I admire David's fresh voice! Recycle is the way of life! Bijoy Misra
On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 11:33 PM David Cuetos <[email protected]> wrote: > There is no shortage of volunteers to populate most committees. If some of > the members are not cutting it, they should be let go and new blood can > come in. There are more important issues at play than avoiding some bruised > egos. > > The root cause to many of our problems is that much of our committee > member selection (and election) prioritizes attachment to the status quo > and thought conformity over skills and engagement. It is not a surprise > that we end up with major shortcomings that go perennially unaddressed. > > > On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 16:01 Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: > >> Volunteering is wonderful if the person volunteering is competent and >> tough enough to say no to the different constituents competing for town >> funding >> >> This committee failed its most fundamental job - designing a project >> within budget >> >> That they sent out the email without identifying the overage is almost >> comical. Like a kid who hides his report card from his parents >> >> Taxes are crippling this town. We need leadership that has the body >> parts to take on the vested interests and look after the fiscal health of >> the taxpayers as well as the town >> >> Any committee member that can’t take or resents criticism should step >> down. That is part of the job, whether or not you are paid >> >> >> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 12:41 PM John Mendelson <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> One critical difference here (that really should not need to be pointed >>> out) is that many (most) of the people who work on initiatives like the >>> CCBC are not, in fact, (well paid) executives but rather volunteer >>> residents. >>> >>> I find it galling how many people throw stones from behind their screens >>> at people who give their time, blood, sweat, and tears to this town. >>> >>> It's one thing to post legitimate, fact-bases criticisms, and another to >>> take pot shots at your fellow volunteer residents. >>> >>> John >>> >>> >>> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025, 5:25 PM Laura Glynn <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> Any executive who presented to a board of directors for approval what >>>> has been presented so far would be fired for incompetence >>>> >>>> >>>> The committee’s job was to make sure they said no enough to keep it >>>> within budget >>>> >>>> We need leaders who can say no. Anyone can say yes yes yes and please >>>> the squeaky wheels >>>> >>>> This gets a failing grade >>>> >>>> >>>> >>>> On Wed, Jun 4, 2025 at 11:39 AM melinda bruno-smith < >>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Agreed! >>>>> >>>>> Melinda Bruno-Smith >>>>> ------------------------------ >>>>> *From:* Lincoln <[email protected]> on behalf of Seth >>>>> Rosen <[email protected]> >>>>> *Sent:* Tuesday, June 3, 2025 4:23 PM >>>>> *To:* ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> >>>>> *Cc:* Lincoln Talk <[email protected]> >>>>> *Subject:* Re: [LincolnTalk] CCBC Update with actual attachments and >>>>> numbers >>>>> >>>>> Thanks for posting Sarah. >>>>> >>>>> I find the scare tactics embedded in that to be shockingly >>>>> disingenuous. How do they know a “redesign” would add $5m to project costs >>>>> if we haven’t done it yet? It’s fear mongering so people agree to fund a >>>>> massive overage from prepaid taxes. >>>>> >>>>> Just because we take it from our savings account doesn’t mean it’s >>>>> “free money”. If we can’t deliver what was promised within budget, the >>>>> town should weigh in via a vote on a new scope. >>>>> >>>>> Seth >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 3, 2025, at 4:11 PM, ٍSarah Postlethwait <[email protected]> >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> For clarification on the amount of the additional funds being >>>>> requested, from the special town meeting website: >>>>> >>>>> <IMG_4793.jpeg> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> https://www.lincolntown.org/1580/2025-Special-Town-Meeting >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 3:53 PM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Hi Jeff - I can understand the shock but I assure you it's true. >>>>> Please see attached. >>>>> >>>>> According to the town’s own memo, the lowest construction bid came in >>>>> at *$20.8 million*, which is *$2.3 million more than they budgeted >>>>> for construction* — and that’s *after* they already cut major >>>>> features to try to stay on track. That might seem confusing since the >>>>> total >>>>> project budget is $24 million — but here’s the catch (from what I can >>>>> surmise): >>>>> >>>>> The $24M has to cover everything — not just construction, but also >>>>> architecture, furniture, kitchen equipment, permits, inspections, and >>>>> contingency for surprises. Only about *$18.5–$19M was actually >>>>> available for construction*, so a $20.8M bid blows past that. It’s >>>>> like planning a $24K home remodel, and the builder says, “I’ll take $20.8K >>>>> just to do the framing.” You’ve got nothing left for appliances or >>>>> furniture. >>>>> >>>>> Now the town is proposing a vote to use *$2.6 million in reserves* — >>>>> prepaid taxpayer dollars meant for emergencies or future needs — just to >>>>> cover the overage. That’s a risky precedent, especially when key features >>>>> like the kitchen and playground are still missing from the current plan. >>>>> >>>>> The responsible choice is to *vote no* and demand a project that fits >>>>> the budget taxpayers already approved — without raiding our reserves. >>>>> Attachments show just how far off the mark this bid is. >>>>> Seth >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 2:42 PM Jeff B <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> I know multiple people have mentioned this $2.3 million number, but I >>>>> cannot believe that is true. >>>>> >>>>> There should be absolutely no way after what was an >>>>> unnecessarily horribly contentious town meeting to the point that we are >>>>> now 'studying' how better to do town meeting that we would be getting a >>>>> possible tax increase of that magnitude with less than a month to consider >>>>> it and still zero official comments on what numbers we are talking about. >>>>> >>>>> Surely the town leadership -- both the committee that appears to be >>>>> thinking of this request as well as the general town government -- cannot >>>>> be *this* absolutely carefree with the concept of educating the voters. >>>>> Are we really waiting until June 11th to have an official response and >>>>> then >>>>> with under 2 weeks to digest it and midweek vote on it? >>>>> >>>>> Whether you supported the original community center or not, and >>>>> whether you support increasing the budget or not (I have no idea how one >>>>> would have an opinion on this yet even), this process absolutely seems >>>>> completely inappropriate at best, and intentionally so at worst. >>>>> >>>>> Jeff Birchby >>>>> >>>>> On Tue, Jun 3, 2025 at 9:56 AM Seth Rosen <[email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> Yep. It’s now a $27m project. >>>>> >>>>> There’s a $2.3M gap from the original $24m project and they refuse >>>>> to adjust the scope more than $386k (which itself involves cutting things >>>>> like the playground!) >>>>> >>>>> The issue is quite simply that people who want the project want it >>>>> done at any cost. And they all show up to vote. >>>>> >>>>> The people who think it’s unreasonable do not show up in force to >>>>> vote. >>>>> >>>>> So if people don’t show up and encourage their friends to show up, >>>>> they will get the project they bargained for and the tax increases to pay >>>>> for it. >>>>> >>>>> Seth >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 3, 2025, at 9:38 AM, Lynn DeLisi, M.D. via Lincoln < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> There were 3 choices for MAXIMUM budgets that had been voted for and >>>>> the most expensive budget won. >>>>> PLEASE stay within that budget and just eliminate certain items within >>>>> the building so that you can do that. This is what any responsible >>>>> homeowner does. >>>>> Do not even bother to come back to the Town to ask for more money. >>>>> Please please take it off the agenda for the special Town meeting. >>>>> Thank you. >>>>> I speak up only as a tax paying resident of Lincoln >>>>> Lynn DeLisi >>>>> S Great Rd >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, June 2, 2025 at 10:54:25 PM EDT, Sara Mattes < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Could please share, in this forum, the dollar amounts? >>>>> - original budget, how much was raised privately, and the amount you >>>>> will be asking? >>>>> Will you also discuss where cuts might be made to stay within budget. >>>>> This is what we, private homeowners, must do when our home project >>>>> design exceeds the budget. >>>>> Thank you. >>>>> >>>>> Sent from my iPad >>>>> >>>>> On Jun 2, 2025, at 8:42 PM, Krystal Wood < >>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *CCBC General Contractor Budget and Funding* >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The Community Center Building Committee (CCBC) wishes to provide an >>>>> important update on our project and the construction bidding process that >>>>> has recently concluded. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Over the past year, we have worked diligently to advance the >>>>> conceptual plans presented at Town Meeting 2024 to be ready to begin >>>>> construction this coming summer. Throughout this process we have focused >>>>> on >>>>> exploring design modifications and value-engineering opportunities to >>>>> deliver the best possible facility within our approved budget—and without >>>>> compromising programmatic functionality, safety, or energy efficiency. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> Despite these extensive efforts, we must report that the bids we have >>>>> received for General Contractor have come in over our current budget. >>>>> While >>>>> this outcome is disappointing, it reflects the broader construction market >>>>> conditions that are impacting projects across the country. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> As such, at Lincoln’s Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, June 25, >>>>> 2025, we will be seeking approval from the community to utilize some of >>>>> existing town reserves to augment our current budget. This additional >>>>> allocation will allow us to deliver the community center that Lincoln >>>>> residents have been anticipating in the most fiscally responsible manner. >>>>> You will hear more about this in the coming days. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *Public Forum* >>>>> >>>>> We understand that you have questions, and we invite you all to join >>>>> us for a public forum where we will present detailed information about our >>>>> work over the past year, discuss the bidding results, and outline our path >>>>> forward. This will be an opportunity for residents to ask questions, >>>>> provide input, and better understand both the challenges we are facing and >>>>> the solutions we are implementing. Our current forum date is below, but >>>>> more will be added as necessary: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> *Date:* Wednesday, June 11, 2025 >>>>> *Time:* 7:00 PM >>>>> *Format: *Hybrid* (*Donaldson Room, Town Hall; and via Zoom—link to >>>>> be provided on the town website) >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> The CCBC remains committed to transparency throughout this process and >>>>> to delivering a community center that will serve as a cornerstone of >>>>> Lincoln's civic life. We appreciate the community's continued support and >>>>> patience as we navigate these challenges. We look forward to seeing you at >>>>> the public forum and answering any questions you may have. >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>>> Browse the archives at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>>> Browse the archives at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>>> Change your subscription settings at >>>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>>> >>>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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