Lincoln Select Board lifts commercial tax shift to 1.37 for FY22

LINCOLN — September 13, 2021 — Lincoln raises commercial tax shift to 1.37, launches $2M ARPA planning. The Select Board voted unanimously Sept. 13 to lift the commercial classification factor from 1.30 to 1.37 for fiscal 2022 after Board of Assessors Chair Ellen Meadors reported residential values jumped roughly 7 percent while commercial values stayed flat. Meadors said the goal was to ensure "the commercial sector pays the same share of the tax that they have in the past," with intent to return to 1.30 once commercial values recover. The board also rejected the residential exemption, small commercial exemption and open-space discount. Town Administrator Tim Higgins and Finance Director Colleen briefed members on the town's $2 million American Rescue Plan Act allocation, of which $1 million has been received, and got informal endorsement to form a working group reporting by year's end. Public Health Nurse Trish McGeehan reported 34 COVID cases since July 1, including 27 in fully vaccinated residents. The board appointed Colin McGowan as call firefighter, named Evan Gorman to the Housing Trust replacing Keith Gilbert, and accepted a $21,350 contribution from The Community Builders toward the Lincoln Station septic study.