Woodfin members discuss 'Be Bear Aware' plan and options for bear‑proof trash

Woodfin Town members spent much of their Nov. 12 meeting discussing recurring problems with black bears getting into household trash and leaving litter in neighborhoods.

The session’s initiator, identified in the meeting as Member S1, opened the discussion as "Be bear aware," saying the animals "are always getting into our trash in our neighborhood and strewing it around the neighborhood and creating a big mess. It's unsightly, and it's dangerous for them and potentially dangerous for us as well." Residents and staff offered ideas ranging from an education campaign to hardware changes that make cans harder for bears to open.

Several residents suggested the town could act as a middleman to buy bear‑resistant cans in bulk through retailers. One resident proposed that "the township were to house some of these options or act as the middleman platform to purchase items of the sort." Staff responded that residents may buy their own bear cans and receive a town decal, but cautioned that the town’s existing trash-collection system and crew procedures limit which can types will work with the trucks. As staff put it, "you can purchase your own can... we can give you a sticker to say it's town of Woodfin."

Staff noted practical constraints: existing collection crews are not using automated lifts and must manually handle many cans, meaning any retrofit must be compatible with the current system and not add significant crew time. Staff said they could not promise town‑funded distribution of cans for all residents but agreed to "look into what options we might implement" and to research feasibility before the next bear season. Members also discussed starting with targeted installations in areas with repeated sightings and using straps or latches that staff or the collection service could install over time.

Members recommended outreach and education as a near‑term step. One member suggested contacting BearWise to provide expert guidance and a future presentation; a town volunteer offered to contact the group and coordinate a presentation. "I think that would be a good place to start because we could get all that information to share," staff said.

The group did not adopt a formal motion or appropriation at the meeting. Next steps, as reported to the group, are staff follow‑up to (1) check what can sizes and retrofits are compatible with town collection equipment; (2) reach out to BearWise for educational materials or a future presentation; and (3) consider targeted, geotargeted outreach or pilot installations prior to next bear season. The topic is expected to remain on the agenda for a future meeting.