Good Morning Gloucester

City Adopts Short-Term Rental Community Impact Fee

–Will Dedicate 100% of Revenue to Affordable Housing Projects

Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken today announced that the City of Gloucester has voted to adopt a 3% community impact fee on short-term rentals.

The City will dedicate the entirety of the fee collected for affordable housing initiatives and projects.  Gloucester’s commitment to use that revenue solely for affordable housing projects is significantly higher than the 35% minimum requirement set by the State.

On December 28, 2018, Governor Charlie Baker signed An Act Regulating and Insuring Short-Term Rentals which sets forth a comprehensive framework for the regulation of short-term rentals.  The new law imposes State and local excise taxes on short-term rentals that are rented for more than 14 days, but not for more than 31 consecutive days, in a calendar year starting on July 1, 2019.  This taxation applies to any rental contract entered into, on or after, January 1, 2019.  Under the new law short-term rental operators are also required to register with the State.

Mayor Romeo Theken’s Administration had been following developments on this new law since earlier this year.  The proposal to adopt the community impact fee was introduced in late July by At-Large City Councilor Melissa Cox through a City Council Order (CC#2019-027).  On Tuesday, August 27, the City Council voted unanimously to impose that fee.

Mayor Romeo Theken said, “Affordable housing is an important asset to any community and is a constant priority for my administration.  It’s crucial that working families have a safe and affordable place to live.  Although Gloucester continues to progress in planning to support affordable housing in the City we face hurdles.  We hope this revenue will serve as the catalyst for major developments that will enhance housing options.”

The community impact fee goes beyond the 6% local lodging excise tax Gloucester already collects on these rooms, as well as hotels and inns.  The revenue from that local room occupancy excise is general fund revenue and may be appropriated for any municipal purpose.

Both the local excise tax and community impact fee will be paid by the operator (proprietor) directly to the Department of Revenue (DOR) and DOR will then distribute the local shares to Gloucester.

The City has reported its acceptance of the community impact fee to the Division of Local Services and expects the fee to become effective on October 1, 2019.  The fees collected will then be distributed by the DOR to Gloucester on the current quarterly schedule.

Jim Destino, the City’s Chief Administrative Officer said, “At this time it is unknown how much money the City may collect.  We expect there will be a seasonality to the collections and distributions.  Changes to the original law will make it easier for both the operators to remit the excise and the City to receive it.  We value this new revenue and feel that it levels the playing field with the already established lodging establishments in the City.”

Additional information and FAQ’s on the law that expanded room occupancy excise to include short-term rentals and changes that apply to traditional lodging establishments can be found here:  https://www.mass.gov/info-details/room-occupancy-frequently-asked-questions#definition-faqs–

More info see Nicole’s post here: https://goodmorninggloucester.org/2019/09/13/nicholes-picks-9-14-9-15/

It was time for another cemetery stroll; this time at the Magnolia Point Cemetery on Magnolia Avenue. A Guide to Cemeteries in Essex County, Massachusetts indicates this is a city owned cemetery tended to by the Gloucester DPW. It further says that individual burials are not recorded, but that there may be a list of some deed holders with the DPW.

It’s well taken care of (thanks, DPW!), small and nicely laid out. I didn’t notice many religious icons but there are several well known family names. I was looking for one grave for the FindAGrave project but did not locate it; honestly, I was rather grateful since it was for a young child and hose always make me a little sad.

It’s great this information is shared on the sign. That’s pretty rare in cemeteries.

I especially love these stone markers:

Gloucester Harbor Race Saturday September 14th

Hello All Rowers,

This Saturday September 14th is the annual Gloucester Harbor Race around Gloucester Harbor.  This is a 3 plus mile rowing race.  We will be having four of the IDRC race boats and two practice boat in the event.  The event starts at 8 AM and the races start at 9:30 AM at Niles Beach.  The racers travel out the harbor towards Breakwater and turns back down the harbor to Ten Pound Island and turns at Paint Factory towards Niles Beach and finishes at the beach.  If you have free time make your way to Niles Beach to cheer on our racers. 
With this said the four race boats and two practice boats will not be available Saturday until after 2 pm.  If there is a race boat at the dock in the morning please do not take it for a row.  Sorry for the inconvenience this may cause anyone.  Thank you very much for your cooperation on this day. 
Best of Luck to the racers

I did the caculation for Granite Pier in Rockport. If you are on good Harbor Beach the moon’s upper limb breaks the horizon two seconds earlier. Tonight full moon is not super. The opposite of super at aphelion, furthest from earth.

But it is a Friday. And it is the thirteenth. So if you see Jason Voorhees with a hockey mask just run away. He does not move very fast. Do not trip, do not go in the basement. If you go into a room, turn the light on. If it does not work, run away. Do not have sex. Do not visit any rooms or especially the garage where there are power tools.

Friday August 13, 2049 is the next time this will occur. I’ll be 94 and likely lobster food way before then so I am going to take a peek tonight.