Lincoln selectmen set FY21 split tax rate at $15.52 and $20.42

LINCOLN — September 14, 2020 — Lincoln selectmen lock in FY21 split tax rate and clear electricity aggregation for final state review. The Board of Selectmen voted 3-0 to maintain a 1.3 commercial shift factor, producing a residential rate of $15.52 and a commercial rate of $20.42 per thousand; the average residential bill rises $235 to $18,332. Selectman Jennifer Glass, summarizing the Property Tax Study Committee's final report, said a residential exemption was rejected because it is not means-tested and the timing was wrong "so closely on the heels of having just changed everybody's tax bill so significantly." The board also authorized resubmission of the community choice electricity aggregation plan to the DPU after edits; chair C.J. Valpone said an optimistic timeline would put power flowing roughly 90 days after suppliers are solicited. Town Administrator Tim Higgins reported about $625,000 in COVID expenses against $775,000 in reimbursements, a $53,700 Green Communities grant award, and Oriel Landing pushing Lincoln's SHI to 13.99 percent. Eric Larson and Tom Blair were appointed as call firefighters.