Board Backs Adding Juice to Bottle Bill

A newly configured Board of Selectmen threw its support last night behind an expanded Bottle Bill.

The proposed changes to the bottle bill would include bottled water, sports drinks and teas. These beverages were not commonly used when the original bill was enacted in 1982.

The governor has encouraged expanding the list of beverages included in the bill. The bill is being considered by the Senate Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy.

Town resident Ernest Peters spoke out against the expanded list, which he described as "another way to reach into our pockets. They're stuffing this down our throats. Where does it stop?''

He said the issue should be presented to voters as a ballot question. "Let we the people vote on this.''

Newly named board chairman Peter Adams said he "was skeptical at first'' about the bottle bill. But he said his mind was changed when he saw the reduced amount of bottles tossed onto the roads and other areas.