Lincoln trustees transfer $31,000 to executive budget, encumber $15,000 for sewer testing

Trustees reviewed the town's draft 2026 budget and voted to reallocate funds to cover two software purchases and to reserve money for upcoming sewer testing.

Chair opened the review and explained that the executive section was still waiting on certified-computer figures but that some adjustments were needed now. "Why don't we make a motion to move 31,000 from legal to executive in order to pay for this avatar and the time frame?" the Chair said, referring to an Avatar assessing program (about $17,000) and a time-card/payroll system (about $14,000).

The Chair and trustees also discussed new state and federal requirements for wastewater testing tied to the town's EPA discharge permit. The Chair told the board the testing is expected to be "in the $50,000 range" next year and proposed encumbering $15,000 from this year's surplus to reduce next year's budget pressure.

A trustee seconded the transfer motion and the board approved both items by voice vote; members answered "aye." The transfer will move $31,000 from the legal budget into executive contracted services so the town can code the purchases properly, and the $15,000 encumbrance will be carried forward for EPA-required testing.

Board members emphasized that personnel costs tied to ongoing collective-bargaining negotiations remain placeholders and that the budget's bottom line may shift once CBA figures are final. Chair urged staff to provide outstanding numbers before the next meeting; the draft budget and related department schedules will be circulated to trustees ahead of the Dec. 29 budget hearing and a public hearing required for certain grant applications and TIF matters is scheduled by Jan. 27.

The board recorded the motions and handled both by voice vote; the meeting proceeded to other agenda items.