Opinion

Lola Lauri

Many of our residents are suffering from the noise and bad behavior of the tenants at a few local homes.  There are parties and noise and traffic.  There are septic failures that threaten our waterways.  Every resident is entitled to the quiet enjoyment of his or her home, and that is not happening because of a few careless homeowners.  Advertisements for these homes online suggest that they are great for “groups” and in some cases they claim to sleep up to 18 people.  Reports of people standing on the docks and cursing and shouting loudly have shocked the attendees at the last board meeting. A number of residents have banded together to address the board and insist on help for these conditions, and they deserve relief immediately.  No one should have to live with constant noise and discomfort. (To read their letter click here.)

At first glance, it seems that the obvious solution is to disallow rentals completely within our community.  I have heard this suggestion more than once, but I believe it is too soon to take such a drastic measure that will impact the ability of all homeowners to rent their homes. Before punishing all homeowners for the actions of a few, I believe the community needs to look at the issue of enforcement.

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