Two slightly different bag ban proposals will likely come before voters this spring in Oak Bluffs.
Ray Ewing

Size Matters for Bag Ban in Oak Bluffs

Oak Bluffs voters could face dueling plastic bag ban bylaws at their annual town meeting, with business owners and conservation leaders offering their own proposals.

Oak Bluffs voters could face dueling plastic bag ban bylaws at their annual town meeting in April, with business owners and conservation leaders offering their own proposals after failing to agree about the parameters of the proposed ban.

Members of the business community and representatives of Vineyard Conservation Society told Oak Bluffs selectmen Tuesday that both groups planned to propose plastic bag ban bylaws by petition for the April town meeting by the deadline Friday, though the two sides will continue discussions in hopes of coming to an agreement before town meeting.

Last spring the other five Island towns approved bylaws banning use of thin single-use plastic bags at retail establishments. Oak Bluffs selectmen agreed to put the article on the warrant, then later rescinded the decision after concerns from business owners.

Planning board member Brian Packish told the selectmen Tuesday that he has led three discussions between business owners and VCS members about the ban, but the parties had not reached an agreement as the deadline for town meeting articles approached.

The VCS bylaw approved by the other towns would ban single-use bags four mils thick or less. The business community wants the ban to apply to bags 2.5 mils thick or less.

“We didn’t feel the process was over, but all of a sudden Feb. 17 is coming,” VCS member Samantha Look said. She said VCS wants to put forward the original article, even as a place holder, “and then keep the dialogue going.”

Jen Freeman of Reliable Market said businesses want to research options beyond what is proposed in the VCS bylaw, including biodegradable or compostable bags. “We’re looking for a solution that works for a variety of customers,” she said, from older customers walking over from the Camp Ground to visitors walking off the ferry.

Selectman Walter Vail said he was in favor of getting rid of plastic bags, but the business community is key in the proposal. “Town meeting is a tough place for this discussion, it seems to me,” he said. “I’d rather have one everyone can agree on.”

Selectman Gregory Coogan said the board agreed last year to revisit the issue. “We promised,” he said. “If they can’t come to an agreement it will be up to the town meeting. But we’ll get something done rather than nothing . . . I’d rather put this on and have the town decide.”

Board chairman Gail Barmakian agreed. “I think it’s fair to go to town meeting,” she said. “That’s the people’s meeting. That’s what it’s for.”

Town administrator Robert Whritenour made a last-minute attempt at brokering a solution, pointing out an example of a multi-use plastic bag used at Stop & Shop stores off-Island. “It seems this thing could be wrapped up,” he said. “This seems the perfect solution.”

But selectmen passed at finding a compromise. “You can go to the next meeting,” Ms. Barmakian said.

Petitions for town meeting warrant articles require 10 signatures from town residents and are due at the end of the day Feb. 17.

In other business at a three and a half-hour meeting, selectmen approved a liquor license transfer and change of manager for the Sweet Life Cafe. The new owners of the seasonal restaurant on Circuit avenue are Hal and Erin Ryerson, who worked with former Sweet Life owners Kevin and Suzanna Crowell at their other restaurant, Detente in Edgartown. “We’re really excited and we’re happy to join the Oak Bluffs business community,” Ms. Ryerson said.

“Congratulations,” Mr. Coogan said. “We look forward to it.”

Selectmen renewed annual all-alcohol licenses for 12 town establishments, deferring decisions on three restaurants. Mr. Whritenour said three businesses, Martha’s Vineyard Chowder Company, Park Corner, and The Barn, have not successfully completed annual inspections. He said an inspection showed minor issues at the Chowder Company, which have not been fixed or reinspected, and Park Corner and the Barn have not been inspected.

Mr. Whritenour said it is the business owners’ responsibility to schedule inspections, which should have been completed in January. He said the lack of inspection violates regulations and makes the businesses subject to action on their licenses. The board agreed to revisit the restaurants’ inspection status at a future meeting.

The board also:

• Approved this year’s regional application for the Community Development Block Grant, which has provided town residents with funding for housing rehabilitation and childcare assistance.

• Postponed signing off on the proposed establishment of a cultural district in Oak Bluffs after Ms. Barmakian raised some concerns. The board will revisit the issue again in a few weeks.

• Agreed to place a proposed bylaw revision for converting existing buildings into apartment units on the town meeting warrant, with some hesitation after discussion about the complicated ins and outs of the bylaw. A public hearing will be held to more fully vet the matter.

• Approved a request for The Ritz Cafe to close from Feb. 26 to March 20 for kitchen renovations, including a new smoker.

• Reappointed fire chief John Rose to a three-year term.

• Approved the annual Oak Bluffs Bluewater Classic fishing tournament, which will take place from July 19 to July 22.

• Approved raising mooring rates for the 2017 season.

As the hour neared 8 p.m. selectmen noted the lengthy meeting was interfering with holiday plans. “I think there’s a Valentine’s dinner sitting on my table,” Mr. Coogan said. “Let’s go.”

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 21:00

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Jeremy Houser

Thanks for the good write-up, but a quick correction regarding the bag ban jargon: the thickness measurements are not millimeters, but "mil," which is equivalent to 1/1000 of an inch. For example, a 4 mil bag is made of plastic .004 inches thick.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 02/16/2017 - 22:19

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Very Annoyed Vineyard Haven

You see those conservationists are not happy with banning single use bag. They had a hidden agenda to ban most plastic bags until there are none!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 10:30

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Dan Ob

There should be none. Plastic bags are horrible. Bring your own bag. Is it really that hard for you to remember?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 11:39

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

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Jeremy Houser

The bylaw proposed by VCS is the same as the one voted on last year at five town meetings -- a bylaw that is now in effect in those five towns. It has been thoroughly covered in the press, including this very newspaper. If there's an "agenda" here it's hiding about as well as a 3-year-old standing behind a floor lamp.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 12:19

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oldtimer Chilmark

Interesting the tactic the VCS has with being a bully throughout this and not working with groups for the common good of all involved. Interesting to think back of the push to remove paper bags to save the trees, maybe in another 20 years when all the trees are wiped out will go back to plastic again. We should educate and promote recycling and keeping our world clean instead of dictating and hurting businesses.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 02/17/2017 - 18:03

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Thom Northampton, MA

As a strong conservationist and member of my town's Conservation Commission, I strongly supported a local plastic bag ban here in western Massachusetts. Now that it has gone into effect, I regret that decision because I have seen its effects.

Stores have switched to cheap paper bags, which have been a disaster - and the people most effected are the elderly and the handicapped. Literally on *every* shopping trip I take to our local food co-op, I see older people struggling with bags ripping - in the parking lot, at their car, or even while walking down the street to their homes, as food spills all over the road. The current paper bags are just too thin and too delicate to properly serve their purpose.

As an interesting caveat: I participated in a beach clean-up on Long Island, along the 90-mile Fire Island barrier beach. Much to my surprise, the single most common piece of non-degradable trash that we collected was not plastic bags - it was mylar balloons.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 02/19/2017 - 21:05

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Amy Billings Oak Bluffs

As a business owner who recycles every way we can and ask's every customer if they would like a bag or not ( most don't in my type of business) I am not pleased that I would be forced to use a certain product. It won't matter if it's plastic 4 mil or paper it will cost the business owner more ( then eventually the customer ) It is my understand that VCS 's goal is to do away with all "single use" bags. The burden shouldn't be placed on the business owner. We all know that recycling is important but I am one of many who actually re-uses those less than 4mil "single use " plastic bag's. Let's keep our Park's and Beaches clean by being responsible humans and disposing of our trash and recycling properly. Thank you VCS for being instrumental in educating our children and keeping us informed on our natural resources but I will be supporting the business owners in April. I also think these " feel good " bylaws need to stop. Why is it so hard for people to just do the right thing ?

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