The ongoing battle to keep residential areas free of short-term rentals continues to plague Towamensing Township residents, as well as the supervisors.

Last September, the supervisors unanimously agreed to advertise an ordinance prohibiting short-term rentals, transient rentals and Airbnbs. The ordinance was adopted at the October meeting, but according to several members of the community, the ordinance hasn’t made a difference in the short-term rentals.

Resident Mike Harris asked if anyone knew if the bed-and-breakfast near his home had been served for not complying with the ordinance.

“We have served a number and we have a number of them to process, but the problem is it’s very hard to find some of the places, and when they advertise on the internet, they are very vague on their location,” said Chairman Guy Seifert.

“I just want to chime in on the same thing,” said Bruce Hackenberg, who last summer had to put up with noise and traffic from a short-term rental in his neighborhood.

You can go on the internet on every bed-and-breakfast near here and look at availability and book whatever you want, he said.

“I mean, it’s crazy the ordinance didn’t do anything so far,” Hackenberg said.

The supervisors all agree they are making progress in shutting down the short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfast places, but several residents think a lot more needs to be done before summer.

Sanctuary

Brandon Bell, a Carbon County resident who introduced himself as the lead coordinator for a petition that’s going around right now to the county and all 23 municipalities to be listed as Second Amendment sanctuaries.

Bell said that it has been tough for gun owners lately and gun owners’ rights are looking a little frail with some of the upcoming bills.

He stated his reason for attending the meeting was to ask the supervisors if he could leave a sample ordinance for the board to look over, and a petition for the ordinance.

The board said Bell certainly could, and they would look over the ordinance, but made no commitment to signing the petition.

Historical preservation

Karl Rolappe, from the Historical Society, presented David DePue with a Historical Preservation Award for his dedication and hard work in restoring a historical structure, especially during the pandemic.

The next board of supervisors meeting is at 7 p.m. March 4.