East Lyme ― A committee of eight residents, mostly from the town’s beach areas, has been tasked with deciding whether complaints of noise, garbage and parking problems related to overnight and weekend renters is something that requires local government intervention.

Among the newly appointed members is Paul Formica, a former state senator and East Lyme first selectman who operates a short-term rental in Giant’s Neck.

The Board of Selectmen on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution directing the committee to investigate whether there’s a need to regulate short-term rentals in town and, if so, how to do it. Members have been given 90 days to make their recommendations to the selectmen.

The issue spawned by an international trend that’s not going away pits neighbors who object to a revolving door of inconsiderate guests against those renting out properties online either as a full-fledged business or to supplement their income.

Short-term rentals popularized by websites like Airbnb and VRBO are not currently regulated by the state or at the town level, where zoning official Bill Mulholland has taken the position that anything not explicitly allowed in zoning regulations is prohibited. But some beach associations, including those in Attawan, Black Point and Giants Neck, are empowered in varying degrees by the state to make their own zoning regulations.

The issue of potential conflicts of interest was broached by selectmen at their meeting Wednesday when Selectwoman Rose Ann Hardy said she had concerns about putting anyone on the commission who stands to financially gain from whatever recommendations the committee makes.

“I don’t think it's appropriate for them to be on this committee,” she said, not naming any names. “I think this committee should be neutral.”

Formica on Thursday told The Day he has one short-term rental and a few other long-term rentals in the beach community.

He said he volunteered for the committee in his capacity as the Giant’s Neck Board of Governors president to have “ears on the ground” regarding an issue that has been circling the state.

“My understanding is there are people that are for, and there are people that are against, and there are people that are neutral” on the committee, he said. “How do you find the middle ground unless you have two sides?”

It was a viewpoint similar to the one voiced by Selectman Bill Weber at the Wednesday meeting when he said “it’s a form of diversity, and diversity’s a good thing.”

Selectwoman Anne Santoro was the one who suggested adding a requirement to the committee’s charge specifying anyone with a financial interest in a short-term rental property must disclose that information at the first meeting.

“If there are any issues, disclose that right up front so we know where you’re coming from,” she said.

Santoro will represent the selectmen as a member of the short-term rental committee.

Resident Lucira Jane Nebelung on Thursday described the move to require disclosure as good news and a step in the right direction even though she felt it did not go far enough. She had submitted a statement to selectmen prior to the meeting to let them know she felt nobody on the committee should have “any kind of conflict of interest.”

“We can hope that whoever’s on the committee is going to do what’s best for the town and everybody in it, and our quality of life,” she said.

John Schweizer, a member of the Oak Grove Beach Association with a seat on the newly appointed committee, said Thursday that short-term rentals “are absolutely destroying the neighborhood.”

He described residents being awakened long into the night by parties and recalled one short-term guest driving on portions of the beach where cars aren’t allowed.

Schweizer, who said he’s been bringing his concerns to Seery for a couple years, said there are five short-term rental properties on his street.

“Today, as I’m looking out my window, there is a two-bedroom house with 25 people in it and they’re partying like crazy,” he said.

Schweizer emphasized he was speaking for himself and not the beach association when he said he’s in favor of requiring all short-term rental properties to be registered with the town so they can be inspected for compliance with codes governing health and safety. It’s a move he said protects renters, the beach community and the town.

“These are run like hotels with no regulation, no registration,” he said.

Gary Farrugia, a former publisher at The Day and a member of the short-term rental committee, said his Saunders Point neighborhood has a long tradition of rental properties. He said a few of those are currently rented out on a short-term basis.

“But there is concern here, like everywhere else up and down the shore, regarding the expansion of short term rentals because of Airbnb and VRBO,” he said.

He said he was not in favor of abolishing short-term stays but thinks there is need “for some municipal regulation.”

Regulating short-term rentals in East Lyme could mean creating an ordinance that would supersede beach association regulations, or it could mean updating the town’s zoning regulations to include new guidelines that wouldn't touch beach associations with their own regulatory powers.

e.regan@theday.com