Ellicottville Town Board Sets Short-Term Rental Cap at 375 Licenses
Ellicottville Town Board Sets Short-Term Rental Cap at 375 Licenses
Town Board sets STR limits with room for growth while exploring workforce development opportunities through local training programs.
A resolution was adopted for the maximum number of STR (Short-Term Rental) licenses to be set for 375 at any time. Currently there are 300 licenses issued. There is a buffer of 75 that remains. Sarah Fitzpatrick, representing her family’s chalet, was present and relieved that although she had missed the deadline for the STR application, she could apply now given the buffer available. There will be a public hearing in May to amend a change to address multiple units in a single property.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Scot Brumagin presented updates on the Highway Department, mentioning a need to acquire and retain new employees. Councilman Steve Crowley added that there is a need to “develop some people for the future to work for the town.” The conversation continued with reference to students from the BOCES CTE Center in Ellicottville. Many of the skills taught at BOCES are those that are needed for positions in the Town Highway Department of CDL (Olean BOCES), Heavy Equipment Operations, Natural Resources, and Automotive Technology/Power Equipment Technology. The two discussed the possibility of arranging a field trip for the BOCES CTE Center to the Highway Department and subsequently offering a paid internship for the summer.
In a further conversation with Superintendent Brumagin, he said that the department had gone two years with a staff shortage that put a strain on the department. This position was recently filled, however, he continued that this July he has one employee retiring with a possible early retirement of another in September. Working for the Town used to be a job in high demand given the decent wages, health insurance, and NYS retirement, he said. The Highway Department works outside, with their hands, ideal for the mechanically inclined and those with a CDL license, and that appeals to a lot of people. The key will be finding those candidates and they are hoping BOCES can contribute to that goal.
The Ellicottville Town Board meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Ellicottville Town Hall, 1 W. Washington St. Their next meeting is scheduled for May 20, 2026 at 6:00pm. The public is encouraged to attend. Find upcoming meeting agendas and past meeting minutes at townofellicottvilleny.gov.