Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Burnham Hall topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Burnham Hall officers confirmed as Selectboard and town staff seek clarity on legal status and will terms
Summary
Burnham Hall officers were approved at the annual meeting; Selectboard and town counsel continue to examine whether Burnham Hall and its funds are legally separate from the Town of Lincoln and whether past handling of a perpetual $1,000 fund met the Walter Burnham will's terms.
The Town of Lincoln Selectboard approved the Burnham Board's slate of officers and discussed lingering legal questions about Burnham Hall's governance and funds.
Burnham Board Chair Brian McDonough told the Selectboard the board holds nine seats and that the hall recently added an elevator and a heat‑pump/air‑handling system. The Selectboard approved the current slate of officers by motion (passed 5/0/0). Town Administrator Trish Waugh and board members described a “murky” legal relationship between Burnham Hall Foundation and the town, with deeds recorded to the Foundation rather than to the Town of Lincoln and the Foundation holding 501(c)(3) status.
Trish Waugh raised concerns about compliance with provisions in the Walter Burnham will, including a perpetual $1,000 fund originally intended for upkeep of burial plots and an annual May 20 decoration. She recommended separating Burnham's finances from the town and converting the $15,000 annual support into a Town Meeting appropriation so voters decide future funding. Brian McDonough said Burnham Hall continues to be used for community purposes that align with the will’s directions.
Selectboard members asked whether additional legal review and a timeline from counsel are available; Trish said no timeline had been provided and recommended seeking clarifying counsel if needed. The Selectboard agreed to continue communications with legal counsel and to explore administrative options such as moving the perpetual fund into a town‑held perpetual fund to meet the will's terms. The Burnham Annual Meeting was concluded by motion (passed 5/0/0).
