Upcoming opportunities to discuss, participate in government

Forum on widening participation in town governance

The Special Town Meeting in December has led to conversations about how to diversify the group of residents involved in Lincoln’s governance, as well as how to increase voter participation. There will be a forum to discuss these issues on Saturday, Jan. 26 from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Community Room at Lincoln Woods, 50 Wells Rd. (please park in unmarked spaces).

Run for town office

Are you looking for a rewarding if occasionally vexing way to feel more connected? Willing to undertake new challenges? Unafraid to speak up? Then run for local office! Nomination papers, which are available at the Town Clerk’s Office now, must be returned by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 1. The annual town election will take place on Monday, March 25.

The following offices will appear on the March ballot:

• Town Clerk (three years)
• Board of Selectmen (one seat for three years)
• Board of Assessors (one seat for three years)
• K-8 School Committee (three seats—one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years)
• Water Commissioner (one seat for three years)
• Board of Health (one seat for three years)
• Cemetery Commission (one seat for three years)
• Planning Board (two seats for three years)
• Commissioner of Trust Funds (one seat for three years)
• DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum trustee (one seat for four years)
• Housing Commission (three seats: one for year, one for two years, and one for three years)
• Parks and Recreation Committee (one seat for three years)
• Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee (three seats — two for three years and one for one year)
• Bemis Trustee (one seat for three years)
• Lincoln Public Library Trustee (one seat for three years)

For additional information, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 781-259-2607.

Voting at the national level

Learn how ranked-choice voting, which aims to improve the fairness and effectiveness of elections, when Jim Henderson, a board member of Voter Choice Massachusetts, leads a session on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall (coffee and tea will be served starting at 2:45). (Coffee/tea at 2:45.) Henderson will present the case for ranked-choice voting and lead the audience in a voting exercise to find out how the process works. Click here for a recent letter to the editor on the subject.

Apply for bike/pedestrian committee

Lincoln is seeking volunteers to serve on the new Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (see “New bike/pedestrian group seeks members”). Letters of interest are due by Tuesday, Jan. 15.