Lincoln meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Lincoln weekly roundup: Manville Park grant, building updates, and land-use reviews

Lincoln's Parks and Recreation Commission accepted a $500,000 grant for Manville Park, contingent on a 25% town match that will require approval at the May Financial Town Meeting. The commission also unanimously accepted its March meeting minutes. Other recent meetings covered building projects, water rates, and land-use applications.

Parks and Recreation

At its Aug. 12 meeting, the commission accepted the March 11 meeting minutes unanimously. It was informed that the Manville Park grant was awarded with a 25% town match of $125,000, pending approval at the May Financial Town Meeting. If approved, the project will go to bid and include soccer field lighting. The commission discussed adding picnic tables and pickleball court separation options, but took no action on those items.

Town Council

The Town Council met jointly with the Water Commission on Aug. 4. The agenda included claims from Medvetsky and Petteruti, an appointment to the Board of Canvassers for a term expiring in 2028, and a joint session with the Lincoln Water Commission. No minutes have been published.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission met Aug. 5 to discuss wetland applications, the Butterfly Garden project, historical cemeteries, and a budget review. No decisions were recorded.

Building Committee

The Building Committee met Aug. 7 to review a design/build RFP and project updates for playgrounds, basketball courts, northern bathrooms, and paving at LMS, Northern, and Central. It also considered proposed change orders and payment applications. On Aug. 11, the committee reviewed the final closeout of the Lincoln Centralized Rescue & Learning Center, a project with a total town budget of $16,844,035.30, including $16,003,543 in construction costs and $393,505 in soft costs, leaving a surplus of $446,987.30. A ledge removal change order for $22,417 was listed for approval, and all furniture has been delivered, with three damaged bunk room desks being replaced. A fiber run connecting Town Hall to the Rescue building was completed.

Water Commission

The Water Commission met Aug. 12 to discuss water rates and fees, source water assessment, the Walker Lofts project, and properties at 2 Valley View Road and 17 Sayles Avenue. No decisions were recorded.

Technical Review Committee

The Technical Review Committee met Aug. 13 to discuss a comprehensive permit master plan for 0 Cobble Hill Road (AP 19, Lot 33) by Seminole Development LLC, a rezoning request for 0 Carrington Street (AP 5, Lot 92) from ML-0.5 to RG-7 by Robert and Lynne Gaudette, a time extension for a minor subdivision at Whispering Oaks (AP 43, Lots 15 and 91), and a dimensional variance for a 12' x 6' garage addition at 670 Great Road (AP 34, Lot 405) in the RS-20 district.

Coming up

• **Aug. 17 – Board of Canvassers:** Canvassing final voting lists and discussing 2026 elections.
• **Aug. 17 – Ordinance Committee:** Review of seven zoning and ordinance amendments, including data centers, flood hazard areas, and renewable energy.
• **Aug. 17 – Town Council:** Public hearing on Walker Lofts LP's Municipal Affordable Housing Fund request, plus possible executive session on litigation.
• **Aug. 18 – Purchasing Committee:** Review of bidding waiver requests for AEDs, a rescue vehicle, and two Ford F-350 trucks for DPW.
• **Aug. 18 – Claims Committee:** Review of three claims, including a pothole damage case.
• **Aug. 18 – Town Council:** Public hearings on zoning amendments, special event licenses, and appointments to boards.

Lincoln roundup: Canvassers set polling sites, Rescue Center surplus reported

Lincoln's Board of Canvassers unanimously approved combined polling locations for the September 9 primary election, and the town's $16.8 million Rescue & Learning Center project is nearing completion with a surplus of $446,987.30, according to recent meeting agendas and minutes.

Board of Canvassers

At its July 27 meeting, the Board of Canvassers approved new combined polling locations for the September 9 Primary Election. The vote was unanimous.

Rescue & Learning Center

A July 28 agenda for the Lincoln Centralized Rescue & Learning Center Building Committee shows a project budget with total construction costs of $16,003,543 and a town budget of $16,844,035, leaving a surplus of $446,987.30. The committee was scheduled to review contractor pay applications and discuss closeout tasks, including punch lists, owner training, and furniture delivery. A ribbon cutting was discussed for August 20 at 1 PM, pending coordination with state officials. Pending change orders include $260,000 for IT equipment, $38,051 for sidewalk work, $135,756 for parking, and $50,000 for ledge removal.

An upcoming August 11 Building Committee meeting will include an owner punch-list walkthrough, a ledge removal change order for $22,417, and confirmation that all furniture has been delivered, with three damaged bunk room desks being replaced. The fiber connection between Town Hall and the Rescue building is complete.

Town Council

The Town Council met August 4 for a joint session with the Lincoln Water Commission. The agenda included the Medvetsky Claim, the Petteruti Claim, an appointment to the Board of Canvassers for a term expiring in 2028, and the joint meeting itself. No minutes have been published yet.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission held its regular monthly meeting August 5. Agenda items included wetland applications, the Butterfly Garden project, historical cemeteries, and a budget review.

Building Committee

On August 7, the Building Committee met to review minutes from July 10, receive a financial update, and discuss project updates for playgrounds, basketball courts, northern bathrooms, and paving at LMS, Northern, and Central. The committee also considered proposed change orders, payment applications, and a design/build RFP for discussion and possible approval to issue.

Coming up

• **Building Committee** – August 11: Final closeout of the Rescue & Learning Center, including punch-list walkthrough and ledge removal change order.
• **Water Commission** – August 12: Discussion of water rates and fees, source water assessment, Walker Lofts project, and new business at 2 Valley View Road and 17 Sayles Avenue.
• **Parks and Recreation Commission** – August 12: Updates on Splash Park, Fairlawn Pickleball Courts, a sun problem at Hien Field, and new playgrounds at school parks.
• **Technical Review Committee** – August 13: Comprehensive permit master plan for 0 Cobble Hill Road, rezoning for 0 Carrington Street, a time extension for Whispering Oaks subdivision, and a dimensional variance for a garage addition at 670 Great Road.

Lincoln Board of Canvassers Approves Combined Polling Sites for September Primary; Town Boards Tackle Bidding Waivers and Project Closeouts

Polling Locations Set for September 9 Primary

The only item with a recorded decision this week came from the Board of Canvassers, which met July 27 and unanimously approved new combined polling locations for the September 9, 2026 Primary Election. No further detail on the specific locations was included in the available minutes.

Town Council and Purchasing Committee Consider Bidding Waivers

The Town Council and Purchasing Committee each met July 21 to consider requests to waive competitive bidding for several town purchases. The items under review included:

• Lime Acres Softball Infield Reconstruction (DPW – Parks & Recreation)
• CCTV cameras for the Police Department and Senior Center
• A Ford F-550 XLT rescue vehicle for the Rescue Department
• A fingerprint machine for the Police Department
• Two police vehicles

The Purchasing Committee also took up approval of its June 16, 2026 meeting minutes. The Town Council agenda additionally included liquor license applications for St. Basil Melkite Church and the Rotary Club of Cumberland/Lincoln, appointments to town boards, and proposed ordinance 2026-11 regarding minor scale renewable energy facilities. Minutes for these July 21 meetings have not yet been published, so outcomes are not yet known.

Claims Committee Reviews Freire Claim

The Claims Committee met July 21 as a hybrid session at Lincoln Town Hall, 100 Old River Road, to review the Freire Claim, which was referred by the Town Council. The committee also planned to approve minutes from its May 19, 2026 meeting. Minutes are not yet available.

Planning Board Set to Vote on Sidewalk Fee and Renewable Energy Zoning

The Planning Board met July 22 to vote on an amendment to Land Development and Subdivision Regulations Section 23, Article I, regarding a fee in lieu of sidewalk installation. The board also discussed PLN 26-8, a major land development pre-application at 0 Old Louisquisset Pike (AP 31, Lot 164), and was scheduled to vote on zoning ordinance amendments covering manufacturing uses for renewable energy (§260-19) and special use permits (§260-68). No minutes have been published.

Rescue & Learning Center Nears Closeout

The Lincoln Centralized Rescue & Learning Center Building Committee met July 28 to review a project budget snapshot showing total construction costs of $16,003,543 against a town budget of $16,844,035, leaving a surplus of $446,987.30. Pending change orders listed on the agenda included $260,000 for IT equipment, $38,051 for a sidewalk, $135,756 for parking, and $50,000 for ledge removal. The committee was scheduled to vote on approving a Downes/SES invoice and Ahlborg's July pay application. A ribbon cutting was discussed for August 20, 2026 at 1 PM, pending coordination with state officials. Closeout tasks included punch list creation in Procore, O&M manuals, owner training scheduling, and final furniture delivery in late July. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming Up

• **August 4 — Town Council:** Joint meeting with the Lincoln Water Commission. Agenda includes the Medvetsky Claim, the Petteruti Claim, and an appointment to the Board of Canvassers for a term expiring in 2028.
• **August 5 — Conservation Commission:** Monthly meeting covering wetland applications, the Butterfly Garden project, historical cemeteries, and a budget review.

Lincoln Weekly Roundup: Building Committee Reviews $1.7M EMS Center Payment; Town Council, Planning Board Set for Busy Week

The Lincoln Building Committee reviewed a $1,686,507 pay application for the Centralized Rescue/Learning Center project on July 7, the largest dollar item among recent town meetings. All recent meetings were agenda-only, meaning minutes have not yet been published and no final actions are confirmed.

EMS/Rescue & Learning Center Project

The Building Committee's July 7 agenda included several items tied to the Centralized Rescue/Learning Center:

• Ahlborg pay application #18 for May, totaling $1,686,507
• A $50,000 owner's contingency allowance for ledge removal
• An increase to the technology allowance from $200,000 to $260,000
• PCO #6 approval of $132,185 for technology equipment
• Potential ribbon cutting dates of August 7th or August 21st

Because minutes are not yet published, it is not confirmed which of these items were formally approved versus discussed.

School Project Updates

On July 10, the Building Committee was scheduled to review updates on playgrounds, basketball courts, Northern bathrooms, paving at LMS, Northern, and Central, and LMS valves. A financial update from M. Carreno was also on the agenda, along with discussion of an OPM bi-weekly stipend. No minutes are available yet.

Water Commission

The Water Commission met July 8 to review monthly financial reports and daily activity updates. Unfinished business included discussion of water rates, source water assessment, Walker Lofts, and Conduit Street. No actions are confirmed.

Technical Review Committee

On July 9, the committee discussed a major land development pre-application (PLN 26-8) for 0 Old Louisquisset Pike, plus a dimensional variance application for a front porch at 15 Meader Pond Road. Minutes are pending.

Board of Canvassers

The Board of Canvassers met July 13 to discuss and/or take action on selecting polling locations for the 2026 Primary and General Elections. No outcome is confirmed.

Coming Up

Several meetings are scheduled for July 21 and July 22:

• **Town Council (July 21):** Executive session request regarding potential litigation; also a joint meeting with the Board of License Commissioners covering liquor license applications for St. Basil Melkite Church and Rotary Club of Cumberland/Lincoln, bidding waiver requests for CCTV cameras, a fingerprint machine, two police vehicles, a Ford F-550 XLT rescue vehicle, and Lime Acres Softball Infield Reconstruction, plus proposed ordinance 2026-11 regarding minor scale renewable energy facilities.
• **Claims Committee (July 21):** Review of the Freire Claim, referred by Town Council; approval of May 19, 2026 minutes; hybrid meeting at Lincoln Town Hall, 100 Old River Road.
• **Purchasing Committee (July 21):** Six competitive bidding waiver requests covering Lime Acres Softball Infield Reconstruction, CCTV cameras for Police Department and Senior Center, a Ford F-550 XLT rescue vehicle, a fingerprint machine, and two police vehicles.
• **Planning Board (July 22):** Vote on an amendment to Land Development and Subdivision Regulations Section 23, Article I regarding fees in lieu of sidewalk installation; discussion of PLN 26-8 major land development pre-application at 0 Old Louisquisset Pike (AP 31, Lot 164); vote on zoning ordinance amendments regarding manufacturing uses for renewable energy (§260-19) and special use permits (§260-68).

Lincoln committees review rescue center costs, school upgrades, and water rates in busy week

Lincoln's town committees spent the first week of July reviewing construction costs for the Centralized Rescue & Learning Center, school facility updates, and pending water rate discussions. All meetings listed below were agenda-only as of publication — minutes have not yet been released, so items reflect what was scheduled for discussion or action, not confirmed outcomes.

Rescue & Learning Center: $1.68M pay application and cost increases on the table

The Building Committee met twice — June 30 and July 7 — to review progress on the Centralized Rescue & Learning Center.

The July 7 agenda included a vote on Ahlborg pay application #18 for May, totaling $1,686,507. That meeting also listed a $50,000 owner's contingency allowance for ledge removal, an increase in the technology allowance from $200,000 to $260,000 due to price escalation, and PCO #6 approval of $132,185 for technology equipment. Potential ribbon-cutting dates of August 7 or August 21 were noted.

The June 30 agenda listed a CPF Grant final payment request of $320,000 submitted June 25, 2026, an Ahlborg pay application for June 2026, the same $50,000 ledge-removal contingency, and the technology allowance increase.

School project updates reviewed July 10

The Building Committee's July 10 agenda covered updates on playgrounds and a basketball court, Northern bathrooms, paving at LMS, Northern, and Central schools, and LMS valves. A financial update from M. Carreno was scheduled, along with discussion of an OPM bi-weekly stipend.

Water Commission takes up rates and local projects

The Water Commission met July 8 to review monthly financial reports and daily activity updates. Unfinished business on the agenda included a water rate discussion, source water assessment, Walker Lofts, and Conduit Street.

Technical Review Committee weighs land development and variance

On July 9, the Technical Review Committee was scheduled to discuss a major land development pre-application (PLN 26-8) for 0 Old Louisquisset Pike. The agenda also included continued discussion of a dimensional variance application for a front porch at 15 Meader Pond Road.

Coming up

• **July 13 — Board of Canvassers:** The board will discuss and/or take action on selecting polling locations for the 2026 Primary and General Elections.

Residents should note that because minutes have not yet been published for the recent meetings above, the listed items reflect agenda content only. Vote tallies and final actions will be confirmed when minutes become available.