Rockport voters to consider borrowing to build new library, polystyrene container ban
ROCKPORT — It’s showtime (again) for the future of the Rockport Public Library, a town library with a 32,000-book collection that is currently and temporally housed in a former book publisher’s office space on Route 1. If voters approve a $1.5 million proposal to borrow money then the construction of a new $3.5 million library will begin, with the help of $2 million-plus of private donations.
On Nov. 6, Rockport voters will consider three warrant articles at the polls, along with the state and federal elections and referendum, and a School Administrative District 28 referendum concerning a Mary E. Taylor building bond.
Rockport’s municipal warrant includes two questions pertaining to the library and one question asking voters if they approve an ordinance prohibiting the distribution and use of disposal expanded polystyrene cups, plates, bowls, coolers and food containers and to require the use of food containers made of other material associated with take-out food. Expanded polystyrene is more commonly known as Styrofoam.
The ordinance does not extend to raw meat, chicken and fish containers.
It does not prohibit citizens from using such containers that they already own, and customers will not be in violation if they take their own containers of any type to use in carrying food away from a retail vendor.
If approved, the ordinance will go into effect Jan. 1, 2019, and the for the first six months, vendors will receive verbal warnings if they violate it. After six months, there will be written violation notices and vendors will be subject to the financial penalties, such as $250 per violation, “in the aggregate not to exceed $1,500 in a one-year period.”
The question comes before Rockport courtesy of the town’s Conservation Commission, which concluded that the packaging has a harsh environmental impact on a local and global scale, including greenhouse gas emissions, and harm to wildlife.
Question four on the municipal warrant reads:
“Shall an Ordinance entitled ‘Polystyrene take-out find containers’ be enacted?”
See attached PDF for the full warrant.
Library questions
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Rockport committee to narrow field of library architects Wednesday
Rockport considers site survey, borings at Memorial Park for new library site
• Rockport appoints committee to plan library construction project
• Rockport signs intent to lease Route 1 office for library location
• Rockport talks tonight behind closed doors about Route 1 building lease
• Rockport Select Board to consider leasing Route 1 space for temporary library space
• Rockport Select Board hopes to move library before winter sets in
• Studies are in: Rockport Library building in poor condition, more space needed
• Initial Rockport Library findings: Citizens want improved service, better parking
• Rockport library consultant wants to hear from citizens, presents initial findings April 29
• Rockport selectmen vote no to placing another library question on June ballot
• Rockport addresses proposed June Town Meeting article to keep library in situ
• What is Rockport Library, and what might it become?
• Rockport residents vote against a new library, placing it at former RES site
• Rockport leaders approve two library referendums; next stop, voting booth
• Rockport Public Library hearing: Aug. 5 terms of engagement
• Rockport leaders consider controversial library vote, water quality, real estate acquisition
• Rockport subcommittee recommends RES land as library site
• Debate over future of Rockport Public Library: Expand on-site or build on former school land
Reach Editorial Director Lynda Clancy at lyndaclancy@penbaypilot.com; 207-706-6657
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