By Gary Taylor
Fellow Lincolnites,
I write to ask your support for reelection to the Planning Board for a three-year term. When I initially ran for the board six years ago, my objective was to reorient its attention from micromanaging what Lincoln residents hoped to do with their properties to more forward-looking thinking and planning. Implementation of that change and the addition of capable planning staff have significantly improved the experience of applicants before the board and allowed us to spend more time looking at what lies ahead for Lincoln.
I have considerable training and experience that are useful as a member of the board. I know how to analyze problems, communicate clearly, and manage teams. I hold degrees in law and management (finance and planning). I co-founded and served in the management of an economic consulting firm that grew from two people to 400 with 14 offices in the U.S., Europe, China and Australia. I was responsible for the design and construction of our offices in Cambridge, Boston, New York, and London.
For 30 years I have provided expert testimony in high-stakes energy-related litigation. I also have been involved in many aspects of Lincoln. During my nine years on the Finance Committee, we computerized the town’s accounting and integrated budgeting for the town and schools. While on the Housing Commission and Lincoln’s Affordable Housing Trust, I helped add 50 affordable housing units. In three terms as a Selectman, I played key roles in the development of The Groves (now the Commons) and in the conservation of large, key parcels for open space. All of this has taught me what Lincoln values, how Lincoln works, how to listen, build consensus and get things done.
As you likely know, Lincoln is going through an extraordinary period of challenges that will significantly influence the town’s future. Through the Housing Choice Act, the state has upped the ante regarding rezoning to allow denser “by right” housing near our commuter rail station — a big change for Lincoln that could help or hurt our small commercial center depending upon how any rezoning would treat the mall itself.
We must address the design and funding of a new Community Center. A proposed expansion of private jet services at Hanscom Field by Massport poses not only significant local noise and pollution problems, but it would also thwart broader efforts to slow climate change. The 250th celebration is coming to Minuteman National Park with its associated crowds, and Rte. 2A is supposedly due to be repaved. These matters and more give us a lot to prepare for and to do, and the Planning Board will be playing a significant role.
Lincoln has in the past strived successfully to strike a balance between preserving our cherished values and responding as needed to changes affecting not only our town, but also the world around us. I hope that we can continue to thread that needle effectively. I ask not only for your vote, but as well for your participation in the continuing dialogue that will shape Lincoln’s future.
“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.