Falmouth Selectmen Support Nip Bottle Legislation

FALMOUTH – A bill that would require a deposit on nip bottles in Falmouth is getting support from the town.

Earlier this month, selectmen voted to unanimously to support Representative Randy Hunt’s House Bill 2881 that would require a five cent deposit on all “nips”

“We felt, and Representative Hunt feels as well, that it really is not going to change much in terms of the littering problem. What Randy said is it would bring further attention to the problem,” said Falmouth Litter Reduction Team member Alan Robinson.

The selectmen sent a letter to state senators in support of the bill with some even calling for a nip ban.

“We can ban nips but we’ll probably end up picking up 200’s and 375’s,” said Bryan Anderson, owner of Teaticket Market, referring to larger containers.

Many liquor store owners have argued that it is a small percentage of customers causing the problem.

“If you look at the number of nips on the ground compared to those being sold it’s a small percentage,” said Anderson.

Other selectmen theorized that increasing the fine could be a solution.

“I think we should increase the fine and start having some enforcement,” said Selectmen Douglas Brown.