Lincoln Select Board appoints Lt. Sean Kennedy acting police chief for six months

LINCOLN -- December 18, 2023, Lincoln names Lt. Sean Kennedy acting police chief after Kevin Kennedy's retirement. The Select Board voted 3-0 Monday on Town Administrator Tim Higgins' recommendation to appoint Kennedy for six months, with Chair Jim Hutchinson saying Kennedy "is going to be a highly competitive candidate" for the permanent post. The board also appointed retiring Sgt. Paul Westland as a special police officer. Much of the 2.5-hour meeting focused on the Dec. 2 Special Town Meeting, which drew 877 voters; resident Peter cited town clerk data that 24 percent of those checked in left before the final Housing Choice Act vote and the average voter age was 68. Higgins previewed an FY25 town operating budget of $11.2 million that needs $143,000 in restorations for level services plus 10 preferred items totaling $356,000, including $90,000 for a full-time IT support position. Member Kim Bodnar resisted a "reactionary" pivot to committee reforms and pushed for a townwide survey.