Party off: Wellesley neighbors outraged by Airbnb “dance club”

Wellesley nightlife got way too wild on Saturday night when an Airbnb renter threw a party, red Solo cups and all, that had neighbors calling police that night (and early morning). Then they retold their stories at the Board of Selectmen meeting on Monday night, hoping some sort of action can be taken to avoid repeat incidents.

Attorney David Himmelberger kicked off the Citizen Speak portion of the Selectmen’s meeting by describing a party on Shaw Road, off Linden Street, that started at bit before midnight on Saturday. Cars began pouring onto the street, then booze began pouring at a party that featured a DJ, bouncer and $5 admission. The cops were called, tried to settle things down once, then returned at 1:30am to shut it down.

Aside from being upset about the noise, neighbors worried about safety since it would have been near impossible for an emergency vehicle to make it up the street that night. One neighbor described it as “a horrible evening” that had neighbors picking up Solo cups up and down the street the next morning, not to mention cleaning up vomit.

Himmelberger said neighbors have apparently been advised by the house’s owner that it was purchased with the intent to rent it out on Airbnb. “I don’t think that comports with our residential neighborhoods,” said Himmelberger, who urged the board to consider assembling some sort of committee with the Planning Board to address this situation and possible future issues in other neighborhoods across town.

We’ve asked town officials, including the police, in the past about whether they’ve ever had any Airbnb issues in town, and we’ve been told there have been few issues (See also “Wellesley embraces the Sharing Economy”). But in light of Monday’s discussion, it sounds as though the Board of Selectmen could have a response soon.