Rep. Stanley and Senator Barrett Testify on Lincoln Home Rule Petitions 

Rep. Stanley and Senator Barrett submitted written joint testimony in support of two Lincoln Home Rule petitions which had hearings in October. In a letter to the Joint Committee on Revenue, they express support of H.4106 which authorizes the town of Lincoln to establish a fee for checkout bags to reduce waste and promote sustainability. H.4106 is a home rule petition, passed by Lincoln’s Town Meeting on May 15, 2021. The bill would authorize retail establishments in the town to charge a 10-cent fee for all new check out bags.

In a letter to the Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government, they expressed support of H.4107 which would authorize the town of Lincoln to establish a means tested senior citizen property tax exemption program. H.4107 is a home rule petition, passed by Lincoln’s Town Meeting on May 15, 2021. Lincoln’s petition would establish a local property tax circuit breaker program for homeowners who meet certain age, income, and asset tests, and who have resided in the town for a minimum of five years. H.4107 represents a meaningful effort from the Town of Lincoln to keep seniors living on a fixed income in their homes.