What to do on MV. Local Events

New Year’s Eve 2018 on MV

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What is there to do on Martha’s Vineyard this New Year’s Eve? Visit the MV2.me to find out.

Short-Term Rental Bill Still Not Law As It Sits On Governor’s Desk With No Update As To Whether It Will Be Signed

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Last week, the Massachusetts legislature re-enacted a bill to regulate and tax short-term “vacation” rentals. The proposal now sits on Governor Baker’s desk; he has until midnight Sunday, December 30th to act, or it becomes law without his signature.

We are working on complete guidance for real estate brokerages about the necessary changes brokerages will need to make. We will distribute this guidance if the bill becomes law.

Here are the key details about the bill as currently drafted:

  • The entity (i.e. real estate brokerage) that collects payment from the renter will be required to collect the tax and remit the tax to the state;
  • The tax would apply to leases entered into on or after January 1, 2019 AND for stays on and after July 1, 2019;
  • The bill would extend to the current lodging tax to short-term rentals, so a town’s current lodging tax rate would become the local tax rate on short-term rentals. You can find current lodging tax rates for each town, HERE; tax rates would be the current rate at the time of the stay. CCIAOR and MAR will be providing guidance on updating necessary agreements to reflect that current state and local tax rates are subject to change.
  • The Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund would add an additional 2.75% tax to short-term rentals and hotel rooms for towns located in Barnstable, Dukes, and Nantucket counties.
  • The proposed tax for stays July 1, 2019 or later (barring no other action by local legislative bodies) would be 5.7% state tax + up to 6% local tax (the existing lodging tax in each town) + 2.75% Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund;
  • Homeowners would be required to carry at least $1 million of liability coverage for each short-term rental unless the hosting platform (ex; the real estate brokerage, HomeAway, AirBnb, etc) maintains coverage of at least that amount. Additionally, real estate brokerages and other hosting platforms would be required to provide a written disclosure to homeowners that they are required to carry the additional insurance. MAR and CCIAOR will have a standard form for members to use.

CCIAOR recognizes that the timeline laid out above will be difficult to implement. If you would like to raise concerns to legislators about the implementation dates of the proposed law, contact Representative Sarah Peake at [email protected] or at 617-722-2040 and Senator Julian Cyr at [email protected] or at 617-722-1570.

Edgartown

Whats Happening on MV?

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Want to know Whats Happening on MV? Read our list of latest happenings and clink on the links below for more details.

MVHC Fall Fuzzy Horse Show

Saturday, October 27, 2018 at 9 AM – 4 PM

Riders, get your horses ready for the Island’s local
Hunter / Jumper Horse Show. This is a great low pressure/fun event, perfect for practicing for larger off-island shows. There will be lots of flat classes and games too.

Whether you are new to riding or have been in the saddle for decades, this show will have something for everyone, including a Costume Class. Show attire is not required, but all riders must wear helmets and boots.

Entry forms can be found at SBS, horse barns across the Island, or online.

Hosted by: Martha’s Vineyard Horse Council

Happy Haunting

Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 12 PM – 3 PM

Happy Haunting will again be held on Sunday! Come into Edgartown for continued Halloween fun, while little ghosts and goblins trick-or-treat from business to business. And while collecting your treats from downtown businesses, children should stop by Backwater Trading Company to enter the 6th Annual Costume Contest. And because dogs wear costumes too, Boneyard Surf Shop will be hosting a Dog Costume Contest! Don’t forget Halloween at The Carnegie is happening as well, where they will have more tricks or treats and an eerie jack-o-lantern display on Sunday afternoon.

Hosted by: Visit Edgartown

MV Nantucket Football Game

Saturday, November 17, 2018 at 1:30 PM

The biggest Football game of the year (on Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket). The rivalry continues. For over 50 years, the Football teams from both Islands have battled each other in order to hoist the coveted Island Cup. The winner comes home to the sound of fire engine sirens and crowds of jubilant crowds cheering the victors. The losers must wait another year to avenge their bitter defeat. This year will be even more sweet because of the cancellation of the 2017 Island Cup.

So continues the rivalry.

A Godwink Christmas

Sunday, November 18, 2018 at 9:00 PM

A Godwink Christmas
Saturday, November 18 at 9:00pm on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Special

A Hallmark Movies and Mysteries holiday special from our very own Squire Rushnell author of the Godwinks book series.

As Christmas approaches, Paula, a St. Louis antique appraiser, reluctantly accepts a marriage proposal from her boyfriend Daniel. Sensing her reticence, her Aunt Jane invites Paula to her Nantucket home. When Paula visits nearby Martha’s Vineyard, she meets a charming inn owner, Gery, and enjoys the celebrating the holiday festivities with him. Although Paula develops feelings for Gery, she moves forward with her engagement, but Aunt Jane reminds her that sometimes we receive messages from above to help determine which direction life should take. Starring Kimberly Sustad, Paul Campbell, Kathie Lee Gifford.

37th Annual Christmas in Edgartown

Dec 6 at 9 AM – Dec 9 at 12 PM

Voted Best of the Vineyard for the third year in a row, Christmas in Edgartown is a weekend festival you don’t want to miss! Every year through the various events, Christmas In Edgartown helps raise over $50,000 for island-wide charities and non-profits. Come be apart of the holiday magic!

Over 100 Edgartown and Island Businesses participate in the weekend festivities. 2018 Events will be posted in the Fall, but we invite you to get an idea of the fun you can expect by viewing last year’s schedule of events: Here is a printable list of 2017 events! Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Make your way to Edgartown direct from Hyannis on the Hyline! Ferry Schedules can be found online.

Hosted by: Visit Edgartown