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Town Meeting 2019 roundup

Here are some of the measures approved by residents at the March 23 Annual Town Meeting. See previous stories for coverage of the votes on the leaf blower bylaw and the deCordova/Trustees of Reservations integration.

Town budget

Voters approved a FY 2020 budget of $41.55 million, a 10.3% increase from this year’s budget of $37.68 million. The total includes $4.29 million in debt service for the school building project and a 2.39% increase in the operating budget. Property taxes on the median-value house (assessed value of $998,400) will increase by about $1,781 or 12.7%. See pages 4 and 6 of the Annual Town Meeting Financial Section and Warrant for pie charts showing revenues and expenditures by category.

Capital and community preservation items

Voters approved the requests from the Capital Planning Committee and Community Preservation Committee (see the Lincoln Squirrel, March 14, 2019). Also approved in a separate vote was an appropriation of up to $400,000 for an irrigation systems for the Codman athletic field next to the pool. This will be the second irrigated field in town; the first is the new Wang field on Bedford Road set to open this spring (the town’s first new athletic field in 60 years).

The largest capital item was $600,000 for a new roof for the Hartwell school building. The roof was installed 31 years ago but was designed to last for only 20, and the Finance Committee recommended doing it this year “because we could fit in in budget and we are worried about long list of capital projects on the docket in coming years,” FinCom chair Jim Hutchinson said.

Recognitions

This year’s Bright Light Award went to Gary Davis, who was recognized for outstanding volunteerism. Davis, a retired architect, headed a project to digitize and create a searchable index of Planning and Department of Public Works documents, as well as updating the Planning Department filing system.

Tim Higgins was recognized for his 25 years of service as Town Administrator. His citation noted his “integrity, accessibility to the community, creative problem solving. tireless diplomacy, eternal optimism, endless patience and thoughtful leadership.”

“There are very few dull moments in Lincoln; we seem to move from one interesting and challenging project to another,” Higgins said in accepting the award, which included his very own parking spot at Town Hall. “If you’re a public policy nerd like I am and a history-oriented person, you can’t imagine a better place to spend your career.”

Departing Water Commission chair Packy Lawler and School Committee chair Tim Christenfeld were also thanked for their service.

Solar bylaw

Residents approved changes to new definitions for roof-mounted solar systems, energy storage systems and carport/canopy PV systems; financial and ownership arrangements to allow power purchase agreements; increased height limits for canopy-carport solar arrays; and adding a general waiver section. See section starting on page 11 of the list of motions (Article 28) for details.

State flag and seal

Residents voted to support creation of a state commission to study the idea of changing the Massachusetts state flag and seal, which some believe depicts oppression of Native Americans by English settlers.

“I would put to you that this is your version of the Confederate flag,” said Patricia Thornton Wells, who grew up in Georgia. “It has symbolism that means certain things to certain people that is very offensive. Most people in my town growing up didn’t take offense, but every African American does. I think this needs to be reconsidered from the context of all the people in our community.”

Noting that the motto on the flag and seal reads in part, “By this sword we seek peace,” resident Peter Pease said, “If that is not an aggressive statement… It seems so wrong to put people who owned this land before we came and have them on a flag… with a sword over their head. Please, let’s get this out of here.”

About a dozen residents voted nay, including Michael Coppock. He referred to the Native American on the flag, partly modeled on Metacomet, who led a rebellion known as King Philip’s War. “It was most deadly war in U.S. history as a percentage of population loss… he abandoned his father (Massasoit’s) of peace,” he said.

Other measures approved

  • Authorization to bond $1.1 million for the Water Department
  • Bylaw changes:
    • Adding an exception for nonconforming lots that were reduced in size by an eminent-domain taking
    • Adding two new properties to the Brown’s Wood Historic District
    • Clarifying the definition of “demolition” under the demolition bylaw
  • A ban on sales of e-cigarettes (a preemptive measure since no stores on Lincoln currently sell them). A handful of residents voted no.

Voters approve ban on cannabis businesses in Lincoln

Lincoln voters have affirmed a ban on cannabis retail businesses in Lincoln that was first passed at a Special Town Meeting in October 2018.

Lincoln residents voted in favor of legalizing sales of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts in a statewide vote in 2016. Because of that result, state law required a twi0thirds majority at Town Meeting and a simple majority in an election if residents wanted to ban cannabis businesses within Lincoln. The ban can be reversed by another vote in the future if the town wishes, but once cannabis sales are legalized, they can’t be banned later. 

In unofficial results, the ban was affirmed this week by a margin of 279-126 (69% to 31%) on the ballot question. Last October, the ban achieved the required two-thirds majority by a tally of 73% to 27%.

Personal, noncommercial growing and possession of recreational marijuana are unaffected. Massachusetts law allows residents 21 and older to use the drug and have up to one ounce on their person (up to 10 ounces in their homes). Households with one adult over 21 can also grow up to six marijuana plants, or 12 plants if there are two adults in the household.

The Lincoln move also will have no effect on potential home delivery of marijuana products, should the state’s Cannabis Control Commission decide to allow it. As the law now stands, medical dispensaries can deliver cannabis products to registered patients but doesn’t permit deliveries of recreational pot.

Residents also voted in a new slate of town officials in this week’s election (though none of the races was contested). Click here for full election results. 

 

Election ballot includes marijuana question

For the first time in recent memory, the March 25 town election does not feature any contested races—but there’s a ballot question that will decide whether marijuana retail establishments will be allowed in town.

Because Lincoln residents voted in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana in the 2016 state election, a ban on retail establishments in town requires two things: a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting, and a simple majority at the ballot box. The ban passed by a vote of 73–27% (140–53) at a Special Town Meeting in October 2018. Monday’s election is the second step needed to enact the ban. A “yes” vote will affirm the ban that was approved in October.

The regulatory path for banning marijuana businesses is a one-way street; a ban can always be reversed in the future, but once legalized, they can’t be prohibited later. A retail ban would not affect the statewide legalization of possession (in limited quantities) and private use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes.

Click here to see a previously published list of residents running for town office. A sample ballot appears below; click on the image to see larger versions.

South Lincoln efforts continue with workshop for businesses

As part of a larger effort to revitalize the Lincoln Station area, the town is sponsoring a free workshop for Lincoln’s storefront business owners titled “Retail Best Practices: The Power of Presentation” on Wednesday, Jan. 9 from 8–9:30 a.m. at the Rural Land Foundation office at Lincoln Station (145 Lincoln Rd., second floor).

The session led by Christine Moynihan of Retail Visioning. Her program aims to help business owners improve the look and feel of their establishments as well as the customer experience and business planning and marketing in print and online. Attendees are also invited to participate in a private one-on-one free consultation with Moynihan in January or early February and could be eligible to receive a small grant to help implement recommendations made by the consultant.

For more information about the program or to register, contact Jennifer Burney, Director Planning and Land Use, at burneyj@lincolntown.org or 781-259-2684. Registration is not required but seating may be limited.

Funding for the workshop comes from a grant awarded to the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee, which is steering several simultaneous projects aimed at revitalizing the area around Lincoln Station.

Other SLPIC projects

The MBTA subcommittee has recommended a list of improvements to the train station and commuter parking lots and expects to receive $500,000 from the state to pay for a study to design those improvements. The group is soliciting opinions as to whether the inbound and outbound train stops should be on the same side of the tracks, and whether non-Lincoln residents, or whether out-of-town commuters would be willing to pay for parking using a smartphone app. People can respond on the South Lincoln Revitalization Project website or by texting 781-702-3466.

Another SLPIC subcommittee is looking at zoning changes in South Lincoln that would encourage residential or mixed-use development in the area. The town hired Weston & Sampson more than a year ago to look at options for relocating and/or consolidating DPW operations on Lewis Street. Among the possibilities: moving the entire DPW to the transfer station, or co-locating some DPW functions on other land near Hanscom Field.

The study was expected to take only three months but is still not finished; the firm is expected to provide an update to SLPIC in January. “The work has taken longer due to the amount of parcels they had to review and apply the analysis to,” Burney said. “Unfortunately, projects often take longer than expected.”

Much of the study has consisted at examining and rating other possible DPW sites in town, as well as costs associated with any relocation. However, some North Lincoln residents have already voiced concerns about the idea of moving some or all of the DPW’s functions to the transfer station site.

With the help of grants, SLPIC’s Wayfinding Team has already installed wayfinding signs and a “pocket park” with a kiosk and bike repair station next to the railroad tracks. Among the items on the group’s to-do list for 2019: conducting a parking and sewer feasibility study, and seeking funds to spruce up the park-like area between Donelan’s and Lincoln Woods. A June 2017 report presented design ideas along with a cost estimate of $100,000.

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Fireside Chats coming up

Now that Lincoln has voted in favor of being a “safe and welcoming community,” what does it mean? How are we currently honoring this charge, and how can we improve? Anyone who has (or has not) been made to feel safe and welcome is invited to join the discussion on Saturday, Nov. 17 from 10–11:30 a.m. in the Lincoln Woods community room.

On Saturday, Dec. 22 (same time and place), the Fireside Chat will address “Healing Our Divisions.” Using Them: Why We Hate Each Other—and How to Heal by Ben Sasse, we’ll talk about why there’s so much anger in our country, how our everyday actions and decisions feed into this, and whether we can love our neighbors even when we have differing opinions.

CSA veggies for sale

Each year during Thanksgiving week, Lindentree Farm CSA offers an organic vegetable share for members and others—this year on Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 20 and 21. If interested, email lindentreecsa@gmail.com.

Annual L-S alumni soccer game next week

The Lincoln-Sudbury Alumni Soccer Game is being held for the 26th time on Saturday, Nov. 24 at noon.  It’s a casual game for alumni from any era. To RSVP, email Tim Mangini at tim_mangini@wgbh.org or post on the group’s Facebook page.

Cradles to Crayons children’s clothing drive

Please drop off your donations of children’s gently used clothing at the Liepert home at 108 Trapelo Rd. in Lincoln (leave bags by garage door) for Cradles to Crayons before Friday, Nov. 30. Sizes infant through adult small. Most-needed items include sweaters and sweatshirts, but children’s clothing/shoes for any season are welcome. For a full list of accepted items, visit Cradlestocrayons.org. Email sarahliepert@me.com with any questions.

Buy crafts and gifts from local artisans

Samples of jewelry that will be on sale at the GiftLocal Lincoln event on December 1.

The Old Town Hall Exchange is hosting a local artisan/crafter holiday market at the Pierce House on Saturday, Dec. 1 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. On sale will be home-made chocolate bars, photographs, cards, woven household items, hand-blown glass bowls, upcycled mittens, jewelry, art clothing, knitted sweaters, soaps, and lotions. For details, visit the GiftLocalLincoln Facebook page.

Touch of Christmas Fair at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold its annual Touch of Christmas Fair on Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). There will be many hands-on activities for children; Santa will arrive at 11 a.m., and children can have photos taken on Santa’s lap. There will be a baked-goods table and a handmade craft table, as well as second-hand antiques, housewares, jewelry, homemade holiday wreathes, and centerpieces for sale made by many volunteers the week before the fair. Lunch will be served from noon–1 p.m. Admission is free. 

Town seeks social worker, members for two groups

The Town of Lincoln seeks qualified applicants for the 12-hour-a-week grant-funded position of Town Social Worker. Under the direction of the Council on Aging director, this person will provide social work services to Lincoln residents under 60. Duties include case management, call reassurance and follow-up, and problem resolution as well as family counseling, home visits, and maintaining on-call status. A master’s degree in social work or an equivalent mental health field required with a minimum of three years of progressive experience. Pay range is $25–$30/hour. Please submit a cover letter and resume to Mary Day, Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln MA 01773 or jobs@lincolntown.org by Saturday, Dec. 1.

The town is also seeking volunteers for the Historic Commission and the Historic District Commission. More information on the mission and purview of the organizations can be found on their website. The deadline for submittals is Friday, Nov. 30. Click here for an application. For more information, call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601.

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Mass Innovation Night in Lincoln on Tuesday

This month’s Mass Innovation Night, where startup companies present their products, will be at Lincoln North (55 Old Bedford Rd.) on Tuesday, Nov. 13 from 6–8:30 p.m. The event features networking with entrepreneurs, experts, and sponsors. The top four favorite product/companies from online voting prior to the event (as well as the in-person favorite) will present five-minute pitches.

“Once Upon a Mattress” this week

Performances of the LSB Players’ production of “Once Upon a Mattress” will take place on November 14-17 at  7:30 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Click here for details.

Learn about using more green energy

Come join members of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee to ask questions about how you can reduce your impact on climate change or just listen to the ideas of others at an informal session on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 1–2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Ask about energy assessments on your home, energy-efficient heating systems, electric cars, solar systems, the net-zero school project, the community choice aggregation program, or whatever you like.

Donate or purchase items to benefit domestic violence roundtable

Each year, the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable sponsors a family from a local domestic violence agency for the holidays. These agencies need help to provide happy holidays for families in shelter and to meet the ongoing needs of additional families who have been victims of domestic violence. Sponsored families are anonymous, though the agency will share the number of family members and their ages. Match yourself with a smaller family to sponsor, or invite relatives, friends, and colleagues to join you in sponsoring a larger family.

For those who can’t sponsor a family, gift cards for food, clothing, and other necessities to stores such as Marshall’s, TJ Maxx, CVS, Target, and Stop & Shop are welcome. Wrapping paper, ribbon, and tape are also needed. Advocates from each agency provide help with “wish lists” for survivors and their children. The deadline for gift delivery is Monday, Dec. 3. To learn more about how you can help, contact:

Screening of “Westfront 2018”

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “Westfront 1918” on Thursday, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. The 1930 film (in German with French and English subtitles) follows a group of German infantrymen in the trenches of France during World War I.

Dobrow to speak on new book about Emily Dickinson

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Historical Society present Lincoln resident Julie Dobrow speaking about her latest book, After Emily: Two Remarkable Women and the Legacy of America’s Greatest Poet on Sunday, Dec. 9 at 2 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room. Dobrow is a professor with appointments in Tufts University’s Department of Child Study and Human Development and the Tisch College of Civic Life. After Emily is the untold story of the mother and daughter who opened the door to Dickinson’s poetry. Copies of the book will be available for signing.

Works by Lincoln artist Milan on display

The Bemis Hall gallery will exhibit artworks by Lincoln artist Ellen Milan from mid-November through December. Milan has taught in Wisconsin, Israel, and in the Boston area. During a ten-year stay in Israel, she established regional art programs and a group studio/gallery in the Old City of Jerusalem. This show at Bemis Hall includes pastels, paintings on silk, and watercolors. Many of the pieces were inspired by the gardens and landscape in Lincoln at Farrar Pond Village.

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Election Day prayer services at St. Anne’s

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church is holding two simple prayer services on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 6) at 8 a.m. and noon. The services will include prayers for our nation, and all are welcome. 

First Parish news: Monday meditation, choir, Advent workshop, book group

  • There will be an evening meditation session in the First Parish of Lincoln’s Stearns Room on the first Monday of each month starting Monday, Nov. 5 from 7–8:30 p.m. The evening includes two 15-minute sittings with a walking meditation in between. Following the sittings, we will introduce ourselves and read together a passage from a book by Thich Nhat Hanh and share our impressions. We usually have a metta practice, sending our prayers to those we are concerned about, and end with a silent minute of meditation. Everyone from Lincoln and neighboring towns is welcome. For more information, email Joan Kimball at selenejck@gmail.com. 
  • The church choir will soon begin rehearsing for its Christmas Eve services, to be held Monday, Dec. 24 at 5 p.m., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. and is seeking choir members. Anyone from Lincoln and surrounding communities is welcome to join the choir. Rehearsals are on Thursday evenings in the sanctuary (4 Bedford Rd.) from 7–8:30 p.m.
  • The First Parish’s annual Advent workshop is on on Sunday, Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. in the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). All children are welcome to join in creating holiday treasures. Crafts will include decorative centerpieces, ornaments, cards, cookies, Swedish hearts and more. For more information, contact Margit Griffith, director of religious education, at 781-259-8118.
  • The First Parish book group will meet on Tuesday, Nov. 27 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in the Stearns Room (4 Bedford Rd.) All are welcome to attend. The book to be discussed is The Overstory: A Novel by Richard Powers and a New York Times Bestseller of 2018. The group will discuss the book in sections in two subsequent meetings.

Jazz concert on Nov. 14

Jimmy Mazzy and the Last Minute Men will present a Vern Welch tribute concert in memory of Welch’s contributions to the local jazz scene on Wednesday, Nov. 14 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall.

Holiday artists’ market at deCordova

On Friday, Nov. 16, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum opens its 25th annual Holiday Artists’ Market with a variety of gift options, including handmade ceramics, creative home goods, jewelry and accessories, holiday ornaments, winter fashion, and more. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 15 from 6–9 p.m. More than 25 local and international artists and artisans will participate n the artists’s market, which will be open daily through December 31, with extended shopping hours December 17–23.

Additionally, the deCordova store will participate with 700 other museum stores world-wide in celebration of Museum Store Sunday on November 25, when it will offer special one-day-only discounts and giveaways, and a raffle for a $100 store gift certificate. Hours: 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Town Meeting and election information

(Editor’s note: This post has been updated to reflect the corrected agenda for the State of the Town meeting.)

Special Town Meeting and State of the Town

On Saturday, Oct. 20, there will be a Special Town Meeting vote on the status of marijuana businesses in Lincoln starting at 9 a.m., immediately followed by the State of the Town meeting at 10:30. During the Town Meeting, residents will be asked to vote to:

  • Extending the current town moratorium on marijuana-related businesses from Nov. 30, 2018 to June 1, 2019.
  • Amending the zoning bylaw to prohibit all marijuana establishments (retail, cultivation, testing, research, product manufacturing, etc.).

Click here for the warrant. Previous Lincoln Squirrel articles: 

State of the Town

There will be no votes at the State of the Town portion of the morning, but officials will present updates on the following:

  • Campus building projects (10:30–11 a.m.)
  • South Lincoln planning (11–11:30 a.m.)
  • deCordova bylaws (11:30a.m.–noon)
  • Open forum (12–12:30 p.m.)
  • Post-meeting table session (12:45–1:15 p.m.)

Early voting hours set

Early voting for the November 6 election will be offered in the Town Clerk’s office from Monday, Oct. 22–Friday, Nov. 2. Hours:

8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

8:30 a.m.–7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Oct. 23 and 30, and Thursdays, Oct. 25 and Nov. 1

9 a.m.–3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27.

Voting on Election Day takes place in the Smith gym from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone who has not registered for the election must do so by Wednesday, Oct 17. Click here for a specimen ballot.

Twisted Tree set to open on Saturday

The Twisted Tree Cafe (photo courtesy Christine Doherty).

Saturday is opening day for the Twisted Tree Cafe, the Mall at Lincoln Station’s newest eatery.

Lincoln residents C.J. and Christine Doherty began working on renovations and permitting in the late spring, about three months after the Trail’s End Cafe closed. They will be open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

The menu will feature gourmet coffees and teas, toast and pastries, sandwiches, salads, bento boxes, and more. Among the new features: cooking facilities that will allow the restaurant to serve foods including eggs, breakfast burritos and grilled sandwiches; and online ordering for commuters and others. The furnishings include a countertop for those who want to work, as well as tables and chairs. 

The Dohertys, who hope the Twisted Tree will serve as a neighborly gathering place, may apply for a liquor license in the future. “We’re just excited to open the doors and start serving good coffee and food,” Christine Doherty said.

New restaurant coming to South Lincoln

The restaurant site in South Lincoln will have a third incarnation after AKA Bistro and Lincoln Kitchen.

A trio of owner-operators have signed a lease for the former Lincoln Kitchen/AKA Bistro restaurant site, with an opening planned for the first quarter of 2019.

Lindsey Parker of Concord, one of the co-owners, declined to reveal what the new team is planning to name the new eatery but said it would serve dinner seven days a week and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

“The food will be contemporary American with a focus on purity, simplicity and freshness, taking advantage of the area’s seasonal produce… the restaurant will be a place to get honest and straightforward food and drink that is comfortable and affordable,” she said in an email late last week.

Parker’s partners are Sudbury residents Tom Fosnot, who will be the primary chef, and Ruth-Anne Adams, who will be in charge of the front-of-house staff and general operations (Parker said she herself will handle the “business and creative side of the launch”). The Sudbury pair has more than 40 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry, said Parker, who met them about 18 months ago when their paths crossed while looking at restaurant spaces in the area. 

Fosnot has been executive chef at the Gibbet Hill Grill in Groton for more than eight years. Adams—also a trained chef who has more recently worked on the business side of restaurants—will be returning to hospitality and cooking, said Parker, whose background is in investments.

The trio plans to bring “not just a new restaurant, but a new restaurant experience” to Lincoln, Parker said in an interview on Tuesday. “Given the location and size, this is perfect for owner-operators who will be on site and behind the stove.”

The space “will also allow for interests in cooking classes, catering and take-out,” she added.

Asked what the new eatery can offer to maximize its chances of success in a site where two other restaurants have had to shut their doors (the latest after only 15 months of operation), Parker cited her team’s “kitchen talent” and “a more comfortable environment.”

Though details have not been worked out, the group hopes to do some events leading up to the opening that will “give the community a better sense of the menu as well as its style,” she said.