Lincoln Select Board approves Commons ownership transfer to NELP-Commons LLC

LINCOLN — December 16, 2021 — Lincoln Select Board approves transfer of The Commons after buyer commits in writing to PILOT talks. The board voted 3-0 Thursday morning to approve the transfer of ownership of The Commons at One Harvest Circle from BSL/BN Commons CCR to NELP-Commons LLC, as outlined in Benchmark Senior Living's Dec. 8, 2021 request, contingent on existing restrictions running with the property in perpetuity. The board had paused the decision Monday over a proposed payment-in-lieu-of-taxes contingency the buyer objected to. Town Administrator Tim Higgins read into the record a Dec. 14 email from buyer's advisor Sarah Laffey confirming that "immediately following closing, the buyer intends to enter into good faith negotiations with the town of Lincoln on the terms of a PILOT agreement." Member James Craig said the board "just wanted to have something more concrete" than verbal assurances; Member Jennifer Glass cited the "common understanding" reached. The Commons is Lincoln's leading taxpayer. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 a.m.