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John Mercier · 09-28-2021, 05:41 PM

I think this is less a covid issue than a structural issue.

Regardless of covid, this issue is going to be with us for a long time.

https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/...4c486a2e3.html

''As the population changes, so do the demands for housing and municipal services.

Waterville Valley used to have major fluctuations in population depending on the season.

But in recent years, many families have converted their vacation homes into permanent residences. Daily demands on water, sewer, and trash facilities are up, even though the tax base has remained about the same.

Town manager Mark Decoteau assumed this would be a one-year spike. But enrollment numbers for the upcoming school year suggest most of these families are staying.

“We were wondering how much this would continue, and we’re starting to get answers to that. We’ve added 7% to our population this year [2021],” he says. “The growth hasn’t stopped and I don’t think as many people as we thought are going back.”

Growth of permanent residents is also significant in the vacation towns of Jackson, Sugar Hill, and Moultonborough.''

This came from NPR... but is borne out by the amount of building in those areas. Higher demand on municipal and county services generally result in budget expenditures... and those higher taxes result in it being even harder for the working class to find housing.

09-28-2021, 05:41 PM	#48
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 2,979 Thanks: 2 Thanked 529 Times in 435 Posts	I think this is less a covid issue than a structural issue. Regardless of covid, this issue is going to be with us for a long time. https://www.sentinelsource.com/news/...4c486a2e3.html ''As the population changes, so do the demands for housing and municipal services. Waterville Valley used to have major fluctuations in population depending on the season. But in recent years, many families have converted their vacation homes into permanent residences. Daily demands on water, sewer, and trash facilities are up, even though the tax base has remained about the same. Town manager Mark Decoteau assumed this would be a one-year spike. But enrollment numbers for the upcoming school year suggest most of these families are staying. “We were wondering how much this would continue, and we’re starting to get answers to that. We’ve added 7% to our population this year [2021],” he says. “The growth hasn’t stopped and I don’t think as many people as we thought are going back.” Growth of permanent residents is also significant in the vacation towns of Jackson, Sugar Hill, and Moultonborough.'' This came from NPR... but is borne out by the amount of building in those areas. Higher demand on municipal and county services generally result in budget expenditures... and those higher taxes result in it being even harder for the working class to find housing.