The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

My Turn

My Turn: “Many Hands – One Family” SVdP fundraiser

This year, our SVdP of Lincoln and Weston annual appeal, “Many Hands — One Family — One Mission of Love,” reminds us of a simple but powerful truth: when one neighbor struggles, it touches us all, and when a community comes together in love and service, extraordinary things happen.

Your support makes this possible. Because of you, we are able to serve our neighbors with compassion and respect in several meaningful ways. Through our food pantry, we provide consistent, reliable access to nutritious food. Our financial assistance helps households facing temporary crisis — whether it’s help with rent, utilities, or other essential expenses — so that a difficult moment does not become a lasting hardship. Through educational scholarships, we support adult students as they pursue education and new opportunities for their future.

If you have already donated to our 2026 annual appeal, thank you. Your generosity is already making a difference. If you haven’t yet had the chance, we would deeply appreciate your support once again.

Please donate online here or mail a check to SVdP, PO Box 324, Lincoln, MA 01773. It is truly many hands that make this mission of love possible.

With sincere gratitude,

Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston

“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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: A “thank you” and note of gratitude for a dedicated public servant

By Sara Mattes

Sarah Cannon Holden has served our community for the past 3+ decades — as Finance Committee member, as a Selectman, and most recently, as Town Moderator.

She also has been an active advocate for civic engagement and the electoral process, campaigning for issues and candidates that work for nuclear arms control, peace and social justice.

Sarah Cannon Holden has devoted her life to service to the causes she embraces and to the community she loves.  She has always been “a giver.” All should model such commitment to service to others.

Be a giver… be like Sarah.

In 2010, when she stepped down from her role on the Board of Selectmen, her colleagues (Gary Taylor and me) crafted a slide show and script to honor her and send her off with good humor and affection.  What we created then is applicable today. (Apologies for missing slides)

Top Ten Reasons Why Sarah Cannon Holden is One of Lincoln’s Irreplaceable Assets


10. Her awesome communication skills… no one else can sit down and free hand a poster quite like Sarah!

9. Her ready smile, calm and good cheer… in spite of what mayhem some colleagues might foment.

8. Her no-nonsense Yankee thriftiness applied to all endeavors… no fancy landscaping companies for a Cannon!

7. Her willingness to look at all the facts… even if it leads to an inconvenient truth.

6. Her constancy in devotion to Lincoln traditions… especially the Fourth of July!

5. Her willingness to take the wheel and drive the agenda… again and again and again.

4. Her pride in her town and her enthusiastic embrace of the role as cheerleader.

3. Her ability to be the reliable “Decider” …yes, she will dispassionately collect the facts, make an impartial assessment, and then act for the good of the whole.

2. Her desire to encourage newcomers to lead.

And the #1 reason why Sarah Cannon Hold is one of Lincoln’s irreplaceable assets…

1. Her demonstrated abiding and selfless love of and commitment to the next generation.

“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.

My Turn: Payne explains proposed approach for FinCom appointments

By Andy Payne

I’m currently a candidate for Town Moderator. Should I be elected, this would be my approach to Finance Committee appointments. Town Hall is open for early voting now and the election is March 30, 2026.

The moderator’s role

Under Lincoln’s bylaws, the Town Moderator appoints members of the Finance Committee. Terms are three years, expiring at the close of Town Meeting, with new appointments made within 30 days. With seven seats on the committee, one to three seats come up in any given year.

This responsibility is one of the reasons the moderator is an elected position: residents choose the person they trust to make these appointments, and that accountability runs through the ballot box. In 2025, Town Meeting considered and rejected (80–345) a citizen’s petition to change this process. The current system reflects the town’s deliberate choice.

How I approach appointments

My process for filling expiring seats:

  • Talk with the outgoing moderator (in transition years) about committee context and history
  • Talk with the Finance Committee chair about the committee’s current needs, workload, and any skill or representation gaps
  • Talk with the holders of expiring seats to understand their interest in continuing to serve
  • Welcome outreach from any resident interested in serving, at any time throughout the year

Beyond individual qualities, I also think about the committee’s overall balance. When I served on FinCom, we advised the moderator on the value of diversity across several dimensions: gender, age, geographic location within town, parents with children in the schools, and the mix of quantitative and policy-oriented perspectives. No single appointment can cover all of that, but it’s worth keeping in mind as seats turn over.

This is my current approach, and I’m open to feedback on how to improve it.

Residents interested in the Finance Committee are welcome to contact me directly or sign up for a conversation through my open Zoom hours.

What the committee needs

The Finance Committee is Lincoln’s independent advisory body on budget and financial policy, reporting directly to Town Meeting. That role requires members who can work collaboratively across boards and committees, do careful analytical work, and understand that FinCom’s job is to advise Town Meeting on behalf of all residents, not to advance a personal agenda or substitute for the authority of elected boards like the Select Board or School Committees.

Also, municipal finance has a learning curve. New members typically need a full budget cycle before they’re fully effective, and the best committee members bring curiosity and patience alongside whatever expertise they arrive with.

The committee’s credibility depends on getting the numbers right. That means doing the homework, understanding the source data, and, critically, being willing to update analyses when presented with better information. Fincom’s recommendations carry weight at Town Meeting because residents trust that the committee has done careful, honest work and left the political decisions to residents.

Equally important is the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly. Town Meeting is the decision-making body, and residents deserve explanations they can follow. The best FinCom members can translate budget analyses and fiscal trade-offs into plain language that helps voters make informed decisions.

A note on volunteering

Lincoln is a town of about 8,000 people (with about 5,700 off-base), and like most small towns, we depend on volunteers willing to give their time to public service. Town staff is small, which makes volunteer committee work even more essential. In my experience, we do not have a surplus of residents lining up for committee seats.

I am grateful to everyone who serves, and I want the appointment process to encourage volunteerism.

Contact

If you’re interested in serving on the Finance Committee, or if you’d like to share your thoughts on what the committee needs, I’d welcome the conversation. You can reach me at andy+moderator@payne.org or sign up for a Zoom slot:

https://calendar.app.google/msFkWZDFA5PcW9rRA

“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.

My Turn: Dionne seeks support for Parks & Rec seat

By Hilary Dionne

I’m running for the open seat on the Parks & Recreation Committee and wanted to introduce myself. Please note that there is both an elected and an appointed position opening this year.

My family moved to Lincoln in 2021, and since then the Parks & Recreation programs and facilities — especially the July 4th road race and parade, Codman Pool, and Fall Fest — have quickly become some of our favorite town traditions. I’m interested in getting involved to help preserve what already makes these programs so strong, while also supporting new offerings that will be possible with the community center.

Professionally, I’m SVP of marketing and operations at a local tech company where I lead cross-functional teams and oversee large marketing budgets to attract and retain millions of job-seekers. I’d bring that same data-driven, community-focused approach to strengthening Lincoln’s Parks & Recreation programs. I’ve also volunteered as a strategic advisor to the Title IX Girls Running Club, helping expand access to athletics and build confidence for young girls.

A few areas I’m especially excited to focus on:

  • Exploring ways to support a longer season at Codman Pool.
  • Using both qualitative and quantitative feedback to evaluate programs and help maximize participation and enjoyment.
  • Expanding weekend programming for preschool-age children.
  • Supporting safer bicycle and pedestrian access around town. As an avid distance runner, it’s something I care deeply about and would love to work on in partnership with the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Thank you for your consideration, 

Hilary Dionne
105 Trapelo Road

“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.

My Turn: Harry Kyros of Country Pizza says farewell

By Harry Kyros

(Editor’s note: Kyros was the owner of Country Pizza, which shut its doors in the Doherty’s Garage building after 29 years in Lincoln.)

I want to thank the community of Lincoln for its support these past 29 years. It was a pleasure and a privilege for a small businessman to be welcomed into your homes through my simple but loving pizza, subs, salads, and calzones. I can only wish you all good health and happiness. I am now energized by your support as I move forward in life. Though my time has come to an end, the shop’s story in Lincoln will continue on.

God bless,

Harry Kyros

“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.

My Turn: Unraveling the Hanscom misallocation

By David Cuetos

(Editor’s note: A slightly different version of this piece was posted last week in LincolnTalk by Cuetos, who asked that this revised version be published in the Lincoln Squirrel. The Squirrel has contacted members of the Finance Committee and School Committee, and at least one response will be forthcoming.

Cuetos will host a Zoom meeting on this issue on Sunday, March 8 at 7:00pm “to review the facts, explain how the issue developed, and answer questions from residents.”)

The Hanscom School operates under a contract that the town, as the operator, enters into with the Department of Defense. Lincoln taxpayer funds were systematically used to cover Hanscom school benefits and administrative costs that should have been paid with Department of Defense funds. By the later years of the FY21 to FY25 contract cycle, the annual impact of these misallocated charges had reached roughly $500,000.

I first raised the issue with town administration, the finance director, and the Finance Committee in 2022. Despite repeated follow up requests, no investigation began for nearly two years, even though those offices had direct access to the financial data and accounting systems needed to resolve the matter. The issue remained unexamined until 2024, when an audit initiated by the former School Committee chair was concluded and a working group was tasked to investigate the misallocated amounts. A sum of $2,045,000 in misallocated Hanscom expenses was confirmed for FY21 to FY25. The working group was not permitted to review earlier years, even though prior contracts operated under the same full cost reimbursement structure and used the same accounting methodology, which strongly suggests that similar misallocations likely occurred before FY21.

The confirmed expenses had been charged to Lincoln’s general fund instead of the Hanscom reserve, the dedicated account intended to cover Hanscom related costs. Correcting this is procedurally simple. These costs are legitimate Hanscom expenses that can be reimbursed to the general fund through a School Committee vote authorizing a transfer from the Hanscom reserve.

This process has been used twice already. An initial action reimbursed approximately $65,000 for split healthcare benefits. In June 2025, following executive session deliberations, the School Committee approved an additional reimbursement of about $495,000. In total, roughly $560,000 has been returned to taxpayers. This represents 27% of the confirmed FY21 to FY25 misallocated amount, leaving approximately $1,485,000 unreimbursed and any pre-FY21 amounts entirely unexamined.

The availability of funds is not in question. Under the contract structure, the federal government advances the full annual amount rather than reimbursing individual invoices, and the Hanscom reserve is fully under the town’s control. The most recent audited financials posted on the town website show a Hanscom Reserve balance of $9.7 million at the end of FY24, which is more than sufficient to correct the remaining shortfall for FY21 to FY25 and likely adequate to address earlier years if they were ever reviewed.

What has never been explained to residents is why the misallocation occurred, why it took nearly two years for an investigation to begin, why the School Committee limited the review period despite evidence that earlier years followed the same reimbursement rules, and why only a fraction of the confirmed misallocation has been corrected when the remedy is straightforward, locally controlled, and fully supported by available funds. Given the scale of the dollars involved and the fiduciary obligations owed to Lincoln taxpayers, a clear and comprehensive explanation remains necessary.

Chronology of Events (2022–2025)

  1. Benchmarking Analysis and Initial Evidence

Shortly after moving into town, I began studying our municipal finances. I wanted to understand how a town with the lowest proportion of students relative to population could still have such high taxes. My benchmarking against peer towns showed disproportionately higher taxes per capita across many departments, higher spending per pupil, and notably higher retirement benefits per dollar of payroll. A Massachusetts DESE report provided clear evidence that Lincoln was paying the lion’s share of Hanscom staff benefits.

  1. Sharing Findings with FinCom Leadership

I shared my benchmarking analysis with Finance Committee Chair Andy Payne in fall 2022 and invited him to my home. Unfortunately, we could not get past a disagreement about population numbers, and he showed no interest in the spending-per-pupil and retirement-benefits evidence. I also sent my findings to the full Finance Committee; only Fuat Koro expressed interest, though without leadership support he could not pursue it.

  1. Directed to the finance director

After continued requests, Mr. Payne directed me to Finance Director Colleen Wilkins. Following a few emails, she told me by phone that she was too busy preparing for budget season to engage in a “fishing expedition,” as she believed there was nothing to uncover. Communication ended.

  1. Submitting findings to school leadership

I also brought the matter to the School Committee and then-Superintendent Becky McFall, alerting them to the likely taxpayer subsidy. She quickly denied the subsidy’s existence and gave me access to then-Administrator for Business and Finance Mary Ellen Normen, who explained that she could neither confirm nor refute my findings because the underlying benefits accounting and payroll systems are controlled by the Town Finance Director.

It is relevant that Buck Creel — the longtime administrator for business and finance whose responsibilities included interpreting the contract, overseeing Hanscom’s financial submissions, and ensuring that eligible expenses were properly prepared and submitted for reimbursement — served in that role during the period when these misallocations occurred and was appointed to FinCom last year.

  1. Public records request and response

I filed a public records (FOIA-style) request to obtain the data. I received no response within the legal deadline, appealed to the state, and eventually received documents late from Town Administrator Tim Higgins. The response included irrelevant information that did not refute my claim. His email concluded with a statement that even if a mistake existed, it was not illegal.

  1. Escalation and lack of response

I sent multiple emails to the town administrator, FinCom, Select Board, Finance Department, and school administration explaining why the response was inadequate. None replied. I also asked a friend to brief Select Board member Jim Hutchinson, who had chaired FinCom. He told my friend they were too busy and too frustrated with my inquiries to address anything before Town Meeting. Nothing happened afterward.

  1. FinCom meeting and public comment suppression

Because no one was responding, I raised the issue during public comment at a FinCom meeting. Then-Vice Chair Paul Blanchfield cut me off, stating that he had reviewed the town’s FOIA response and that it disproved my claims. That was factually incorrect.

  1. Reduction in transparency

Following that meeting, several changes at FinCom occurred:

    • Zoom meetings became rare.
    • Mr. Payne stopped posting meeting recordings, and his YouTube channel disappeared.
    • The meeting video was missing from town archives until I provided my personal copy.
    • FinCom began developing a more restrictive public comment policy.
  1. Shift in FinCom position and additional barriers

After that meeting, I emailed Mr. Blanchfield again. His position shifted from “you are wrong” to “the town could recover funds except for certain accounting or statutory exceptions,” which was also incorrect. A new excuse emerged: that the contract was classified. I disproved this by obtaining unredacted copies of current and past contracts directly from the Department of Defense.

  1. School Committee chair steps in and launches independent audit

Former School Committee Chair John McLachlan, after seeing an interview referencing the issue, realized he had been incorrectly told the matter was resolved. He pursued the issue personally despite resistance from Town Administration and FinCom leadership. Unsatisfied, Mr. McLachlan launched an audit, reportedly provoking strong objections. A professional auditor was hired, but the process moved slowly and concluded only in summer 2024.

  1. Limitations of the audit and partial shifts in town accounting

I doubted the auditor could determine the benefit misallocation independently because benefits are managed by the Finance Department. In response to my inquiry on the status of the misallocation investigation at a fall 2023 FinCom meeting, Ms. Wilkins and Mr. Blanchfield redirected responsibility to the School Committee and the auditor. Ultimately, the benefit analysis was produced separately by Ms. Wilkins. Notably, during this same period, the Town transferred approximately $65,000 from the Hanscom reserve to the Town’s general reserve to correct split healthcare charges, an action that indicates the underlying issue had been recognized internally even before the formal findings were presented.

  1. Audit completion and formation of a working group

The audit concluded in summer 2024, though it did not examine benefits, which as I said were prepared independently by Ms. Wilkins. The School Committee formed a five-member working group: two School Committee members (Matina Madrick and Kim Rajdev), one Select Board member (Mr. Hutchinson), one FinCom member (Mr. Blanchfield), and myself. I understand that one longstanding School Committee member opposed both the creation of this working group and my inclusion, leading to a very restrictive mandate: we could examine only the FY21-25 contract, even though earlier contracts were also full-cost reimbursement.

  1. Working group findings and limitations

After discussions and adjustments to allocation methods, the committee unanimously agreed on a methodology confirming the misallocation at roughly 500,000 dollars per year. I objected to the refusal to examine earlier contracts. Before disbanding, I moved to recommend reimbursing the full FY21-25 misallocation. Mr. Hutchinson supported the motion; the other three members abstained.

  1. School Committee decision

Throughout FY25, the School Committee delayed any decision. In their final meeting of the year, they entered executive session and decided to reimburse for approximately one fourth of the remaining verified amount. No rationale was provided publicly.

My hope is that by presenting a clear and complete factual record, residents will demand accountability and strengthen oversight going forward. I have kept detailed records of all communications and am willing to review them with anyone interested.

“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.

My Turn: Callow asks for votes for School Committee

(Editor’s note: Callow is running unopposed for one of the seats on the School Committee. See the full slate.)

By Jessica Callow

My name is Jessica Callow and I am pleased to announce my candidacy for the Lincoln School Committee. I have been a Lincoln resident for nearly 13 years, and my husband Dane and I are raising two children currently in the seventh and fourth grades. As a parent deeply invested in our district, I care profoundly about the strength, inclusivity, and future of our schools.  
 
Over the years, I have been actively involved in our community, serving on board at Lincoln Nursery School for five years, Codman Farm for three years, and most recently the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) since its reactivation in 2023 after years of inactivity. Through SEPAC, I have worked alongside families and district leaders to advocate for students with disabilities and to strengthen communication and collaboration.
 
I have a unique perspective to bring to the School Committee, most notably having a child in district and one who has received out-of-district services for the majority of his elementary education. These experiences have given me a deeper understanding of the varied paths students may take and the importance of ensuring every child feels supported and seen. Recently, I completed the Parent Consulting Training Institute at the Federation for Children with Special Needs, broadening my advocacy skills for neurodiverse learners and students with special needs. This experience deepened my understanding of special education law, collaboration, and systems-level thinking.
 
In addition to my advocacy work, I care deeply about maintaining Lincoln’s tradition of academic excellence while ensuring our schools are financially responsible and sustainable for the long term. I am committed to supporting all learners, strengthening social-emotional and tiered supports within general education, and working collaboratively to ensure our schools remain academically strong, fiscally responsible, and responsive to families. I believe in listening carefully to diverse perspectives with the goal of a shared path forward. I support instructional approaches that foster critical thinking, collaboration, and meaningful real-world learning experiences for students. I look forward to listening, learning, and serving Lincoln in this role and welcome you to reach out and connect.

Jessica Callow
8 Brooks Hill Road
jessicabcallow@gmail.com

“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.

My Turn: Sing peacefully in protest

By Margit Griffith

Perhaps you have seen the videos of the good people of Minneapolis singing peacefully in protest against the surge of violence in their city. Across the United States and in countries around the world, people are joining in song. If this is news to you, please see this Anderson Cooper story. 

Recently, the Minneapolis organizers have been helping people organize in community groups. There is no cost, no ask. They seek to help those interested in engaging to protest in song.

If you look at singingresistance on Instagram you can see their toolkit, which is an important start. They recommend groups get together to sing and build community before going out to sing in protest.

Taking their advice and guidance, I have started singingresistancelincolnma on Instagram and invite you to join me at a first Lincoln community gathering to talk about this movement and sing some songs. All are welcome — all ages, those who sing on pitch and those who find their own notes. Please RSVP (I plan to provide some pizza and salad since it’s dinner time):

Monday, Feb. 23, 6:00–7:30pm
St. Anne-in-the-Fields is happy to host us in the Flint Room (147 Concord Road, Lincoln)

If there is interest and enthusiasm, we can meet every other week, and plan actions on other dates. It’s entirely possible we will be joined by other pods of singers from other communities. Hope to see you and sing with you.

“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.

My Turn: Save Lincoln Wildlife submits citizens’ petition

By Save Lincoln Wildlife

Save Lincoln Wildlife, a town group focused on raising awareness about anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) and encouraging safer alternatives, has submitted a citizens’ petition to ban ARs in Lincoln. If successful at Town Meeting on March 28, the Select Board will send a home rule petition to the state legislature, since the state rather than individual towns regulate pesticides.

Highly toxic ARs poison rodents as well as children and non-target animals, such as birds of prey, wild mammals, and pets. These poisons enter ecosystems when poisoned rodents or contaminated carcasses are eaten by predators, or by accidental ingestion. Although Lincoln’s municipal properties do not use ARs, businesses and private property owners in Lincoln might be using them without realizing it. 

Here is the wording for the Town Meeting warrant article:

Citizens’ Petition to Ban Anticoagulant Rodenticides in Lincoln, MA

To determine whether the town will authorize the Select Board to petition the General Court for special legislation substantially in the form below:

That notwithstanding Chapter 132B of the general laws or any other general or special law to the contrary, the Town of Lincoln may by ordinance prohibit the application of anticoagulant rodenticides within the Town of Lincoln, including application of such pesticides by licensed commercial applicators as defined in C.M.R. 333 10.00 except as allowed by the Board of Health to remediate a public health condition; this act shall take effect upon its passage.

Since 2024, Save Lincoln Wildlife has advanced safer alternatives to ARs through several initiatives:

  • Meeting with Lincoln businesses to discuss rodent control alternatives to ARs.
  • Partnering with Lincoln’s Board of Health to inform town residents about safer alternatives to ARs.
  • Co-hosting a MetroWest Rescue Raptor event with attendees from multiple towns.
  • Engaging with legislators at the July 2025 Protect Animals from Rodenticides lobbying day.
  • Tabling at local venues including Town Meeting, State of the Town, and the transfer station.
  • Surveying bait box locations on various properties townwide.

Stay tuned for upcoming outreach events to learn more about this petition and how you can switch to safe and effective rodent control methods.

You can learn more at:

This article was written by Pam Boardman, Deanna Johnson, Staci Montori, Trish O’Hagan, and Carrie Stamos.

“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.

My Turn: Help with winter electricity bills (CFREE Tip #10)

By the Lincoln Green Energy Committee

1. Eversource heat pump rate

CFREE wants to let residents know about the lower electric rates for heat pump owners. Most recent heat-pump converts may already be signed up but if you have an older system you should make sure you are on this electric rate. Please check your bills to make sure you are!

Households with one or more heat pumps are eligible for a heat pump rate from Eversource, who estimates that it can save you close to 20% on your electricity bill. (Heat pump water heaters by themselves do not qualify.) We announced this back in November, but if you missed that and haven’t signed up (or been signed up automatically) it’s very easy to do so. Just click here. 

If you’re not sure if you’re getting this rate, look at the section of your Eversource bill where the delivery costs are shown. Look for “R1HP-Residential Heat Pump” shown on the attached excerpt from a sample bill. If you have a heat pump but your current rate is R1 or R3, you should ask to be changed to the R1HP-Residential Heat Pump rate, which is lower than either. Click here for illustrations. 

2. Bill relief for winter electric use

And in case you missed the January 23 email from Eversource, there’s a two-month rate reduction ahead, regardless of whether or not you have heat pumps. Note that the relief described will not cover bills for our very cold January. Here’s what they wrote:

We understand that managing higher electric bills alongside other rising expenses has been challenging. As part of ongoing efforts to reduce energy costs, the Healey-Driscoll Administration is providing $180 million in funding to help reduce your electric bills this winter. For your electricity use from Feb. 1, 2026, to March 31, 2026, the rate you pay will be reduced by 25%. Working collaboratively with our regulator and other utilities in Massachusetts, we have adjusted rates down in recognition of the sustained cold weather that has caused electric bills to be higher than this time last year, putting strain on household budgets.

Your total bill savings will be dependent on your energy use. If approved, this 25% reduction will be applied automatically, and you do not need to take any action. This 25% reduction will be reflected under the “current charges for electricity” section of your bill. Although the 25% is not its own line item, we reduced certain rate components to achieve this reduction.

CFREE (Carbon Free Residential — Everything Electric) is a subcommittee of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee. For previous CFREE Tips, click here. CFREE provides guidance on how households can reduce use of fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas emissions to help Massachusetts meet statewide emissions limits set for 2030, 2040, and 2050. It also provides information about state and federal incentives that help reduce the cost of such changes. For guidance on such projects at your home, email lincolngreencoach@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.lincolngreenenergy.org.

“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.