OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Town of Dunkirk resident Phil Leone thanked the Town Board for its efforts in drafting a short-term rental property law at a recent meeting.

With the arduous short-term rental property saga nearing its conclusion, the town of Dunkirk has scheduled a special meeting for Thursday, June 1 at 1 p.m. to discuss a proposed town law.

After discussion, the town has the authority to schedule a public hearing on the short-term rental law. A copy of the law will be made available to the public at the Town Hall, prior to the required public hearing before the law can be approved. The law will take effect once it is filed with the state, after the Town Board approves the law, if it so chooses.

As usual, town residents showed up at the most recent regular Town Board meeting to share their stance opposing short-term rental properties in the town.

First to speak was Phil Leone, who said, “I just wanted to thank everyone for the time you’ve been spending on this short-term rental law – the diligence and all the research you’ve done and listening to us. … I just want to thank you for taking your time, doing what needs to be done, and really thinking about what is going into this law.”

Jay Warren was next to speak. He reiterated his concerns with enforcement of the proposed law. “I just would hope that the board would make sure that they have a real handle on how they are going to enforce it,” he said.

Sue Hazelton was the last of the regular speakers to comment on the issue at the recent meeting. “I don’t even know where to begin. I’ve written so many letters pertaining to the R-1 issue,” she said. “All I can say is, you’ve got to keep in mind, these places are businesses. They are out to make money, and that’s what they intend to do. It’s disrupting everybody’s lives. … If need be, I will continue writing letters.”