Dear WWA Members,
Several items on the Wolfeboro Town Ballot on March 11th are of interest to the WWA, particularly regarding water quality and environmental issues.
- Articles 2 & 3 address short-term rentals and are explained in detail below.
- Article 4 aims to simplify the existing XXVII Conservation Subdivision regulations to encourage developers to use this long-standing option. Currently, some developers bypass these regulations by applying for three-lot developments at a time instead of submitting full development plans. The goal is to promote better planning and conservation-minded developments that include buffers and open spaces.
- Articles 5 & 6 focus on defining Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and short-term rentals.
- Article 7 proposes allowing drive-throughs, an issue that has been repeatedly rejected by the town. Drive-through restaurants contribute to increased single-use plastic waste and roadside/stormwater litter.
Additionally, several warrant articles address wastewater treatment maintenance—critical for preventing excess nutrient loading in the watershed. There are also road and water main improvement projects that incorporate stormwater infiltration components.
Articles 33 & 34 relate to the South Main Street construction project and ask voters to choose a preferred intersection design. Importantly, stormwater management systems are already included in the project’s budget and plans, and the intersection choice will not impact these stormwater treatment measures. WWA has been actively involved in this process and will continue advocating for stormwater management throughout the project.
You can also watch this Board of Selectmen deliberative session for further information.
*All below articles are recommended by the planning board 7-0-0 and/or unanimously by the budget committee and/or the Board of Selectmen, with the exception of Article 7 which was unanimously NOT recommended by the planning board.
Article 2 – Short-Term Rental Definition
This article is intended to establish a definition of “short-term rental”. A definition of the term is needed if short-term rentals are to be permitted and/or regulated. Rentals for 30 or fewer consecutive days of occupancy.
Article 3 – Short-Term Rental Regulations
This article is intended to provide the Town of Wolfeboro with a means to regulate new short-term rentals. It does not apply to short-term rentals that existed before the enactment of this ordinance (grandfathered rentals). If this article fails, or if it passes and article 2 fails, the Town of Wolfeboro will not be able to implement controls on new short-term rentals. Under this, short-term rentals must:
- Pass fire inspection every two years: smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire escape windows/doors, bedroom exits, fire extinguisher presence, and occupancy limits (2 per bedroom), must all be up to code.
- Occupancy limits are determined by sewage disposal capacity, and septic systems must be functioning.
- The property must be in compliance with current off-street parking and loading requirements (designated on-site parking).
- Property owners must submit proof of NH Room and Meals License, as well as contact information so they are reachable to address issues during the rental period.
Article 4 – Conservation Subdivision
This article would remove the current requirement for conservation subdivision and make it an optional alternative. Conservation subdivisions will have vegetated buffers at the property perimeter and 50% of the land will be conserved if a developer chooses to include this.
Article 5 – Dwelling Unit Definition
This article proposed changes to the definitions of dwellings. The change in wording replaces the term “household” with “complete independent living facilities for one or more persons”. The proposed definition focuses on the structure instead of the occupants. This change is necessary to permit the Town of Wolfeboro to regulate short-term rentals as stated in articles 2, 3, and 6.
| Term | Current Definition | Proposed Definition |
| Dwelling Unit | One or more rooms arranged, designed or used for residential purposes for one household and containing independent sanitary and cooking facilities. The presence of cooking and sanitary facilities conclusively establishes the intent to use for residential purposes. | A building or portion thereof providing complete independent living facilities for one or more persons, including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. This use shall not be deemed to include such transient occupancies as hotels, motels, boarding houses, inns, bed and breakfasts, or short-term rentals. |
| Dwelling, multiunit | A building and accessories thereto principally used, designed, or adapted with three or more dwelling units, each of which has separate living quarters. | A building consisting of three or more dwelling units. |
| Dwelling, duplex | A building and accessories thereto principally used, designed, or adapted with two dwelling units of similar proportions, the living quarters for each of which are completely separate. A single-family dwelling unit with an accessory dwelling unit is not a duplex dwelling unit. | A building consisting of two dwelling units of similar proportions. A singlefamily dwelling unit with an accessory dwelling unit is not a duplex dwelling unit. |
| Dwelling, single-family | A building consisting of two dwelling units of similar proportions. A single-family dwelling unit with an accessory dwelling unit is not a duplex dwelling unit. | A building consisting of a single dwelling unit. The addition of an accessory dwelling unit to a single-family dwelling does not change the status of the single-family dwelling to a duplex dwelling. |
| Dwelling | A building or portion thereof containing one or more dwelling units. |
Article 6 – Conditional Use Permit Additional Uses
Current ordinances only describe criteria for ADUs under a conditional use permit. This article proposes a change to add additional uses to include short-term rentals as mentioned in the proposed short-term rental regulations.
Article 7 – Petition to Allow Restaurant Drive-Thrus
This article would remove the restriction on drive-through restaurants in Wolfeboro, and permit their construction and operation on lots of one acre or greater.
NOT Recommended by the Planning Board (7-0-0)
Article 12 – Town Road Upgrades
This article would allow the town to raise and appropriate $900,000 for developments, improvements, and upgrades to town roads and drainage systems.
This is a stormwater issue in the town.
Article 13 – River Street Rebuild and Water Main Replacement
This article would allow the town to raise and appropriate $350,000 to upgrade River Street, including the stormwater drainage system, water main, and sewer lines. $150,000 of this amount would come from the Water Enterprise Fund to replace water mains, and the remainder would be funded by general taxation to cover the engineering and design of stormwater drainage systems and sewer line repairs.
This is a stormwater issue for Crescent Lake.
Article 23 – Evaluations & Repairs of Small Sewer Pump Stations
This article would allow the town to raise and appropriate $100,000 for an evaluation of sewer pump stations to determine the most efficient plan for repairs, replacements, and maintenance.
Article 24 – Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Fund Funding
This article would allow the Town to raise and appropriate $175,000 to add to the existing Wastewater Treatment Plant Capital Reserve Fund.
Article 26 – Water Treatment Plant Upgrades
This article would allow the Town to raise and appropriate $100,000, paid for by the Water Enterprise Fund, to continue yearly maintenance of the Water Treatment Plant facility.
Article 33 – Intersection at Route 28 and Route 109, Pickering Corner
Do you prefer a compact roundabout or the current configuration with better lane markings at this location? Two parking spaces will be lost with either option, the roundabout would also necessitate the moving of the war memorial and the removal of the two surrounding trees.
Article 34 – Intersection at Route 28 and McManus/Canopache Roads
Do you prefer a compact roundabout or the current configuration with better lane markings at this location?