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North Adams delays vote on proposed prohibition of single‑use 'nip' bottles; pilot refund program returns 35,000
Summary
Council heard an update on a community‑run NIP refund pilot (35,000 returns at the Beare Center) and voted to postpone formal consideration of a City ordinance banning single‑use 'nip' bottles until March 10 to allow the public safety committee to meet and assess the pilot.
The North Adams City Council on Feb. 24 heard an update on a local pilot to collect and refund small single‑serving bottles (‘‘nips’’) and voted to postpone formal action on a proposed prohibition.
Keith, presenting for the administration and police, summarized a volunteer‑run NIP refund program operating at the Beare Center: a five‑cent refund per bottle and about 35,000 nips returned in under four months. The returns, participants said, came from across Northern Berkshire and included organized collections used as fundraisers; presenters said the program both increased recycling and supported community causes.
Councelor Sabenzo moved to postpone the council’s consideration of a proposed prohibition on single‑use NIP bottle sales to the first meeting in March (March 10), after the public safety committee scheduled a working session for March 2 to discuss the pilot. Councilors clarified that no ordinance language had yet been adopted or published and that postponement would not foreclose later ordinance action.
The motion to postpone passed by voice vote.
