The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

Covid-19*

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Covid-19 regional vaccine clinic

There will be a Covid-19 vaccination clinic sponsored by the Town of Lincoln/Great Meadows Regional Public Health Collaborative on Friday, Nov. 18 from 4–7 p.m. in the Brooks gym at the Lincoln School. Primary and booster doses for those 6 months and older will be offered. According to the CDC, everyone 5 years and older should get an updated booster if they have completed their primary series, and if it has been at least two months since their final primary dose or last booster. Register online by clicking here. For assistance, call 978-793-5663 or email duffL@sudbury.ma.us.

Mystery-comedy: “The Alibis”

When eccentric billionaire J. Leslie Arlington is murdered, a clueless detective finds the suspects are all reluctant to admit their alibis… because they were all committing other ridiculous crimes at the time. Written by different playwrights, “The Alibis” features seven characters each telling the story of their absurd alibi in ten-minute plays. “The Alibis” will be performed by middle-school students at the Lincoln School on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. in the Donaldson Auditorium. With a cast of 22 and a crew of 21, more than a quarter of the students in grades 6-8 are involved in the show.

Tickets ($10 for adults, $5 for students/seniors/Lincoln Public Schools employees) will be sold at the door starting 30 minutes before showtime. Cash or check only. Production budgets are entirely funded by ticket proceeds.

Talk on Columbus and Thanksgiving by Claudia Fox Tree 

Claudia Fox Tree

Missing information, inaccurate stories, and stereotypes perpetuate myths about Columbus and Thanksgiving. Lincoln School teacher and social justice activist Claudia Fox Tree, a Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness board member, will give a talk on “Settler-Colonist Ties to Thanksgiving & Columbus: Taking Back the Narrative” on Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. She will explore this colonial system through primary sources and examine how language perpetuates invisibility and how we can dismantle oppression to bring accurate counter-narratives to life.

Fox Tree has also taught professional development and social justice courses at the college level for Initiatives for Developing Equity and Achievement for all Students (IDEAS) and presented about decolonizing anti-racism initiatives at national and local conferences. She is currently a doctoral student at Lesley University. Click here to register for the Zoom link. Sponsored by Belmont Against Racism and the public libraries of Belmont, Brookline, Chelmsford, Lincoln, Maynard, Natick, Norwood, Stow, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, and Weston.

Holiday Wreath Happy Hour at Codman Farm

Join a wreath-making class in Codman Community Farms greenhouse on Saturday, Nov. 26 from 2–4 p.m. Using fresh evergreen branches, Codman grown dried flowers, seed pods, fruits, and foraged elements, you’ll learn how to design and make an all-natural wreath to decorate your home for the holidays. All course materials and tools provided, plus some delicious treats from our farm and local vendors. Bring a beverage of your choice. Cost: $95; click here to register. Masks optional. Questions? Email jess@codmanfarm.org.

Librarians offer kids’ book gift ideas

Do you need holiday gift book suggestions for the young readers in your life? Join the Lincoln Public Library children’s librarians on Thursday, Dec. 1 at noon as they review their favorite new books of the year as well as some perennial favorites. The event is open to all adults (feel free to share with grandparents and relatives near and far). Email dleopold@minlib.net for the Zoom link.

Program on biodiversity and climate change

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will host a virtual program on backyard biodiversity, climate change, and solutions to a looming ecological crisis on Thursday, Dec. 8 from 7­–8:30 p.m. Headlines about global insect declines, the impending extinction of one million species worldwide, and three billion fewer birds in North America are a bleak reality check about how ineffective our current landscape designs have been at protecting the plants and animals that sustain us. The night’s focus will be on how to create backyard biodiversity in Lincoln, connect habitats throughout town, and increase resilience against climate change. A Zoom link will be sent to all participants who register here.

Tallamy is a Professor of Agriculture in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware. His award-winning books include Bringing Nature Home, Nature’s Best Hope, and The Nature of Oaks.

Flashlight candy cane hunt

Grab your flashlight and search for hundreds of candy canes hidden around Pierce Park on Friday, Dec. 9 from 6–7 p.m. Participants will start off the event by decorating a candy cane bag while music and hot cocoa are available. Then we’ll get our flashlights and head into the park to hunt for candy canes. Keep your eye out because you may even find a special candy cane with a prize-winning ribbon! Bring your own flashlight. Free, but online preregistration with the Parks and Recreation Department is required.

Steve Hoffman

Hoffman tapped as CEO of Rova

Lincoln resident Steve Hoffman has been named CEO of Rova, an on-demand delivery platform that connects drivers to businesses. Hoffman was the initial chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission from 2017 to April 2022. He has also served as the CEO of two venture capital-backed technology companies, a Senior Vice President at CSC Index (Computer Science Corp.), and an Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer at Sapient.

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Election integrity article addendum

Some time after the story headlined “Bemis Hall speakers push claims of 2020 election fraud” was published in the Lincoln Squirrel on the evening of May 11, the linked video of the May 5 event in Lincoln posted by YouTuber “bluesmovers” was taken down by YouTube for violating the platform’s community guidelines. Those guidelines cover a number of categories, but the video was most likely removed for violating the elections misinformation standards, which include a prohibition on videos about election integrity with “content that advances false claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches changed the outcome of select past national elections, after final election results are officially certified.”

Masks now strongly recommended in Lincoln

Due to recent data showing an increase in positive Covid-19 cases in Lincoln and Massachusetts, the town Board of Health strongly recommends that people wear masks in public indoor spaces until the middle of June. Also, anyone who is eligible should get the second booster. The town has seen an average of 7.4 cases per week during March and April but 22 for the week ending May 5 (that does not include rapid antigen tests dine in a lab or at home). If you do test positive for Covid-19, call your doctor for a prescription of Paxlovid, which has been shown to be effective in reducing symptoms and avoiding hospitalization.

Tack Room gets entertainment license

The Select Board voted on May 9 to grant a provisional entertainment license to the Tack Room. The restaurant will be allowed to have live outdoor entertainment on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from about 4:30–9:30 p.m. between the building and Lincoln Road. The board gave the OK on April 25 for the Tack Room to expand into part of that area during warm weather.

The entertainment license will also permit indoor acoustic performers and perhaps a trivia night if the owners decide it’s feasible given the limited space. Tack Rom co-owner Brandon Bunnewith said they hoped to have up to five outdoor events with amplified sound, though nothing had been booked yet. the license is valid through the end of the calendar year, can be withdrawn if there are complaints about excessive noise.

Meeting held on train crossing incident

Lincoln officials met recently with MBTA and Keolis representatives to learn more about what caused the frightening near-miss at the Route 117 railroad crossing on April 11. Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Police Chief Kevin Kennedy, and Select Board member Jim Hutchison were told that “the investigation is still in progress,” Higgins reported. Since a maintenance crew was in the area at the time, it’s most likely that human error was responsible.

The MBTA and Keolis promised to come to Lincoln and share their findings once they were available, and to visit all four of Lincoln’s railroad crossings to look at possible additional safety measures. Kennedy suggested that signs be installed at crossings when rail work was happening nearby to warn drivers.

Masks now “strongly recommended” in Lincoln

Covid-19 cases recorded by the Lincoln Health Department since early December (click to enlarge).

Due to recent data showing an increase in positive Covid-19 test results, the Board of Health voted on April 13 to “strongly recommend” that people wear masks in public indoor spaces until early May until officials see how the infection rate from the new BA-2 variant evolves over the next few weeks after spring vacation.

Like everywhere else in the country, Lincoln saw a surge in cases from the omicron variant during late December and January — almost 45 cases a week from December 23 to January 27 — but then the numbers quickly dropped again. There were an average of four cases a week in the following six weeks and an average of almost eight per week in the five weeks after that. (March 17 to April 14).

Public health nurse Tricia McGean noted that numbers only reflect PCR tests and not positive results from rapid tests that many people use at home, so the recent figures may be undercounts. “However, the uptick in cases was predicted and expected,” she said.

“There’s no rhyme or reason to the cases as far as age is concerned,” McGean said. “Most have mild to moderate symptoms but I am aware of a couple of brief hospital stays.” However, she added that she only touches base with the cases initially and doesn’t follow them through the infectious period, so some others may end up in the hospital. As has been the case for some time, the biggest means of spread is among household members.

Every household is eligible to receive four at-home test kits for Covid-19 free of charge. Order the kits at www.covidtests.gov or by calling 800-232-0233 (arrival in 1-2 weeks).

Masks no longer required indoors in Lincoln as of March 14

Masks will no longer be required indoors in Lincoln as of Monday, March 14, and the Lincoln Public Schools will move to a “less masking” policy on the same day.

Wearing masks in the schools and on buses will be optional with the following exceptions. Mask wearing is required/necessary:

  • In nurses’ offices and healthcare settings, per the state Department of Public Health
  • For all individuals in days 6-10 following a positive Covid-19 test result, indoors
  • When directed by a school nurse for health and safety reasons

Mask wearing is strongly recommended for unvaccinated individuals and those with health risks. Everyone is welcome to wear masks at any time, “and a culture of support and acceptance for those continuing to wear masks is the expectation,” according to a March 11 statement form the School Committee.

The schools will continue to monitor Covid-19 cases on a daily basis. “As necessary, we will make decisions about reinstating mask requirements on a classroom, grade, school, or district level in order to minimize or stop potential spread of the virus. Decisions may include a short-term, temporary mask requirement or a longer-term requirement depending upon the circumstances of the positive case rates and distribution of the cases,” the statement said.

After a spike due to the omicron variant in February, the case rate everywhere has dropped substantially. Last week, for the first time since pool testing began at the schools, there were no positive cases.

The Board of Health rescinded the town-wide indoor mask mandate, though they and the DPH recommended that residents with weakened immune systems or at increased risk of severe Covid-19 because of age or medical conditions (or who have a household member at increased risk) continue to wear a mask when indoors other than in their home, even if they’re vaccinated. Private establishments may continue to require masks upon entry.

The board also noted that there are free Covid-19 treatments available that can prevent hospitalizations and reduce the risk of becoming very ill for those who test positive for the virus and have symptoms, or for those at increased risk of severe disease. Treatments now include Paxlovid, an oral antiviral agent that physicians can prescribe. Prevention now includes Evusheld preventive antibody injections for immunocompromised persons.

Lincoln’s Covid-19 cases plummet as fast as they shot up

A graph showing Lincoln’s weekly Covid-19 cases since October 2020 (click to enlarge).

In late December and January, Lincoln had more Covid-19 cases by far than at any other time in the pandemic — but the latest weekly results shows the spike has fallen off just as fast.

Before the omicron surge, the most cases that the town saw in a week were 15 in late December 2020. Suddenly just before Christmas 2021, cases started numbering in the dozens. But then in late January, they suddenly drooped to the high 20s — and then in the week ending February 3, only three.

Graphs showing Covid-19 cases, hospitalizations, and deaths in Massachusetts since January 2020 (click to enlarge). Source: Mass. Department of Public Health

The numbers reflect only lab-confirmed PCR tests reported to health officials; they don’t account for antigen (rapid) lab tests or home antigen tests. Still, the steep decrease reflects the statewide trend, “and other towns are following suit,” Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean said. “All in all, we’re definitely moving in the right direction.”

Town offices, library are reopening

Town buildings will reopen to the public on Monday, Jan. 24, and the library reopens on Saturday, Jan. 22 after a two-week pause in service in response to the post-holiday surge in Covid-19 infections. Public health data, as well as the town’s internal testing program, indicate that cases have slowed down sufficiently to resume normal (“COVID-normal”) operations. Those using town facilities must still wear a mask in all indoor spaces. Public programming may also resume, so long as it complies with current public health protocols. 

Public forum on how to spend $2.06 million in Covid-19 relief funding

Lincoln’s ARPA Working Group will hold a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 2 at 7 p.m. to discuss its initial recommendations and hear public comment on how best to spend the $2.06 million in Covid-19 relief funds that the town stands to get from the federal government.

The Select Board formed the group several months ago to develop a recommended spending plan for the money that the town will receive under the American Rescue Plan Act. Members have been wading through the extensive government regulations about what is eligible for funding and has compiled a list of specific projects that would qualify, based on applications listed on its web page.

If approved, almost two-thirds of the $2.06 million would go the the Water Department for capital projects. The costliest of those is a new Tower Road well for $600,000, which might otherwise necessitate bonding.

Conservation Department

  • Repairs to the parking lot at Mt. Misery ($6,823)

Council on Aging and Human Services

  • Additional mental health clinics ($12,000*)
  • Create a half-time Town Social Worker position previously funded by grants ($106,228*)
  • Adding to the Emergency Assistance Fund for those who need help paying for housing ($43,500)

Lincoln Public Schools

  • An AIDE (Antiracism, Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity) faculty residency whereby a faculty member would pause their teaching for a year to help teachers plan, observe and give feedback, model deeper learning and culturally responsive pedagogies, and support ongoing professional development and resource creation ($71,999 plus benefits*)
  • Salary increases and retention bonuses for food service workers ($21,441*)

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School

  • Lincoln’s 15% share for a ventilation system improvement ($15,000)

Water Department

  • Tower Road replacement well ($600,000)
  • Bedford Road tank cover repair ($500,000)
  • Distribution system repairs ($200,000)

General

  • Covid-19 response contingency fund for future non-reimbursed costs relating to the pandemic ($386,420)
  • A one-year consultant position shared by the schools and town to begin building Lincoln’s diversity program ($100,000*)

* Some level of ongoing funding required

After processing public reactions and suggestions, the Working Group will develop a set of final recommendations for consideration by the Select Board which, in its capacity as the town’s executive officer, will make the final determination on the spending plan.

The town has also applied for another $675,149 from two other Covid-19 relief funds (the CARES Act and FEMA).

Click here for the February 2 forum Zoom link (Meeting ID: 956 9986 3456, Passcode: 496711).

Covid surge leads to temporary closures in Lincoln

(Editor’s note: this article was updated on January 9 to include school data from January 6).

Covid-19 continues to surge everywhere, resulting in a two-week suspension of in-person nonessential Lincoln programs and services as of Monday, Jan. 10, though schools are still in person as of January 6.

There were 49 new cases of positive Covid-19 results for Lincoln residents for the week ending January 6, compared to 29 the previous week and 15 the week before that. Prior to this surge, the town never recorded more than nine cases a week except for two weeks last January and one week in August.

Bemis Hall, Town Hall, the Lincoln Public Library, and the Parks & Recreation Department will be closed to the public for the next two weeks. However, staff will remain available via e-mail and phone to respond to requests for services and support.

The library will be resuming its curbside pickup program for requested materials. Details regarding picking up library materials will be sent in a separate email. Reference staff will be on hand to answer any questions via email or by phone at 781-259-8465. All programs will be moved to Zoom.

Library staff will be working in the building and can be reached during the following hours:

  • Monday 1–7:30 p.m.
  • Tuesday 9 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Sunday 1–5 p.m.

Essential town departments and services will remain open to the public. If in-person support and transactions are required from closed areas, please contact the relevant office to schedule an appointment using the town directory, where you can find links to office web pages and phone numbers as well as contact information for individual employees.

Schools

The Lincoln Public Schools received reports of 43 cases on January 3, 4, and 5, with 52 positive cases (18 employees and 34 students) over the December recess, according to a January 5 letter to the community posted on LincolnTalk by Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall. Another 25 new positive cases (19 of them in Lincoln School K-8 students) were reported on January 6, she said in another letter posted that day. The school system dashboard (last updated on the evening of January 6) notes that there have been 82 cases in January alone.

Even before the December recess, after-school activities were canceled for this week, and teachers and all other employees were told to wear state-issued KN95 masks at all times indoors.

“The last couple of weeks have been a bit of a rollercoaster ride,” McFall said in her January 5 letter, noting that there has been “changing guidance” from the CDC as well as state school and health offices.

Some Massachusetts schools reopened a day or two late this week because of the Covid-19 surge. On December 31, the Massachusetts teachers’ union called on Gov. Baker to allow a return to remote learning. However, Baker reiterated on January 3 that remote learning was not an option and schools would have to deliver the usual 180 days of in-person instruction, though they were free to use snow days as they saw fit.

Like many school districts in eastern Massachusetts, Lincoln announced that there would be no school on January 7 due to the forecast of snow.

Here is a summary of school cases from December 24 – January 5 provided by McFall: 

StudentsStaff
Lincoln K-4246
Lincoln 5-8186
Lincoln PreK21
Hanscom PreK11
Hanscom Primary911
Hanscom Middle133
TOTALS6728

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New Covid testing program for residents

In an effort to provide Lincoln residents with ample access to Covid-19 testing after the holiday season, the town will provide free Covid-19 PCR drive-through testing at the Pierce House on the following dates:

  • Tuesday, Jan. 4 from 4–4:30 p.m. (residents 60+ only) and 4:30–6 p.m. (all ages)
  • Wednesday, Jan. 5 from 4–4:30 p.m. (residents 60+ only) and 4:30–6 p.m. (all ages)
  • Saturday, Jan. 8 from 10 a.m.–noon (all ages)

This program is for Lincoln residents, employees and school children who: 

  • have symptoms of Covid-19
  • have been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid-19
  • may have been exposed to Covid-19
  • have traveled or gathered with groups over the holiday break

Advance registration is required. Residents over age 60 seeking appointment times between 4 and 4:30 p.m. on January 4 and 5 may contact the COA at 781-259-8811. All other registrations can be completed online by clicking here. At your scheduled time, please pull up to the main entrance to the Pierce House on the back circular driveway. Clinic volunteers will pass materials through your car window for you to self-swab and package your sample for collection. Results are normally available within 36 hours via email. 

If you have special needs or require assistance, please call Fire Chief Brian Young at 781-259-8465. More testing dates will added as needed.

Film: “The Long Shadow”

The First Parish Lincoln  (FPL) Racial Justice Journey continues on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 7–9 p.m. with a Zoom screening of the PBS documentary “The Long Shadow,” which offers a summary of racism in America from its beginnings to recent times. Emmy Award- winning director Frances Causey traces her family’s legacy of plantation-owning in the South and continues into the 20th century. Click here to join the screening via Zoom (meeting ID: 987 9477 5010, passcode: 541766).

Talk on chestnut trees

The American Chestnut Foundation’s lead volunteer in Lincoln, Mark Meehl, will discuss the history of this tree and efforts to preserve its genetic diversity in town at a Conservation Department event on Thursday, Jan. 6 at 8 a.m. In this slide talk, he’ll share photos and videos of TACF’s current efforts and goals at the Flint Fields and Umbrello land. After the presentation you’ll hear updates from our Conservation Department and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Click here for the Zoom link (meeting ID: 913 6669 9916; passcode: 065122). Email conservation@lincolntown.org with any questions.

Phone directory deadline is Friday

The deadline for updating or adding your information for the 2022 Lincoln Directory white pages is Friday, Jan. 7. Listings that ran in the 2019 edition and require no editing will remain. If, however, you are new to town or want to correct or add to your entry, time is running out. There are three ways to provide updated information: email lincolnphonebook@gmail.com, fill out the yellow card you received and mail it back to the Friends of the Lincoln Library, or drop the card with your new information at the library, which also has extra copies of the cards. The library never sells the information gathered for the directory, nor do they put it on line. Many thanks to The Commons for their generous support in helping to fund the mailing.