by Frank Schroth

When my wife and I visit southern California we find a place to stay using Flipkey or Airbnb. These online services handle booking and payment for people who want to rent out their homes, condos, or a room to out-of- towners. You can find interesting places to stay at reasonable prices like this spot we stayed in a couple weeks ago in the Berkshires. Not surprisingly, there are offerings here in Milton.

There is a “country villa” and an “antique farmhouse.” Both look really nifty and if I didn’t live here I would love to stay at one.

How/why do these matter to Milton? Taxes (i.e.lost revenue for town) and lack of oversight and regulations on possible neighborhood impacts.

This may be addressed at the upcoming town meeting. Emily Innes, a member of the Planning Board, has been working with Bill Clark, Town Planner, on an article that would cover bed and breakfast establishments here in town. There are actually two articles to be proposed: one to regulate B&Bs and one to tax B&Bs. What the board will need to give thought to is how these regulate online offerings such as Airbnb which are not traditional B&Bs. There is a market here. Not only is Milton convenient for Boston tourists, rentals would have great appeal for families visiting Milton Academy or Curry College students.

There is a good article in the Patriot Ledger on how south shore towns are grappling with the issue. You can find it here.