By Robert Domnitz

This is an exciting time to be on the Planning Board. After years of study and debate — and seismic shifts in our economic and cultural landscape — the board and other major town boards and committees have made progress towards a common vision for the village center area in South Lincoln. The vision is reinforced by the results of a town-wide survey in 2021 in which 800 respondents expressed a strong preference for enhancing the commercial viability of the area while also preserving the rural character that makes Lincoln so unique.

Ideas on the table include: modest development of multifamily housing in the mall area, rezoning for mixed commercial/residential development on Lewis Street, and increasing opportunities for accessory apartments in existing homes. In response to strong neighborhood input, the Ridge Road area is slated to remain residential with no change to its zoning. 

Lincoln has done an admirable job balancing and preserving its unique rural character with a modestly expanding population. Most residents would be surprised to learn that 30% of Lincoln’s housing stock is multifamily. That’s good planning! 

I treasure the beauty of Lincoln’s lands and our progressive culture, and I look forward to continuing to serve on the Planning Board as our community evolves. There will be much more to discuss as we get closer to the election at the end of March.

Bob Domnitz
Mill Street, Lincoln

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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Lynn DeLisi

I am announcing my bid for re-election to the Planning Board for the Town of Lincoln because we are facing important key issues that require a commitment to collaborative, responsible, and sensible planning. These issues could have an effect on Lincoln for many years to come.

During my years serving on the Planning Board I have learned a tremendous amount about how towns function and plan for the future. There have been several controversial issues that have come before our board, from renovations of an historic church, to new schools, a mental health residential facility, a new rental development, and the exclusion of marijuana establishments from our town. In each case I have listened carefully to abutters and people most affected and heard the views on all sides, researching the issues and possibilities, and most of all, voting responsibly to preserve the bylaw of our town and its unique environment. If re-elected, I will continue to dedicate the next three years to serve you in this way.

I would very much like to hear your views about current topics now being discussed, such as: how or if we can comply with the Housing Choice Act without losing the desirable rural character of Lincoln, and how we can come up with a sensible community center plan that serves our residents well without raising taxes, or any other I have not mentioned.

I can best be reached by personal email (delisi76@aol.com0 and I look forward to hearing from you.

Lynn DeLisi
South Great Road

“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.

By Sarah Cannon Holden

I wish to announce my bid for re-election as Lincoln’s Town Moderator. I have served in this role since 2010 and look forward to a fifth three-year term.

In my role, I have presided over Town Meetings covering a variety of issues with the goal of encouraging and managing an open and respectful debate among the town’s voters. I know that this goal remains steadfast in my mind even if we may veer off course now and then. I enjoy the challenges that pop up quite unexpectedly and which require on-the-spot rulings. I welcome moments of candor and humor as well as the caring and serious deliberations between town boards and voters. It is my responsibility to appoint members to the Finance and Capital Planning Committees, the Personnel Board, and the Scholarship Fund Committee.

My professional training as a mediator/arbitrator often comes in handy, and over the years I have learned many of the finer details of the legislative process. Our democratic process is a brilliant idea which requires a level of trust, respect, and participation to be effective. In Lincoln I have witnessed the finest expression of democracy among our citizens. It has been my privilege and fortuitous opportunity to serve as Lincoln’s Town Moderator for 12 years. Last fall I was elected to serve a three-year term on the governing board of the Massachusetts Moderators Association.

I always welcome newcomers to town and to Town Meeting. They can bring new suggestions and perspectives — and I am ever hopeful that they will step forth to serve on a board or committee. I look forward to seeing you at Town Meeting on Saturday, March 25 and I ask for your vote on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Sarah Cannon Holden
Weston Road

“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.

By Adam Hogue

I write to you today to announce that I am seeking re-election for another term on the Lincoln School Committee. It has been a pleasure to serve this great town for the last five years in this capacity and I hope to continue my work on the School Committee for another term.

The last few years have been challenging for our kids and for our town; however, the School Committee has navigated these challenges with a focus on what is best for our kids. I am proud to say that I fought to keep our schools open for full in-person learning when almost every neighboring district shifted to hybrid or remote learning only. I have been, and continue to be, an advocate for a data-focused approach to our academic standards to ensure that our children have the skills and knowledge for tomorrow. I have focused on budgets that reflect our values while also being prudent with our tax dollars.

Over the last few years, I have had conversations with many of you in town about our schools and I continue to be open, transparent, and accessible. I respectfully ask for your support and vote on March 27th.

Adam M. Hogue
978-828-6184

“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.

By Tara Mitchell

After serving on the LPS School Committee for the past six years, I have made the decision not seek a third term. It has been an honor to serve and I am grateful for all I have learned about public school administration and the needs of students and teachers, and I continue to be impressed with the dedication of the school’s faculty, staff, and administration. During my tenure on the School Committee, we have set aspirational strategic goals, funded professional development to work towards more collaborative teaching practices, deeper learning, and AIDE [access, inclusion, diversity, and equity], constructed new learning spaces at Hanscom and Lincoln, updated policies, and navigated a global pandemic.

I believe the district has laid a strong foundation for future success and it is ready to start the next chapter. Newly elected committee members will have the opportunity to welcome a new superintendent, determine the next steps in becoming an antiracist district, and work to ensure the vision for our state-of-the-art schools comes to fruition as faculty strive to provide engaging learning experiences for all.

As with all town boards, each person contributes so much of themselves and their expertise and it is the variety of perspectives that brings a balance to the committee and fosters healthy growth and decision making. I encourage those interested in the future of our schools to get involved in some way. We have an amazing town and a strong school system, and it is up to us to keep it thriving. While it can be a lot of work, you will learn so much about our schools, grow relationships with dedicated people, and have an opportunity to shape the future of education in our town. I am proud of the work that has been done and am excited for what is to come.

Tara Mitchell
67 Sandy Pond Rd.

“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.

By Steve Kropper

I’ve lived in Lincoln for three years, and after “recovering” from ten years as committee chair, member and elected Town Meeting member in Lexington, I was ready to tackle the exigencies of public service in
Lincoln. After 30 years as a proprietor at Cambridge’s Mt. Auburn Cemetery, serving on Lincoln’s Cemetery Commission seemed like a good entry position for me. Of course the power, visibility, and fat pension were the real draw to that position 🙂 I called incumbent Cemetery Commissioner Manley Boyce to ask about his plans. He described his desire to be reelected and to lay groundwork for cemetery expansion.  Seeing this competent incumbent intended to continue serving, I decided not to run.

I report this only because I see and respect the quality of civic life in Lincoln, and in observing discourse in the town, I got a sense of how well we behave with each other.

Steve Kropper
60 Weston Rd.
kropper@skunkworksfund.com

“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.