The Milan Town Board passed amended short-term rental regulations at its meeting Monday, Aug. 17, adding fire-safety requirements and requiring inspections before owners can receive or renew rental certificates.
Under the amended law, short-term rentals must have at least two means of ingress and egress for each bedroom, as well as functioning smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers.
Additionally, owners must provide the property’s address for emergency service providers and are required to renew their short-term rental certificates annually. The amended law requires them to allow the town’s zoning enforcement officer to inspect rental units for compliance before new or renewed certificates are issued.
“It might seem restrictive,” Town Board member Debra Blalock said. “But the intent is improving safety for everyone, the owners, renters, and neighbors.”
No residents attended the public hearing on the amendments.
In other business, Supervisor Bill Jeffway raised concerns about preserving the former Shookville Church. The board authorized Highway Superintendent Glenn Butler to remove trees that could damage the church’s walls at a cost not to exceed $5,500.
“Our intent was to try and do what we could to stabilize the structure,” Butler said. “I’m hoping that the church itself, the cemetery association, would look into funding for grants, to do something more permanent.”
The board also authorized Butler to advertise for bids for the town’s 2027 purchase of highway materials, including gravel and asphalt. Sealed bids will be accepted until 2 p.m. Sept. 18 and reviewed at the board’s next meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21.
The board approved signing a $56,671 contract awarded to VAD Contractors of Staten Island at its July meeting to replace the Town Hall roof. It also approved an additional $2,500 to enlarge the gutters and downspouts at the building.
The board authorized the Town Court to apply for a grant through the Justice Court Assistance Program, which provides towns and villages with grants of up to $30,000 for safety improvements and renovations.
It also approved two budget transfers: $17,830.99 from miscellaneous use to machinery contractual services to cover Highway Department vehicle repairs, and $2,063.55 from unemployment benefits to contractual maintenance under the culture and benefits section of the budget to cover costs associated with Milan Community Day.
What is the status of the Shookville Church? Who owns it? Perhaps classis would charge very little to you to transfer to town to preserve the Town History. Maybe speak to Town Historian to see about grants to preserve. Should be followed up by someone. Does the church still have a congregation? Many questions. What area of Milan is the Shookville area? Would it be good for the Town to acquire and use as a museum.