Lincoln Selectmen open public hearing on stretch energy code for March 27 Town Meeting

LINCOLN -- March 8, 2010, Lincoln advances Green Communities bid toward March 27 Town Meeting. The Board of Selectmen opened a public hearing on adopting the state stretch energy code, 780 CMR Appendix 120.AA, and heard a 30-minute briefing from Green Technology Energy Committee co-chair John Snell and ICF consultant Eliza Johnston on the five criteria required for designation, which would make Lincoln eligible for up to $1 million from a $10 million annual statewide pool. Plans include an as-of-right solar overlay at the Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School parking lot, roughly two acres of panels generating about 250 kilowatts, with one-year constructive approval rather than Chapter 43D's 180-day standard. Chair Sarah Cannon-Holden cited a long-running local "fear of the camel's nose in the tent" on state expedited-permitting mandates. The board also unanimously appointed Maximilian Holliver as a full-time E-911 dispatcher and approved closing three roads on rainy nights for amphibian migration. CPC co-chair Bill Stason previewed four Town Meeting articles totaling roughly $1.3 million, including $400,000 toward the McDowell land purchase.