Dear Fellow Lincolnites, It is time to hand over the gavel. In the past 15 years as your Town Moderator I have learned a lot and weathered storms. Most important to me is the number of people I have met in this time. I have learned from you, from our extraordinary town staff, and from other town and school employees. I am enriched when I hear various perspectives on our town, and I am regularly reminded of the importance of community in our daily lives. I will not seek re-election in March 2026. This has not been an easy decision as I greatly enjoy the position even with the complexities.
Over the past 18 months I have served on the Town Meeting Study Committee (TMSC) where nine of us have explored the practices, challenges and time commitment of Town Meeting. We conducted a survey with the intent of hearing comments from the town on the process of Town Meeting. We have added clickers for most voting. We have added a visible countdown clock for public comment. We are discussing a procedure for hearing from groups with alternative views from those presented by the town boards. We are urging increased use of the Consent Calendar in an effort to move consideration of motions along more efficiently. We have shared our diverse opinions and will submit our report to the Select Board in January. Town Meeting is where we exercise our right to participate in the final stages of the legislative process of the town, but before that, participation in the early stages of town board and committee deliberations helps us understand the issues and also helps expedite Town Meeting. I will step down after our Annual Town Meeting on *Saturday,* *March 28, 2026*. It has been my great privilege and honor to have served the Lincoln community. I would be happy to try to answer questions from anyone who is thinking about running -- or who just has some questions for me. Lincoln’s Town Moderator is elected for a three year term and appoints members to the Finance Committee, the Capital Planning Committee and the Personnel Board. May there be peace during this holiday season and into the next year. Sarah Cannon Holden Weston Road
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