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Boxborough planning board narrows plastics warrant article to a bag ban, defers polystyrene for fall
Summary
After extensive public comment from small-business owners and residents, the planning board voted to amend Article 7 so the warrant motion presented at annual town meeting addresses only thin-film single‑use plastic checkout bags; members directed staff to rework polystyrene and other provisions for a fall 2026 article.
The Boxborough Planning Board on May 11 narrowed the town warrant motion on plastics, voting to present a revised Article 7 at annual town meeting that limits the article to a ban on thin‑film single‑use plastic checkout bags and defers polystyrene and other items for additional work and outreach.
Board members said the change aims to secure a straightforward, near‑term win while avoiding unintended consequences for small businesses. The meeting included about a dozen public comments — several owners and residents urged caution and asked for clearer hardship procedures and exemptions. "This bylaw creates one more hurdle that frankly doesn't need to happen if you would just slow down the process or amend the language," said Maria Neland, a Boxborough resident who said a local chocolatier had followed staff guidance to demonstrate hardship but then received no clear exemption from the building inspector.
Planner Alec told the board staff had done outreach, assembled product samples and redlines, and recommended a phased approach. Several board members suggested stripping contested sections of the current draft (trays, some packing materials and other disposables) and presenting only the bag prohibition at town meeting, then returning with a revised package in the fall addressing polystyrene and other categories. "I'd rather grab something that we know is going to pass basically unanimously at town meeting and then come back to amend the rest," said Rich Gazardi.
The board moved to amend the warrant motion to limit the article to single‑use checkout bags (motion by Chris Dowy; second by Rich Gazardi) and approved it on roll call. The board also voted to direct staff to prepare a separate fall 2026 warrant article on polystyrene and related items and to continue outreach to local businesses and sustainability stakeholders.
On process, staff said they will provide a clean handout and a marked redline for Town Meeting information night and will coordinate with the moderator and counsel on filing the revised motion and materials. The board also noted the warrant's phase‑in dates and the built‑in lead time for businesses; members urged staff to clarify exemption and hardship procedures in any future draft.
The amended Article 7 as approved for presentation at town meeting addresses only thin‑film single‑use plastic checkout bags. Details and the final language will be posted with the town's information‑night materials and the meeting handout.
