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In the Fall of 2022, Town Meeting passed a bylaw banning the use of polystyrene as food containers when packaged in town. The bylaw passed with an overwhelming majority (126-8) and is effective March 2024. At least 47 other towns in Massachusetts have passed similar or stricter bylaws. Additionally, Massachusetts is working on its own statewide legislation regulating polystyrene.
On her campaign website, Select Board candidate Melissa Murphy lists four “pillars” of her campaign, with one titled “Supporting Residents & Small Business Owners.” The only example of her “support” was a vague reference to a plastic ban and its negative impact on businesses. I reached out to the campaign, which clarified to me that the statements refer to the recently passed polystyrene bylaw. It is unclear why Ms. Murphy believes that, as a Select Board member, she should address the independent decision made by Town Meeting. These are two separate town government bodies and it is unfortunate that a candidate for Select Board does not understand their distinct roles and responsibilities.
The bylaw, drafted by the Reading Climate Advisory Committee (RCAC), applies only to polystyrene (plastic type #6) products. This is an important distinction from Ms. Murphy’s “some plastics” vagueness which may be misinterpreted by those who are not following town policy closely. In addition to the long lead time (effective March 2024), the bylaw allows for 12 months of waivers, if requested by a business. Ms. Murphy does not provide evidence for the claim of the “significant impact” of the yet-to-be-applicable bylaw on small businesses as there is none to be had. Scapegoating the bylaw for any financial troubles completely misses the mark on how we can support residents and small businesses.
When the bylaw does take effect, many alternatives to polystyrene remain, including six other types of plastics (i.e., all non-#6 plastics); aluminum; and paper-based, plant-based, compostable, and biodegradable products. This selection gives business owners plenty of options in case of supply chain disruptions, with many products being comparable (within pennies) in price to polystyrene. The Board of Health has some discretion in enforcing the bylaw, which would allow for the temporary use of polystyrene in cases of supply chain disruptions.
Despite Ms. Murphy’s claims that local businesses were “in the dark” during the formulation of the bylaw, RCAC held three separate public hearings specifically dedicated to the polystyrene bylaw. At RCAC’s request, Reading Town Hall reached out to local businesses. Three public meetings were held: virtually, in the Reading Public Library, and at a local downtown business. I personally visited over a dozen businesses to explain the bylaw, ask for recommendations on where to find polystyrene alternatives, obtain feedback, and leave personal contact information for follow-ups. RCAC is currently working on a pamphlet about how to identify polystyrene and what alternatives are available. RCAC is also creating a website to provide even more information. These efforts, performed by volunteers, are to ease the transition in the next 12 months (24 months with waivers).
Last week, the Select Board was asking how to increase community participation, as many committees have unfilled openings. Perhaps a good start would be to not denigrate the work of town committees, to be informed of the actual work being performed, to not trivialize the efforts made by volunteers in this town, and to discuss actual facts instead of campaigning on vague and non-applicable statements. It takes a lot less effort to spread misinformation than it does to dispel it, and a candidate for Select Board should not require volunteers to correct and clarify vague and obfuscated language. I hope to see more informed campaign talking points, that do not misinterpret passed bylaws, be put forth by Ms. Murphy in the future.
Disclaimer: I am a member of the RCAC and Town Meeting. I am writing as a town resident, and not a representative of the committee. Feel free to reach out to me at genady.pilyavsky@gmail.com regarding any questions on the polystyrene bylaw, or other matters.
Genady Pilyavsky
Member of RCAC and Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member
Harriman Ave
