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Townsend Board adopts polystyrene (styrofoam) use‑restriction; effective Sept. 1
Summary
After reviewing town council edits, the board approved polystyrene use‑restriction regulations, adding council-suggested warning/fine structure and retaining an undue‑hardship definition aimed at food‑service establishments; the regulation takes effect Sept. 1, 2026.
The Townsend Board of Health approved a polystyrene (styrofoam) use‑restriction regulation at its July 27 meeting following review of edits recommended by town council. Staff summarized council's suggested changes, including a warning for a first offense and escalating fines for subsequent violations, and reported that council recommended refining definitions and the undue‑hardship language.
Health staff cautioned that the undue‑hardship provision was intended to apply to food‑service establishments rather than to retail outlets and noted that revoking a separate license could be inappropriate where a retail business does not hold a board permit. "The only things that really seem to alter the regulations are ... a warning for the 1st offense and then fines for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th and subsequent offenses," staff said. The board voted to approve the draft as revised by town council and set the effective date for September 1.
The board directed staff to finalize the text for signature and noted that permit revocation language should be considered only where a relevant permit exists.
