UPDATED: Local Businesses Adjusting to Concord’s ‘Bottle Ban’

After a new bylaw took effect with the start of the New Year, local businesses have resolved not sell single-serving bottled water. But that doesn’t mean they like it.

Editors' Note: This story was updated Jan. 9 to correct a reporting error.A previous version of this story incorrectly stated Stephanie Stillman, executive director of Concord's Chamber of Commerce, told the Globe the Chamber would support efforts to repeal the water bottle-banning bylaw. On the third day of 2013, the third day after Concord’s revolutionary water bottle bylaw took effect, a few local business owners and store managers reported inspectors making the rounds and checking their shelves for the new contraband: Non-sparking, unflavored drinking water in single-serve PET bottles of 1 liter or less. At shops like Crosby’s Marketplace and the Trail’s End Café and Corner Store, they were ready for it. Shelves that formerly held …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (2)

Adriana Cohen

7:35 pm on Sunday, January 6, 2013

Concord residents opposed to the bottled water ban have formed a coalition here in Town called CRCC (Concord Residents for Consumer Choice). It's a grassroots Consumer Choice advocate group comprising of Concord parents, residents, health providers and small business owners. We've submitted a Warrant to the Town to rescind the Bottled Water ban. Anyone interested in joining our cause and …   more ›

The 12 Most Popular Concord Patch Posts of 2012

Accidents, elections and Apocalypse Nope: A look back at the year that was in Concord.

  It’s almost impossible to be objective when considering the biggest stories of any given year. An issue of the utmost importance to one person or group may matter not at all to another segment of the population. And so, as we look back onthe year at the year that was in Concord, we're leaving the deciding up to you – or to UVs, to be more precise. What you’ll find below are the top Concord Patch posts in terms of pageviews, which is to say these are most widely read stories, polls, updates and photos galleries from 2012. It's an eclectic and surprising list, to be sure.  What you won’t find in the list below is our coverage of the school transportaiton controversy, the CCHS Building Committee's stumbles, Hurricane Sandy or the infamous "…

• Photos (4)

Concord Prepares for 'Bottle Ban'

With the town about to bid adieu to bottled water, Concord On Tap Camelbaks hit shelves.

Time will tell whether Concord’s bottled water-banning bylaw, which goes into effect with the start of the New Year, will be more flash flood or 40-year storm.  Either way, local merchants are bracing for it by stocking shelves with Concord On Tap-stamped Camelbak reusable water bottles.  According to Jill Appel, the Concord On Tap campaign manager, the bottles, which come in eight different colors, sizes and materials, are available at a number of local shops and eateries, including: The bottles that hit the shelves last week are a one-time order, and they were going fast heading into the holiday, according to Appel. The Camelbak initiative is meant to support local businesses, said Appel, and to follow through on a promise made at annual…

• Photos (2)

Patch Facts

Five Things: Bottle Ban, Budget Talks and Transportation at the Landfill

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know on Dec. 17 in Concord.

1. Bottle Ban, Budget Talks and Transportation at the Landfill: All that and more on the agenda tonight for the Board of Selectmen. The board has a 6:15 executive session and expects to begin its open session at 7 p.m. at the Town House. 2. Barrett & Company's annual Dollhouse Raffle: Just two more days to pick up a ticket for Barret and Company's annual dollhouse raffle, which benefits the Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless. The dollhouse is on display at the Barrett & Co. office at 33 Walden St. in Concord, but tickets can be puchased at any office in Concord, Lincoln or Carlisle. It's $2 for one, three for $5 and $10 for 10. 3. Family Trees: Now in its 17th year, Family Trees, an exibit that celebrates childrens literature at the …

• Photos (1)

Ask the State Senate Candidates

Five Things: Bottle Ban Info for Businesses and OARS Exhibit Opening

A quick look at what you need to see, do and know on Dec. 5 in Concord.

1. Business Info on the Bottle Ban: At 7 p.m. tonight at the Town House, there will be a meeting to provide business owners with additional information and answers to quesitons about how the bylaw, which will take effect on Jan. 1, will be interpreted and enforced. 2. OARS 2012 Photo Exhibit and Reception: OARS is hosting a photo contest reception from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight at the ArtScape Gallery at 43 Bradford St. in West Concord, in which the winning photographs -- from the 136 submitted by 35 photographers, will be displayed along with an award presentaiton. For more details, check out the OARS website. 3. Today in Public Meetings: According to the town website, public meetings posted for today include the Municipal Light Board at 7:30 a…

• Photos (1)

Will the Bottle Ban be Concord’s New Year’s Resolution?

Even as the bottle ban’s effective date draws nearer, competing interests are playing a game of spin the bottle that has nothing to do with kissing. Meanwhile, there's an informational meeting for businesses this Wednesday.

  In Concord, banning bottled water has never been as easy as H2 No. And that continues to be true even now, after a bylaw prohibiting the sale of non-sparking, unflavored drinking water in single-serve PET bottles of 1 liter or less has been approved by annual Town Meeting and passed muster with the state Attorney General’s Office, which had tossed out a previous attempt. Among the community there remains a bit of uncertainty about the practical application of the bylaw, and town officials will look to provide information and answers provide information and answers about lingering questions before the bylaw takes effect on Jan. 1, 2013. To that end, an informational meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. this Wednesday, Dec. 5, at the Town House…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (2)
• Documents (1)

Patch Facts

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Sept. 10

Up with People arrive, meetings and more today in Concord.

1. BOS to Talk School Bus Solutions, Bottle Banning Bylaw: The Board of Selectmen meet at 7 p.m. tonight at the town house and the agenda includes updates on the School Committee request for short- and long-term solutions for a bus transportation facility on town land, and on the AG-approved bylaw regarding the sale of water in plastic bottles. 2. Up with People Cast Arrives: There's been a lot of lead up, but the "Up with People" cast will finally arrive in Concord this evening. The cast will roll in to Concord-Carlisle High School around 6 p.m., and then their host families will pick them up a few hours later. Expect that to be a show in and of itself. 3. Other Public Meetings: According to the town website, other public meetings posted …

• Photos (1)

Bottles Banned: AG Approves Concord's Water Bottle Bylaw

Effective Jan. 1, 2013, you won't be able to purchase non-sparkling, unflavored drinking water in polyethylene terephthalate bottles of one liter or less.

The Attorney General's Office today issued its approval of Concord's water-bottle banning bylaw. The bylaw, adopted uner Article 32 at annual Town Meeting earlier this year, will prohibit the sale of non-sparkling, unflavored drinking water in a polyethylene terephthalate bottle of one liter or less. According to a letter to the town announcing the approval, the analysis and approval was influenced by the Supereme Court's decision that a Minnesota law banning retail sale of milk in non-returnable, non-refillable plastic containers did not violate the federal equal protection or due process clauses or unlawfully burden interstate commerce. To read the AG's letter, click the PDF posted to your right. Martha Coakley's office has previously …

•  14 Comments
• Photos (1)
• Documents (1)

POLL: Bottle Bill is Dead, Long Live the Ban?

Does another year without an expanded bottle bill affect your feelings about Concord’s own battle with the (water) bottle? Are you more or less likely to support a local bylaw that banning the sale of single-serving water bottles?

An expanded bottle bill died in conference committee earlier this week, but Concord’s water bottle bylaw’s fate is yet unsealed. So while Massachusetts is likely looking at at least another year without a 5-cent redeemable deposit on plastic bottled water, juices, teas and sports drinks, it’s still very possible Concordians may not be looking at bottled water much at all. Earlier this year, Concord’s annual Town Meeting voted to pass a bylaw banning the sale of single-serving water bottles of less than 1 liter (34 ounces). And news of the expanded bottle bill’s failure to make it into the Senate jobs bill came just days before the original due date for Attorney General Martha Coakley’s office to deliver its determination on whether the …

• Photos (1)

Bottle Bill Dies in Conference Committee

Legislators decide to take the bottle bill amendment out of the jobs act.

The bottle bill will not make it to the governor's desk this year.  The controversial proposal was included as an amendment to the Senate jobs bill but scrapped Monday in conference committee, according to an aide to its sponsor, Sen. Robert Hedlund (R-Weymouth). The jobs bill is expected to be laid before Gov. Deval Patrick Tuesday, the last day of the legislative session. The amendment had faced strong opposition in the House, with Speaker Robert DeLeo describing it as a tax. Hedlund disputed this view, saying that taxes can't be redeemed.  The expansion to the 31-year-old law designed to promote recycling and reduce litter would have added plastic bottles used for water, juices, iced tea and sports drinks to the list of containers …

• Photos (5)