Moderator responds to request to film TM
Moderator John French has responded to Firelight, the independent documentary film production company that requested permission to film the METCO debate portion of Town Meeting. His answer: thanks, but no thanks.
Click here to read his letter.

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RLF submits plans for expanded Lincoln Mall; calls for "15-20" housing units
In advance of a March 4 public hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Rural Land Foundation has submitted documents outlining the project. It calls for the addition of 18,500 square feet of residential and an additional 8,250 square feet of commercial/retail space.  The proposed parking plan calls for renting additional parking spaces from adjacent town parking lots.
Documents submitted to the ZBA  include:

Click Here to read the proposed Preliminary Parking Plan

		Parking Space Counts: Currently permitted: 181 spaces Current actual: 165 spaces Proposed actual: 207 spaces (max) Proposed designated resident parking: 32 spaces Proposed commercial pkg: 175 spaces Proposed commercial parking ratio: 4.2 spaces per 1,000 s.f. (commercial)
Introductory letter	Project Statement	Square Footage report	Letter accompanying plans

Thanks to Anna Rollin of the RLF office for the above information. Visit the RLF website through the link above.

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Lincoln in the News:
Officials urge ban on cameras for METCO debate
Click Here for the 2/12 Boston Globe article
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PBS to film Town Meeting METCO Debate?
A production company would like to film Town Meeting's METCO debate. Here's its letter requesting permission.  The letter was forwarded to Moderator Jack French, who is responsible for such decisions.

     

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Library renovations and repairs to cost over $1 million
The roof leaks like a sieve, the windows all need replacing, the boiler's getting old... Sound familiar?  No, it's not your neighbors talking about your house, it's the observations of the consultant hired to assess the condition of the Lincoln Public Library.  Expect to pay $1.2 million over the next few years.

Click Here to read the full report (pdf file, requires Adobe reader)

Click Here to read the summary spreadsheet (excel spreadsheet format)

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School Committee race begins
Dennis Picker is running unopposed for the remaining two years of the term to which he was appointed last year, however, three candidates are running for the two remaining three-year-term seats on the School Committee.  The candidates are: incumbent Julie Dobrow, Sandy Hessler and Wayne Keown.
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Override figure set
The Selectmen and Finance committee have agreed upon a budget for next year that will result in a roughly $287,000 override request.  This represents a 4.1% increase in property taxes.
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CPA Tax to double
The Selectmen and the Community Preservation Committee agreed to ask Town Meeting to approve raising the property tax surcharge under the Community Preservation Act from 1.5% to 3%.  Funds raised under this program are matched by state funds and can be used for historical renovations of town buildings, conservation land acquisitions and affordable housing.