After months of controversy, Ross Township supervisors have named a new zoning code enforcement officer.

In 2020, Bureau Veritas was hired, and assigned the task to its employee, Maureen Minnick. The zoning code enforcement workload increased in July, when the township enacted its short-term rental ordinance. Any property that was rented out for less than 30 days was in violation. A few properties continued to violate the ordinance despite receiving notification from Minnick.

The vacation rental at 257 High Point Drive continued to cause headaches for its neighbors. Guests raced dirt bikes, shot off fireworks, played loud music and other disruptive behavior seven days a week.

This group of residents has been very vocal at township meetings since July. They wanted the supervisors and Minnick to quickly shut down the rental property, which is owned by All Pocono Rentals LLC.

As the months went by, Bureau Veritas stopped issuing monthly bills and Minnick stopped submitting weekly reports, which were both requested by the supervisors. The bills and reports arrived sporadically from July through December.

She did weekly office hours at the township and provided verbal updates. Supervisors met with Minnick a couple times to discuss the short-term rentals in violation and she explained the steps she had taken so far in the process.

Residents grew frustrated and claimed that Minnick was not doing her job.

Supervisors decided to advertise for a new zoning code enforcement officer and held interviews in December. Supervisors James Zahoroiko and Shay were present at the interview. Supervisors’ Chairwoman Tina Drake was ill and had to miss it.

SFM Consulting was one of the candidates. Howard Beers, a township resident, was the other candidate.

On Monday, Drake and Zahoroiko voted for SFM Consulting, an agency the township used recently.

“We liked them. They did a good job,” Drake said in a one-on-one phone call after the meeting.

Shay voted to hire Beers, who has more than 30 years of experience as a Ross Township supervisor and two years on its planning commission.

“It would behoove us to hire him. Howard is willing to attend our meetings and be here on weekends. It is important to put emotion and pride aside for the betterment of this community,” said Shay.

Drake said Beers is not licensed to perform this role, despite his many years of township experience.

Beers would have been paid $25 an hour and allotted 12 hours per week in the office or field. SFM Consulting’s fee is $65 per hour and they will begin with six hours per week and request more time if needed.

Later in the meeting, Drake said, “I want it to be known that for 2021, I am forfeiting my township paycheck so we can meet our budget.”

She receives a nominal salary each month.

“I want to put it toward whatever expenses we have in 2021,” she said after the meeting.