The town that, back in 1990, banned the use of Styrofoam food containers is again a regional leader when it comes to environmental concerns.

In an 804-501 vote on June 14, residents decided to prohibit the use of single-use plastic bags in certain stores, making Freeport the first Cumberland County community to do so. The decision was two years in the making, as the matter wound its way through the municipal process.

But those who have been waiting for the new ordinance all this time are elated. Meredith Broderick and Elly Bengtsson, who were seniors at Freeport High School when they suggested the ordinance to the Town Council two years ago, are among the happy ones.

“Meredith and I were ecstatic to see the official tally,” Bengttson said in an email to the Tri-Town Weekly. “We both knew that to attain our goal our senior project may be extended a few months, but hadn’t envisioned an extra two years. It’s a great feeling to finally have a tangible result.”

The new ordinance takes effect on Sept. 12.

The ordinance also imposes a 5-cent fee on paper bags, which the stores will collect.  Both the plastic bag ban and fee on paper apply only to the few stores with more than 2 percent of their sales in food.

Town Manager Peter Joseph said Monday the town is not  sure how many businesses will be affected.

Bengttson said it’s a step in the right direction.

“Now an estimated 2 million-plus single-use bags will be removed annually from Freeports waste stream,” she said. “Now a conversation has been sparked about the harmful effects plastic has on the environment and humans. I hope that news about our town’s ban will spark interest, initiative and more conversations about plastic around the state.”

The Styrfoam bad had its largest impact in fast-food stores such as McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Bengttson said that the reception from the Town Council and town committees was rewarding to her and Broderick.

“We discovered that with some research and preparation, two high-schoolers could make a change in the community,” she said. “To have the full attention of Town Council members was empowering. Even though we were young, people took us seriously. Hopefully this inspires other people our age to take initiative in the future.”

Bow Street Market ceased using single-use plastic bags at its store more than a year ago, and provided paper bags to customers at no charge. In order to comply with the new ordinance, Bow Street Market must begin charging 5 cents per paper bag when the rules take effect on Sept. 12, store manager Jim Frey said.

“Our hands are tied on that,” Frey said. “We’ll focus on getting people to use recyclable bags.”

Both the Recycling/Solid Waste Committee, which strongly supported the plastic bags ban, and the Ordinance Committee studied the proposal. Broderick and Bengtsson, now home for vacation following their sophomore years in college, were present at the May 17 Town Council meeting, when the council decided to put the question to the public vote.

Last October, the Town Council voted to schedule a non-binding referendum, suggesting a 5-cent fee on both plastic and paper bags. That prompted a so-called “citizen’s petition,” which had enough signatures to call for a vote to ban on plastic and fee on paper. The council then decided to bypass the non-binding vote, setting the stage for the June 14 decision.

In other results from June 14, Freeport residents voted heavily in favor of an amendment to the town charter calling for free circulation of petition drives, 1,091-168, but the article failed because it did not received the required 1,413 votes. The town will conduct a re-vote on the charter amendment in November.

The amendment to the town charter would have brought Freeport into compliance with state law regarding the manner in which the town governs recall and referendum petition drives. Article 8 of the town charter states that residents need to have their petitions signed in the presence of the town clerk. State election law calls for free circulation of petitions.

Town Clerk Christine Wolfe said that the town will need to schedule another vote on the matter, because the town must be in compliance with state regulations.

Freeport resident Betty Pomroy takes a ballot from ballot clerk Mary Brewer during elections held on June 14 at Freeport High School. At left is ballot clerk Andrea Conner.