Woburn committee confirms four civic appointments, keeps one in committee

The Woburn personnel committee advanced several local civic appointments Tuesday, voting to confirm Charlie Culhane to the Woburn Golf and Ski Authority, John J. Garcia to the Board of Trustees for the Woburn Public Library and Maria Zago to the Woburn Redevelopment Authority while keeping Robert J. Klein’s Planning Board nomination in committee.

Committee Chair opened the meeting and introduced four appointment items. The mayor endorsed Culhane, praising his long public-service record and support for youth programming; Culhane described lifelong ties to Woburn and veteran and community-service involvement. Councilors spoke in support, emphasizing youth golf programs and Culhane’s reputation; the committee suspended rules to allow additional comments and then approved the appointment by voice vote.

The committee then took up the nomination of Robert J. Klein to the Planning Board but voted to hold that nomination in committee until the August meeting to allow more information to be presented. Next, the mayor presented John J. Garcia for the library board; Garcia cited an engineering background and an interest in STEM programs at the library, and councilors unanimously supported his appointment.

Finally, the mayor introduced Maria Zago for a seat on the Woburn Redevelopment Authority. Zago described a background in commercial lending, chamber activity and community philanthropy; several councilors said her finance experience would help downtown redevelopment efforts. The committee voted to confirm Zago.

All confirmed appointments passed by voice vote; the Klein nomination remains before the committee pending additional review.