Boxborough Planning Board reappoints Mark White as chair in 3-2 vote over Rebecca Verner

BOXBOROUGH — June 17, 2024 — Boxborough Planning Board reappoints Mark White as chair in a contested 3-2 split, overriding a rival nomination for longtime member Rebecca Verner. At the June 17 Zoom meeting, Cindy Markowitz nominated Verner, citing what she called a prior understanding from last year's reorganization that Verner would take the chair this cycle; Rich Gizzardi countered that continuity in a "highly regulatory" board justified a second year for White. A motion to appoint Verner failed 2-3, with Markowitz and Verner voting in favor; White was then reappointed 3-2. Verner was unanimously named clerk and associate member Janet Connolly was unanimously recommended to the Select Board for reappointment. Separately, the board unanimously approved a revised fence and planting plan for the Lombardo materials-storage site on Liberty Square Road, moving the fence to the higher side of a drainage swale and replacing 16 Colorado spruce with native amelanchier shrubs, with Verner designated to sign off on the corrected drawing. A public hearing on a proposed three-unit trade shop at 100 Codman Hill Road was continued unanimously to July 15. The board agreed to hold a special MBTA Communities kickoff working session on July 8, after several members pushed back on Town Planner Alec White's proposal to advance the work primarily through a five-member working group with only two board representatives.