My Turn: Vote yes to move forward with community center planning

(Editor’s note: this piece appeared in LincolnTalk on November 17 but some figures have been corrected with permission of the writer.)

By Michael Dembowski

The town’s dialogue regarding the proposed community center is engaging, healthy, and vital. However, many of the comments being expressed would be made no matter what the budget — the initial $15.3 million to $16.2 million estimated cost, or the current COVID- and inflation-driven $24.6 million to $26 million. Many townspeople simply don’t want to see additional tax increases, don’t know fully the program needs and current condition of the COA and Parks and Recreation Department, or don’t know of the diligent work of the community center committees dating back to 2012. Many of the suggestions and recommendations being made — whether thinking “out of the box” or being “prudent and cost-conscious” seem to be out of step with the process, uninformed by the work completed to date, or are more direct in wanting to prematurely shut down further town-wide consideration of a community center.

I am surprised at the apparent lack of good faith that those who have been directing this project to date have not thought of (and heard) and evaluated each suggestion offered. Does no one think that the Community Center Committees have not examined Bemis Hall and the Pierce House? Not looked at concurrent uses with the school programs? Not researched relevant program use data and benchmarking from other towns? Not been mindful of costs, budgetary constraints and the community’s reception to property tax increases — especially following the school project?

Voting YES on the next week’s ballot only approves limited monies for the further development of the proposed community center — a process that I would expect would be as transparent and participatory as the school project had been — incorporating the myriad voices and concerns now being expressed while also allowing for the possibility of securing private funds to help offset any future potential tax increase.

We are all privileged to live in this remarkable town — but privilege should prompt responsibility. Lincoln’s uniqueness is inextricably intertwined with its large sized properties, extensive conservation lands, farms and network of trails — all of which are universally appreciated and valued. However, the same lack of population and housing density can make Lincoln an extremely challenging place to live well and thrive in as we age — as we all age.

The community center project embodies a vision that is lost in much of the current dialogue of costs, budgets and potential taxes — one that should be considered in the context of wanting Lincoln to be a community that has the amenities, facilities and services that make it a desirable and more manageable town to live in for all of one’s life.

“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.