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Environmental Oversight Committee <br /> Minutes <br /> February 10, 2016 <br /> NEW BUSINESS <br /> Sin lie Plastic Bag Reduction Bylaw: Discussion with Sheila Place on Barnstable Ordinance <br /> and Falmouth Bylaw with Don Mallinso: (continued) <br /> The creative approach succeeded in achieving approval in the Town of Falmouth, Harwich. <br /> Barnstable and Wellfleet. To date there are a total of six thin film plastic bag ordinances on the <br /> Cape this includes Provincetown and Nantucket. <br /> To build support meetings were held with various organizations. Mr. Mallinso indicated that in <br /> Falmouth, the transition went smoothly. A citizen's petition was initiated and it was readily <br /> favored by the Falmouth Board of Selectmen, the Chamber of Commerce and Chief of Police. <br /> There was a lot of support from the Woods Hole scientific community as well. <br /> In discussing the timeframe it was recommended to require a term of twelve months to begin the <br /> restriction as it takes approximately eighteen months for the bylaw to be approved at the state <br /> level. Mr. Mallinso recommended developing an educational plan to be enforced by the police, <br /> fire and health departments. A written warning should be considered for first-time offenders. <br /> Ms. Cadoret suggested the Conservation Department enforce this as well and possibly the <br /> Department of Natural Resources. <br /> It was suggested Mashpee move forward with a single-use bag thickness definition of 3.0 mils <br /> or less. The Town of Barnstable restriction for a carryout bag is defined as a thickness of <br /> less than 3.0 mils. In the Town of Falmouth the thickness is less than 2.5 mils. <br /> It was noted that most major stores are aware of the upcoming restrictions. It was agreed the <br /> more local bans, the stronger the state-wide ban. <br /> Mr, Mallinso briefly discussed the micro-plastics pollution in the Artie and the effects on <br /> ecosystems, human health and ice formation. Mr. Mallinso indicated that micro-plastics are a <br /> global disaster on the ocean. <br /> It was agreed that a subcommittee would be formed to construct the first draft of proposed <br /> bylaw for the Town of Mashpee to be reviewed by the EOC and presented to the Board of <br /> Selectmen for consideration. <br /> Additional resource information can be found at the Sierra Club by contacting Clint Richmond <br /> at <br />