Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Vape Disposal Tobacco Fee topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Natick students propose vape disposal program; board tables tobacco-sales permit fee decision
Summary
Natick Above The Influence students proposed a twice-yearly vape take-back funded partly by higher tobacco-sales permit fees; the Board of Health thanked the group, asked staff for a fee recommendation and voted 2–0 to table the fee decision.
Students from Natick Above The Influence (NATI) presented a proposal at the Feb. 9 Board of Health meeting to fund a long-term vape disposal program through a modest increase in tobacco-sales permit fees.
Shresta Chakilam, Maggie Lee, Corin D'Orsi, Henry Miller and Nick Chan‑Smutko outlined the project: NATI identified environmental concerns from discarded vapes and estimated that hosting two vape take‑back events per year would cost about $3,000. The students suggested retailers, which they said supply roughly 80% of vapes, should shoulder part of the cost. Catherine (Katie) Sugarman, Prevention & Outreach Program Manager, and Elizabeth (Lizzy) Chalfin, Associate Project Coordinator, joined the students on the Zoom call.
Board members thanked the students for the work and asked staff to develop a fee recommendation. Director Michael K. Boudreau said he will examine a price index and return with a proposed reasonable increase. Donald J. Breda moved to table a decision on a tobacco-sales permit fee so staff can bring back a recommendation; Karla H. Sangrey seconded and the roll-call vote to table was 2–0.
The minutes record the students' proposal, estimated event costs and the board's request for staff analysis; they do not record a proposed fee amount or timeline for the staff recommendation. The board scheduled its next meeting for March 9, 2026.
