The Stanford Town Board passed two laws and introduced a third during its meeting on Thursday, March 13, advancing new tax exemptions and setting a public hearing on proposed short-term rental regulations.
The board unanimously approved Local Law #2 of 2025, amending Chapter 144 of the Town Code to authorize a property tax exemption for residents who create accessory dwelling units (ADUs), as allowed under Section 421-P of the New York State Property Tax Law. “The state came through and created a law that we could opt into or not that would give property owners a tax exemption if they go through the expense of creating an ADU, and if that ADU is not used for short-term rentals but long-term rentals or for a relative,” said Town Supervisor Wendy Burton. No members of the public spoke during the hearing, and the measure passed 4-0, with Julia Descoteaux absent.
The board also adopted Local Law #3 of 2025, extending a property tax exemption granted to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers in Stanford to those who serve in neighboring towns, under Section 466-L of the New York State Real Property Tax Law. The law passed unanimously.
The board introduced Local Law #4 of 2025, a proposed amendment to regulate short-term rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO. A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. on April 7.
“Dutchess County also is active in this — they have a hotel tax law that covers these units,” said town attorney Robert Butts. “Taking this law up again we saw that the state had adopted its own law regarding registration of short-term rentals, which will, to a large degree, preempt what the town intends to do unless the town adopts its law before the effective date of the state law, which is April 20. We would much rather manage this particular activity on a local level rather than have the home rule powers taken away by the state.”
Butts acknowledged the proposal “may not be perfect but it can be amended afterwards. The key is that it has to be adopted before April 20.” The town estimates there are 55 short-term rentals operating in Stanford, based on county data. “Because this is a source of revenue for people, we want to make sure that people already invested in short-term rentals don’t lose their income,” Burton said. “So they will be the first ones to apply for permits and keep their businesses going. That was important to us.”
The proposed law would create a registry of short-term rentals, aiming to balance rental activity with preserving the town’s housing stock. “It can be a wonderful thing in terms of providing income to property owners, but it can also take away from our housing stock. In particular, the affordable housing stock, which we are trying to supplement through the ADU law that the Town Board recently adopted,” Butts said. Permits will be necessary, but owners could operate more than one unit, including on separate properties. “One requirement [will] be that there be somebody available, either the owner themselves or some agent locally, who is available to respond on one hour’s notice at any time in the event of some emergency or problem arising at the STR unit,” Butts said.
The law includes fire and safety standards, inspections, occupancy limits, parking and waste removal requirements, and penalties for non-compliance. “It’s all in there,” said board member Nathan Lavertue. The county will share its list of active short-term rentals with the town once the law is adopted, and owners will have 90 days to apply for permits with the town. A fee per unit will be set later. “We may even hire someone on a very part-time basis to do the enforcement,” Burton said. “The fees may help us cover that.”
The board approved a conceptual design and application materials for a small park in Bangall. Stanford residents Judith MacDonald and Frank Sellerberg presented plans for Burdick Park, a small pocket park on Hunns Lake Road featuring a pollinator garden, amphibian pond, and walking trails. “It’s really a very simple park that people can just enjoy in town,” MacDonald said. “Even someone who isn’t that mobile can enjoy it.”
The park will sit on a donated parcel once considered as a potential site for a Dollar General, and will include an unpaved parking lot with 10 spaces, a native plant meadow, and a horse fence. MacDonald estimated a $250,000 budget, with $150,000 already raised. “We’ll go in phases and we’ll build as we have the money,” she said. Burton expressed strong support: “I have such a sweet spot in my heart for this project. This is like our little secret garden, I love it. There is a lot of love going into this little pocket park, it will be a little gem.”
The property contains a natural spring, and project managers are working with the state Department of Environmental Conservation and the Soil and Water Conservation District on permits. Plans also include 25 birdhouses, and Burton floated the idea of a community birdhouse-building event.
In other business, four town policies — covering bloodborne pathogens, hazard communication, workplace violence, and freedom of information law compliance — were also adopted unanimously. The board approved increasing dog seizure fees to $30, $60, and $120 for repeated offenses, up from $25, $50, and $100.
An Easter egg hunt is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on April 19 at the playground. John Abb was appointed to the Historical Preservation Committee. Burton reported that fire commissioners responded to six fires, 25 rescues, and one motor vehicle accident in February. “These guys are really busy,” she said.
Finally, the board approved $7,475 for an HVAC system for the Town Hall basement to help preserve records and improve working conditions.
A public hearing on the proposed short-term rental law will be held at 7 p.m. on April 7.