<p>After hearing from town business owners who opposed a proposed plastic bag ban as too costly and inconvenient, Oak Bluffs selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday not to include the measure on the April town meeting warrant.</p>
Oak Bluffs selectmen voted unanimously Tuesday not to include a measure that would ban single-use plastic bags on the town meeting warrant.
The action reverses a vote at the selectmen’s Dec. 15 meeting, when the board voted to include the article on the town meeting warrant and let voters decide the issue. At their Tuesday meeting, the board heard from town business owners who opposed the measure as too costly and inconvenient.
At the meeting several selectmen said they want more time to work with local businesses on a compromise. The plastic bag ban will go before voters at annual town meetings this spring in all Island towns except Oak Bluffs.
The measure, promoted by the Vineyard Conservation Society, would ban single-use plastic bags commonly used at local stores to pack groceries and other purchases at the register. Supporters of the ban contend it would lead to a cleaner environment both on land and in the oceans. They also say it would encourage consumers to bring reusable cloth or more durable plastic bags to the store, and reduce the cost of recycling.
While many at the meeting Tuesday questioned the benefit to the environment, most business owners focused on the cost of switching to different bags.
“Last year we purchased 548 cases of plastic bags at a cost of $14,300,” said Bob Pacheco of Reliable Market. “If they were paper, it would equate to 1,370 bales at $61 a bale, or $83,500. That’s a $69,000 difference. We like to keep our prices moderate. We’re in a very competitive business. We don’t just raise prices arbitrarily. That’s a lot of money.”
Former selectman Todd Rebello, who owns four downtown businesses, said banning plastic bags in Oak Bluffs will affect businesses in Oak Bluffs differently than other Island towns, and differently than other communities that have passed such ordinances. He said summer tourists won’t bring reusable bags with them on day trips to Martha’s Vineyard.
“These were aimed at big box stores, not Mom and Pop businesses,” Mr. Rebello said. “I’m willing to go to a higher cost, but I’m not willing to break my business. I’m willing to do more, but don’t put it all on a small group of people struggling to stay in business.”
Samantha Look, who spearheaded the Vineyard Conservation Society initiative, said the warrant article would make the plastic bag ban effective in the spring of 2017.
“Everyone could get through the summer season and use up stock, and prepare.” Ms. Look said.
Several business owners advocated better efforts at recycling. Ms. Look said single-use plastic bags are recyclable only under very specific circumstances, and there is a very limited market for the recycled plastic.
“It doesn’t matter how good we are at recycling the bags, you have to have someone who will take them,” Ms. Look said.
Members of the board said they did not oppose a ban, but they did favor putting off a town meeting vote to give merchants time to explore alternative solutions or develop a way to implement a plastic bag ban.
“If we have to give it a little more time to get it right, it makes sense,” said selectman Gregory Coogan. “But I don’t think anybody should walk away thinking that we’re not going to do something about this. We all recognize that plastic is not a good thing for what we sell here year round, which is the most beautiful place on the planet. We can’t afford to screw that up.”
Selectmen committed to bring the issue to voters at next year’s town meeting, if not before.
Before the vote, Ms. Look told selectmen that the board’s earlier decision to include the warrant article, followed by Tuesday’s reversal of that vote after the deadline for submitting articles, deprived supporters of organizing a citizen’s petition to put the measure before town meeting.
“We’ve lost an opportunity to do this any other way,” Ms. Look said.
Comments
What in the world are these
Keith Edgartown (part of Earth that is in quite a bit of danger)What in the world are these people doing? Seriously? This ban is supported by MV conservation organizations that understand that a ban would be a great thing for this island. I understand they pledged to vote on it at some point, but why not just approve it now? And if you don't like the bill, vote it down! But sitting on your hands because there is some big money opposition is just ridiculous.
What "big money opposition? "
Kimberly Burke Oak BluffsWhat "big money opposition? "
Wow, that is amazingly
Carol formerly ChilmarkWow, that is amazingly backwards. What a race to the past, OB. Let's put more garbage in the oceans. Nice job.
This is wrong. I support the
Nina Hitchen Oak BluffsThis is wrong. I support the plastic bag ban and am shocked that our selectmen have taken away our ability to vote on it. Very bad call Oak Bluffs selectmen.
Let's ban the plastic bags so
Joel EdgartownLet's ban the plastic bags so we don't have to look at them stuck in Sengekontacket Pond every summer and so we don't have to collect them on south beach. Paper bags decompose. We have an amazingly beautiful island. Let's protect it.
I will do my shopping in oak
sue edgartownI will do my shopping in oak bluffs. I cannot afford to buy the $1.99 each for totes and they rip easily with weight such as juice containers. We are not stopping the nip bottle sales too are we? We voted down a .05 cent deposit for all juice bottles, (which I voted to do), but it's only the plastic bags that are an issue? Some people use those for diapers and used depends. I will not vote for this, especially if the cost of goods will skyrocket. Can't we start a program for the harm they can do instead? Oh wait, the town's don't want to pay for it, they'd rather see our purchase prices skyrocket.
Hi Sue, just to clear up some
LizHi Sue, just to clear up some confusion - 1) you will not be required to buy a bag. You will get a paper bag instead of a plastic bag, which is sturdier than a plastic bag, and free. 2) Nip bottles are a separate issue that also should be addressed but has a totally different set of issues around it that should be treated separately. Nobody is saying that nips are not an issue. 3) The cost of goods will not "skyrocket."
Who said the bags will be
Kimberly Burke Oak BluffsWho said the bags will be free?
Cronig's imposes a 5-cent
TG Oak BluffsCronig's imposes a 5-cent surcharge for each large shopping bag. Would a 5 or 10 cent surcharge cover the expense for Reliable?
Kim, stores can choose to
LizKim, stores can choose to charge for paper bags, but it is not part of the bylaw. It is actually illegal to make charging for bags a part of the bylaw, so yes, they will be free.
I traveled to California
Very Annoyed Vineyard HavenI traveled to California where there is a ban and received a surprise, the purchased items were not bagged but I could buy a bag for ten cents. The single use plastic bags do service a purpose for a fresh clean sanitized way of holding merchandise plus service as a garage bag afterwards or picking up dog poop or a cover for a bicycle seat! The problem is not the bag, the problem is people who do not care about their surroundings and litter with disrespect!
Produce bags and sandwich
LizProduce bags and sandwich bags are not banned through this bylaw, and make equally good (and free) poop picker uppers or seat covers.
Only 'single use' bags, the
Aliy EdgartownOnly 'single use' bags, the other plastic bags, sandwich, zip lock,
can break down when you "RECYCLE" them.....!
Invest in bags to bring with you to the stores, wash & re-use
I can't believe the Oak
Barbara AquinnahI can't believe the Oak Bluffs selectmen wouldn't give the voters the opportunity to decide this important issue for themselves. Instead they bowed to the pressure of a few businesses. Are they willing to continue to pollute our island so that a few people who put profit before doing the right thing can continue this wasteful and destructive practice? They waited to announce this until it was too late to submit a petition to bring it before the town. Democracy in action..Oak Bluffs style.
Town elected officials
Kimberly Burke Oak BluffsTown elected officials represent all tax payers, including businesses.
Government is supposed to move slowly. Rushing through to pass a by-law is very similar to what happens on the state and federal level. Pushing it through without public input. That's not how it should work.
I hear you, Kimberly, but the
TG Oak BluffsI hear you, Kimberly, but the way the selectmen handled this deprived the citizens of pursuing this on their own with a petition to put it on the ballot. That's not how it should work either.
Kimberly, government is
Edward EdgartownKimberly, government is suppose to move slowly? Too funny!
TG and Liz,
Kimberly Burke Oak BluffsTG and Liz,
My point was that the businesses didn't have time to give their input on the by-law BEFORE it goes to town meeting.
Edward,
Kimberly Burke Oak BluffsEdward,
Yes, Government is supposed to move slowly, though most of the time it does not.
I agree, too funny!
Barbara, I couldn't agree
Jackie Vineyard HavenBarbara, I couldn't agree with you more! How dare they take away the right to vote on this?? This is an Island issue as well. Not just an OB issue.
How is it so difficult to
Christine VHHow is it so difficult to bring your own bag? I would think retailers would like to get rid of the cost of the bags and only sell reusable bags with the store logo, free advertising for the vendor! People will learn their lesson and remember to bring bags when they go shopping.....This is not rocket science.
Thank you for being
Tisbury voter Vineyard haven,massThank you for being reasonable on this bag issue,and for being concerned on the affect it will have on bussiness and that means us the consumer who will be absorbing the cost in future.We are all concerned about our environment and feel we really need to be making smart desitions for us who are trying to live on the island.Thank again to O.B.Selectman for not making a hasty desitions and thinking what and who it will hurt,and putting yourselves in the store owners shoes.
The consumer is now bearing
LizThe consumer is now bearing the cost for these plastic bags and their impact on the environment. My thanks goes to the wise selectmen in every other town who are allowing the people to vote.
I find it interesting that
BS Oak BluffsI find it interesting that the same people who want to enforce regulations which will raise the price of goods on the island also seem to always be bemoaning the high cost of living here. It seems to me we have a littering problem, not a plastic bag problem.
Hawaii banded those bags a
Mel Bendavid Oak bluffsHawaii banded those bags a long time ago! Get with it MV!
Think of how many trees we
Tisbury voter Vineyard haven,massThink of how many trees we saved because we stayed with Plastic,,,,,.hundreds of trees that give out much needed oxygen we all need,Bottom line is we just have to discard plastic bags properly.
If there is no plastic bag
Down islander EdgartownIf there is no plastic bag ban, perhaps baggers at Stop and Shop can be better trained in how to bag groceries. So many times Ive watched baggers put one or two items per bag. I bring my own now, but still see way too many bags being used
Wow, what a clever trick by
Bruce EdgartownWow, what a clever trick by the Selectmen!! it only takes 10 signatures on a petition to get it on a warrant at the Annual Town Meeting, so it would have been very easy to do. But for the Selectmen to say they would put on the warrant and then after it is past the deadline to petition reverse their decision is pure genius! What a way to keep petition articles off the warrant. Seems to me that this late in the game they should have just told those opposed to state there case at town meeting and let the people decide.
I agree. Whether you support
TG Oak BluffsI agree. Whether you support or oppose the ban, or don't have any opinion, the way the selectmen handled this was unfair to the ban supporters, who they totally misled until it was too late.
So after reading this story
Diane Oak BluffsSo after reading this story and having concerns, I asked a friend who owns a business in Oak Bluffs why the selectmen appeared to have not followed through with letting the people vote on this article this spring. I was told that the selectmen were led to believe that Vineyard Conservation had met with business leaders already, but that proved not to be the case. Furthermore, the business owners did not object to the overall reduction in the use of plastic bags, but objected to language pertaining to the time frame for implementation and the specific bag weight limitations. In plain English, he said Oak Bluffs merchants became wise to the fact that this was not only about banning the flimsy Stop and Shop bags but ALL plastic bags. The only reason Edgartown and Vineyard Haven boards have agreed to go to town meeting is because the business owners in those towns haven't figured out that even the highest quality bags will be banned. The Selectmen in OB voted 5-0 to delay a vote even though individually they support some forms of plastic bag reduction effort. They just felt more information and discussion was better for everyone.
Isn't a Town Meeting the best
Bruce EdgartownIsn't a Town Meeting the best opportunity to have discussion with the most possible people? And to hear concerns and offer positive amendments (like for implementation date and type of bags?) and I disagree with your assertion of it would include all plastic bags. I thought the bylaw gave specifications (ie. less than 4 mil thickness) and that it didn't include bags like those used for produce?
Sorry town meeting is not the
Bob EdgartownSorry town meeting is not the best place for getting information first time around. Pretty clever of the VCS to hold back or mislead information. We can debate at town meeting after it has been discussed with all the facts months in advance. It is never good to make quick decisions as you are not aware of the unintended consequences. I have seen this at town meeting many times.
Oh for heaven's sake. Low
Carol formerly ChilmarkOh for heaven's sake. Low quality, high quality - yes, the thousands of communities and counties across the nation that have already banned plastic bags have banned ALL plastic bags. It's always ALL plastic bags. No businesses have ever gone under due to not offering bags, and the shopping public adjusts quickly. Some love it, some grumble, & then we all adjust & it's no big deal. Good Lord, get off the Island once in awhile & catch up to what the rest of the world has already done. It's not complicated.
I am embarrassed by this
Guinevere Cramer Oak Bluffs, MAI am embarrassed by this decision as an Oak Bluffs resident. Would it be a change, YES! However, guess what - it's easy to bring your own bag. There are so many convenient options. I'm sorry if helping to keep the town, the Island, and our waters cleaner is an inconvenience for some. There are bigger things at stake here.
Humans have the unique
Michael MV and FLHumans have the unique ability to conclude "because that's the way we've always done it".
Inconvenience and being forced to do something differently is SO difficult, however people have the uncanny ability to change.
Remember the roundabout? What a teeth pulling fiasco that turned out to be...
Nantucket made the change and shoppers quickly got the message. Costco doesn't give bags, cardboard boxes which most people don't use, and people get along just fine.
You've made a mistake OB.
The sooner this gets implimented the better for us all.
Did I mention the Roundabout?
This is really disappointing
Jackie Vineyard HavenThis is really disappointing as The Island could be setting an example rather than promoting backwards thinking in regards to the environment. Financially it is very short sighted as well. Plastic bags which can't be recycled eventually end up where they don't belong harming our environment & the conservation of our beautiful Island. This also jeopardizes tourism and business not to mention our right and responsibility to exist harmoniously with nature and other living things.
Really? Shame on you! We had
Nic EdinburghReally? Shame on you! We had no plastic bags of any kind when I was a child yet somehow we managed. Put your beautiful island first and ban plastic bags a.s.a.p.!! As for the lady who can't afford a reusable bag - maybe some kind person could gift her one or two? Heck, give me her address and I'll mail them over!
Really?? How hard is it to
Sarah WT-CAReally?? How hard is it to carry your own reusable bags?! I've been doing it for years. And they would still provide paper bags! Come on Oak Bluffs, get with times. Help clean up the environment!
I am not a resident, but a
Dot PennsylvaniaI am not a resident, but a frequent visitor. Why can't a ban on plastic bags, with a start date, be advertised at all business locations. Signs in the Windows & at the check out - telling people ban will be in place at such & such a date. Perhaps look into purchasing a supply of reusable cloth totes that could be made available for shoppers to buy, before the ban goes into effect. Time frame for ban established & well publicized - no excuse for not getting rid of plastic bags.
Charge for the PLASTIC bags!!
CS OBCharge for the PLASTIC bags!!
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