Lincoln moderator approves five-minute, four-slide dissent slot for NatureLink vote

LINCOLN -- June 11, 2025, Lincoln sets interim ground rules for a formal dissenting presentation at the NatureLink special town meeting. The Town Meeting Study Committee voted unanimously to recommend, and the moderator accepted, a single dissenting presenter with up to five minutes and no more than four slides, contingent on the dissenting group holding a publicly advertised hybrid meeting by June 20 and submitting the presenter's name and slides to Michael Dolan by the same date. Multiple dissenting groups must consolidate to one speaker or the offer is withdrawn. Member Margaret pressed on slide accuracy, citing a 2012 school presentation that she said "ultimately cost the town an enormous amount of money"; committee member Andrew said requiring town officials to vet opposition content would defeat the purpose. The framework applies only to NatureLink, not to the community center item or a citizens' petition also on the warrant.