elections

In the March 27 town election, Matina Madrick and Jacob Lehrhoff won the two open seats on the School Committee, beating out incumbent Adam Hogue and Peter Buchthal. In the other contested race, the two openings on the Planning Board went to incumbent Lynn DeLisi and Craig Nicholson.

Nicholson, who is currently a Planning Board alternate member, won the most votes (736) of the three candidates, followed by DeLisi at 602 and Mark Levinson at 417. Longtime member Bob Domnitz originally planned to run for reelection but subsequently dropped out and endorsed Levinson.

Lehrhoff and Madrick soundly defeated Buchthal and Hogue, a two-term incumbent who voted against the last school budget. Buchthal campaigned heavily on LincolnTalk and the PTO candidate forum on claims that Lincoln spends too much per student and that too many students are one or more grades behind in their studies. Lehrhoff received the second-highest vote total of the four even though he was not able to appear at the forum.

In an uncontested race at the top of the ticket, Kim Bodnar (currently School Building Committee vice chair) will take over for outgoing Select Board member Jonathan Dwyer.

Following are the unofficial results for the election. Scroll down for the uncontested Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee results, which resulted in victories for newcomers Lucy Maulsby of Lincoln and Ravi Simon of Sudbury.

• School Committee candidate Q&A
• Planning Board candidate Q&A
• Uncontested candidate Q&A (partial)
• PTO candidate forum
• “My Turn” posts by and about the candidates

Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee results

Five of the seven candidates in the contested School Committee and Planning Board races shared their views on issues including class size and the Housing Choice Act at a March 21 forum. A recording of the event is available here for viewing in advance of the election on Monday, March 27.

School Committee

Candidates for the two seats: Peter Buchthal, Adam Hogue (two-term incumbent), Matina Madrick, and Jake Lehrhoff, who was not present. 

Buchthal has been posting pieces on LincolnTalk about student attrition at the Lincoln School, what he termed an “achievement gap,” and funding, saying that Lincoln “spends substantially more per student than peer towns.”

“We need a new set of eyes, not a rubber stamp,” he said.

While Hogue touted his record of helping negotiate past teacher contracts and fighting to keep the Lincoln Public School open during the pandemic, Madrick said that “educators and administrators have also gone through a big mental health crisis” during that time, and the School Committee “could look at aligning the budget to provide services for our educators.”

The candidates had different takes on the issue of diversity work in the schools. “The AIDE [access, inclusion, diversity, and equity] work I think has been terrific,” particularly the recent 21-day AIDE Challenge, said Madrick, who also lauded the schools’ Portrait of a Learner initiative.

“I really support the AIDE stuff but these are really difficult conversations, Hogue said. When the issue was first being discussed in depth on the School Committee, “everyone was kind of singing ‘Kumbaya’ but not talking. When we had to start debating issues, it was tough — we butted heads. We disagreed but it was actually a good thing [because] we went through the issues.” He said some committee members initially wanted to focus on issues surrounding Black and Indigenous students, “but I said I disagree with this” because he wanted to include LGBTQ students and “Asian hate” in the conversation. “I got some nasty emails about that,” he said.

Buchthal said “really didn’t know the details” about the AIDE and Portrait of a Learner work. “We need to focus on what they’re behind in, and that’s reading, writing, and arithmetic,” he said. He claimed that a recent assessment showed that 38% of Lincoln School students are one or more grades behind where they should be, “and we should start looking at what we should do in terms of an action plan.”

Regarding the METCO program, Madrick advocated having more activities involving Lincoln students and parents in Boston. Buchthal again brought up the achievement gap during the METCO discussion, saying that “the program has enormous potential but we haven’t achieved it yet… I’m all for the social aspects but [METCO kids] spend two hours a day coming and going from here, and we have to make sure they get the best education possible. With this kind of gap we’re not doing what we need to do.”

All three School Committee candidates welcomed the hire of Superintendent of Schools Parry Graham and vowed to support him as much as possible. “I’d give him super carte blanche to put everything on the table — this is his regime,” Buchthal said. Also on deck is a new middle school principal. “They handle disciplinary issues [and] and we need clearer, more defined disciplinary rules,” he added. If there’s instances of bullying or “a kid says he doesn’t want to do his homework, what happens to them? I don’t know.”

The candidates diverged on the issue of class sizes. Research showing the benefits of smaller classes has been “debunked” by the Department of Education, Buchthal said. Some middle school classes have been as small as 15 students (largely due to students leaving the district, he said)., adding that larger classes offer “social benefits as well as little bit of competition.”

But Madrick disagreed, noting that her daughter was in a 32-student class in kindergarten in another town “and it was chaos — she spent the year doing worksheets.” Although “I’m sure in some cases we could add students” to a class, “this is kind of more complicated for a small district. It’s a big privilege to have that problem and I’m happy to have it and happy to have discussions about it, but I’m not sure it’s such a high priority for our district right now.”

Planning Board

Candidates: Craig Nicholson and Mark Levinson (incumbent Lynn DeLisi was not present).

The two biggest planning issues facing Lincoln at the moment are the proposed expansions of Hanscom Field and The Commons in Lincoln, and the Housing Choice Act (HCA), which requires “MBTA communities” including Lincoln to allow more multifamily housing by right. “The initial proposal sprung on the [Commons] residents didn’t seem to protect their interests very much,” Levinson said. As for the Hanscom proposal, “it’s a really bad idea for all sorts of reasons,” including increased air and road traffic and noise,” he added.

The idea has attracted protests from hundreds of area residents, and developers must now submit a detailed environmental impact report. Nevertheless, “Massport has made it clear they want to do something there. It would be foolish to think that pressure is going to go away,” Nicholson said. “The town doesn’t have direct control, but we have to do as much as we can as a town to apply political pressure on our state and federal legislators.”

The Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office recently ratcheted up the pressure on towns by making it clear that compliance with the HCA is not optional. Lincoln’s HCA Working Group is working to figure out how the rules apply specifically to Lincoln. A Town Meeting vote on zoning amendments is expected in March 2024.

“It has to start with a tremendous amount of outreach,” Nicholson said. As the working group looks at what areas of town could be subject to rezoning, “it may not necessarily all be negative impacts.”

The two candidates were also asked about how to make it easier for families and others (even if they are not technically low-income) to afford a home in Lincoln. Nicholson noted that this is a regional problem that is driven largely by supply and demand. 

As Levinson noted, the town is again proposing to amend zoning rules in order to encourage more accessory apartments. If approved, Article 26 will allow accessory apartments by right within the principal dwelling unit and would streamline the permitting process for an unit in an accessory structure by deleting the requirement of a Planning Board recommendation to the Zoning Board of Appeals. This would hopefully create more housing that is “relatively affordable,” he said.

Following are responses from some of the Lincolnites who are running uncontested as first-time or incumbent candidates on the March 27 town election. The Lincoln Squirrel previously published articles looking at the contested races for Planning Board and School Committee. 

• Kim Bodnar (Select Board)
• Manley Boyce (Cemetery Commission)
• Neil Feinberg (Housing Commission)
• Paul Fitzgerald (Commissioner of Trust Funds)
• Fred Mansfield (Board of Health)
• Lucy Maulsby (L-S School Committee)
• Ravi Simon (L-S School Committee)
• Rob Stringer (Parks and Recreation Committee)

Kim Bodnar

Running for: Select Board (first-time candidate)

Kim Bodnar

1. What made you decide to run for this board or committee?

From my family’s earliest days in Lincoln, I have valued my time first as a school volunteer and then as a town volunteer. As a member of the School Building Committee (SBC), I enjoyed my time collaborating with other boards, committees and town staff and have learned so much by listening to and engaging with other residents. Although challenging, I also appreciate the moments in the committee where we had to debate, question, and make hard decisions to come to a consensus and move the project forward. As it winds down, I realized that it is these connections and moments that I would miss most, and this is what brings me to my next chapter as a volunteer. I appreciate and value the input from residents and, as a Select Board member, look forward to expanding my scope of work and problem solving for the betterment of Lincoln.

2. What would you bring to the table for this position in terms of specific professional and/or personal experience?

I believe my professional experience in project management and communication will serve me well on the Select Board. Being able to juggle multiple projects, understand the details of an issue, ask probing questions, and listen to feedback from different stakeholders while working towards positive outcomes are skills that I’ve developed in my professional background and while volunteering in Lincoln. I also value a collaborative, thoughtful approach that focuses on building consensus.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the board or committee you’re running for, and, if elected, how do you plan to address it?

As a Select Board member, I will work to ensure that residents have relevant information in a timely manner to make important town decisions. To support that goal, often times the Select Board will bring together representatives from other town boards and committees to flesh out a topic, seek the necessary information, ask the pertinent questions, gather residents to hear feedback, and respond with an inclusive and thoughtful multi-board strategy. One of the challenges facing Lincoln today is housing, especially in the middle market. I support and greatly appreciate the efforts of our Housing Choice Act Working Group that was formed by the Select Board in 2022 as a response to the state’s Housing Choice Initiative, which was created to encourage towns and cities to approve zoning bylaws that help the state meet the high demand for housing. This is one of the state’s effort to tackle our housing crisis. As a community whose polling suggests we value more diversified housing, we must be open to creative and thoughtful problem solving that best serves the needs of our community. I look forward to collaborating with the talented volunteers on the Housing Commission, Planning Board, our town’s professional staff, the Housing Choice Act Working Group, and the many others involved to learn more about these challenges and how we might affect responsible change.

Manley Boyce

Running for: Cemetery Commission (incumbent)

I am Manley Boyce and I have been on the Cemetery Commission for some time now. I am retired but had been the director of transportation for the Concord-Carlisle High School and the Concord Schools after changing careers from working with Mobil Oil Company.

Our biggest challenge is addressing the needs of the Lincoln community regarding cemetery space. We are actively looking into finding more space in the future. We also need to focus on keeping our cemeteries in pristine condition. This includes reminding visitors who bring their leashed dogs to the cemetery that they need to respect our grounds by diligently removing any debris.

Neil Feinberg

Running for: Housing Commission (first-time candidate)

Neil Feinberg

1. What made you decide to run for this board or committee?

I decided to run for the Lincoln Housing Commission because of its pivotal role in managing Lincoln’s existing affordable housing stock and in creating additional affordable housing. I’m particularly interested in creating more affordable housing for seniors on fixed incomes, town employees, and children of present and past residents, as stated in the commission’s charter.

2. What would you bring to the table for this position in terms of specific professional and/or personal experience?

I have been a corporate recruiter most of my adult life. This has given me the opportunity to evaluate a person’s impact on organizations. Locally, I served as a Bemis Trustee, as a member and chairman of the Lincoln Celebrations Committee for over a decade, and as town treasurer and collector of taxes (don’t hold that last part against me). Also, for 20 years I wrote a highly influential (not really) weekly column about politics and life in Lincoln that appeared in the Lincoln Journal.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the board or committee you’re running for, and, if elected, how do you plan to address it?

Without a doubt, Lincoln’s ability to comply with the state-mandated MBTA communities zoning law represents the Commission’s most significant challenge in the coming years. That law requires communities with MBTA service to allow multifamily housing within a half-mile of transit stations. Lincoln is required to submit zoning changes to allow such development in 2024. This is problematic for Lincoln, given the dearth of available land for development. Any solution will require great creativity. I look forward to playing a role in that process and in the town’s relationship with the Commonwealth.

Paul Fitzgerald

Running for: Commissioner of Trust Funds (incumbent)

I have been on the Commissions of Trust board for six years. This will be my second re-election. I am a general practice CPA with the Boston-based CPA firm R.A. Hall & Co., LLC.

One of the interesting conversations the board had was considering how to approach the petition in the town to divest from fossil fuels. Ultimately the board decided that it would not have any direct investment in fossil fuel stocks but would continue to use mutual funds which might or might not include some energy components.

The board also had to consider what the impact of this kind of decision could have on the town’s portfolio, as the same criteria could be applied to any number of socially contentious issues. At what point would restricted investment mean the town not giving student scholarships or shutting down other programs? While the town is not in that position now, the eventual impact of restrictions could lead to that situation.

The challenge for the board going forward is to see that the town’s portfolio performs reasonably and safely so that resources can be available to the town for the various programs to which people have contributed funds over its history can be maintained. I expect there will be various turbulence in the markets over the coming years. Our job is to screen out the noise and make sure that the town portfolio stays on a reasoned and secure footing.

Fred Mansfield

Running for: Board of Health (incumbent)

I have served on the Board of Health since 1996 and am an orthopedic spine surgeon (recently retired). Routine issues for the board include septic system inspection, permitting, and variances; inspection and permitting of food establishments — Donelan’s, Twisted Tree, Tack room, coffee shop at DeCordova, church kitchens, etc.; vaccination clinics; discussion of Covid prevention measures for schools, churches, Pierce House events, Bemis Hall, summer camps, and trails; and radon testing.

Our biggest challenge in the next three years (as always in the past) is to deal with each issue before us on the basis of scientific evidence (FDA, CDC, medical professional societies, public health societies), and then to convince Lincoln’s citizens of the reasonableness of our suggestions, since we have very limited enforcement power.

Lucy Maulsby

Running for: Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee (first-time candidate)

Lucy Maulsby

1. What made you decide to run for this board or committee?

With my eldest child joining LSRHS as a ninth-grader next year and another headed there in a few short years, I am especially looking forward to helping shape the future of L-S as the school transitions to new leadership at a critical time in the institution’s history.

2. What would you bring to the table for this position in terms of specific professional and/or personal experiences?

I am an Associate Professor at Northeastern University where, in addition to teaching courses in architectural history, I manage undergraduate programs and have served as chair of the School of Architecture. In these roles I am engaged in curriculum and program development, faculty assessment, budget preparation, staff reviews, hiring of faculty and staff, and student engagement and support.

I have also supported the Lincoln Public Schools as the School Committee appointee to the Library Board of Trustees (2019–present) and as a member at large and grant chair for the Lincoln School Foundation (2014–18). This work has instilled in me a deep appreciation for student-centered learning and the transformative potential of education.

Each candidate brings a unique set of skills and perspectives. As a Lincoln resident, I am excited to forge meaningful links between L-S and Lincoln, especially the Lincoln schools. As a parent, I look forward to supporting the continued growth of L-S as a vital and dynamic institution. As an educator, I am deeply committed to the transformative power of education and alert to the critical role high school plays in preparing students for the future.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the board or committee you’re running for, and, if elected, how do you plan to address it?

I look forward to supporting the school during the transition to new leadership as the school welcomes a new principal/superintendent and several key administrators in the coming year. To facilitate this process, I will aim to forge connections between leadership within L-S and the communities of which the school is a part; and foster an environment of thoughtful, respectful, and transparent participation and debate within the School Committee.

Ravi Simon

Running for: Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee (first-time candidate)

Ravi Simon

1. What made you decide to run for this board or committee?

My experience in the public schools, especially Lincoln-Sudbury, profoundly shaped the person I have become, including my career in public service. I am excited to be running for School Committee because, as a member of the Class of 2015, I still see myself in the student body and I feel a strong sense of responsibility for our high school. First as a student, then as a legislative staffer, I have seen firsthand the kind of impact that policy and budgetary decisions can have on L-S. I am seeking this seat to help the next generation of students unlock their passions.

2. What would you bring to the table for this position in terms of specific professional and/or personal experiences?

Currently, I work as the sole staffer for State Representative Carmine Gentile, who represents Sudbury and Precinct 1 in Lincoln. In my position, I have gained valuable experience learning about education funding, advocating for policies that benefit our students, and working to secure money for our communities. My experience on the state level would be an asset for the committee.

If elected, I will bring a fresh, first-hand perspective to the table as a former student. I would be the only member of the L-S school committee to have recently graduated high school, a valuable perspective on topics such as student mental health.

3. What do you think is the biggest issue facing the board or committee you’re running for, and if elected, how do you plan to address it?

In the near term, the greatest issue for the School Committee is managing a major transition to a new superintendent/principal. Not only is Bella Wong leaving, but several top positions in the L-S administration are turning over to new folks. We need to make sure that the L-S School Committee works collaboratively with the new superintendent and administration to support their work and limit disruption to teachers and students. I also have a full platform you can read at ravisimon.com.

Rob Stringer

Running for: Parks and Recreation Committee (incumbent)

Rob Stringer (for other examples of his art, click here.)

I am Rob Stringer (he/him pronouns) and I am running for re-election to the Parks and Recreation Committee. This will be my second term on the committee, and I look forward to another three years of helping to build community in Lincoln through the programs and events run by the wonderful staff at the Parks and Recreation Department and community volunteers.

The past three years were quite challenging for the department. There was Covid that halted most of our regularly scheduled programs. Then we had to adapt to the new social distancing restrictions to get the pool open, have camp-like activities running, and bringing back other much-loved programs to keep Lincolnites and our other members engaged and active while safe. The great news is that more school-aged residents seem to be taking advantage of what the department is offering than before Covid. However, one of the major challenges we’ll have in the next three years is to re-engage our adult population, whose numbers have not rebounded in the way we’d like.

One of the pieces of feedback we’ve heard as to why adults are not coming back is they don’t feel comfortable going to in-person events in our current available space. I hope that a new/renovated building can provide spaces for re-engagement of our adult community in a way our current infrastructure cannot. Prior to any construction, we’ll be focused on continuing to provide the best in-person and hybrid programming while building on the success of our new annual events like Fall Fest and the Candy Cane hunt.

Additionally, once the central field at Ballfield Road is back and available (for parking), we can start planning for our annual Fourth of July fireworks celebration, most likely for summer of 2024. Finally, maintaining our current facilities will continue to be a challenge and investment. The clay tennis courts have reached a level of maturity that will involve the town having to do some major work on the irrigation system to keep them up and running; the slide at the pool will hopefully soon be replaced; the fields around the renovated Lincoln School have to be fixed and then established before they can be open for use for T-ball, baseball, and soccer; other fields in town have drainage issues that are in the process of being addressed; and the mowing and maintenance contracts for all town-owned fields and parks have to continually be managed. I look forward to continuing to work with Jessica, David, and Laurie as well as the rest of the committee to continue to put in the work to provide spaces and programs that build community here in Lincoln.

The Lincoln Squirrel will be introducing readers to candidates on the March 27 town election ballot, starting with the two contested races, and the PTO is hosting a candidate forum as well. First up: the Planning Board, which has three candidates competing or two seats. Following are their lightly edited responses to questions posed via email in alphabetical order by last name:

• Lynn DeLisi (incumbent)
• Mark Levinson
• Craig Nicholson

Lynn DeLisi

What made you decide to run for re-election to the Planning Board at this time?

This is a crucial time for Lincoln, as we are facing new state regulations that have been designed to combat the affordable housing shortage throughout the Boston area and elsewhere. The Planning Board has been actively discussing the possibilities for change to the Zoning Bylaw that governs our town for some time. Within the next year, the board, in collaboration with a representative committee created by the Selects, will be considering whether to make specific changes that will comply with the new Housing Choice Act (HCA) and would allow for more affordable housing that meets town goals without irreversibly changing the natural beauty and open space that we all treasure.

The proposals on the table will require a carefully conducted, data-driven, thoughtful, and responsible planning process that will take place in open collaboration with residents. Zoning changes that allow for new development may be irreversible and have an impact on the quality of local life for town residents in decades to come. Since I have been intensely involved in these discussions as a member of the Planning Board for quite a while now, I feel it is my responsibility to the residents of Lincoln to stay on the Board and apply my knowledge and expertise to the decisions to be made as the town progresses into key next stages.

What would you bring to the table in terms of specific professional and/or personal experiences?

I have been a member of the Planning Board for nine years, and at first there was a steep learning curve for me to climb. I was quietly listening my first year, taking it all in and understanding what town planning and development were all about. I studied the Town Bylaw as my textbook. In fact, my Planning Board “education” involved more years than my formal training to become an MD and psychiatrist (seven years)! Regardless, I believe it is less about your professional background or experience that makes a good board member. Rather, it is more about a commitment to a process of well-researched planning and town engagement that ensures you are defining and pursuing town goals that represent the priorities of those who have elected you.

Since this is a contested seat, why should Lincolnites vote for you in particular? What past history or personal/political positions make you better qualified than one or more of the other candidates?

There are two characteristics that I have displayed in my career that are very relevant to this position.

(1) I have always sought ways to bring people together to collaborate. I co-founded two international professional societies, very successful today, and developed international multi-site research projects, all of which brought together diverse sets of individuals to work together and collaborate. This is what we need to do as members of the Planning Board.

(2) I have always gravitated toward finding ways to aid people more vulnerable than myself and have consistently shown empathy toward their needs. As a Planning Board member, I spoke out against rezoning the South Lincoln station area without consideration of the people who live there, the establishment of a residential treatment home for borderline personality disorder that was being “sold” to us erroneously as an educational institution, and the Minuteman HS with its high tower I thought unnecessary and then its athletic field with lighting I thought excessive for the neighborhood. I also worked hard on the marijuana study committee to keep it out of Lincoln and away from our children, knowing the psychiatric consequences. Thus, I have a record of representing the residents of each neighborhood in any controversy that interferes with their well-being. Going forward, I will fight against expansion of Hanscom Field, changes in zoning that put any current Lincoln residents at risk of losing their homes and any other issue that arises.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Planning Board over the next three years, and if elected, how do you plan to address it?

My experience on the Planning Board so far is that you cannot predict what the next important issue will be. As of today, I believe that whether we can or want to comply with the State’s Housing Choice Act (HCA) is one of the biggest challenges the Planning Board will need to address. To comply would require changing the zoning of South Lincoln within ½ mile of the commuter rail station to permit multifamily housing development at a density of 15 units per acre for at least eight acres. This would only be 20% of what full compliance with the HCA would require in total.

It will be essential to quantify and address the potential impacts of HCA compliance in advance, making sure that the town fully understands its benefits and costs and what happens if we do not comply. I need to see carefully constructed plans for how this might look, and how it would impact town finances, public utilities, traffic, and commercial activity both positively and negatively. I want to keep in mind that open spaces, trails, and wildlife in Lincoln are irreplaceable treasures.

I believe strongly that the residents who are most vulnerable to zoning changes must not be placed in jeopardy of losing their homes. How could that happen? Once zoning allows for significantly higher density, then there is an increased incentive for owners of some of our town’s key, lower-density, affordably priced rental units to sell to developers who would make money by replacing them with higher-density condos (85% of which would be market rate). Ironically, the net result would be the displacement of our most economically diverse residents and a decrease in our affordable housing options.

Who are your three biggest heroes in American history and why?

Eleanor Roosevelt, Elizabeth Blackwell, and Dorothy Dix are the first three who come to mind —all strong women who spoke up loudly for what they believed in and became a voice for equal opportunities for women, minorities and the most vulnerable members of our society. They are my role models and heroes.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I was born in New York City and grew up in a small New Jersey town. I spent my childhood summers in overnight camp in rural Pennsylvania gaining an appreciation for the natural environment, open space and wildlife that would stay with me to the present. I graduated college with a major in zoology from the University of Wisconsin and medical school from The Medical College of Pennsylvania. Shortly afterwards, I spent time providing medical care to migrant chili farm workers in rural northern New Mexico and then became a psychiatrist by working at the only federally funded public psychiatric hospital in D.C., particularly because its mission was to serve the disadvantaged.

I was always challenging my mentors, wanting the evidence that didn’t exist at that time for the accepted practice of psychiatry. I became a fierce advocate for truth by gathering scientific data as a full-time researcher for several years at the National Institute of Mental Health in Bethesda. While doing that I raised two wonderful children, now well into adulthood and both strong advocates for social justice and environmental protection. Throughout my life I spoke out loudly for issues I believed in and diverted my efforts when there was need, such as by helping survivors of an earthquake in El Salvador, the 9/11 disaster in New York, and Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

My current day job is focused on working with mostly immigrant and disadvantaged communities in Cambridge/Somerville and individuals who need care for serious mental illness. My research is focused now on interventions that can reduce disparities that exist in the delivery of high-quality mental healthcare. Academically I mentor new generations who come after me.

I write all this above about me because it has relevance to how I serve on the Planning Board. I seek out the evidence from data supporting or refuting the issues as a scientist would. I focus on bringing people together in collaborative efforts and I have empathy for others in crises. Moreover, I have a deep desire to preserve land that is natural, with wide-open spaces, clear nighttime stars, fields of wildflowers, organic farms, and wildlife of all kinds roaming conservation land.

Hopefully this gives you some idea of who I am. I welcome your contacting me with issues that concern you and your neighborhood. If re-elected to the Planning Board, I will do my best to represent you. I can best be reached by email at lynn_delisi@hms.harvard.edu or delisi76@aol.com.

Mark Levinson

Mark Levinson

What made you decide to run for a seat on the Planning Board at this time?

Lincoln is facing a number of challenges that have the potential to greatly affect the future character of the town. The recently passed Massachusetts Housing Choice Act attempts to mandate much higher-density multifamily housing in Lincoln. For various reasons, this would apply not only to the Lincoln Station neighborhood but to other areas around town as well. I believe actions by the Planning Board can be a key factor in helping the town to navigate these challenges, while also promoting other goals, such as support for local businesses, diversity, affordable housing, and the environment.

What would you bring to the table in terms of specific professional and/or personal experiences?

I have lived near Lincoln Station for almost 25 years and have been active in issues affecting our neighborhood and the town. I have served as one of two neighborhood liaisons to the Planning Board and its South Lincoln Planning Advisory Committee (SLPAC). I have also been committed to environmental issues and volunteered for many years for the Sudbury Valley Trustees, a very active and successful land conservation organization.

As someone with both a scientific and business background, I know the value of thoroughly researching any proposed course of action to determine the likelihood of achieving its benefits as well as its potential downsides.

Since this is a contested seat, why should Lincolnites vote for you in particular? What past history or personal/political positions make you better qualified than one or more of the other candidates?

I believe I share the goals of many Lincolnites for our town: viability of local businesses, diversity, affordable housing, encouraging use of public transportation, and doing what we can to fight climate change while maintaining the rural character of the town. I also believe it’s very important to maintain a reasoned, fact-based approach to managing change where any new initiatives are evaluated for their likely real-world effects, both positive and negative.

If elected, I will represent the views and opinions of all Lincoln residents, not only those of my neighborhood. I will do my best to be open-minded, fiscally responsible, and always consider both sides of any issue.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Planning Board over the next three years, and if elected, how do you plan to address it?

The biggest issue is the Housing Choice Act and its potential to transform the character of the town through high-density housing. There are also major challenges from the proposed Hanscom Field expansion, and the proposed expansion at Lincoln Commons.

Who are your three biggest heroes in American history and why?

Abraham Lincoln — he was a modest, thoughtful man from humble origins who used his power as president for the benefit of the people, rather than himself and his associates. He doggedly persevered through the difficult and dispiriting trials of the Civil War, always keeping the end goal in mind.

Ruth Bader Ginsberg — she was a ground-breaking figure as the second woman justice of the Supreme Court. She used her prodigious intellect to further the causes of civil liberties and gender equality.

Rachel Carson — she was one of the founders of the modern environment movement. Her work spurred a transformation in public attitudes towards the environment, and led to the banning of many pesticides and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency, among others.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about you?

I grew up in the New York City area and first came to Boston as a freshman at MIT. After leaving MIT with a PhD, I spent two years doing physics research in Switzerland and then five years in the New York City area before returning to Boston. I worked for several startup companies and got an MBA working nights at BU. I’ve lived in Lincoln since 1998. My two adult sons graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and live in the Boston area.

Craig Nicholson

Craig Nicholson

What made you decide to run for a seat on the Planning Board at this time?

I have been actively engaged in planning in Lincoln for a number of years. Although my role has varied over the years, I have continually been interested in the work that the board does and found ways to stay involved, including my current service as a non-voting associate member of the Planning Board, as well as my prior role on SLPIC [the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee].

Although I have considered running in years past, I felt my commitment to the School Building Committee (SBC) and the time that entailed wouldn’t allow me to fully commit to the Planning Board. Now that our work on the SBC is winding down, and given my interest in the critical planning initiatives facing Lincoln both in the short term and long term, I made the decision to run. The timing is right, the challenges are there, and I see some really interesting opportunities ahead to put my skills in planning, collaboration, project management, and sustainability to work in a new and exciting way.  

What would you bring to the table in terms of specific professional and/or personal experiences?

On the personal side, I grew up in a small town on the South Shore. It was a town with a strong agricultural past, primarily based around cranberries, with a tremendous amount of open space — trails out the back door, very much like Lincoln. What drew me to Lincoln was being able to see that same experience that I had as a child available here for our children.

I spent the early part of my career as an environmental consultant, traveling all over the U.S. working on projects small and large. It was through these experiences where I started to really focus on how our built environment shapes our lived experience. This is what ultimately brought me to Tufts University, where I received my master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning.

My work with Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS) in the South End also served as a catalyst in my life. I see my experience with the Main Streets organization as a potential template for future resident and business engagement and participation in Lincoln. It was through WGMS where I gained experience working with a vast array of stakeholders including residents (of which I was one myself), retailers, restaurant owners, artists, landlords and developers to shape and implement the long-term planning vision aimed at creating a sustainable mix of housing, commercial and office uses within the neighborhood. We engaged in “leakage” studies in order to understand where residents were spending their money outside the community so that we could work with building owners to try to recruit those types of businesses to our community in order to keep that spending local. We would host community events to bring neighbors together in order to strengthen their community ties.

Lincoln is not Boston, I certainly understand that, but there are pieces from my experience that do overlap with some of the challenges that we are encountering here. I currently spend my days managing renovations of hotel properties throughout the country. Much of this work includes a focus on sustainability and carbon emissions reductions. I am actively involved in benchmarking large properties in Boston to develop a roadmap for our clients towards net zero emissions, and I am often called upon to support our clients in fulfilling their ESG [environmental, social, and governance] goals.

Here in Lincoln, I point to my experience on SLPIC and the SBC as highly influential in my growth and understanding of how to engage our community and build consensus from the ground up. My experience serving on various committees and organizations in town has provided me with opportunities to engage with residents from all over Lincoln in deep and meaningful ways. I don’t take that for granted, and if elected to the Planning Board will relish the opportunity to engage more deeply with our community as we collectively plot our path forward.

Since this is a contested seat, why should Lincolnites vote for you in particular? What past history or personal/political positions make you better qualified than one or more of the other candidates?

The diversity of my professional experiences (noted above), coupled with my previous community engagement in Lincoln, differentiates me from other candidates in the race. I know each of us brings a passion to planning, but I hope that my desire to involve and truly listen to the breadth of voices in our community to build a comprehensive, inclusive planning agenda for the future will set me apart on Election Day.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the Planning Board over the next three years, and if elected, how do you plan to address it?

I struggle with this question as —depending on who you are, where you live, what your past or current experiences are — your biggest issue may not even be on the radar screen of someone else in town, perhaps not even your immediate neighbor. For instance, members of our town are currently faced with the Housing Choice Act, the proposed Hanscom expansion, affordability, and transportation challenges. In my mind, the single biggest issue is how the Planning Board balances all of these various matters. Addressing this needed balance will involve a multi-faceted approach that requires extensive communication, education, and outreach. Many of these issues cannot be adequately addressed around a conference table at the Planning Department — it will require Planning Board members to get out there in the community working with residents where they are.

Who are your three biggest heroes in American history and why?

It’s very difficult for me to select three individuals as my biggest heroes in America, given some of my personal and professional experiences. When I read this question, my initial thought was of first responders — anyone who rushes into a dangerous situation putting themselves at risk to help others. This stems from my own experience working on environmental cleanup at Ground Zero in 2001 and crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon just ten minutes before the bombs went off in 2013.

I considered other individuals, but kept returning to yet another profession: educators. When I reflect on my childhood, there are several teachers who stand out as truly shaping who I am today. Every one of us likely has those individuals in our personal histories. And when I consider the challenges our country faces today, one of the most significant is faced by educators… yet despite what they endured through the pandemic and what they continue to endure with violence, limited resources, and so many more obstacles, teachers keep showing up for their students (including my own children) and inspiring them.

The Lincoln PTO will host a forum featuring the candidates for the two contested races on the March 27 town election ballot on Tuesday, March 21 from 7–9 p.m.  in the Lincoln School Learning Commons. The event will also be live-streamed on Zoom and posted afterwards on the town’s video webpage.

Four candidates — Peter Buchthal, incumbent Adam Hogue, Jacob Lehrhoff, and Matina Madrick — are vying for two seats on the School Committee. On the Planning Board, there are two openings and three candidates: incumbent Lynn DeLisi, Mark Levinson, and Craig Nicholson. (DeLisi has said she will not be able to attend the forum due to a family commitment.)

The event is intended not as a debate but as an information session and meet-and-greet whereby voters can get acquainted with candidates and their views. At the forum, moderators will pose questions to candidates from cards submitted by audience members. Attendees will get question sheets and pencils when they arrive, and they’re asked to pose questions that apply to all candidates in a race and not individual candidates. 

During the week of March 13, the Lincoln Squirrel will publish two sets of mini-profiles of the candidates. The full election slate is available here.