To the editor:
I am writing to announce an upcoming vacancy on the Lincoln Water Commission in the Spring of 2015. Established in 1872, Lincoln’s Water Department provides clean, safe drinking water to its customers and fire flow protection throughout the town. Governed by three elected commissioners serving three year terms, the department is funded totally by user fees.
My service on the commission has been a great experience. I have been enormously impressed by the dedication, attention to detail, and depth of knowledge of the superintendent and my fellow commissioners, both past and present. I was asked to serve on the commission due to my chemistry and legal background. I found my legal training fairly useful in resolving the various issues that frequently arise, while my knowledge of chemistry has been less relevant. To paraphrase a favorite property law professor’s dictum, water law is not about regulating water; it is about regulating people’s relationship with water, a finite resource.
I have decided not to seek reelection when my term expires next year because my job circumstances have changed so that I cannot commit to another three-year term. While I love living in Lincoln and would very much prefer not to move, my commute is now substantially longer, and I wish to have the option to relocate if necessary.
Therefore, I encourage interested Lincoln citizens to attend some upcoming Water Commission meetings to get a sense of the day-to-day work of the commission. The meetings are generally held at 7:30 a.m. on the second Tuesday morning of every month at the pumping station at 77 Sandy Pond Road, with some quarterly Saturday morning meetings as needed. The times and frequency of meetings can readily be changed by consent of the group. Please contact Superintendent Greg Woods at 781-259-8997 for any questions.
Sincerely,
Ion C. Abraham
Farrar Road