Could this be the last straw for Stonington?

Proposed task force would look into banning plastic bags

Stonington — First Selectman Rob Simmons said Monday that he expects the selectmen to create a task force that would look into banning plastic bags and straws in town.

The selectmen received a request from resident Stuart Schwartzstein at their meeting last week to create an ad hoc committee to best determine how to deal with the problem of plastics in town waters. The idea has gained support on the Stonington Community Forum Facebook page with residents pointing to a recently implemented ban in South Kingstown, R.I., another shoreline community.

Last week the town council there banned the use of plastic carryout bags for retail checkout purposes, effective Jan. 1, 2019.

Simmons said he expects the selectmen at their July 11 meeting to appoint a task force that would come up with recommendations within 90 days.

He said plastic bags get into the town’s coves and rivers, along with Little Narragansett Bay and Long Island Sound, and harm marine life. He said they also clog up equipment in the town’s sewer treatment plants.

“We can’t stop the spread of plastic bags around the world but we can stop them in the Town of Stonington,” he said.

“We can’t stop the spread of plastic bags around the world but we can stop them in the Town of Stonington.” ROB SIMMONS FIRST SELECTMAN