Councilor Leombruno Seeks To Eliminate 10 Cent Bag Tax in Framingham

FRAMINGHAM – In December 2019, the City Council voted to update the bag bylaw and allow stores to charge a 10 cents fee for bags.

The updated bylaw was to have started January 1, 2021. But due to the coronavirus pandemic, it was delayed until July 5, 2021.

The updated City of Framingham by law changes included:

• Revising definitions and use regulations to provide greater clarity and align language more closely with the intent of the existing Bylaw.
• Banning all plastic single-use checkout bags from being provided to customers at point of sale, with the exception of plastic bags, typically without handles, to contain dry cleaning, newspapers, produce, meat, bulk foods, and other similar merchandise.
• Requiring stores in Framingham to charge a minimum fee of $0.10 per reusable bag or recyclable paper bag, with all monies collected to be retained by the stores

Framingham At-Large City Councilor Janet Leombruno is proposed that the ordinance be revisited and updated. She wants to “keep the plastic bag ban, but eliminates the 10 cent fee collected by businesses.”

The item is on the agenda for the Tuesday, July 20 City Council meeting. It is likely to be sent to a subcommittee for further review.

On November 19, 2019, the City Council voted 8-1 with District 4 City Councilor Michael Cannon opposed on the first reading to update the plastic bag bylaw.

On December 3, 2019, the votes was 10-1 with Councilor Cannon opposed.

On December 17, 2019, a third vote was taken with the vote 8-1-1, with Councilor Cannon opposed and former Councilor Cheryl Tully Stoll abstaining.

The Mayor signed the bylaw into effect on December 30, 2019.