Many communities across the Adirondacks are struggling to address the challenges created by the rapid increase in the number of short-term rental properties (STRs). A few communities have taken positive steps in addressing these challenges, but Wilmington has crafted a weak STR law that fails to include the protections required to ensure the town will remain healthy and viable. With the exception of one of its members, the current town board, led by Supervisor Roy Holzer, has focused on protecting the status quo and the STR owners rather than seeking a more appropriate balance between the rights of STR owners and the broader needs of the community.

The one member of the town board who has consistently tried to direct the conversation among board members in a more productive direction is Tim Follos, who is now running for town supervisor. At the town board meetings we have attended, both remotely and in person, we have observed that Mr. Follos has weathered considerable hostility from Supervisor Holzer and some board members in the process, yet he has persevered. We are very grateful to Mr. Follos for his commitment to promoting policies that would help protect Wilmington from the rampant growth of the local STR industry.

In the spring of 2023, an STR Review Committee was formed by Supervisor Holzer, and the committee presented its recommendations to the Wilmington town board recently. There are many good ideas in these recommendations, and we need a supervisor and town board who will put them into action. Given their lack of support for effective STR policies in the past, we do not believe that the reelection of Darin Forbes or Michelle Preston to the town board will be beneficial for implementing these recommendations. We are also doubtful that Favor Smith, a candidate for town supervisor, will be an effective advocate for the town based on his proposal for regulating STRs through deed restrictions, which would place the burden of regulating STRs on homeowners/homeowner associations, rather than through a strong town-wide ordinance.

Instead, we strongly endorse Tim Follos for town supervisor because of his vision and commitment to creating new STR policies that effectively manage the number and activities of STRs. We also strongly endorse Laura Hooker and Randy Winch for town board. The board needs a broader vision that is in line with the needs of the entire Wilmington community, not just STR owners and hosts. Ms. Hooker and Mr. Winch will be excellent additions to the Wilmington town board.

Bill Wonderlin

Linda Shuster

Wilmington