The in-season Friday trash pickups started on May 29 and will continue until Sept. 4.
Judging from the number of trashcans we have seen on the roadside on the Thursdays before the past two Fridays, we think word about the increase in pickups may not have reached many Southern Shores residents.
The increase in garbage collections during the summertime accommodates both the increase in the town’s population and an increase in the garbage that the population generates with outdoor activities.
Monday trash pickups will continue as usual, as will Friday recycling pickups. We will give you a heads-up when the two-per-week collections end.
PLANNING BOARD
The Southern Shores Planning Board meeting scheduled for Monday at 5 p.m. in the Pitts Center has been canceled. The next meeting is scheduled July 20. In other Planning Board news:
The Town Council voted unanimously at its June 2 meeting to appoint regular Planning Board member Ed Lawler to another three-year term on the five-member Board, starting July 1.
Mr. Lawler was first appointed to the Board in 2018 to fill the unexpired term of Board member Glenn Wyder after his death. Mr. Wyder had recently been elected chairperson.
Board members’ terms run on the fiscal year, from July 1 to June 30, and are staggered. Mr. Lawler is the only Board member whose term expires in 2026.
See https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/bc-pb for a list of Planning Board members and their terms.
The Planning Board elects its chairperson and vice-chairperson at its July meeting each year.
Mayor Pro Tem Matt Neal suggested at the Town Council meeting that a “rotation” of Planning Board members might be desirable to allow other interested residents, who do not apply for a position because of the perception that longtime members hold on to their seats, to serve. He said he has heard from a number of residents who would like to volunteer for the Planning Board.
Mr. Neal also suggested expanding the Planning Board to include more members.
The Town Council also might consider constituting a separate Board of Adjustment, instead of having the Planning Board members serve in this capacity, too. Southern Shores is the only Dare County town that does not have an independent Board of Adjustment.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Board, you are advised to submit an application to Mr. Haskett, who will keep it on file to consider when a vacancy arises. Mr. Haskett makes appointment recommendations to the Town Council based on the applications on file.
Heretofore, the Town has appointed those Board members whose terms are expiring to another three-year term if they wish to continue.
Besides the five Board member seats, there are two alternate positions. Serving as an alternate is a stepping stone to a Board appointment.
You will find a Board application here: https://www.southernshores-nc.gov/media/10831.
THE SOUTHERN SHORES BEACON, 6/11/26
The Southern Shores Beacon 