To the Editor
The annual Mattapoisett town meeting approaches and this gathering will afford us all an opportunity to remedy the serious litter problem and public nuisance that has long accompanied the sale of nips. A warrant article will ask voters to ban the sale of these miniature liquor bottles which, as we all know, litter our roadways and parks, clog our storm drains and wash ashore on our beaches. These pesky plastic bottles are not biodegradable, and they do not get recycled. The sheer numbers we can all see littering the ground are simply mind-boggling, chiefly because the vast majority are flung from the windows of passing cars whose operators are fully conscious of the need to conceal their actions. In proposing this ban I would challenge voters to name any benefit provided to our community by allowing the sale of these things. Imagine also for a moment that their sale was already prohibited in Mattapoisett and an attempt was put forward to overturn the ban. What argument could be advanced to support that proposal when weighed against the ugly reality that we currently experience from their presence? Apart from the huge litter problem, permitting the sale of nips simply facilitates drinking and driving and the scale of that is disturbing, judging by the volume of discards. The plain truth is that these nips negatively impact our community and quality of life. This is not just a local problem. More and more communities are moving on this, with bans already in effect in cities and towns nationwide, including Chicago and Albuquerque. Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket have acted as have Wareham, Falmouth and Mashpee. We can do it too. It will require a two-thirds majority to pass and I would urge all voters who care about our town to attend town meeting on May 8 and cast a vote for a better Mattapoisett.
Don Cuddy, Mattapoisett
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