Town Moderator

About the Position

Lincoln's Town Meeting is the Legislative branch of Lincoln's Town Government.  It falls each year on the Saturday before the last Monday in March. The Town Moderator is the presiding officer of the Annual Town Meeting, Special Town Meetings, and other meetings that she is requested to officiate and to ensure that order is maintained.

The Moderator regulates the meeting proceedings, decides all questions of order, declares the outcome of all votes, and has other power and duties as provided for that office by Massachusetts General Laws (see below) and town bylaws.

The Town Moderator is an elected position with a three year term. 

Sarah Cannon Holden has served as the Town Moderator from 2011 to the present.

              In nuclear physics the term MODERATOR is used to describe the substance which is mixed with uranium in a                               reactor to slow down the high-speed particles to the point where they can do some useful work.

Massachusetts General Laws / Chapter 39: Moderators

Leading up to Town Meeting there are many opportunities to discuss and provide input into the proposals that will be considered. Please check the town web-site for posted meetings. The Town Boards and Committees make every effort to provide open and informative meetings to anyone interested in joining their deliberations.

Town Meeting Terms and Customary Procedures

Annual Town Meeting 2026

Moderator's Planning Meeting 

6:30 pm, Wednesday, March 18, at Town Offices 

This meeting is open to everyone.  We will discuss procedural issues related to presentations, speakers, time limits and other relevant information.   The town boards and committee who have articles on the warrant attend the meeting in preparation for Saturday's Annual Town Meeting.

Annual Town Meeting

                                    9:30 am, Saturday, March 28, 2026 

                                             Check-in begins at 8:30 AM.
                We will meet in the Donaldson Auditorium at the Lincoln School.

                                     Be sure you are a REGISTERED VOTER.

                                 The deadline to REGISTER is March 18, 2026.


 More information is on the lincolntown.org website.  Please refer to it.

    There will be several on-line presentations from town boards posted there.


As Town Moderator I encourage you to participate in this annual event with the opportunity to experience direct democracy and to exchange ideas with your fellow Lincoln residents. I also encourage you to bring your children so that local government becomes a part of their education and an early experience in community participation.


 The Town Meetings are held in the Donaldson Auditorium at the Lincoln School. When you arrive please sign in with one of the tellers who will check off your name on the voter registration list. Please arrive early so we can start on time. You may sit anywhere you wish in the hall. If you are not a registered voter in Lincoln and wish to attend the Meeting, one of the tellers will direct you to an area designated for non-voting residents/visitors. 
The Annual Town Meeting usually finishes mid-afternoon on Saturday.