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Yarmouth board discusses forming working group for plastic-reduction bylaw; select board role remains central
Summary
Members discussed using a working group and a draft regulation (including a Falmouth template) to shape a local plastic-reduction bylaw; the select board will need to authorize a working group and the Board of Health would contribute public-health perspective and hearings.
Board members and staff discussed next steps for a local plastic-reduction effort at the Feb. 3 meeting. Jay said he has prepared a working list of stakeholders — including industry, recycling, the chamber of commerce, public-health staff, select board representatives and conservation interests — to craft a draft regulation or bylaw. He recommended using an early draft for public feedback rather than an undefined open forum.
Board members noted that the select board has primacy over bylaw adoption and that the Board of Health’s role would be advisory and participatory in working-group meetings. Jay provided a template from the town of Falmouth as a starting point and said the goal is to produce a workable regulation that balances business needs, environmental goals and community impact.
Participants suggested a timeline that includes community education over several months and stakeholder meetings in summer or fall with a possible January start date for any new rules; the board discussed building a three-month community-education window for a smooth rollout. No formal vote or direction was made at the Feb. 3 meeting beyond agreement to continue developing materials and to await select-board authorization for a working group.
