Lincoln Planning Board sends Dark Skies bylaw to Town Meeting after extensive edits

LINCOLN -- March 10, 2026, Lincoln Planning Board advances Dark Skies bylaw to Town Meeting after late-night edits. The board voted 5-0 to bring the rewritten Section 13.5 forward, deferring formal endorsement to March 24. Subcommittee Chair Sherry Haydock cited a town survey released the prior day in which 41 percent of more than 40 respondents named light trespass as a top concern. Members overrode Town Counsel Amy Kwesell of KP Law, who had advised deleting a compliance trigger on fixture replacement as a possible Chapter 40A Section 6 conflict. "It carries no teeth whatsoever," said member Susan Hall Mygatt. Co-Chair Lynn DeLisi argued unsuccessfully to drop a 10 p.m. shutoff for non-active lighting, calling it "governing people's behavior" better suited to a General Bylaw next year. The board also unanimously renewed a 10-year Verizon Wireless special permit at 30 Lewis Street.