To the editor:
Twenty-five years ago, Emily and I made the great decision to raise our family in Lincoln. We chose a town that celebrated its history and made bold commitments to the community’s future. We have loved the trails and open spaces. We have appreciated the commitments to educating children and supporting our elders. We are excited to grow old here.
I am excited to support Article 31 at town meeting this Saturday. This article follows through on town commitments: to our collective health, the well-being of our planet, and the values we have already embraced. This article will help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels for heating and cooking. New construction (home building and major renovations) that shifts us from natural gas and oil to electric power will help us to reduce carbon emissions.
Our town, our Commonwealth, and our country have made commitments to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Our public health officials have warned us about the risks of exposure to fossil fuels and the compounds that result from combusting these fuels. Having enjoyed the benefits of electric heat pumps for the last three years — I can say with confidence that moving into a 21st-century mode of heating is a good idea!
In the last 25 years we haven’t suffered wildfires and catastrophic weather. While so many parts of the world have suffered from the ravages of climate change, we haven’t faced hardship. For our collective health in Lincoln and for all the people whose lives will be improved by reducing demand for fossil fuels, I hope you can make it to Town Meeting to vote for Article 31. Lincoln’s future was bright 25 years ago; let’s take some bold steps to ensure the next 25 years are bright too.
With thanks,
Tom Haslett
26 Baker Bridge Rd.
“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.
Tom, you have expressed some inspiring and powerful thoughts about the values of the Lincoln community and the obligation we have to protect our health, environment and a livable Earth climate for future generations.
Passing Article 31 and the other emissions reducing articles at Town Meeting is a modest but necessary step that I hope voters will support enthusiastically.
Alex Chatfield, St. Anne’s Climate Justice Ministry
Thank you, Tom, for your great letter!
Thank you to the Planning Board, for voting last night to endorse the motion that will be offered under Article 31, joining other great endorsing bodies.
To all readers, I invite you to visit https://www.lincolngreenenergy.org, where you can find the language of the motion, a basic explanation, and related information.
– Paul Shorb, Chair, Lincoln Green Energy Committee