FORESTBURGH – Reports of a young girl being bitten by a dog while staying at a  short-term rental in Forestburgh in late May have sparked conversations amongst Forestburgh Town Board members at their regular Town Board meeting on June 3 on what can be done to minimize risk regarding short term rentals in the future.

Short-term rentals have been increasing in popularity throughout the county with businesses such as Airbnb, with a handful of these small property owners appearing in Forestburgh.

According to Town Board member and Dog Control Officer Steven Budofsky, the bite incident occurred on one of these short-term rental properties located within the town, and that it is the second bite incident in 2022.

Although the injuries sustained were minimal and the victim was reported to be alright, Budofsky mentioned that the situation was made more frustrating as the property owners were unable to be reached in a timely manner.

This brought up the discussions as to what can be done to ensure safety measures are followed, risk of injury is minimized and, more specifically, how short-term rental property owners can be contacted more easily in case of emergency.

Due to the nature of the issue, resolutions would need to be incorporated into the town’s Zoning Code.

Two local Airbnb owners were present at the meeting, and offered to the Board their experience within the short-term rental business should the Board require it.

Budofsky assured to those present that should any zoning regulations on short-term rentals be put into place, it would not result in financial regulations for registration.

The Democrat reached out to the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office regarding the bite incident but did not receive comment by presstime.

Town pool unpaused

After two years of the town pool remaining closed due to public health and safety concerns, the Forestburgh Town Board voted in favor of reopening the pool to the public yet again during the Town Board meeting on June 3.

Over the past few months, Town Supervisor Dan Hogue and the rest of the Board have discussed necessary preparations for the return of the pool as prospective lifeguard applications were being received and discussed.

Now, with one full-time and one part-time lifeguard committed to watch the water this summer season, the Board felt comfortable with moving forward in opening the pool.

The town is still welcoming applications for lifeguard positions.

As the pool clean-up is soon to take place, there is no set date when the pool will officially be open to the public for the Summer.