By Chris Kopacko, Contributing Writer
Westborough – A joint committee appointed Edward Newton Jr. as a member of the Planning Board during the Board of Selectmen's July 9 meeting.
Consisting of selectmen and members of the Planning Board, the joint committee voted unanimously to appoint Newton to the Planning Board for a term set to expire in March 2014.
Newton regains a seat on the Planning Board he formally held for 16 years, until he decided not to run for re-election in 2010 due to uncertainty surrounding his retirement.
Prior to the vote for Newton, however, the committee voted to oppose the appointment of Christopher Noonan – who had just interviewed with the joint committee during the selectmen's meeting on June 25 – by a vote of 2-5. Selectmen Leigh Emery and George Barrette were the two votes in favor of Noonan.
Before the vote, Planning Board member Brian Bush urged the committee to vote in favor of Newton, who was actually the chair before his resignation.
“I found him very dedicated, fair and open-minded ? I would highly recommend him,” Bush said.
Selectman Timothy Dodd mentioned that while he intended to support Newton, he was open to voting for Noonan during an anticipated future Planning Board member appointment. Planning Board member Joanne Mallozzi has announced she plans to resign her seat this summer, after serving for over six years.
