We request that the Dover Select Board and the Wilmington Planning Commission work closely with the community to permit Short-Term Rentals (STRs) in the Deerfield Valley by developing a set of laws similar to those being implemented in other Vermont ski resort areas such as Killington and Rutland.

By signing this letter, I request that these Committees prioritize the following in the development of rules for STRs:

- Work with the local community to develop and enforce a set of reasonable laws to make Short Term Rentals safer, reduce noise/parking issues, and ensure that owners of “party” houses are held accountable.

- Recognize that Short Term Rentals have a significant impact on our local economy. Unnecessarily restricting Short Term Rentals would negatively impact the local economy. There are not enough hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts to meet tourism demands in the Deerfield Valley. The owners of STRs work with local contractors, tradespeople, cleaners, real estate agents, and other members of the local service economy as a part of their team to provide rentals. STR guests spend money at local retail businesses and restaurants which support the business owners as well contributes to the town via sales taxes etc. STR owners already pay a 9% state and 1% local tax currently collected for every night of STR rental in Dover/Wilmington which is used to fund programs that support the local economy and can be used towards the construction of more affordable housing in the Valley.

- The committees consider incentivizing homeowners who wish to pursue Long Term Rentals (either seasonal rentals or 12-month rentals) through discounts in property taxes, wastewater, and other options at their disposal.

- That the Wilmington Planning Commission develop new laws for STRs based on the 2023 recommendations of the Bi-Town Committee’s “Short-Term & Long-Term Rentals Report for the Deerfield Valley”, or that the Wilmington Planning Committee commission an impact study such as that done by Manchester, before consideration of laws which could restrict the number of STRs in the Valley and harm the local economy.

At the present time, the Dover Committee is developing well thought out rules based on impact study of the Valley conducted by the Bi-Town Select Committee, and their approach models that being implemented in other Vermont ski-resort towns (e.g., Killington). The Wilmington Planning Commission is focused on implementing restrictive rules which if enforced may result in half or more of the STRs currently active sitting vacant, causing harm to local businesses and the economy.

My signature and the signatures of others who have signed this letter represent members of the Wilmington and Dover communities who are in support of well thought out and productive laws for STRs in both towns, and request that the towns to work with us collaboratively to construct those.