Hardyston offer of bear-proof garbage cans draws huge response

HARDYSTON-In just three weeks, more than 200 township residents have taken advantage of the township's offer to provide $55 bear-proof trash cans for just $20, according to Town Manager Marianne Smith. The cut-off date for ordering the containers is March 31. After that, the order will be placed and volunteers from the B.E.A.R. group, which has lobbied and demonstrated to stop New Jersey's black bear hunting season, will help assemble the cans by installing handles on them. Smith said the group will also drill holes in each can to guard against the unlikely event of a child being locked inside one while playing. Like most communities in Sussex County, Hardyston has had a growing number of bear complaints - 112 last year alone, said Smith. State wildlife officials are increasingly reluctant to deal with the bears, turning responsibility over to local police, which stretches already thin manpower, she said. The bear-proof cans were seen as one way of cutting down on the problem. Once the cans are ready for pick-up, the town will send those who have purchased them notification including a coupon that can be redeemed at the Department of Public Works garage for the can. The council Tuesday night took another action to attempt to head off a potential problem before it occurs. It authorized Smith to send a letter to the state "urging the Fish and Game Council not to relocate black bears to Hardyston Township." Smith said she did not know of any instances of bears being tranquilized or trapped in another community and being released in Hardyston, but other communities have adopted similar resolutions. It seemed like a good idea to put in the request sooner rather than later, she said. Councilman Wayne Ross said that the state did tranquilize a bear in town and relocate it to the YMCA camp in another part of the township. "Sounds like we are a dumping ground," quipped May