Town to vote soon on banning plastic bags, looks forward to bike patrol partnership

Centreville Town Council President Steve Kline

CENTREVILLE — On the agenda of their May 4 meeting, the Town Council of Centreville discussed the creation of a new section of the Town Code "to prohibit retail establishments from providing plastic carryout bags to customers and incentivize use of reusable bags." The ordinance was co-sponsored by Council President Steve Kline and Vice President Ashley Kaiser. The Council also considered a proposal to support the creation of a Volunteer Centreville Trail Bike Patrol, sponsored by Fred McNeil, Bill Moore, and Eric Johnson, a member of the Centreville Town Council.

During the Citizen's Forum, interested citizens and business people spoke both in favor of and against the ordinance. Speaking in favor, Bente Cooney of Plastic Free QAC, described it as "a solid bill" that had the organization's full support. She added that the ten-cent fee for paper bags has incentivized shoppers in other Maryland locations to bring their own reusable bags. She suggested two adjustments to the ordinance — to exempt pharmacies from charging 10 cents for paper bags when they contain prescription drugs and to exclude plastic bags used by dry cleaning establishments.

Pat Jameson, President of the League of Women Voters, commended the Council on its efforts. "We think that you are doing a wonderful thing because the environment is so important and we know what plastic bags do." Carolyn Moorshead, also a supporter of the ordinance, suggested additional compromises: to exclude very small businesses that don't use much plastic and to exempt them from the 10-cent paper bag fee.

Bob Pino of Optical Galleria, spoke in opposition. "We use a lot of plastic bags. Everything we do in my store involves plastic," he stated. He also objected to the 10-cent charge for each paper bag, the mandatory inclusion of the charge on each customer's invoice, and the possibility of fines for the omission. "And shoplifting is a big issue," he added. "You’re encouraging people to walk in with a bag and walk around the store."

Based on the comments submitted by Price and Gannon and comments made by Pino, Kline stated he was willing to be flexible on the fee. "We don't want to incentivize shoplifting but we do need to figure out a way to get plastic bags off the street."

Councilmember Dan Worth said the county should take the lead. He expressed concern that the ordinance was insufficiently pro-business and would encourage Centreville residents to shop elsewhere. Likewise, councilmember Jim Beauchamp favored a joint roll-out with the County Commissioners.

Johnson supported the ordinance but believed a combined effort with the County would be preferable. Kline voice his support of the ordinance as it stands and is not in favor of waiting for the County. "I am fully supportive and look forward to the hearing moving forward."

A hearing on Ordinance 02-2023 is scheduled for June 1.

With the aid of a slide presentation, McNeil presented a proposal for the Centreville Trail Bike Patrol. He described the Kent Island Trail System as the inspiration for the Centreville Patrol. The group of volunteers will undergo mandatory training. The cost is minimal — each volunteer has his or her bike and identifying yellow vest.

McNeil emphasized that these men and women will have no police powers whatsoever. They will, however, be certified in CPR and first aid and offer the comfort of another set of eyes and ears on the trail from the Wharf to Millstream Park. "If you need help, we’re there for you, whether it be a flat tire, a broken bike chain, to give directions, hand out water, or a swag giveaway for children," McNeil stated. "It's good public relations for the town and the police department." By consensus, the Town Council was in favor of the creation of the volunteer bike patrol in partnership with the Centreville Police Department.

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