York voters reject short-term rental ordinance regulating Airbnbs: Election results

YORK — Voters shot down a new ordinance Saturday that would regulate residential short-term rentals like the ones seen on Airbnb and Vrbo.

The proposed ordinance was rejected by a vote of 1,788 in favor and 2,029 against.

“I just think they rushed it,” Jeannette Murphy, a rental owner in York, said while holding a sign outside the polls against Article 64. “I don’t think there’s enough research.”

The Selectboard put forth the short-term rental ordinance in response to complaints about rental "party houses" in the York Harbor section of town.

The proposal would have required rental owners to pay a fee and register every three years to undergo an inspection of their homes.

The proposed ordinance also included occupancy limits and prohibited the use of firepits. It also would have required owners to comply with building codes and fire safety requirements such as having a fire extinguisher, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and evacuation plan.

Rental property owners called the ordinance an "overreach" and said it would threaten their business and tourism to York.

They argued rentals, even though not regulated by ordinance, have existed in York with no problem for more than 100 years.

Residents on both sides of the issue campaigned heavily with signs saying, "Vote no on 64: Bad for Taxpayers, Bad for York" and "Yes 64: Safety + Good for York."

Mark Kinton, who campaigned against the ordinance, said rental owners are open to regulations but believe the ones presented to voters were too stringent.

Opponents of the article have been concerned inspections will put rental owners with old construction out of business when they can’t afford to renovate their properties to meet code standards.

“We’re not so much against an ordinance,” Kinton said. “Just not this one.”

York voters approve single-use plastics ban

York voters approved a new ordinance that bans single-use plastics like plastic forks, knives, containers and other disposable items.

The ordinance was approved by a vote of 2,192 in favor and 1,556 against.

The ordinance was brought forth by a group of York High School students and sent to the ballot with a 5-0 vote by the Selectboard.

The ordinance, which goes into effect in 2025, prohibits plastic straws, stir sticks, and utensils at stores, restaurants, coffee/tea shops, cafeterias, caterers, food delivery services, and town-sponsored events.

Healthcare facilities are excluded from the new regulations but are "encouraged to comply."

New athletic complex gains voter approval

Voters approved a $3.75 million bond to construct a new athletic complex by a vote of 2,073 to 1,627.

The funds will be combined with $1.25 million from the school fund balance and $1.06 million in fundraising to complete the $6.6 million project.

The project consists of replacing the current grass field with one made of turf and adding a new track, bleachers, LED lighting and updated scoreboards.

School officials said the 40-year-old track was in desperate need of replacement.

Construction is slated to start in 2025. Tom Martine, the former School Committee chair who chose not to run for reelection, said York residents have historically supported projects and initiatives that directly impact students like the improvement of an athletic field.

“Long overdue,” Martine said. “Anybody who’s been paying attention knows it's true.”

Voters approve town and school budgets except for one

All the town budget articles gained approval for a total town budget of $29,978,757, with $21,354,257 to be raised by taxation.

Town Manager Peter Joseph said the budget represents a 4.2% increase over the prior year.

The School Department sought a systemwide budget of $44.38 million, an increase of 10.74% from last year.

All the school articles gained approval except for Article 28, which requested $1,635,094.56 for system administration. According to the town's voter guide, the article funds the expenses of the superintendent's office, including fiscal operations, central office salaries and benefits, liability insurance, audit and legal services.

The article was defeated by a vote of 1,811 in favor and 1,893 against. Its defeat means the previous year's budget of $1,304,091 will be spent.

Martine said the superintendent's budget failed because of a perception among some residents that York's school district is too "top heavy." He said it included increases to bring the administrative office's staff up to competitive pay.

“I believe the town people of York are fine supporting teachers and, for the most part, the schools,” Martine said. “Where they struggle… has to do with administration.”

Sewer extension project approved

Voters approved a sewer extension from Spur Road to Donica Road for $3.8 million that town officials say will improve the local environment and economic development opportunities.

Selectboard members said earlier last year the project was designed to address flooding, which has caused runoff of sewage into the Little River.

The project approved at the referendum is one phase of a larger plan to bring sewer past Donica Road up to Old Post Road in the coming years. That entire project was intended to go before voters for a cost of $11.5 million, but a lack of certain funding opportunities ruled that out earlier this year when the project was scaled back.

Currently, businesses like Eldredge Lumber and Anthony’s Food Shop rely on septic systems. The first phase of the extension approved Saturday will stop in the area of Anthony’s, town officials said.

Frederick, McLaughlin reelected to York Selectboard

Todd Frederick and Marilyn McLaughlin were reelected to the Selectboard Saturday, defeating challenger Carole Allen.

Frederick was the top vote-getter with 2,305 votes, followed by McLaughlin with 2,129. Allen came in third in the three-way race for two seats on the board with 1,326 votes.

Frederick and McLaughlin said they decided to run for another term because they wanted to keep serving the town and have enjoyed working on the board.

Frederick, chair of the board for the last seven years, said earlier this year the board has worked well together and believes each member represents a different constituency in town to ensure a diverse representation of York. He also said the board has handled controversial issues like the Pizza by Paras building's recent dangerousness hearing by following "the letter of the law."

This week, he said he was glad to stay on the board.

“Very pleased and humbled that I was elected again for another three-year term,” Frederick said.

Among the issues that face the board heading into the coming term according to Frederick will be finding a place for a new community center, as well as overseeing the renovation and addition to the Town Hall. He also expects the board will agree to form a working group of short-term rental owners and residents to hammer out an ordinance that could pass in 2025.

“Those two groups come together and propose an ordinance that the voters will be able to see next May,” Frederick said.

McLaughlin, an oncology doctor at York Hospital, won a third term on the board.

She said she is excited about several initiatives in town that she hopes to continue helping along as a member of the Selectboard. Those include the completion of York’s Comprehensive Plan and Climate Action Plan. She also hopes to help facilitate the rezoning of a large swath of land near Short Sands Beach, referred to by the town as the York Beach Greenway District.

In the three-way race for two seats on the York School Committee, John Clarke and Marie Evans defeated Wade Fox.

Evans was the top vote-getter with 2,121 votes, followed by Clarke with 1,736 and Fox with 1,262.

Evans and Clarke are new to the board as incumbents Tom Martine and Dawn Belliveau decided not to run for another term.

In uncontested races, Christine Brown, Heather Campbell, Adam Gould and Melissa Day were all elected to the town's Budget Committee.

Lynn Osgood was reelected as the town clerk/tax collector, Wayne McIntire as a York Sewer District Trustee, and Stephen Rendall as a York Water District Trustee.

For full election results, visit: https://www.yorkmaine.org/DocumentCenter/View/11463/Unofficial-Results-051824

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: York voters reject short-term rental ordinance: Election results