The September 11 article headlined “Board OKs five-year roadway project plan” misstated one of the roadway projects under consideration. The third item on the list was incorrectly listed as a crosswalk over North Great Road at Bedford Road; in fact, the crosswalk in question is an upgrade of the existing one over Route 2 at Bedford Road. The original article has been updated.
The Commons presents details on plan; hopes to break ground in winter
Green numbers show where parking will be added. New surface spaces are shown in purple (click to enlarge). Existing tree are shown as circles with dotted lines.
At the first session this week of a public hearing on the site plan for expanding The Commons in Lincoln, presenters outlined some minor changes from the plan that was first aired almost a year ago. The Planning Board’s September 10 hearing will be continued to October 2 at 7:05 p.m.
At a Special Town Meeting in December 2023, residents approved rezoning the parcel, a first step in a process that also requires additional approvals from the Planning Board and others, including environmental officials.
As before, the plan calls for 28 new independent living units (14 two-bedroom units in the Flint building, six one-bedroom units in the Russell building, and eight new cottages). The Flint units will be in a separate structure connected to the main building with a sky bridge on the second and third floors.
The net addition of 52 parking spaces on the campus and more connecting sidewalks also hasn’t changed. However, the surface parking will be slightly rearranged so they’re located where they’re most needed on a campus where parking is tight for aides and visitors.
New trees to be planted are indicated in green (click to enlarge).
“The issue wasn’t the quantity of spaces but the location,” said Chris Fee of landscape architecture firm Stantec. “We tried to locate the new parking at three locations where we have problems, in addition to spots for [residents of] new buildings, so this should go a long way to help solve the parking problem.”
Another landscaping change from the previous plan: the existing community garden will be relocated, but a new bocce court and two additional smaller gardens are being deferred. Some trees that weren’t specified at the public hearing will be removed, but several dozen new ones will be planted, along with native plants are also being chosen in coordination with a resident group.
If all goes as planned, construction will begin in the first quarter of 2025 and will take a total of almost two years, though the cottages will be treated as separate construction sites and built on their own timeframe.
Board OKs five-year roadway project plan
Editor’s note: This article was updated on September 13 with corrected information about the third item on the project list (Route 2/Bedford Road).
The Select Board this week approved a five-year plan for roadway projects in town that will include new or improved crosswalks as well as a repaved and redesigned Ballfield Road entrance. Members also approved a separate traffic and parking plan for Old Concord Road.
Last May, the Selects approved the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee’s master plan, which made a wide range of recommendations for safety improvements on roads and roadside paths. Since then, the BPAC joined forces with the Roadway and Traffic Committee to draw up the five-year transportation project plan starting with fiscal 2026 beginning on July 1, 2025. Click here to see the list with details on the projects, costs, timeline, etc.
The first two items on the list to be tackled actually weren’t on the BPAC master plan: repaving several roads in town, and creating a raised crosswalk on Lincoln Road at the Old Town Hall Exchange. A contract is expected to be awarded soon for that work, which includes repaving Tower Road between Lincoln Road and Beaver Pond Road, as well as Peirce Hill Road, Round Hill Road, and Hawthorne Circle.
Next on the wish list is an upgraded crosswalk on Route 2 at Bedford Road, which the town is hoping will be funded by MassDOT’s Mass. Highway Division).
Another high priority is repaving Ballfield Road and redesigning its intersection with Lincoln Road. A pilot project next year will involve closing the slip road (the fork of the Y on the east side of the intersection) with barriers while a plan for improving the intersection for vehicles, pedestrians and bikes is formulated. The town would seek funding for that project in fiscal 2027 to start after the community center is completed and heavy equipment isn’t routinely using Ballfield Road.
Many of the projects on the list could be funded through Chapter 90 funds from the state (Lincoln currently received about $250,000 annually from this source). Other potential funding sources from the state are the Complete Streets program and the Safe Routes to School infrastructure grant program, but the town will still have to pay for some work that isn’t eligible or isn’t awarded state funding.
Farther down on the list are two expensive and complicated goals: building or extending roadside paths on Weston Road and on Route 117 near the Mt. Misery parking lot. Both would require easements or property takings and thus may not even be viable. “We’ll continue to review them each year to see if the appetite for [those projects] is changing,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins said.
Old Concord Road
Parking and signage improvements planned for Old Concord Road (click to enlarge).
The signage improvement plan presented by Conservation Director Michele Grzenda aims to address parking issues on Old Concord Road for drivers seeking trail access, as well as service vehicles who are sometimes confused by the house numbering and dead ends. The approved plan calls for installing more consistent no-parking signs, a turnaround spot, and clearer indicators of which homes can be found by turning onto the private road opposite 33 Old Concord Rd.
Latest community center cost estimates run high
Architects are working on alternatives to bring down the latest estimated construction cost of the community center, where the schematic design is nearly complete.
ICON Architects’ estimator pegged the cost early this year at $24 million. More recently, ANSA Advisory, the owner’s project manager, took another look (along with ICON’s estimator), and their estimates are $1.9 million and $2.1 million above that figure.
Most of this is because the required subsurface earthwork will be more expensive than anticipated. The building itself is still on budget, so a set of “value-engineering” cuts in features won’t close the gap, explained ICON’s Ned Collier at the September 9 Select Board meeting.
Reconciling the latest price with the budget “is not insignificant but not insurmountable,” Collier said. Some savings will come from moving the LEAP portion of the building slightly to the north, where less digging into the hillside close to the main Hartwell Building will be needed. “That’s going to be a meaningful chunk to get us back on budget,” he said. ICON will also identify some changes in the design or materials used for things like polycarbonate translucent panels for canopies that can be added back once construction starts, if the budget allows.
“Nothing is being removed from the building programmatically,” Collier said, adding that the contingency fund of about $1.6 million will not be trimmed at this point.
Select Board member Kim Bodnar, who served on the School Building Committee, hoped to avoid any tradeoffs in replacement or maintenance value of certain components could be “kind of might be penny-wise and pound-foolish” — for example, replacing granite curbs at the school with asphalt, a tough decision that nevertheless had to be made.
When the $93 million school project was at this stage, the SBC made as many cuts as they could but ultimately decided to go back to the town for more money. In June 2020, voters approved moving an additional $829,000 from free cash to close that gap. Private donations also restored some items.
“Our goal is not to ask for more, but to keep things in reserve to add back if possible,” Collier said.
One possible area for savings is landscaping. Rather than do everything at once, the Community Center Building Committee could treat it as a “master plan” for completion in stages over time, CCBC Chair Sarah Chester said. The CCBC will hash out exactly what reductions to target to reconcile the budget.
Water main flushing on Thursday
The Lincoln Water Department will be performing water main flushing on Thursday, September 12 from noon–7 p.m. at the following locations:
- Lincoln Road, including Lincoln Woods
- Mackintosh Lane
- SPNEA Lane
- Meadowdam Road
- Woodbrook Road
- Ridge Road
- Todd Pond Road
- Short Hill Road
- Far Meadow Lane
Flushing improves water quality, but there can be short term rusty water conditions as a result of the flushing. If you experience rusty, discolored water, please avoid doing laundry or using hot water until it clears. Flush an outside faucet for about 10 minutes or until the water runs clear.
News acorns
EEE risk in Sudbury rises to moderate
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health DPH) has increased the Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) risk level to “moderate” in Sudbury after the virus was detected in mosquitoes collected from the surveillance program in that town, though the risk in Lincoln remains low. No human cases have been reported. On September 5, the DPH also announced two additional human cases of West Nile Virus in Massachusetts, bringing the total number of human cases to six. One is a man in his 50s who was exposed in Suffolk County; the other is a man in his 80s with exposure in southern Middlesex County. The Lincoln and Sudbury Health Department continue to work closely with the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to conduct mosquito surveillance and (in Sudbury) additional truck-mounted spraying as needed in the targeted areas.
Lincoln Land Conservation Trust news
LLCT and Conservation Dept. work days
Join other volunteers helping to manage invasive plants on conservation land. The next work day is Friday, Sept. 13 from 1-3pm. All tools provided; just bring gloves. Click here to learn more and RSVP.
LLCT and COAHS Noticing Walks
These gently paced walks are all about the journey, not the destination. They take place on first Tuesdays and mid-month Wednesdays from September 18 through December 11. Click here or more details, dates and locations, and registration.
“The Nature and Science of Fall Foliage”
Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
LLCT welcomes Tia Pinney, a senior naturalist at Mass Audubon, to speak about the science of fall foliage via Zoom. Click here to register.
Scarecrow Classic 5K
The 12th annual Scarecrow Classic 5K to benefit the LLCT takes place on Sunday, Oct. 20 starting at 9:30 a.m. Participants enjoy a course through Lincoln’s roads and trails, with colorful scarecrows along the route and cider donuts at the finish line. Register by Monday, Oct. 7 to guarantee a Scarecrow Classic Tech Shirt on race day. Pre-registration closes the Friday before the race and limited same-day registrations are available. Learn more and register at scarecrowclassic5k.com. The LLCT is also looking for sponsors and volunteers. Email llct@lincolnconservation.org if you can help.
Council on Aging & Human Services activities
The COA&HS’s Lincoln Academy takes place on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. This month:
- September 13 — “Journey to Victoria Falls and Okurango Delta” with Lincoln resident Ed Tam
- September 20 — “A History of Fraud through the Ages” where local author Bob Ainsworth shares the story of swindlers from ancient Greece to today.
- September 27 — “Chomsky and Me: A Memoir.” Author Bev Stohl shares her story of running the MIT office of the renowned linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky for nearly two and a half decades.
Marilyn Buckler, 1933–2024
Longtime Lincoln resident Marilyn Buckler passed away on August 13 at the age of 91. Click here to read her obituary.
Register for L-S adult ed classes
L-S Adult & Community Education Classes has several classes starting this month, including dance, family fishing, boating skills, SAT prep, ChatGPT, real estate investing, and “Preparing for ‘The Talk’ with Your Elder Parents.” Click here for course listings and registration. Questions? Email adult.ed@lsrhs.net or leave a message at 978-443-9961 x3326.
Walden Woods events
Join the Walden Woods Project and RESTORE: The North Woods for “Thoreau, Landscape Scale Wildlands and Natural Democracy” with wilderness activist and author Jamie Sayen will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 7–8 p.m. via Zoom. Thoreau proposed the establishment of reserves decades before the designation of the first national parks. Click here to learn more and register.
“Author Helen Humphreys in Conversation with Jeffrey S. Cramer” happens on Sunday, Oct. 6 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. at Thoreau Farm (341 Virginia Rd., Concord) and online. Inspired by the life, letters, and diaries of Henry David Thoreau, Humphreys’ novel Followed by the Lark shows how strikingly similar the concerns of the early nineteenth century are to our own, and reminds us to listen for news of change. Click here to learn more and register.
Apply to show your work in library art gallery
The Lincoln Public Library Art & Exhibit Committee is now accepting applications to exhibit artwork in the 2025 exhibition year. Selections will be based on artistic quality, diversity, and relevance to Lincoln. For additional information and an application link, check out the Library’s Art Gallery webpage. Questions? Email Ran Cronin at rcronin@minlib.net. Applications are due by Monday, Sept. 30.
Lincoln resident to participate in Jimmy Fund walk
Lincoln resident Ana Goncalves will participate in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk presented by Hyundai on Sunday, Oct. 6. She and thousands of other walkers will take part in the annual event that raises funds to support all forms of adult and pediatric care and research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
Make a difference as a hospice volunteer
Care Dimensions volunteer Dave Houle visits patients with his dog Dolce.
Care Dimensions, the region’s largest provider of hospice care, will hold online training classes for those interested in becoming volunteers for the nonprofit organization in patients’ homes, care facilities, or the hospice house on Winter Street. Make a difference in a patient’s life by engaging in a shared interest or hobby, helping with letter-writing or life review, visiting with your approved dog, reading to patients, or just listening and providing a supportive, comforting presence. If patient visits are not the right fit, you can volunteer in other ways, such as providing administrative office support or making check-in phone calls to current patients or bereaved family members.
Training will be held via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays, Oct. 7–30, from 9–11 a.m. and (register by September 27). For more information or to register, click here or email VolunteerInfo@CareDimensions.org.
Police log for Aug. 23 – Sept. 4, 2024
August 23
South Great Road (12:36 a.m.) — A parked and occupied vehicle was discovered. The occupants were advised the lot was closed after dark and sent on their way.
Moccasin Hill (2:37 p.m.) — A caller spoke to an officer regarding an out-of-state scam.
Baker Farm Road (4:32 p.m.) — A caller reported a parked/unoccupied vehicle in their driveway. The vehicle was moved a short time later.
August 24
South Great Road (1:03 a.m.) — An officer checked a section of Route 117 for signs of damage related to an incident that the Maynard police were investigating.
Sandy Pond Road (3:20 a.m.) — A caller reported a vehicle in the parking lot of the DeCordova Museum. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Lincoln School (3:34 a.m.) — A caller reported a vehicle parked behind the Reed Gym. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
Wheeler Road (10:21 a.m. and 10:38 a.m.) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas. National Grid was venting gas in the area.
Wells Road (10:56 a.m.) — A caller reported possible vandalism.
August 25
Liberty Lane, Hanscom AFB (7:44 a.m.) — Officers assisted the Hanscom Security Force with a civil matter.
Conant Road (3:40 a.m.) — Officers responded to a residence for the report of a larceny.
August 26
Lincoln Road (1:34 am.) — A caller reported seeing an unknown individual possibly looking into parked vehicles. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (10:21 a.m.) — A caller reported seeing a leashed dog walk into the woods on its own. The Animal Control Officer was contacted.
Trapelo Road (11:27 a.m.) — A caller reported a leaf blower bylaw violation. An officer spoke to a landscaper and advised them of the violation.
Lincoln Road (11:26 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing someone near their vehicle. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate anyone.
August 27
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (5:00 a.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle associated with the Algonquin Gas work site.
Lincoln Road (11:45 a.m.) — The Fire Department assisted a resident with a residential lockout.
Harvest Circle (12:06 p.m.) — An officer assisted with a dispute over a rideshare payment.
Morningside Lane (4:04 p.m.) — An officer helped a person with filing court paperwork.
Woodcock Lane (4:39 p.m.) — A caller reported an odor of natural gas in the area. The odor was coming from a greenhouse gas vent.
Hillside Road (5:27 p.m.) — A caller reported possible pesticide spraying near a honey collection area.
August 28
South Great Road (8:13 a.m.) — A driver swerved to avoid striking an animal, lost control of their vehicle, and struck a tree. The vehicle was towed. There were no injuries reported.
Concord Road (7:39 p.m.) — A caller reported coming across a raccoon that had been hit by a car. The animal died a short time later and was removed from the roadway.
August 29
Nothing of note.
August 30
Goose Pond Road (9:32 a.m.) — Officers performed a well-being check on a resident who was not home at the time.
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (5:13 p.m.) — An officer came upon a minor two-vehicle crash. The operators exchanged information and then cleared the area.
Ryan Estate (8:56 p.m.) — Officers conducted a well-being check at the request of a relative.
August 31
Kelly Lane, Hanscom AFB (5:46 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a civil matter.
September 1
Mount Misery parking lot, South Great Road (12:28 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a past encounter on a trail.
Old Sudbury Road (3:08 p.m.) — An officer moved a turtle that was thought to be deceased but was very much alive off of the road as it was obstructing a travel lane.
September 2
Hillside Road (10:38 a.m.) — The Fire Department responded for an electrical issue.
September 3
Lincoln Road (1:46 p.m.) — Two parking tickets were issued to illegally parked vehicles.
Wells Road (1:50 p.m.) — The Fire Department helped a resident ventilate their space due to an odor of natural gas.
Wells Road (7:42 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a resident regarding a missing item.
Mill Street (8:12 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person about a past incident involving a vehicle.
Huckleberry Hill (8:32 p.m.) — A caller reported a possible solicitor coming to their door. The area was checked but no one was found.
September 4
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:44 a.m.) — An officer assisted a motorist after they ran out of gas.
Lincoln Road (9:36 a.m.) — An officer helped the Fire Department with traffic control.
South Great Road (12:48 p.m.) — Officers responded to a minor two-vehicle crash. There were no injuries reported.
Something Special, Lincoln Road (1:58 p.m.) — An officer helped a person locate a missing item.
Linway Road (3:43 p.m.) — A caller reported a missing cat. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
Ridge Road (3:54 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person who reported a missing item.
Ridge Road (6:14 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person regarding several missing items.
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (8:52 p.m.) — An officer helped a pedestrian with a courtesy transport to Concord.
Wells Road (9:00 p.m.) — An officer spoke with several people regarding harassment.
News acorns
Codman Estate Arts and Crafts Festival on Saturday
The Codman Estate Arts and Crafts Festival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. This annual event features the work of more than 100 local artisans. Work includes painting, woodworking, food products, jewelry, photography, glass, clothing, metalwork, and more. Enjoy live entertainment, a food court, and first-floor tours of the Codman House museum. Admission is $5 (free for kids and members of Historic New England). Click here for details and tickets.
Political organizer Michael Ansara at DTC
Meet Michael Ansara, political organizer, activist, and poet at an election kickoff meeting of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee on Saturday, Sept. 14 at Bemis Hall (coffee at 9:45 a.m., talk at 10 a.m.). Come and be inspired, hear ways to help elect the Dems, and get your questions answered.
Donate items for ski/skate/bike sale
Donate gently used skis, bikes, skates for the upcoming L-S Boosters Ski, Skate &Bike Sale. Items can be dropped off in the LSRHS courtyard on Friday, Sept. 20 (rain or shine) from 4–7 p.m. Only the following will be accepted:
- Bikes
- Downhill and cross-country skis, poles and boots
- Hockey and figure skates
- Skateboards
- Golf clubs and bags
For more information, email Jeanine Hodges at jeaninehodges@gmail.com.
Volunteers needed for events subcommittee
The IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism) is seeking volunteers to serve on the planning committee for a “Welcome to Lincoln” newcomers party on January 26, 2025. The subcommittee will meet twice monthly from September to early February. IDEA is also seeking volunteers to help in other capacities such as tabling at town events. Letters of interest should be sent to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Select Board’s Office, elderp@lincolntown.org or call 781-259-2601.
Coming up at the library
Mindful Mondays Meditation Series
Adults are welcome to find a quiet, comfortable space to relax and join mindfulness teacher Lauren for a calming Monday lunch break meditation on Zoom from 12:30–1 p.m. Click for series flier. Register here for any or all sessions:
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- Nervous System Relaxation — Monday, Sept. 16
- Nature Visualization — Monday, Sept. 23
- Movement Meditation — Monday, Sept. 30
Scrabble and Uno and Chess
Wednesday, Sept. 18 from 2–3 p.m.
Get together with friends and families of all ages for a board gaming afternoon at the library on All kinds of games will be provided or bring your own. Ages 6+, no registration necessary.
Sensational Smoothies with Jodi
Thursday, Sept. 19 from 4–5 p.m.
Jodi Gorman, registered dietitian/nutritionist and owner of Happy Jars Lifestyle, will lead a class for children 8+ to create and taste simple, nutritious smoothies. Participants will go home with sensational smoothie recipe ideas. Please let us know about any dietary restrictions when signing up. Register here.
Film: “The Thin Man” (1934)
Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
Dashiell Hammett’s jaunty whodunit about a missing inventor made William Powell and Myrna Loy the champagne elite of sleuthing. Sign up for the mailing list.
Author talk on finding and identifying birds
Monday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m.
Author Heather Wolf, author of Birding at the Bridge: In Search of Every Bird on the Brooklyn Waterfront, will discuss via Zoom how to find and identify more birds by picking a “patch,” a place close to home where you can watch birds often. Click for event flier or register here.
Looking for more events at the library? Subscribe to the Library Linc weekly e-newsletter to keep up to date on the latest events, services, and news every Friday.
My Turn: L-S School Committee leaders introduce themselves
By Ravi Simon and Cathie Bitter
As the recently elected chair and vice chair of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee, we would like to take a minute to introduce ourselves. We both appreciate the opportunity to serve in these roles and look forward to advocating on behalf of students, family members, and residents to ensure Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School provides an excellent, welcoming, and engaging learning environment for all students. Here’s some background about us:
Committee chair Ravi Simon is in his second year on the committee. Ravi is an LSRHS alumnus (Class of 2015), and a legislative staffer in the Massachusetts State House. He grew up in Sudbury and attended Sudbury’s public schools. He currently works for state Rep. Carmine Gentile, who represents Sudbury, half of Lincoln and Wayland, and parts of Concord and Marlborough. Ravi has a passion for public service and is honored to be working to advocate for and help members of his community every day. He ran for a position on the L-S School Committee in 2023 to bring his perspective as a former student to the committee’s discussions and to ensure that today’s students receive an education as good as the one he received at L-S.
Vice chair Cathie Bitter is just starting her second year on the committee. She is a resident of Lincoln with two children who attended Lincoln Public Schools and who will be attending L-S in the fall. A former high school chemistry teacher, she has worked as an education researcher for more than 20 years, leading research and evaluation projects in the areas of K-12 school improvement, innovative instructional approaches, and postsecondary preparation. Cathie has also been an active volunteer in Lincoln schools, having served on the boards of the Lincoln School Foundation, the Lincoln PTO, and Magic Garden Preschool.
We both look forward to leading the committee through the 2024-25 school year. The committee will meet in an upcoming retreat to brainstorm, discuss, and select goals for the year. Our priorities will be set during the retreat, but we do know that several important items will be on our plate this year, including negotiating a fair contract with the teachers; taking a look at the new advisory program that kicked off last school year; and our annual responsibilities, which include approving a budget and evaluating our superintendent/principal, who was new to L-S last school year.
We are both committed to ensuring the committee is transparent, accessible, and open to good faith feedback. Last year, we worked to ensure that our agendas linked to the documents the committee discussed in meetings, held listening sessions to get input from the community, and posted regular newsletters. We look forward to sharing our work and maintaining opportunities for community input this upcoming school year.
You can sign up for the school committee’s email list and find all of our meeting agendas, minutes, and presentations at our website: www.lsrhs.net/about/school_committee. We are excited for the school year ahead and continued opportunities to collaboratively support L-S’s students, teachers, and community.
“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.
Second hearing Sept. 3 on water rate increases
The Water Department and Water Commissioners will hold the second of two public hearings on proposed water rate increases on Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. on Zoom.
The department needs to raise rates for two reasons, Water Department Superintendent Darin LaFalam said. The last fiscal year saw greater than average rainfall, resulting in less demand for water (especially water used for irrigation) and therefore revenue that was about $200,000 less than expected.
In addition, the Department of Revenue requires that the town’s real estate tax bills cannot be processed until the Water Department budget is balanced and shows no possibility of a deficit. This directive has been in place for decades, but in prior years, the town was able to submit an analysis comparing several fiscal years showing water consumption and revenue collected to support the fact that varying weather patterns affect water consumption in any given year, and that on average, most fiscal year revenue remains somewhat consistent.
“This year, they are not accepting that analysis. We must prove where the additional revenue will come from, and the only way to do that is through a rate increase,” said Finance Director and Town Accountant Colleen Wilkins. “Since projected revenues for the FY2025 budget are based on prior year amounts, and those revenue amounts came in lower than anticipated, the FY2025 budget is now out of balance.” She added that this issue affects only the FY2025 budget, and that FY2024 results (revenues compared to expenditures) from water operations were positive.
Details of the budget shortfall and proposed rate increases will be revealed at the hearings (the first was on August 27). Click here for the Zoom link for the September 3 hearing.