POCONO TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Pocono Township Commissioner Mike Velardi has announced that he is stepping down from the Board of Commissioners, citing the board’s decision-making process as the primary reason for his resignation.

Velardi, who has served as one of the township’s five elected commissioners, said he could no longer continue serving under the current direction of the board. While he did not publicly detail every disagreement that led to his decision, he indicated that concerns over how decisions were being made within the governing body played a significant role in his choice to resign.

The resignation comes during a period of heightened attention surrounding Pocono Township government, where several meetings have featured spirited public debate over township policies and governance. Recent Board of Commissioners meetings have included discussions on zoning matters, public gathering ordinances, contracts, personnel issues, and other municipal business that have drawn public interest.

Velardi’s departure leaves a vacancy on the five-member Board of Commissioners, which currently includes President Ellen Gnandt, Vice President Matthew Long, Commissioner Natasha Leap, and Commissioner Charles Keppler. Township officials are expected to follow the procedures established under Pennsylvania law and township policy to address the vacant commissioner seat.

The resignation marks another leadership change for Pocono Township in recent months and raises questions about the future direction of the board as it continues to address growth, development, infrastructure, budgeting, and other issues affecting township residents. Township meetings are held regularly at the municipal building and are open to the public, providing residents with opportunities to participate in discussions and stay informed about local government decisions.

At the time of publication, no additional public statement expanding on Velardi’s reasons for resigning had been released beyond his comments that the board’s decision-making was a factor in his departure.