Emilia Teasdale is reporting for The Columbia Paper the Chatham Town Board March 7, held another public hearing on the town's proposed new zoning law. Most people in attendance addressed the issue of regulations on short-term rentals. Many who spoke were homeowners who either rent part of their property or own a second home Chatham that they rent for short-term stays. The board heard from several Chatham village business owners who spoke in support of permitting short-term rentals as a way to bring tourism to Main Street. Many of the people who spoke at the meeting had an issue with a residency requirement in the proposed zoning changes for those who rent out property. “This amounts to a ban on short-term rentals,” said Sally Simmons, describing the proposed regulations for second-home owners. Also during the open meeting, attorney Paul Freeman, representing some local homeowners, told the board that there were “drastic changes” in the proposed law and that “there are a number of inconsistencies” in the wording which leaves “many unanswered questions.” Read the full story in The Columbia Paper.