Select Board appoints Beyer interim water commissioner ahead of contested March race

LINCOLN -- January 5, 2023, Lincoln appoints chemist Matthew Beyer interim water commissioner, with two seats now headed to a March ballot. The Select Board and Water Commission voted unanimously Jan. 5 to install Beyer, a PhD chemist and Waltham-based company president, through the March 27 town election, filling the seat vacated by Ruthann Hendrickson's resignation. Former six-year commissioner Paki Lawler, who said he was "about the 90 percent level" certain to run in March, told the joint meeting after hearing Beyer's presentation, "You're more qualified than I, I'd vote for you." Member Jonathan Dwyer separately announced he will not seek re-election after nearly six years. Town Administrator Tim Higgins flagged $73,000 in extra-base FY24 asks, $13,000 for expanded early-voting clerk staffing and $60,000 above carried escalation for electricity and natural gas. The board opened the warrant for the March 25 annual town meeting; it closes Jan. 30.