WESTOVER — It was a little over a year ago that Westover resident Shawna Cross stood before Westover City Council successfully petitioning for a zoning code change to allow beekeeping within the city.
Now council’s 3rd Ward representative, Cross was on the other side of the podium Monday when the body approved a resolution declaring Westover a Bee City USA.
“It’s about conservation and trying to help contribute to the greater good,” Cross said. “This is just something small, but we’re hoping it will help out in the larger scheme of things.”
Cross, a member of the Mon County Beekeepers Association, said the city will pay $100 annually to be affiliated with the Bee City USA program, which is an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
She said the city will place at least one sign in a prominent location.
Based on the guidelines listed in Monday’s resolution, the city will also hold at least one educational event or pollinator planting or restoration annually and work to implement pollinator friendly policies and plans.
Apiaries are permitted as a conditional use within the city’s R-1, R-2 and Industrial districts.
In other news, council unanimously approved the purchase and installation of new playground equipment for Westover City Park.
Play & Park Structures, headquartered in Tennessee, was the low bid at $28,999.99
Mayor Bob Lucci said the existing playground equipment was built by the city and needs to be replaced.
Lastly, council hired Fairmont-based Bennett & Dobbins for $30,000 to serve as the accountant for future sewer projects, including the Holland Avenue work.
