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Woodstock board introduces local law to reduce dangerous human–bear interactions
Summary
The board introduced a draft local law to add Article 3 to Chapter 14 of the Woodstock Town Code to minimize dangerous interactions between people and bears; members clarified the step is an introduction and scheduled follow‑up public‑hearing procedures rather than immediate adoption.
The Town Board of Woodstock on June 2 introduced a proposed local law intended to minimize and prevent dangerous interactions between humans and bears.
“Be it resolved that the town board adopt a new law creating article 3 of chapter 14 of the town of Woodstock code to minimize and prevent dangerous interactions between humans and bears,” the short version read aloud at the meeting. Legal counsel and board members emphasized that tonight’s action is an introduction — the first statutory step — and recommended changing the resolution language from “adopt” to “introduce” so the town can set a public hearing and accept amendments before final adoption.
Board members asked for clarity on enforcement and penalties and suggested embedding related language into other regulations, such as the town’s short‑term rental rules, so responsibilities and penalties are explicit. One participant who lives on a street with many short‑term rentals said bears regularly access unsecured garbage and urged stronger enforcement language.
Why it matters: The proposed law would create locally enforceable standards aimed at reducing attractants and unsafe encounters with wildlife, and could affect property owners, hosts of short‑term rentals, and public‑safety responses.
Next steps: The board signaled it will set a public hearing on the local law at a future meeting, accept amendments during the statutory window, and return for possible final adoption after public notice.
