Lincoln Selectmen hear Minuteman capital plan would raise town assessment 113 percent

LINCOLN -- December 13, 2010, Lincoln faces 113 percent Minuteman assessment hike under proposed capital formula. The Board of Selectmen heard Monday from Minuteman School Committee member Kimon Zachos, Assistant Superintendent Jim Laverty and Community Education Director Ernie Houle that the town's annual assessment would rise from $76,000 to $162,000 under a Regional Agreement Task Force proposal allocating 48 percent of capital costs equally among 16 member towns. Arlington, the largest member, would see only a 4.3 percent increase, or $116,000. Member Noah Eckhouse asked "how do I go to my neighbor in Lincoln and sell them on" paying $30,000 to $50,000 per student when non-member tuition runs about $18,000. The board also voted unanimously to reject all bids on the Hollingsworth property at 18 Twin Pond Lane, where the only unconditional offer was $407,000.