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Montreat commissioners review sanitation ordinance changes, weigh six‑month window for bear‑resistant containers
Summary
At a Feb. 20 special meeting the Montreat Board of Commissioners reviewed proposed amendments to the town’s sanitation ordinance — including new language on bear‑resistant containers, inspection and signage — and agreed to place the draft on the March agenda after public comment on compliance timing and enforcement.
Montreat’s Board of Commissioners met Feb. 20 to review proposed amendments to Chapter G, Article II, Solid Waste Disposal and Refuse Collection of the Montreat General Ordinance, focusing on draft requirements for bear‑resistant containers (BRCs), minor wording changes and enforcement language. Town Manager Savannah Parrish led a section‑by‑section review and said the changes will be placed on the March Town Council meeting agenda for consideration.
The draft includes several specific edits: adding “and right of way” to subsection E of Section 1 (Requirements); adding the town website (www.townofmontreat.org) to Section 3 (Accumulation of Solid Waste and Refuse Prohibited); and inserting the clause “the schedule may change during seasonal periods” into Section 4 (Solid Waste Collection), with the finished sentence reading, “The Town provides weekly pick‑ups yearround, and the schedule may change during seasonal periods.” The draft also adds “completion of final inspection” to Section 8 (New Construction and Remodeling), making a building‑permit holder responsible for maintaining a construction site free of rubbish until the final inspection is complete.
Commissioner Tom Widmer said the town will need to provide “significant educational opportunities” for residents, visitors and guests to implement the revised ordinance, noting that modifications or purchases of BRCs could create a financial burden. Commissioner Grant Dasher suggested posting prominent fines and fees on Convenience Center signage for non‑Montreat users; Parrish noted unpaid sanitation citations may be sent to debt collection under current procedures.
On timelines, Widmer proposed a six‑month compliance period to allow residents time to buy or modify containers; Arrington Cox, a resident speaking during public comment, asked whether six months was too long, while Laurie Morgan asked whether existing containers must be replaced. Parrish replied that current, in‑use solid waste containers must be modified to be bear‑resistant or replaced with a container manufactured as bear‑resistant.
A separate public comment addressed wildlife feeding: AnnKelso Hewitt asked whether residents could continue feeding birds; Parrish stated the council did not pass the proposed wildlife feeding ban.
The board did not adopt the ordinance at the workshop. Parrish said the proposed amendment will be placed on the March meeting agenda for formal consideration. Commissioners also discussed procedural improvements: Mason Blake called the workshop productive and suggested holding a workshop for every proposed ordinance change prior to placing it on an agenda; Mayor Tim Helms requested an update to the Board of Commissioners Rules of Procedure in March or April; Parrish proposed a town‑wide litter pickup as part of ordinance education, and Widmer suggested seeking vendor discounts to improve affordability of BRCs.
The meeting opened at 2:00 p.m. and adjourned at 3:03 p.m. after a motion to adjourn by Commissioner Jane Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Grant Dasher; the motion passed unanimously.
