Salem Mulls Ban On Inflated Balloon Sales, Distribution, Releases

SALEM, MA — Balloon releases and parties could soon go pop in Salem with the passage of a proposed bylaw that would ban the sale, use or distribution of any type of inflated balloon in the city.

Councilor Andrew Varela proposed the ban and referral to the Public Safety, Health and Environmental Committee, which received preliminary support from several Council members on Thursday night.

The ordinance would carry a $50 fine per offense with Salem police enforcement.

The proposal states that "no person shall sell, use or distribute any type of balloon (including, and not limited to, plastic, latex or Mylar balloons) inflated with any type gas including air (including, and not limited to, helium gas)."

It also bans the improper disposal of balloons, including those being released into the air.

Hot air balloons used for scientific purposes by a scientific or government entity are exempt from the proposal.

The proposal, as currently written, does not explicitly ban the possession of an inflated balloon if it were bought outside of the city.

"I do believe that when it comes to any balloon that is fixed with a gas there is an issue," Varela said. "We are a seacoast town. We would be one of, I believe, five (communities in the state banning inflated balloons) if we did adopt this. There is an issue with balloons, the releasing of balloons, that does affect our coastlines."

Varela noted a proposed bill at the State House level that would create a similar prohibition across Massachusetts if it were to pass and that the specific language of the final bylaw would be addressed in committee.

"In 1986, I first learned that helium balloons can be lodged in the throats of humpback whales and cause them to suffocate," Councilor Caroline Watson-Felt said. "The fact that it is now 2023 and these sorts of conversations are now starting (is about time). ... I look forward to the conversation."

Councilors Alice Merkl and Lev McClain also expressed support for the idea of a balloon ban.

"For some, this may seem a little silly on its face if they are not familiar with some of the impacts of this," McClain said. "But I am a little familiar with the impact of balloon waste, environmentally. Also, as a person who works in the downtown area, all balloons that come into our front door go directly into the trash. It's actually a real problem within our buildings as well.

"It's terrible when they get released and they are full of helium and you can't get them down. They are terrible when they get left around. They create trash. They gum things up. ... It's amazing the number of places that balloons go so I am actually really happy about this."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)