realize they are necessary to ensure the safety of the visitors to our inn. The homeowners offering accommodations to overnight transient guests for a fee do not have these inspections nor the costs associated with them. We make no judgement what-so-ever about whether or not these properties are safe, we are simply stating the regulations that which permitted facilities must comply. Lastly, we certainly agree with you that visitors to the area help the businesses in Cornwall. Throughout the year, we recommend Cornwall businesses to hundreds of visitors. Allowing paying tran

As a homeowner in Cornwall, I'm very upset by this petition... its intention and the accusations within it. I wrote a letter and submitted it to the Zoning Appeals Board, and I'm posting a few excerpts from it here: The efforts of the proprietors of the Cornwall Inn to strip local home owners’ of their right to conveniently rent their properties on a short term basis is outrageous. Let me say very clearly that I believe in small, community based businesses and that I support many of them – The Berkshire Country Store, The Wandering Moose, the Wish House - to name a few. They all provide a great service AND they don’t place blame for less than optimal sales on their neighbors. Does the Berkshire Country Store raise issue with people purchasing eggs or milk or maple syrup from farm stands, since customers might otherwise buy those items from them? Does the Wish House seek to regulate clothing, jewelry or craft sales by independent local artisans for fear they will cut into profits?… Of course not – that type of commercial policing would be absurd and a total invasion of individual rights. Yet somehow the Cornwall Inn’s owners feel they have a legitimate cause in trying to limit homeowner’s property rentals simply because they think it creates competition that adversely effects their business. They do not. MANY Cornwall businesses benefit from short term home rentals - restaurants, grocery stores, shops, art galleries, etc. - so it’s clear that the proprietors of the Cornwall Inn are willing to sacrifice other local businesses’ interests to try to bolster their own. That’s not very community minded. One other issue is that I have is that the presentation of this whole situation on the Cornwall Inn’s self published i-Petition page to be deliberately inflammatory. The petition includes statements like “…these businesses do not have to comply with the safety inspections and requirements” which is intended to imply that rented properti

I totally agree with Stacey and Mark these homeowners should have to operate as a business, just like the other lodging businesses in Cornwall. The homeowners are not renting long term and therefore should fallow all state and town regulations.

It seems to me the Inn may need some very good business advice and , perhaps, to make a few creative changes to draw in guests. In fact, judging form the reviews, listing on airbnb seems to have gotten them a few rentals. If you require a "special use permit" for every single rental in town ie homeowners could not rent for a week or month or at all without this permit, you would be presenting a big problem for homeowners.. Also, if the home-owners are not serving food, then they are not running a 'lodging establishment.' Renting a house and renting rooms for a weekend at an Inn. with a big breakfast are two entirely different things. Anyhow, in regards to the imposition of a 'special use permit,' this is really about homeowner rights.

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If we have rules and regulations they should be followed by all...this avoids anarchy

I certainly support all your efforts and we appreciate having your Inn in Cornwall.

i miss the cornwall inn steak and cheeses!

The Cornwall Inn is a wonderful part of our community in so many ways. We should correct the inequity of allowing unregulated competition. We need the Cornwall Inn and should do everything we can to keep it vibrant.

Us hotel people have to stick together against the amateurs

Yet another example of government - at all levels - crushing small business and killing jobs.

10 years ago Featured

I urge immediate attention to the inequity of allowing private residences in Cornwall to - for all intents and purposes - operate a B&B without a license. The standards of licensure assure not only a safe visit for guests, but also a measure of security that innkeepers provide in helpung guests to appreciate and respect our community.

10 years ago Featured

As a former Cornwallian, but always one in my heart, I understand the free market economy where anything goes, and may the richest person win, but this is a small town. People know each other, work together and support each other. It would only seem fair to have the playing field made a bit more even by requiring the same rules for all similar businesses.

good luck, sending strength ... all the best.

This family has worked so hard to have such a fabulous Inn for Cornwall. Cornwall is very lucky to have them. This is very unfair to them.