By Peter Sugar
I was frustrated by the manner in which the SoTT [State of the Town and Special Town Meeting on Oct. 24, 2026] addressed the subject of selecting the best approach to the Lincoln library boiler replacement. I subsequently sent this memo to the Select Board where I tried to cover the issues as much as possible. I am appending the memo so others can comment and persuade the Selects to bring this matter up for reconsideration.
MEMORANDUM — Library HV Article 1 (Oct. 28, 2026)
I am motivated to write this memo as a follow-up to our 2026 State of the Town meeting. Having attended the meeting, I am appalled by the manner in which this Article was presented. What to me is a concern is that there was no actual presentation of the subject at hand, neither for or against — something we have normally been used to as a matter of accepted practice.
Leadership: In my opinion, supported by many of my colleagues, we had always adopted the attitude of what is best for our town in the long term and thus advocating for a solution which was in alignment with the energy consciousness of our town’s philosophy. Leadership was lacking.
Presentation: Why was no one asked to make such a presentation, neither the library, or the
Select Board, or the Finance Committee? The board went through the enumeration of the issues involved, but with no expression of their opinion. I am told that they did not have a unanimous opinion. Since when has it been a rule that such unanimity is a requirement? There have been many examples in the past when a majority view was aired for public discussion.
Financial background: The FinCom made a presentation of (in their words) the facts. A total misnomer: facts from a financial perspective need to look at the complete picture: not its ostensible and immediate costs, but the eventual long-term implication — what one might call the net present value. Costs related to the immediate and long-term implications are very much part of the picture. The immediate cost of $300,000 fails to draw the comparison to the long-term expenditures. The list of potential upcoming [town-wide capital] project costs ($45 million) is irrelevant when one looks at the so-called costs estimated for the various projects (no believable backup presented).
As a side comment, based on my discussions with a member of the Lexington FinCom, they went with a ground source heat pump solution for their new high school, realizing that in the long term that solution would be the less expensive.
Additional financial commentary: Article 1 incorporated the replacement of two smaller heat pumps. These have been on the library’s horizon for many years due to their being well beyond their intended life. Any possible failure of them at this time would immediately create an emergency situation. The library had included them as part of an earlier construction contract, but they were shelved at the time due to the cost. This cost appears nowhere in the FinCom’s current list. Why not? Quite likely because it would contradict their assertion of “facts, nothing but facts!”
Timing: For some, and perhaps all of the above, I believe that the vote at the SoTT’s was a failure of paying attention to all the parameters for the vote. We surely do not wish to be locked into a wrong solution when the latest technical developments should point us in a different direction. Many years ago, when town meetings tended to last more than a day, there was a warrant article which failed on the first day, The article was reconsidered and we again voted on the follow-up day, and it passed!
As an ex-member of the library’s Board of Trustees and chair of the Building Committee, I urge the Selects to give this matter the due and detailed attention it deserves and reverse the vote, which does not represent current thinking and the positive vote for Article 1, though not two-thirds of the attendees is surely pointing towards.
Respectfully,
Peter C. Sugar
133 Chestnut Circle
“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. 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.
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