The Select Board last week began reviewing a draft social media policy for town officials, approved an immigration enforcement resolution, and heard updates on a number of other town issues.
In keeping with the state’s Open Meeting Law and Mass. Municipal Association guidelines, the draft social media policy would explicitly prohibit “members of public bodies” from using social media, email chains, or other online communications to deliberate public business outside properly posted public meetings. If a board wishes to post an opinion, it must vote to approve the message and designate a member to speak on behalf of the board, the draft policy says.
Lincoln residents often post comments and questions about town affairs on the LincolnTalk public email listserv, which is not run by the town. The draft policy says that “town departments, boards, committees, commissions, and employees may occasionally use Lincoln Talk or similar forums to share factual information regarding town meetings, public notices, programs, services, projects, community events, and emergency information… [but] residents should not expect town officials or employees to respond to questions, comments, criticisms, suggestions, or requests posted on LincolnTalk.”
Town officials “want to jump in, provide answers, and be transparent,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins said at the Select Board’s June 25 meeting, but they often can’t online. The draft emphasizes that lack of online response from a town official may seem like they’re “not paying attention or are unwilling to engage” but are simply limited by law or established town procedures about what they can say online.
The administrators of LincolnTalk plan to meet with him to clarify the listserv’s guidelines around that issue, and other boards as well as the public will also have a chance to comment on the draft social media policy.
ICE prohibition
In January, Gov. Maura Healey signed an executive order that bans civil ICE arrests in state facilities and prohibits use of state property as staging locations. However, that order doesn’t apply to municipal facilities, so the new Lincoln resolution closes that loophole.
Town-owned property “shall not be used for staging areas, processing locations, detention, or other operational bases for civil immigration enforcement, unless federal officials present a valid judicial warrant or court order authorizing such use, according to the resolution. It also bars access to nonpublic municipal spaces for civil immigration enforcement, though town employees are not authorized to “interfere with or obstruct any lawful federal enforcement actions conducted in public spaces on town-controlled property.”
The Lincoln Public Schools are crafting a version that’s specific to school property.
Shared building commissioner
Lincoln has signed an agreement with Carlisle to share building commissioner services, with Carlisle paying for some of the available hours of Lincoln Building Commissioner Jon Metivier. The six-month pilot program that begins July 1 calls for an annual fee of $55,000. “We’re optimistic that this is going to be a good partnership with Carlisle and generate some meaningful savings for the town,” Higgins said.
Roadway projects
The Select Board and School Committee are expecting a preliminary design for refurbishing Ballfield Road in the fall that will inform a budget request to the Capital Planning Committee (CPC) for Town Meeting consideration in March 2027. The project will involve eliminating the “slip lane” (the eastern fork of the intersection with Lincoln Road) and other needed repairs that can take place once the community center constitution is complete.
Citylogix, the consultant hired to assess roadway conditions across the town, has finished collecting data about town road conditions and will develop a database to share with the town in the next 60-90 days. The information will be used to help the DPW and committees develop short- and long-term pavement improvement and maintenance plans and may have a funding request ready for the CPC this fall in time for the next Annual Town Meeting.
Ricci trail
The board approved opening part of the new unpaved trail near the landfill solar installation to bicycles. The Conservation Commission expects to do the same for the piece of the trail that is on conservation land.
Cannabis deliveries
Although home delivery of recreational cannabis is now permitted statewide, cities and towns including Lincoln that didn’t authorize retail storefronts may apply for a temporary waiver to block deliveries. The board submitted a request for a one-year waiver while waiting to hear the preferences of town residents at the State of the Town/Special Town Meeting in October.
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