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WELL SERVICES

Keith Abrams

Lic# 1283

TREE SERVICES TREE SERVICES

Land Clearing Removals Firewood

P.O. Box311 Medford, N.J.08055

N.J. Lic. #NJTC768133

RobertH.Griscom FullyInsured NJTC768766

(609) 654-6602

NJ Lic. 13VH06395500

RENTALS

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out every night.”

The borough solicitor added that those living somewhere for more than 30 days probably would “take care to not cause a commotion at 4 o’clock in the morning and those kinds of things.”

A “trend” of short-term rentals being offered, as the borough solicitor put it, has now extended down into Atlantic, Ocean and Monmouth counties, causing some municipalities there to act. In the borough, he said, “there is not a huge swath of property owners we are impacting” by passing the local prohibition, maintaining there is a “very small number” of short-term rentals, and while there may be one or two more such places from when the issue was first raised before borough council in 2017, the figure “has not really changed significantly in the past few years.”

“The good news is that we don’t have that many of them,” Heinold maintained. “… When this goes into effect, essentially we will notify those property owners to give them some time to come in compliance and see what their response is to it. But I am very confident New Jersey law (allows) municipalities to regulate their usage if they feel it is in their best interest of public safety and overall welfare of the community.”

The ordinance also states that the borough wishes to deter the “cyber-social proliferation of any owner renting his or her residential dwelling units on various websites,” including through “newspapers, magazines, flyers, handbills, pamphlets, commercials, radio, direct mail, internet websites, text (messaging) or electronic messages.”

However, despite making it “unlawful to advertise, solicit or promote by any means” short-term rentals available in the borough, the Pine Barrens Tribune found on Dec. 5 a short-term rental available in the borough, listed on Airbnb, Inc.’s website, including one which advertises a “lovely lakefront log cabin” overlooking Mirror Lake #3 with three bedrooms, four beds and two baths, which the renter notes can accommodate up to seven guests.

“Be our guest at this cozy lakefront, charming log cabin in Medford Lakes, surrounded by nature with all the comforts of home,” the listing states. “There is fun for everyone, at any time of the year! Perfect for a family, friends, business trip, or wedding party.”

The listing notes that Leon E. Todd developed Medford Lakes as a “summer vacation community” in 1927 and it had since evolved from a “very popular summer destination” to a place where homeowners added amenities for “yearround enjoyment,” turning it into a “small, traditional community.”

“It started as a resort with a unique concept, all construction would be out of logs,” the listing notes. “This is one of the earliest log cabins on Chippewa Trail, on Mirror Lake #3, and here at this lovely lodge you will definitely feel like you are on vacation every day!”

The individual who listed the log cabin had posted in Facebook groups throughout South Jersey in October that she “just opened the calendar for January through March bookings,” starting at $310 a night, asking those who see her posts, “Are you interested in a long weekend getaway?”, “Do you need a play to stay for a wedding or for business purposes?”, “Working remotely and you want a change of scenery?”, “Or do you know someone that needs a short - long term stay?”, before urging interested parties to “check out our cozy lakefront charming log cabin in Medford Lakes, NJ surrounded by nature with all the comforts of home.”

Council, in passing the ordinance, did not make mention of the likely economic impacts it would have for the renters.

However, Heinold maintained that “as with everything we do, we are going to try to work with property owners to help them get in compliance,” and that the borough would “give people some time to get into compliance.” Bookings already made, according to Mayor Thomas Cranston, would be addressed “individually with each property owner,” contending the ordinance is worded in such a way that it “gives them some lead time.”

Heinold, when Aromando had pointed out the number of Airbnbs operating locally, emphasized “we haven’t given any permit or an allowance to anybody.”

While a phone number for the “host” could not be located as of press time and a Facebook message was not returned as of this newspaper’s deadline time, the “cohost” of the listing, who is also an area realtor and the mother of the host, declined to comment on-the-record for this story when reached by this newspaper.

However, the pair renting the log cabin have a 5-star rating on Airbnb, Inc.’s website, with customers noting that the dwelling unit is the “most perfect place ever”, “it’s so much prettier in person”, and that “we had a relaxing stay in this cabin for a weekend … loved the setup and location right on the lake.”

One customer calls the “host” a “dream host” who is “very responsive, caring and helpful,” and notes that the area the rental is in “is amazingly quaint - right out of a hallmark movie!”

Another individual who reportedly has online listings for short-term rentals in the borough, who was put in touch with this newspaper by the co-host, ultimately decided against issuing a statement for this story.

Another Airbnb, Inc. website listing located by this newspaper on Dec. 5 advertises availability for a home on Upper Aetna Lake in Medford Lakes, “at Catt’s Cove,” and calls the borough’s 22 lakes “picturesque,” noting the municipality is “famous for the red cedar log homes.”

That listing, according to the website, was being offered for “$152 per night” by a “superhost,” or one that is considered “experienced” and “highly rated,” and is “committed to providing great stays for guests,” with one customer who left a review noting that what was being offered was a “beautiful and spacious” Airbnb in a “spectacular setting” that is “situated in a private cove where you can enjoy wildlife and lush vegetation.”

Another customer called it “one of the best Airbnb experiences I’ve had,” noting that “I will definitely be returning to enjoy the peaceful, beautiful surroundings of Catt’s Cove again.”

A telephone number or other contact information for the superhost could not be immediately located by this newspaper.

However, despite those glowing online reviews of two of the Airbnbs in the borough, and about the area itself, from visitors, Aromando maintained in council meeting remarks prior to the prohibition’s creation and passage that Airbnbs are “places operating in violation of existing codes in town,” and that “the people who moved here (to Medford Lakes), I don’t think, bargained for a house next to them doing this type of activity.” He pointed out there was one comment on a listing for the borough that asked, “Can we book a party of 50?”

“People pay a lot of taxes,” he maintained. “If they wanted to have a hotel next to them, they could have moved to the ocean(front).”