Sgt. Ian Spencer and Officer Laura Stewart.
Police officer receives letter of commendation
Sgt. Ian Spencer and Acting Chief Sean Kennedy of the Lincoln Police Department presented Officer Laura Stewart with a letter of commendation for her actions taken during a critical incident on February 13. Officers responded to a call for a person suffering from a mental health crisis. Officer Stewart, while alone, used her communication and de-escalation skills to disarm the individual who was holding a knife and actively harming themselves. The incident came to a successful resolution and the person was transported to a local medical facility.
Virtual office hours for Rep. Gentile
State Rep. Carmine Gentile (D-Sudbury) will hold virtual office hours on Friday, Feb. 23 from 10 a.m.–noon. Any constituent who wishes to speak to Rep. Gentile can sign up for a 20-minute time slot by emailing his legislative aide, Ravi Simon, at ravi.simon@mahouse.gov. Please provide your full name, address, phone number, email, and discussion topic.
Second forum on mall redevelopment set for Feb. 29
The Rural Land Foundation will hold its next public forum on the future of the mall on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting (passcode: 94034). Redevelopment of the mall will be guided by rezoning in South Lincoln mandated by the Housing Choice Act. At the first forum on January 18, the RLF unveiled two visual concepts for 40 units of housing and 5,000–10,000 square feet of first-floor and/or street-activating use space.
Town flags at half-staff for Rundell
By request of the Select Board, the flags on town buildings will be lowered to half-staff to mark the passing of Virginia Rundell, a longtime Lincoln resident who served as the town’s archivist for the past two years. The flags will be at half-staff from Tuesday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 25. In recognition of Virginia’s service to the town, this inscription will appear on the inside cover the 2023 Annual Town Report.
Democrats to caucus on Saturday
The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee will hold a caucus on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. in the Bemis Hall map room to elect six delegates and four alternates to the 2024 State Democratic Convention in June. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Lincoln who are 16 years old as of February 15, 2024 may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates. All are welcome but only registered Democrats may vote.
At the state convention at the DCU Center in Worcester on June 1, delegates will place a candidate name on the statewide primary ballot in December. Those interested in getting involved with the Lincoln Democratic Committee should contact Travis Roland at travisroland89@yahoo.com or Joan Kimball at selenejck@gmail.com. Young people (ages 16-35), those with disabilities, people of color, veterans, and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus or by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention.
Event examines Russia sanctions
Christine Abely, author of The Russia Sanctions (2024) will discuss the sanctions enacted by multiple nations, including the United States, in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 7–8 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. Her book examines the sanctions’ effects on food, energy, and the global use of the U.S. dollar. She will discuss sanctions on oligarchs, the freezing and seizure of their assets, and steps taken to promote financial transparency worldwide. The talk will also explore the humanitarian impacts of sanctions.
Training for domestic violence volunteer advocates
The Domestic Violence Services Network, Inc. (DVSN) is looking for community members to participate in their free Volunteer Advocate training program at the Concord Police Department in March. The 40-hour training is designed to familiarize the volunteers with the many aspects of domestic violence and give them the skills necessary to provide confidential and appropriate services to DVSN’s clients. Once trained, DVSN’s Volunteer Advocates provide direct service over the phone, at the Concord District Court, and at Emerson Hospital to people affected by domestic violence.
The initial training will be held from March 4–22 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and Fridays from 9:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m. For those who wish to activate as Advocates, an additional 10 to 12 hours of individual field training will take place after successful completion of the classroom segment. All materials will be provided. Those who’d like more information or an application should call 978-318-3421 or e-mail training@dvsn.org. Applications are due no later than Monday, Feb. 26. To learn more about DVSN and its programs, services, and events, visit DVSN.org.