If only we could build some middle income housing in Lincoln.... On Mon, Jun 9, 2025, 5:33 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote:
> So, those who have been in town a long time, contributed to making this > community what it is, should move out when they can no longer afford the > rising taxes as their real estate values have increased? > We come victims of our own stewardship? > > Those with larger holding have the ability to arrange for sale of > conservation restrictions, gift restrictions and gain large tax breaks and > remain in their homes, keeping a large holding in tact/undeveloped? > But those in average lots, who have voted for these “investments” and for > schools and other “quality of life” issues in town are now priced/taxed out > if their incomes have not kept pace? > Time to move on? > > I guess so. > > > > > > > > > On Jun 9, 2025, at 5:25 PM, Margaret Olson <[email protected]> wrote: > > Property taxes are based on property values. If people with relatively low > incomes hold valuable real estate you can argue either that the property > tax is regressive (if you think income is what should be taxed) or that the > tax is proportionate (if you think wealth should be taxed). High value real > estate is a form of wealth, just as is any other high value investment. > > Margaret > > On Mon, Jun 9, 2025 at 4:55 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Thank you for the link. >> When narrowing the data and looking at our surrounding/comparable >> communities, we see an interesting picture. >> While on one dimension, out taxes do not see high, when you look at >> average income, they are very high. >> That suggests Lincoln’s property taxes are extremely regressive-hitting >> the lower income folks the hardest. >> No? >> Perhaps I have read this wrong and would love to know that is not true! >> >> dor.state.ma.us >> <https://dls-gw.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=AverageSingleTaxBill.SingleFamTaxBill_wRange> >> >> <https://dls-gw.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=AverageSingleTaxBill.SingleFamTaxBill_wRange> >> <https://dls-gw.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=AverageSingleTaxBill.SingleFamTaxBill_wRange> >> >> >> >> >> On Jun 9, 2025, at 11:25 AM, Louis Zipes <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> For those interested in crunching the numbers for Carlisle versus Lincoln >> and the respective tax rates over the last 15 years you can go to the >> following link and filter on Carlisle and Lincoln >> >> >> https://dls-gw.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdpage.aspx?rdreport=averagesingletaxbill.singlefamtaxbill_wrange >> >> >> >> An interesting thing happens to our taxes around 2019 to cause a bigger >> increase in an otherwise similar-ish % rate increase. I wonder what that >> was?! Oh yeah, it was the self funded school which was a result of the 2012 >> ‘own goal’ when we didn’t muster the 2/3rd needed to pass that original >> project. >> >> >> >> >> On Sunday, June 8, 2025, David Cuetos <[email protected]> wrote: >> >>> Credit ratings are not a good measurement of performance of the >>> committee. The job of a finance committee member is to understand what are >>> the trade-offs of different taxation and expenditure solutions. Measuring >>> the committee performance on ratings alone is equivalent to only looking at >>> one side of the ledger. Yes, we have a AAA credit rating, but at what cost? >>> They have amassed reserves well in excess of prudence, overtaxing residents >>> along the way without even providing them any information about what was >>> happening. >>> >>> The difference between Carlisle’s and Lincoln’s credit rating is >>> approximately 0.20% in annual interest rate. For the community center >>> project the difference is roughly $20,000 a year, equivalent to $10.6 a >>> year for the average family. As you can see, our credit rating should be a >>> low priority for FinCom, especially given how indebted we are already. We >>> are simply not going to tap the issuance markets in any meaningful way for >>> our credit rating to make any difference to taxpayers. >>> >>> A better way to measure Carlisle’s performance is to look at their >>> average tax bill, which is just $16,738, 18% lower than Lincoln’s $20,462. >>> Their costs are lower than ours despite having a bigger school enrollment, >>> the main cost driver, supported by a smaller population. Over the past 15 >>> years their taxes have grown 48% (2.7% per annum) compared to 75% for >>> Lincoln (3.8% per annum). They clearly have done a better job than us >>> managing their finances and we should look to them for best practices. >>> >>> David >>> >>> On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 21:55 Anne Warner <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> No, but credit ratings are closely related to how the Finance Committee >>>> performs over time. To have e collect credit ratings, a town must have >>>> excellent financial oversight, which means the selection needs to result in >>>> excellent selections. Anne W >>>> - Sent from iPhone. Typed by thumb. Excuse misspellings! >>>> >>>> On Jun 8, 2025, at 9:16 PM, Scott Clary <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> >>>> Credit ratings have nothing to do with how Financial committee members >>>> are appointed. >>>> >>>> Kind Regards, >>>> >>>> Scott Clary >>>> 617-968-5769 >>>> >>>> Sent from a mobile device - please excuse typos and errors >>>> >>>> On Sun, Jun 8, 2025, 8:57 PM Louis Zipes <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> 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. * >>>>> >>>>> https://www.lincolntown.org/501/Election-Result-History >>>>> >>>>> 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: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://dls-gw.dor.state.ma.us/reports/rdpage.aspx?rdreport=dls_bond_ratings >>>>> (Choose >>>>> the different rating agencies to see Carlisle versus Lincoln) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 1:08 PM Robert Domnitz <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> 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 >>>>>> Finance Committee | Carlisle, MA >>>>>> <https://carlislema.gov/1161/Finance-Committee> >>>>>> 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 ... >>>>>> carlislema.gov >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>>> *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 >>>>>> <https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lincolntownmiddlesexcountymassachusetts/PST045224> >>>>>> *)* >>>>>> >>>>>> *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 >>>>>> >>>>>> >>>>>> On Sun, Jun 8, 2025 at 12:01 PM Robert Domnitz <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> 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 >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> >> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
-- The LincolnTalk mailing list. To post, send mail to [email protected]. Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. Change your subscription settings at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln.
