Freeport residents will vote, probably in June or November 2016, on a proposed fee on single-use bags. The Town Council could then vote on whether to approve the sentiments of the voters, according to the structure of the town charter.

The council on Oct. 20 voted 4-2 to send the issue to a public vote, rather than decide on its own. The town’s Ordinance Committee – a three-member Town Council subcommittee – recommended earlier this month to put the recommendation of a fee on plastic and paper bags to a non-binding vote. A divided Town Council went with the recommendation. Bill Rixon and Jim Hendricks cast dissenting votes.

See the Oct. 28 issue of the Tri-Town Weekly for a full story.