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.