MONTICELLO – The Village Board of Monticello parked itself in amendment territory Wednesday night as it adopted Local Laws Two and Three of 2026 during its regular board meeting.

Both Local Laws 2 and 3 amend Chapter 252, Article IX, Standing and Stopping, to remove “No Parking” signs on North Street from Roosa Avenue to Liberty Street and to add them on both sides of Hillcrest Avenue, respectively.

With nobody speaking for or against the proposals during the public hearing sessions, the resolutions to adopt were motioned by Trustee Theodore Hutchins and seconded by Trustee Gordon Jenkins.

Village Attorney Michael Sussman checked with Village Clerk Janine Gandy-McKinney for the record to ensure both public hearings were duly advertised, which she confirmed.

“Sometimes we’ve been having an issue of people coming after the fact, after we do things here like adopting local laws, and having not come to the public hearing or made any comments,” stated Sussman. “Then they’re coming here and voicing complaints after [things have been adopted].”

Barbarite talks short-term rentals

Deputy Mayor John Barbarite voiced concerns that short-term rentals (STRs), such as Airbnbs, are operating in the village without proper registration. New York State currently requires short-term rentals to collect sales tax and Sullivan County room tax, but Barbarite observed compliance remaining low.

“We have short-term rentals in the village not complying with our rental law, or the short-term rental law the state passed,” Barbarite noted, adding that only three rentals have registered with the county and none with the village.

Citing prior research, he stated that identifying unregistered properties is difficult because listings often do not reveal addresses unless a booking is made.

“Why should you rent to a tenant year-round when you can make the same income in two months in the summer?” Barbarite posed hypothetically.

He raised a proposal to prohibit short-term rentals entirely in the village, citing examples from other municipalities that have adopted similar restrictions. Village Attorney Michael Sussman suggested a more limited approach, such as defining short-term rentals as stays of 30 days or less.

A recurring theme, however, was enforcement challenges. Trustee Theodore Hutchins cited issues with absentee landlords, LLC ownership, and difficulties serving notices. While recent changes to the rental permit process require owners to waive formal service if notices are sent to their listed address, the Village Board acknowledged the policy is still relatively new.

“It doesn’t mean you should repudiate the idea, because the idea honestly is sound,” Sussman agreed, noting that housing market impacts are already being felt.

The board proposed discussions with the District Attorney’s Office and other county officials, particularly where unpaid room taxes may offer an additional enforcement tool. Sussman agreed that clearer definitions are necessary before moving forward, stating the board has time to work on the wording as he discussed with Gandy-McKinney the scheduling of a public hearing notice.

Nelly’s Sports Bar owner requests weekend hours

During public comment, the Village Board heard from Michael Rothberg, translating on behalf of the owner of Nelly’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, who requested permission to stay open later on Fridays and Saturdays.

The owner, Tito, attributed the earlier closing times to lost business and said it could force him to sell.

“Those are his busiest hours,” Rothberg translated to the board, stating that the owner employs security and has operated for seven years without major issues inside the bar.

Village Manager James Snowden referenced a shooting that took place last summer outside the establishment, though Rothberg stressed that the confrontation did not originate inside the bar.

“That had nothing to do with Nelly’s,” Rothberg emphasized, stating the fight began on Landfield Avenue and spilled onto nearby streets.

The board, however, raised concerns about noise, with Barbarite stating that music from the bar had been audible at “three or four in the morning” from the end of the block on North Street, where he said he had to close his windows during the summer.

Sussman stressed that the village cannot legally grant exceptions to individual businesses.

“When a board acts, it has to act generally,” Sussman stated. “You can’t make a special rule for one business.”

While expressing sympathy for the owner’s situation, he affirmed that the matter had already been addressed through a public hearing prior to adopting the regulations.

However, he advised that the board will consult further with Police Chief David Lindsay before taking any action, emphasizing that any change would need to apply uniformly, though the issue will be considered.