MARATHON—The Municipality of Marathon sent out a reminder that through the waste management by-yaw, and the yard maintenance by-law, the municipality will enforce the following:
- Waste collection receptacles containing residential waste for removal by the collector, shall be placed to the edge of the street, plainly visible to the collector, before 7 a.m. local time on the day scheduled for collection.
- Occupants shall ensure all emptied or rejected receptacles are removed from the edge of the street and returned to private property on the same day as is scheduled for collection and no later than 9 p.m.
- Every owner or occupant shall keep his/her residential property, grounds, yard or vacant land clear of garbage, waste material, refuse, or domestic waste.
- No person shall throw, place or deposit domestic waste on any private or public lands or lands owned by the Corporation of the Town of Marathon.
The municipality made it clear in their announcement that, “It is responsible for enforcing municipal Bylaws. The Nipigon MNRF, Marathon OPP, and Marathon By-Law Enforcement Officer work collectively to ensure the safety of our community as it relates to bear encounters.”
Municipalities in the region also remind the public that bears are coming out of hibernation and as a result they may wonder into neighbourhoods, and back yards. Proper storage of waste and location of waste receptacles will be important in order to help prevent bears from coming to close to homes.
For non-emergency encounters or to receive more bear wise information – the public is encouraged to call the Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327.
For emergency situations, "if the bear poses immediate threat to life or public safety by exhibiting threatening or aggressive behaviour," call 911.
