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Residents urge action after bear sightings; vendor offers bear‑resistant trash containers
Summary
Residents at Montreat's public forum reported recent bear sightings and urged limits on bird feeders; one resident proposed installing bear‑resistant trash containers (priced $1,499–just under $2,000) to meet town sanitation rules and offered an introductory discount.
Ashley Manson, a Montreat resident, told the Town of Montreat Board of Commissioners on March 12 that the town could reduce bear interactions by installing turnkey, bear‑resistant trash containers. Manson detailed wrought‑iron frame bins with mesh walls sold in three sizes and said pricing ranged "from $1,499 to just under $2,000," adding a $100 discount for the first six customers.
Manson told the board the manufacturer's hometown had seen a 50% reduction in bear incidents after adopting similar containers to meet sanitation ordinance requirements. The board did not record a formal vote on Manson's proposal during the forum; the item was presented during public comment for commissioners to consider.
Arrington Cox, another resident, reported seeing "a mother bear with two cubs" on North Carolina Terrace and Virginia Road and urged the commissioners to press residents to remove bird feeders during bear season, saying bird feeders remain a significant attractant.
Commissioner Tom Widmer responded he had asked Cox for permission to include her memo to bear watchers in the Montreat Minute and described the memo as "well written," acknowledging a need for improved communication about the town's BearWise certification efforts. No formal action was taken at the forum; commissioners moved to adjourn the forum and reconvene at the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m.
Next steps: commissioners did not adopt a new regulation at the forum. Residents seeking town action on bear‑resistant containers or feeder restrictions should expect follow‑up at a subsequent meeting or through staff, which the board may direct at the regular meeting or a future agenda.
