Are you suggesting the Planning Board should make Fin Comm appointments as they have more contested elections?Hmmm….. Sent from my iPad
One comment I would make is that Bob wrote in support the of the citizen's petition that 'The Town usually has a contested race for Select Board, and candidates
differentiate themselves based on their views and policy preferences'
Actually,
if I'm reading this history of Select Board races (see link below) over
the last 20 years, that were actually contested, then a better word
would be rarely.
Also,
note that Carlisle, which the petitioners mentioned as an example of
where the Finance Committee is chosen by the Select board, actually has a
lower bond rating than Lincoln. Admittedly different rating agencies but
I believe that AA1 is lower than AA+ in S&P's rating whereas
Lincoln has been AAA, the highest, in Moody's ratings since 2009. Carlisle has not been able to crack that top rating nut according to
this link:
Margaret, AI can be unreliable. One needs to go back to the source documents. Carlisle is one of the towns that we looked at. According to the Carlisle official town website, the Select Board chooses FinCom, not the Moderator as cited in your table. The
table may contain outdated information. See
https://carlislema.gov/1161/Finance-Committee. We haven't looked at the other towns in your table. Regards, Bob
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The Finance Committee was established under Article 17 of the warrant for the annual town meeting held February 13, 1933, and further amended under Article 19 of the warrant for the annual town meeting held March 10, 1969. 3.9.2 There shall be a Finance Committee
which shall consider all fiscal questions and may consider municipal questions at their discretion for the purpose of making reports ...
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From: Margaret Olson < [email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, June 8, 2025 12:49 PM
To: Robert Domnitz < [email protected]>
Cc: Lincoln Talk < [email protected]>
Subject: Re: [LincolnTalk] Citizens' Petition at the Special Town Meeting: Finance Committee Appointments
I asked Claude, an AI, how the Massachusetts towns close in size to Lincoln select their Finance Committee members.
Towns Close in Size to Lincoln (population 6,996 based on the
2024 census)
Finance Committee Selection Methods
|
Town
|
Population
|
Finance Committee Selection Method
|
|
Shirley
|
~6,851
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Berkley
|
~6,822
|
Appointed by Select Board
|
|
Harvard
|
~6,900
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Berlin
|
~6,700
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Boylston
|
~7,100
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Sherborn
|
~7,400
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Stow
|
~7,200
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Dunstable
|
~7,200
|
Appointed by Select Board
|
|
Boxford
|
~7,800
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Mendon
|
~6,100
|
Appointed by Select Board
|
|
Bolton
|
~5,800
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Boxborough
|
~6,000
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Carlisle
|
~5,900
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Dover
|
~6,200
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Hamilton
|
~7,600
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Plympton
|
~6,300
|
Elected by Town Meeting
|
|
Petersham
|
~6,500
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Hardwick
|
~6,400
|
Appointed by Select Board
|
|
Ayer
|
~8,100
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Norwell
|
~7,900
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Westford
|
~8,200
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
|
Lancaster
|
~8,100
|
Appointed by Town Moderator
|
Margaret
Several weeks ago, 130 residents signed a Citizens' Petition asking that our Special Town Meeting consider an amendment to the General Bylaws of the Town. If adopted, the amendment would grant authority to the Select Board to appoint the members of the Town's
Finance Committee. That authority is currently held by the Town Moderator.
The Finance Committee (FinCom) is one of Lincoln's most important volunteer committees. Its work is complex and its analysis and recommendations have a decisive impact on town operations and residents' taxes. Despite its importance, FinCom receives limited
direct engagement from residents.
As signatures were gathered for the Petition, the vast majority of residents said they did not know how the members of FinCom were chosen. They thought that the Moderator's role was limited to presiding over Town Meeting. No one could recall a contested election
for the position of Moderator, and no one could recall that a Moderator had ever expressed a viewpoint on Town finances or FinCom appointments.
The disconnect between FinCom and residents has been compounded by the current practice of relying on FinCom to screen potential candidates for membership. Vacant positions have not been advertised, and public interviews have not been held.
If endorsed by Town Meeting, the Citizens' Petition will make the Select Board the appointing authority for FinCom. Residents look to the Select Board for overall management of the Town. It seems natural that they ought to be the authority that appoints FinCom.
The Town usually has a contested race for Select Board, and candidates differentiate themselves based on their views and policy preferences. That process helps align our Select Board with residents. Adoption of this amendment will empower the Select Board
to solicit and publicly interview volunteers for FinCom, following the same public process they use for other committees that they appoint. Appointment by the Select Board will therefore create a clear link between residents and FinCom.
Although many Massachusetts towns continue the tradition of a moderator-appointed finance committee, the trend is toward other methods of appointment. A substantial minority of towns now rely on appointment by Select Boards, direct election by residents, or
appointment by a committee composed of various town officials.
By considering this amendment, the Town has an opportunity to strengthen transparency, accountability, and resident engagement in a vital part of our local government. Embracing best practices that encourage diverse perspectives and open public participation
will not only enhance the Finance Committee’s effectiveness but also foster greater trust and collaboration within our community. Together, we can ensure that Lincoln’s financial decisions reflect the voices and values of all its residents, building a stronger,
more inclusive future for our Town.
Bob Domnitz, on behalf of the Petitioners
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