Selectboard sends revised refuse-container ordinance with bear-proofing and administrative enforcement to town meeting

The Selectboard closed a public hearing and voted to place proposed revisions to Plymouth refuse-container regulations on the Town Meeting warrant. The revisions, introduced by Tom Newcomb, are intended to reduce wildlife access to trash, curb health complaints and provide administrative enforcement tools short of court action.

Tom Newcomb (building inspector and code enforcement officer) described the draft changes as an update to an ordinance originally enacted in 1996. He said the effort involved coordination with the health officer, the town manager, Fish and Game and town counsel. The revisions would require wildlife- or bear-proofing for containers that attract animals, allow administrative notices and penalties (with discretion for waivers if property owners comply), and exempt construction dumpsters that do not attract wildlife.

Chief Pierce and code enforcement staff described an increase in complaints and documented instances of trash scattered by wildlife around town; staff said routine letters asking property owners to clean up have been insufficient and that the ordinance provides a toolset to escalate enforcement when necessary. Board members and staff discussed public outreach plans: providing a synopsis and redline on the town website and at Town Meeting, using the weekly newsletter, targeted mailings or handouts, and coordinating notification to commercial haulers so businesses have time to upgrade dumpsters.

After public input and discussion of presentation logistics for Town Meeting, a motion to put the ordinance on the warrant was made and approved by voice vote. Staff and board members said they will provide a summary and make redlined and full-text documents available ahead of the vote.