Together, we can keep Raymond livable.

We need your help to ensure that the peaceable enjoyment of our neighborhoods remains a top priority.  Short-term rentals pose a very real threat to our community if they're allowed to proliferate without guardrails, it will impact the character of Raymond.  We have developed an ordinance that balances the concerns of short-term rental owners with those of the full-time residents and neighbors.  

We've developed a petition to compel the Board of Selectmen to call a Town Meeting to debate and vote on our draft ordinance for the licensing and regulation of short-term rentals.  The petition was presented to voters at the Presidential Election polling place, and we believe we have the requisite number of signatures to proceed.  Thank you to all who filled out our survey and those who followed up with us at the election to sign the petition.  We couldn't move forward without help from our fellow citizens.

We believe we now have the signatures to ask the town to either call a Special Town Meeting to discuss and vote on the proposed ordinance or add it to the regular Town Meeting warrant.  We need as many concerned citizens as possible to come out and be heard on this matter.  The fact that we don't have an ordinance leaves the town open to outside commercial influences that are only interested in profiting from our natural resources, while contributing little to maintaining the peace and tranquility of our neighborhoods.

This is a zoning issue.  These are mostly un-hosted businesses operating in Residential Zones.  The state has encouraged towns to deal with STR issues through local ordinances.  We're confident that you'll see the benefits of licensing and will support this balanced ordinance.  We can't stop changes from coming to our community, but if we're smart, we can build another source of municipal income while we remain a beautiful, respectful community for the peaceable enjoyment of all.