Ashland voters reject 41 Lincoln Road conservation acquisition
Ashland Town Meeting narrows margin on forest land proposal. Voters rejected a $845,000 Community Preservation Committee bid to acquire an 11.4-acre parcel at 41 Lincoln Road for Town Forest expansion by a vote of 157 against to 140 in favor, falling short of the required two-thirds majority after
Town Meeting · Meeting of May 6, 2026
Ashland Town Meeting narrows margin on forest land proposal. Voters rejected a $845,000 Community Preservation Committee bid to acquire an 11.4-acre parcel at 41 Lincoln Road for Town Forest expansion by a vote of 157 against to 140 in favor, falling short of the required two-thirds majority after spirited debate over eminent domain authority and conservation opportunity. Town Manager Michael Herbert and Finance Director Cindy Cincotta won approval for a $101.1 million FY27 General Fund budget including $1.64 million from stabilization reserves to address a structural deficit; a $375,000 OPEB Trust transfer to protect the town's AAA bond rating; and zoning amendments permitting secondary suites within primary residences.
The meeting adjourned pending the May 19 operational override ballot, reconvening June 3 to dissolve.
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Source: the Town Meeting meeting of May 6, 2026, compiled from the official minutes.
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