Lincoln Board Votes to Pursue Library Ground-Source Heat Pump Contract for October Vote

LINCOLN — July 13, 2026 — Lincoln Select Board moves toward October special town meeting on library HVAC overhaul. The board voted unanimously Monday to seek a contract proposal from Energy Services Group through the Power Options building decarbonization program for a ground-source heat pump system at the public library, with a gross project cost estimated at $5 to $5.5 million and a net town cost of approximately $2.8 to $3 million after incentives. The board also voted unanimously to hold a special town meeting, tentatively October 24, at which residents will vote on both a decarbonization option and a conventional replacement option estimated at roughly $3 million. Finance Committee Chair Paul Blanchfield, speaking as an individual, warned the gap between options could represent "a $770 per median tax impact for town residents" if no additional incentives beyond the secured $1 million materialize. The board additionally voted to have the Green Energy Committee inform residents about the deteriorating effectiveness of Class 1 Renewable Energy Certificates under the town's community choice aggregation program, with Member Jennifer Glass and Town Administrator Tim Higgins coordinating outreach.