Council Subcommittee to Revive Single-Use Plastic Bag Discussion Tuesday

(File photograph.)

A City Council subcommittee revives the discussion of a possible ban on single-use plastic bags Tuesday in Haverhill. (File photograph)

Haverhill hasn’t yet adopted a ban on single-use plastic bags, but members of the City Council’s Administration and Finance Committee haven’t ruled it out.

At Tuesday’s City Hall subcommittee meeting, the group chaired by Colin F. LePage will continue discussing a potential ban five months after councilors voted 8-1 to begin the banning process.

During a February Council meeting, Melinda E. Barrett won support of her motion to ask City Solicitor William D. Cox Jr. to draft an ordinance, which would take effect six months after passage, to end the use of the thin plastic bags most stores use to pack customers’ purchases. Paper bags and multi-use plastic bags would still be allowed.

A longtime supporter of a ban, Councilor Mary Ellen Daly-O’Brien celebrated Barrett’s motion.

“I can’t put enough support behind it,” Daly O’Brien said. “I believe the time has come. I don’t want to see us dragging our feet on this like we did on recycling.”

Should Haverhill adopt such a ban, the city would be among the more than 60 communities across the state that banned the bags. According to the Sierra Club, 30 percent of Massachusetts cities and towns have taken up the measure, with some also eliminating the use of polyethylene produce bags.

Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the subcommittee will consider strengthening Haverhill’s control, oversight and education relating to underage and illegal use of marijuana.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in room 204 of City Hall at 4 Summer St., and is open to the public.