▼

Composting FAQs

Show All Answers

1. Why Should I Compost?

• Waste Less: About 30% of what North Carolinians throw away is yard debris and food waste. Composting keeps this material out of landfills and turns it into a product you can use.
• Go Natural: Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Compost contains valuable nutrients that feed your plants. It also helps suppresses plant diseases and pests, a win-win scenario for everyone!
• Save Money: By making your own valuable compost at home, you can reduce your need to water and buy products such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides and bags for leaves and yard waste

2. What Do I Need to Get Started?

If you own a single family home or duplex in the Town of Boone's town limits, the easiest place to start is to Contact Shannon Isaacs, Adoption Program and Sanitation/Recycling Coordinator, to see if you qualify for a free composting bin. However, if you don't qualify, don't fret! We still want you to compost in any capacity you can. That is why we have some alternative suggests on how to get started.

• Either Purchase a Composting Bin or Create a Composting Pile:
  • A pile works great for bigger compostable items, like yard clippings or leaves. However, if you will be incorporating food scraps, consider buying or creating an enclosed composting structure. 

▼

Electric Vehicle Myths

Show All Answers

1. Myth: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of the power plant emissions.

Fact: Electric vehicles typically have a smaller carbon footprint than gasoline cars, even when accounting for the electricity used for charging.

2. Myth: Electric vehicles are worse for the climate than gasoline cars because of battery manufacturing.

Fact: The greenhouse gas emissions associated with an electric vehicle over its lifetime are typically lower than those from an average gasoline-powered vehicle, even when accounting for manufacturing.

3. Myth: There is nowhere to charge.

Fact:  Electric vehicles can be plugged into the same type of outlet as your toaster! When you need to charge while on the road, you’ll find over 51,000 stations in the U.S. available to the public. Additionally, the Town of Boone has 6 free public charging stations which can be found on the Town of Boone PlugShare Map.

4. Myth: Electric vehicles don’t have enough range to handle daily travel demands.

Fact: Electric vehicle range is more than enough for typical daily use in the U.S.

▼

Police - Be Safe

Show All Answers

1. How can you reduce the chance of being stopped by law enforcement officers?

• Obey traffic laws.
• Avoid equipment and registration violations on your vehicle. Have working lights, current tag and registration sticker, tires with adequate tread. (If you need financial help getting these items, call the WAMY Community Action office at 828-264-2421 or go to their office at 225 Birch Street, Suite 2, behind Boone Drug Deerfield to see if you qualify for a voucher).
• Never drink and drive
• Occasionally, police do conduct driver's license checkpoints. In these circumstances all drivers are legally required to provide their driver's license. You should not drive without a valid driver's license. However, if you do not have a valid driver's license and do get stopped by an officer, we would suggest that you cooperate by providing your personal information and any legal identification materials that you may have to prove who you are. The more the officer can be assured of your identity the less likely you will be to get physically arrested. If the officer cannot identify you, the officer has no other option but to arrest. Most often misdemeanors and traffic violations can be handled by citation without an arrest. The decision usually is within the officer's discretion.

2. How do you know if you’re being stopped by law enforcement? What are you supposed to do?

Police officers in North Carolina use blue lights. There are many types of police cars with many different looks and colors. If you see blue lights behind you, you are required to pull over to the right in a safe place for you and the officer out of traffic. If it is an unmarked police car it will still have blue lights. Most officers will be in police uniform with identification and police badge. If the officer is a plainclothes officer, you may ask to see their identification and badge. Sit and wait for the officer to request your valid driver’s license, insurance, and registration cards.

3. What does the officer do before getting out of the patrol car? What should you do?

Often the officer will do computer checks of the vehicle before approaching your vehicle. You should remain in your vehicle and not exit unless told to do so. It is a good practice for you to place your hands on the steering wheel or where your hands can be seen by the officer so the officer does not perceive you as a threat. Have your passengers do the same with their hands. You can turn on the interior light.

4. What will the officer ask you to do?

The officer will likely ask for your:

• Valid driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle insurance card
• You are required to provide the information
• There may be times when the officer asks you to exit your car. You are required to comply.

5. What happens if you don’t have a valid driver’s license?

If you are driving without a driver's license you will either receive a citation (which means that you will be given a ticket with a date to appear in court). The other option that the officer has is to make an arrest. The decision is up to the officer's discretion. The more you can cooperate and be honest with the officer to provide identifying information the greater your chances are of receiving a citation and not getting arrested.

6. What do you do if you’re given a warning?

You are not required to do anything if you get a warning.

7. What do you do if you’re given a ticket?

• There will be instructions (in English) on the ticket.
• If the charge has a mandatory court appearance you must go to court. You can either plead guilty or innocent. If you plead innocent you will have a trial. You can consider hiring an attorney for yourself or asking the court to appoint an attorney for you. If you plead guilty, the judge will hand down the appropriate punishment for whatever offense was committed.
• If there is not a mandatory court appearance you can choose to go to court on the court date which is written on the citation OR just pay the fine. You can pay online or at the courthouse. You can still hire an attorney to help you through this process if you choose.
• We cannot recommend a specific attorney to you, but there are a number of defense attorneys in town that can assist you through the process if you choose to hire one or if the court appoints an attorney to represent you. These legal services are not associated with the Boone Police Department.

8. What can you do if you don’t understand the officer?

• If the officer does not speak Spanish, it is to your benefit to at least try to speak some English if you are able. We will have to work together to do the best we can to communicate and understand each other.
• As stated earlier, if the officer cannot properly determine who you are or understand you, their options may be limited. For example, a situation could result in an arrest when it may have only resulted in a citation.

9. Will the officer report you to ICE?

The Boone Police Department does not generally report arrests to ICE. It is rare that officers would even ask your legal status, as we do not have the authority to enforce immigration laws.

10. What should you do if you are in an automobile accident, no injury?

• Call the police (911).
• If possible you can remove your vehicle from the roadway for safety reasons.
• It is a criminal violation to leave the scene of a crash.

11. What should you do if you’re in an automobile accident, with injuries?

• Call the police (911).
• Make sure you tell the 911 operator about the injuries, so they know to send an ambulance/ medic unit, as well as police.
• If you need to get out of the roadway for safety reasons, move your vehicle to the side of the roadway and wait for help.
• It is a felony criminal violation to leave the scene of a crash with an injury.

12. What information are you required to give to the police, to the other driver?

• Valid driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Vehicle insurance information

13. If you are hurt, will someone contact your family or friends? Will someone help you if you don’t understand?

Yes, of course. The Boone Police Department will its best to help anyone regardless of legal status or ability to speak English.

14. Why are there patrol cars parked in some neighborhoods?

We patrol all neighborhoods. Areas that have higher crime generally receive more patrol activity. We also respond to calls for service throughout the town of Boone and requests for extra patrols.

15. What branches of local law enforcement are involved in check points?

All local law enforcement agencies can, and generally do, conduct check points.

16. How can you be informed about police activity in your neighborhoods and not be afraid?

• You can simply ask. The main number to the police department for non-emergency questions is 828-268-6900.
• Even if you do not have legal status in this country, Boone Police Officers do not have the authority to deport you. In fact, we will be happy to help you.
• We participate in a variety of community outreach initiatives to provide information to the community, such as Leading for Equity and the NAACP. We routinely attend events when invited to give information to and to be a part of the community.

17. What can you do if you think that the officer did something wrong or inappropriate?

Police officers are public servants and guardians of the community. Police officers have the duty to uphold the law, but we want to do so in the most professional manner possible. While the vast majority of police officers are honorable and do the right thing if you feel like our officer did something wrong you may make a complaint. If you have a complaint about a Boone Police

Officer you can contact the Boone Police Department at 828-268-6900 and ask to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor will take your complaint and investigate the situation.

18. How can you get a legal, officially recognized ID card?

That is a great question, but unfortunately, it is not one we can help with if you are not here legally. This involves state law. Police only enforce the law we do not write the law.

19. What other forms of identification should you have?

Any documents that can help identify you are better than nothing if you cannot get an official State identification.

20. Where can your community groups meet that you feel safe? We have been told that some don’t feel safe traveling to and from gatherings.

The Boone Police are not doing round-ups. We have been invited to many meetings and no one has been arrested yet. Also, please understand that we cannot give people permission to break the laws that we are responsible to enforce, such as driving without a license, etc.

21. How can you get help for your children if they are bullied in school or community activities?

Contact the appropriate person(s) or office listed below. If you do not get a satisfactory response, you have the right to make a formal complaint to the Board of Education, individual school principal, Boone Police Department, or NAACP - Watauga (whichever is appropriate).

• Boone Police Department 828-268-6900
• Watauga Board of Education, 828-264-4995
• Watauga High School Resource Officer (SRO), school office 828-264-3133
• Watauga School Superintendent, Dr. Scott Elliott, Board of Education 828-264-4995
• Your child's teacher (Call Board of Education, 828-264-4995, for information)

22. How can you get protection if you are bullied in your workplace?

• Contact the human resources department of the company or the boss. There are employment laws that deal with people who create a hostile work environment" or with Sexual Harassment.
• You may also contact the police. We can determine if a criminal violation has occurred. We will investigate and take appropriate action. Bullying behaviors may sometimes be criminal (threats, assault) but other times are just rude and do not constitute a criminal violation.

23. Does ICE seek help from local law enforcement personnel, parole officers and court officials, or other officials? If a person is detained, what is the processing procedure, how can you get immediate h

• Federal law enforcement may ask local police to help them find someone, but these people are wanted for crimes or generally criminals convicted of felony offenses.
• Local police do not do round ups to enforce immigration laws.
• If you need help, contact the Immigrant Justice Coalition

24. If someone from ICE comes to your home, work, or stops your car, what should you do? Are they supposed to show identification? Do you have to answer questions? Who can help you if you don’t understand

• ICE agents are federal law enforcement officers.
• The Boone Police Department would refer you to ICE to get answers to this question.
• The ICE website is in Spanish as well as English.
• The Immigrant Justice Coalition can help with more information

25. How can you get help if you are physically attacked or victim of a crime? Can you get someone to be with you who can help you understand and get the help you need?

Call 911. Boone Police will help anyone who calls us for help. We do have translation services that we can call upon if needed.

▼

Public Utilities

Show All Answers

1. What is 'wastewater'?

Wastewater is sewage. This charge covers transport and treatment of sewage, from residential and commercial sources. The Town of Boone releases treated wastewater safely into the New River.

2. Who is responsible for water leaks?

The Town of Boone is responsible to repair leaks between the water meter and the street. The customer is responsible to repair leaks between the water meter and their house. 

3. I have an unusually large water bill. What should I do?

If your regular meter reading has unusually high consumption it may be an indication of one of the following problems: 

• Leak in commode tanks
• Leaky faucets
• Leak in main house shut off, 
• Underground leaks 

If you have any questions, Contact Public Utilities or Contact Utility Billing.

4. Where does the Town of Boone's water come from?

The Town of Boone’s water comes from Winkler’s’ Creek and the South Fork of the New River. The water is treated at our water treatment facility and delivered to your house via underground pipes.

5. My water is cloudy and/or tastes bad. Who should I contact?

Contact Public Utilities to report concerns about the taste, smell or appearance of your water. Hydrant flushing may be required to clear lines of cloudy water due to construction or maintenance of water mains.

6. I have low water pressure in my home. Who should I contact?

Contact Public Utilities for water pressure problems.

7. What is the range of water pressure in Boone?

The range of water pressure is between 40 and 225 psi (pounds per square inch).

8. Who should I contact if I see a water leak or a water main break?

To report water leaks, Contact Public Utilities. 

9. Who should I contact if a fire hydrant is leaking?

If a fire hydrant is leaking, Contact Public Utilities.

10. What should I do if I witness a sewage overflow?

Report the overflow immediately and Contact Public Utilities.

11. Who should I contact if I have sewer backed up in my home?

If there is a sewer backup at your home, please Contact Public Utilities. 

12. Is the Town of Boone under any water restrictions?

The Town of Boone is not currently under any water restrictions.

13. Why would the Town of Boone change my water meter?

To insure continued accuracy, the Town of Boone schedules to replace water meters every 10 years.

14. Why do Town employees operate hydrants?

Hydrants are opened twice per year to clear out sediment and keep the hydrants in good working order in case of fire. Some hydrants at the edges of the city limits where water is not running through the lines at high volumes are also flushed more regularly in order to maintain water quality. 

15. Why is there a hole being dug in my street?

When the Town of Boone digs a hole in the street, we are generally repairing or replacing water or sewer lines.

▼

Recycling FAQs

Show All Answers

1. Where Should I Place My Garbage Container and Recycling Bin?

• Place your garbage container and recycling bin at the curb by 6 am on the morning of or the night before your scheduled service.
• Place your garbage container and recycling bin within 3 feet of the curb with the handle and wheels facing away from the street.
• Make sure the containers are at least 4 to 5 feet from trees, mailboxes, cars, yard waste, utility poles, or any other obstructions.
• Place all recyclable items in the Republic Services provided cart for collection by the truck. Do not leave recyclables outside the roll-out cart.

2. What Should Go in My Recycling Bin?

Accepted Items

Recyclables accepted in your 96-gallon recycling cart are listed below.

Paper

• Cardboard, gift boxes, shoe boxes (flattened)
• Computer paper, office paper, color paper, envelopes
• Gift wrap paper (without foil backing or glitter)
• Pizza, cereal and food boxes (no food debris)
• Magazines, telephone books, paperback books
• Milk and juice cartons/boxes (must be empty)
• Mixed paper, newspapers with inserts, junk mail

Glass

• Wide-mouth plastic containers and lids

Plastics

• All plastic bottles and containers (numbers 1 through 7)
• Rigid plastics (toys, buckets, plant pots, trays, etc.)

Metals

• Aluminum cans and steel cans including lids
• Aluminum foil (no food debris)
• Empty aerosol cans (no Paint cans)

3. What Shouldn't Go in My Recycling Bin?

Unaccepted Items

Items not accepted in your 96-gallon cart are listed below:

• Batteries
• Clothing or fabric
• Glassware, light bulbs, plate or window glass
• Hazardous waste, electronics & paint
• Household garbage or food waste
• Plastic bags, plastic film or wrap
• Ropes, hoses, cords, tarps or wire
• Rubber or tires
• Styrofoam
• Waxed pasteboard/cardboard
• Yard waste, landscape debris, stone or rocks

Contact Public Works Department for proper disposal of the above non-recyclable items.

4. My Recycling Bin is Damaged/Lost. What Should I Do?

Contact Republic Services, Incorporated if your recycling cart is damaged or lost.

5. Where can I Drop Off Recyclables That Don't Fit in the Bins/Aren't Accepted in the Recycling Bins?

The Public Works Department invites residents to bring applicable recyclables to the Public Works building located at 321 E. King St, Boone, NC 28607. Listed below are the accepted items:

Mixed Paper

Recycle mixed paper by placing it in their roll-out carts and leaving said carts outside and to the right of the Public Works building.

Mixed paper can include:

• Catalogs
• Color Paper
• Envelopes
• Junk Mail
• Magazines Telephone Directories
• Office Paper
• Pasteboard

Corrugated Cardboard

The public is also invited to recycle corrugated cardboard in the green corrugated cardboard recycling dumpster located inside the gate in the back of the parking lot to the left of the Public Works building between the hours of 7 am and 4 pm.

Oil & Oil Filters

Deliver oil/filters to the Fleet Maintenance garage at the first bay garage door on the left side of the building.

Miscellaneous Items

During office hours (8 am to 5 pm) the following items can be dropped off for recycling:

• Batteries-only dry cell household batteries (rechargeable or one-time use)
• Compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) are to be placed in a sealed zip-lock bag prior to dropping off

▼

Special Flood Areas

Show All Answers

1. Is my property located within the Special Flood Hazard Area?

To determine whether your property is located within a Special Flood Hazard Area please contact the Town of Boone Planning and Inspections Department by phone at 828-268-6960 or visit the North Carolina Flood Risk Information System website where you can conduct a search based upon your address.

2. Is there an elevation certificate available for my home or business?

To determine whether the Town of Boone has an elevation certificate on file for your structure, please contact the Town of Boone Planning and Inspections Department by phone at 828-268-6960.

3. Is maintaining the drainage system on my private property my responsibility or the Town’s responsibility?

Maintaining the drainage system on private property is the owner’s responsibility

4. What are some tips for on how to reduce the chance of stormwater from ponding on my property?

Please see below for tips on how to reduce the chance of stormwater from ponding on your property:

• Do not dump or throw anything into ditches or streams. Dumping yard waste and other debris can accumulate and plug ditches, culverts, and channels thereby increasing the risk of flooding during storm events as rainwater will have nowhere to go.
• Maintain your drainage system.
• Clean out roof gutters twice a year.
• Direct flow from downspouts away from your foundation without directing stormwater discharge onto neighboring properties.
• Never discharge water over the edge of a steep slope.
• Properties with stormwater detention systems should have these systems checked on an annual basis to ensure that they are functioning as intended.
• If a public street drain or ditch appears to be blocked by snow or other debris call the Town of Boone Public Works Department at (828-268-6230) to report the issue.

▼

Toilet Rebate Program

Show All Answers

1. What is a WaterSense® High Efficiency Toilet?

WaterSense is the Environmental Protection Agency’s labeling program for water efficiency products. WaterSense labeled toilets use an average of only 1.28 gallons of water per flush and have passed rigorous testing standards.

2. Do I have to hire someone to install the toilet?

No. Individual customers may choose to install the toilet. If you purchase a toilet through a plumber, be sure the model number of the toilet is listed on the receipt.

3. Can I participate even if I don’t own my home/rent from a homeowner?

Yes. However, you will be held responsible for gaining the appropriate approval from your landlord.

4. Do I have to buy the toilet at a particular store?

No. As long as the toilet is an high efficiency toilet (HET) on the EPA’s WaterSense List, a customer can buy it from any retailer, even online, but we will require the original invoice(s) or sales receipt(s) sent in with the application. The Public Utilities Department advises the customers to keep a copy of sales invoice(s) or receipt(s) for their records.

5. Is there anything else I need to buy with the toilet?

This will depend on the toilet purchased, as some toilets come in complete kits. It may be possible that a new wax ring or additional bolts may be needed when purchasing the toilet. Check with your retailer or plumber to ensure you have all the equipment needed to have a working toilet.

6. How will I receive the rebate?

Once all required information is received by staff, a check will be mailed to the qualified applicant who is a town water customer.

7. When will I receive my check?

Usually checks will arrive by mail in 6-8 weeks.

8. Will the Town be checking to see that my toilet has been installed?

As part of the rebate process, customers must agree to allow a post installation inspection.

9. How long will the high efficiency toilet (HET) toilet rebate program last?

The program is offered on a first come, first served basis and will function as long as allocated funds permit.

10. Are all of the toilets on the EPA WaterSense® list available at all retailers?

That is unlikely. No retailer will have every toilet, but approved toilets are available locally. Many plumbing supply stores can special order toilets as well.

▼

Utility Billing

Show All Answers

1. When are bills due?

Bills are always due the 20th unless it is a weekend or holiday. Then they will be due the next business day.

2. When are bills sent out?

The bills are sent out the first of every month.

3. Why can't I access my account online?

We use a third party processor for online payments and they don't recognize you as a customer until your first statement is created.

4. I prefer email bills. Is there a way to only receive billing statements via email?

Once you receive your first statement, right above the portion that you tear off if you're mailing your payment is a website and registration code to sign up.

5. Is the Town of Boone in charge of electric utilities?

No, the Town of Boone is only in charge of water and sewer utilities. The electric utility providers are:

Blue Ridge Energy

New River Light and Power