Politics & Government

Barrington Bans Plastic Bags

The Town Council votes 4-1 to ban the use of plastic grocery and takeout bags beginning Jan. 1 for at least two years; town is believed to be the second community in New England to ban bags.

Plastic grocery bags are banned in Barrington for at least two-plus years.

On a split 4-1 vote, the Town Council approved an ordinance that bans plastic grocery and takeout bags. The ordinance goes into effect on Jan. 1.

A "sunset" provision was added to the ordinance to create an expiration date -- Jan. 31, 2015. The law will be revisited again at that time.

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Town Council President June Speakman, Vice President Jeff Brenner, and Councilors Kate Weymouth and Cynthia Coyne voted for banning the bags.

Councilor Bill DeWitt cast the only nay vote.

Find out what's happening in Barringtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The vote also split on political lines: four Democrats in favor and one Republican opposed. The vote also is believed to make Barrington the second community in New England to ban the bags.

Joseph Roberts, the member of the Conservation Commission who proposed the ban last spring, said: "I was a little disappointed with the sunset provision, although I can understand the logic behind it."

Coyne suggested the sunset provision of the ordinance "to give it time to work" but also to evaluate its impact on business.

"I think we will find after two years that it is so clearly beneficial that no one will want to go back," said Roberts.

The vote came after a public hearing at which most speakers said they favored banning the bags because of environmental concerns. Speakers who opposed the ban did so primarily because they believe recycling is a better option.

DeWitt said he voted against the ban because "I don't think we're solving the probem. I think we're just changing the problem at the end of the day."

Weymouth, perhaps the most vocal supporter of the ordinance, said: "Someone needs to get this started. Plastic bags have such a devastating effect on the water and sea life."

She also cited numerous cities in the U.S., including Los Angeles, Seattle, and San Francisco, and a host of smaller cities and towns that have taken the same action. The nearest town that has banned plastic bags is Westport, Conn., making Barrington the second town in New England to adopt a ban.

"Perhaps Barrington can give the state an little nudge," said Speakman. "If we can do it, the state can do it."

The ordinance bans plastic bags “to improve the environment in Barrington and the health, safety and welfare of its residents by encouraging the use of reusable checkout bags.” It encourages retailers to offer for sale reusable bags. It does not suggest a price per bag.

The ordinance includes fines of up to $300 per violation and describes how the ordinance would be enforced – either by the police department or an officer of the town manager.

A potential violation would be investigated and followed up with a written notice to the owner or manager of the retail establishment.  The notice would either be served to the owner or manager in person or by posting it in a conspicuous place of the store and sending a copy to the owner or manager.

A retail store’s owner or manager would have to respond in writing within 14 days that the violation has ended. A second violation after the 14-day response period and within one year of the response from the retailer would lead to a $150 fine.

A third violation within a year of the second and any subsequent violations would lead to a $300 fine.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here