The measure, proposed by the town’s Recycling Committee, targets containers that are often mistakenly placed in household recycling because they may display the familiar recycling-arrows symbol. Massachusetts recycling facilities’ optical sorting equipment cannot reliably identify black plastic, committee member Lindsey Sieber told Town Meeting, so the containers can end up contaminating the recycling stream. Chelmsford pays fines for contamination in its municipal recycling, she said.

The restriction will apply to the distribution of nonrecyclable black plastic food-service containers by local food establishments. Businesses that need additional time may ask the Board of Health for a variance.

A survey of Chelmsford food establishments conducted by members of the Chelmsford High School Ecology Club found that 72% of respondents said they would be willing to switch to recyclable containers. Ecology Club member Jeffrey Zekser told representatives that other Massachusetts communities, including Hudson, Brookline, Pembroke and Needham, have adopted similar bans. He said eliminating the containers can help recycling facilities operate more efficiently and reduce contaminated loads.

Town Meeting also narrowly rejected a citizen petition to create a committee studying the potential costs and benefits of a Parks and Recreation Department. The vote was 68-66. Petition sponsor John Ray said the proposal would have formed a study group, not established a department.

Supporters argued that a dedicated department could help the town develop parks and community recreation programs. Opponents questioned whether a new department was needed, noting that the town’s 2025 Open Space and Recreation Plan and existing departments already address some of those responsibilities.