Westhampton Beach Village Set to Discuss Plastic Bag Ban

A possible ban on plastic bags will be discussed by trustees sometime in July, according to Westhampton Beach Mayor Conrad Teller.

While Teller says he has mixed feelings about the ban, he said he is willing to hold a discussion on the issue and plans to add it to the village’s July work session agenda.

“I don’t know that anyone has ever asked the board about a ban on plastic bags before,” said Teller, “but I will put it on the July work session agenda.”

At first glance, Teller said he thinks that “green” initiatives are sometimes “more costly than what works.”

The idea of a plastic bag ban in Westhampton Beach was prompted by Southampton Town's decision last week to explore a ban similar to one that was adopted by the village of Southampton.

Opponents to Southampton’s proposal say a ban in the town of Southampton could create problems among businesses if area villages, including Westhampton, Quogue and Westhampton Dunes, don’t follow suit.

For example, Sheryl Heather of the Southampton Business Alliance said that unless all villages in Southampton Town adopt the same code, unfair competition would exist, as a switch from plastic bags to more costly paper bags would mean higher expenses for businesses.

Patricia DiBenedetto, who was as a trustee in Westhampton Beach last Friday and will be sworn in on July 5, said she would welcome a discussion on a plastic bag ban.

“I would support it,” she said. “I believe the first step is to encourage and educate more consumers to use multiple-use bags. They’re not only strong, but also large and colorful. Plastic bags are harmful to the environment.”

DiBenedetto added, “Our village is a beach community, and there have been numerous times when I have pulled plastic bags out of the bay.  Paper bags can be a solution, but only if bags made from recycled paper are used.”

Hank Tucker, who was to his seat last Friday, said he thinks a ban on plastic bags is a good idea. However, before taking any action, he said he would like to hear from the public and business owners.

“I think I would have to look at it a little closer. I don’t know what the implications would be,” he said.

For example, Tucker said it might be difficult to get to comply.

“If we have to make an exception for one business, then we would be obligated to do it for everyone else,” he said.

Tucker says he is in support of recycling efforts as a whole and typically does not use plastic bags for his groceries; however, he does offer plastic bags at his Westhampton business, Holy Moses Cheesecakes.

“I haven’t found a strong enough paper bag to hold my cheesecakes yet so I still use plastic bags,” he said.

A date for the Westhampton Beach July work session will be set on July 5 at the village’s annual organizational meeting, according to Teller.