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Ashland - Local Town Pages

Select Board discusses Ashland’s Nip Problem

By Theresa Knapp 
At its meeting on Jan. 15, the Ashland Select Board discussed a big little problem in town: nips and the litter they create. 
Select Board member Joseph J. Magnani, Jr. put the item on the agenda. “We did have a resident come in and meet with us twice. He was quite concerned about the fact that he patrols, or polices [for litter], Route 135 and he was nice enough to bring in three large trash bags full of nips that he’s picked up along the route, along 135.” 
Magnani said nips are dispersed “all over town” including the Pavilion and KidSpot. 
“I’m not trying to take away [liquor stores’] revenue sources in any way, shape or form, that’s not it, but at the same token, they’re providing the opportunity for these nips to be thrown here, there and everywhere once they leave the store,” said Magnani. 
“It was a little eye-opening when that gentleman came in with the number of nips that he’s collected,” said Select Board member Claudia Bennett. “Is it kids gettingtheir hands on nips? Is it someone that just wants to get a little quick drink?” 
Select Board member Makeda Keegan called the nips a “menace” and suggested Ashland speak with other Massachusetts towns that have implemented a ban to see if it made a difference and, if the ban was challenged, why.  
Places that have passed a nip ban include Chelsea, Fairhaven, Falmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Mashpee, Nantucket, Newton, and Wareham.
Select Board Chair Yolanda Greaves said Ashland has been dealing with this issue since she joined the board in 2012.
“From a perspective of our businesses, I wouldn’t want to take their business away if it’s not going to make a change,” said Greaves. “It’s a very teeny percentage of people who have done this that, I’m not saying we shouldn’t try, but I would look to have more data and information to move forward with anything.” 
Board members agreed to speak with liquor stores in town to get their opinion, ask other towns in the region how they handle the nip issue, and bring this topic up again at a future board meeting. Board members also agreed that the town’s overall litter problem should be addressed. 

Bans on Nips
“Nips” are miniature liquor bottles that contain 1.7 ounces (50.275 milliliters) of alcohol. The bottles are typically made of plastic and are not recyclable. 
Towns that have banned nips include: 
Chelsea: Was the first municipality to ban nips in 2018
Fairhaven: Effective Jan. 1, 2024
Falmouth: Effective Oct. 1, 2021
Martha’s Vineyard: Effective May 1, 2024
Mashpee: Banned sale of nip bottles up to 100 milliliters of alcohol, effective July 1, 2021
Nantucket: Banned single-use petroleum-based plastic products containing alcoholic beverages in less than or equal to 100 mil., effective Jan. 1, 2023 
Newton: Banned 1.7-ounce bottles of alcohol as of June 30, 2022
Wareham: Effective May 11, 2022 
Other towns of note: 
Attleboro: Proposed but struck down by City Council
New Bedford: Passed a nips ban but it is currently on hold due to a lawsuit
Plymouth: Ban was overturned at the ballot box
Sandwich: Proposed but failed at Town Meeting