I would like to point out a misconception Short Term Rental owners convey, that STRs benefit business more than then full-time renters. They do benefit those businesses that support tourism, but not our doctors, hardware stores, teachers, car repair, or other local businesses we all use who live here.

Having analyzed in detail, from available databases, the majority of STRs in Mystic’s 06355 zip code, I can say with certainty that the economic benefit is severely overstated. Since most are not rented continuously, that percentage of occupancy spends about what a single full-time Groton renter with the median income of $68,000 would generate. The sample resulted in a negligible difference, less than $500,000.

Stonington officials and residents seem more amenable to dealing with the non-owner Short-Term Rental problem than a majority of the Groton Town Council, where empathy for the residents generally, is an afterthought, if it is a thought at all. Neither have they requested an economic analysis of STR financial impact comparing them to possible rentals. This would favor neighbors and full-time renters or families. Accepting the proliferation of STRs as an economic benefit is completely without merit. A detailed spreadsheet is available on request.

Bruce McDermott

Mystic