Planning Board adopts procedural rules after final edit

The Woburn City Planning Board adopted a set of procedural rules governing the board's conduct and public hearings on Aug. 12, with a final editorial change to remove a reference to an appendix that is not included in the materials. Planning Board Director John explained the proposed change and asked for permission to strike the word "appendices" from the last paragraph of Exhibit D so the adoption language would read, "the foregoing procedural rules and regulations governing the planning board are hereby adopted this day, August 12."

Claudia moved to adopt the rules as amended and Dave Edmonds seconded the motion. "Sounds good," John said when the edit was described; the board then voted to adopt the rules 7-0. Planning Board members discussed that codifying board procedure in writing—rather than relying solely on customary practice—would help guide public hearings and allow the board to set time parameters if necessary during large public comment periods.

Members noted the rules will allow the chair or presiding member to set reasonable speaking limits during public hearings when warranted, following an opinion from the city solicitor. The board did not attach new appendices or substantive changes beyond the final edit and directed staff to publish the adopted rules with the corrected language.