[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Chatham as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-13-2019 ATM by Art. 64]
A. 
The purpose of this bylaw is to protect the Town's beauty, reduce litter, protect the health of present and future generations, and save the citizens of the Town money needlessly spent on packaged water, or other beverages, from distant sources in plastic one-use bottles. The Town has high quality tap water, and provides regular governmental reports on its quality.
B. 
Except where required for public health and public safety purposes, or to comply with applicable regulations or statutes, effective January 1, 2020, it shall be unlawful for the Town to procure drinking water or any other beverage in plastic one-use bottles.
C. 
In the event of a declaration (by Emergency Management Director, or other duly authorized Town, commonwealth, or United States official) of an emergency affecting the availability and/or quality of drinking water for Chatham residents the Town shall be exempt from this bylaw until seven calendar days after such declaration has ended.
[Adopted 6-12-2021 ATM by Art. 59]
Effective on December 31, 2021, it shall be unlawful to sell non-carbonated, unflavored drinking water in single-use plastic bottles of less than one gallon in the Town of Chatham. Enforcement of this regulation will begin December 31, 2021.
SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BOTTLE
A beverage container made from any type of plastic resin.
Sales or distribution of non-carbonated, unflavored drinking water in single-use plastic bottles occurring subsequent to a declaration of emergency (by the Emergency Management Director or other duly authorized Town, county, commonwealth or federal official) affecting the availability and/or quality of drinking water to residents of the Town shall be exempt from this bylaw until seven days after the declaration has ended.
A. 
Enforcement of this article shall be the responsibility of the Town Manager or his/her designee. The Town Manager shall determine the inspection process to be followed, incorporating the process into other Town duties as appropriate.
B. 
Any establishment conducting sales in violation of this article shall be subject to a noncriminal disposition fine as specified in MGL c. 40 § 21D. The following penalties apply:
(1) 
First violation: written warning.
(2) 
Second violation: $150 fine.
(3) 
Third and subsequent violations: $300 fine.
C. 
Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate violation, incurring additional fines. Any such fines collected shall be payable to the Town of Chatham.
D. 
All businesses will be routinely inspected until the Town Manager deems the inspection to no longer be required.