Planning Board approves plastic bag ban, defers broader waste reduction bylaw to fall.
Planning Board narrowly backs plastic bag ban, defers broader waste rules. The Boxborough Planning Board voted 5-0 on May 11 to retain only a single-use plastic bag prohibition from a proposed waste reduction bylaw for the May Annual Town Meeting, striking provisions on disposable food service ware
Planning Board · Meeting of May 11, 2026
BOXBOROUGH — Planning Board narrowly backs plastic bag ban, defers broader waste rules. The Boxborough Planning Board voted 5-0 on May 11 to retain only a single-use plastic bag prohibition from a proposed waste reduction bylaw for the May Annual Town Meeting, striking provisions on disposable food service ware and packing materials after small business owners, including Two Friends Chocolates, raised hardship concerns. Chair Rebecca Verner supported the full bylaw, which had backing from the Sustainability Commission, Conservation Commission, and Select Board; Board member Chris Dowdy and others argued the restrictions created confusion and unintended business impacts.
In a second unanimous vote, the Board committed to bringing a modified bylaw addressing polystyrene products to Fall Town Meeting 2026 pending board agreement on language. The Board also voted 3-2 to pass over an Article expanding Design Review Board authority, with Verner and Markowitz in opposition.
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Source: the Planning Board meeting of May 11, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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