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

government

Letter to the editor: Rep. Stanley asks for voter support

letter

To the editor:

Serving as your state representative on Beacon Hill is an incredible honor and privilege. Working to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our community, seeing the results of this effort and the positive impact this work has had on so many people is amazing. But our work is not done. I have more to contribute to make Lincoln and Waltham even better.

Throughout my tenure in the legislature, I have prioritized supporting programs and policies that improve our lives and strengthen our community. As a member of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, I have helped deliver millions of dollars of local aid, road repair and public education funding. Also through the state budget process, I have directed thousands—and in some cases, millions—of dollars in funding through amendments supporting such programs as Fragile Beginnings for premature babies, domestic violence and shelter support services, and the education of the children of retired military at Hanscom Field among others.

Over my years of service, I have been proud to work with our state delegation and local officials for the district’s best interest. Together, we have:

  • Earmarked $2 million for a new visitor center at Walden Pond in the Environmental Bond Bill (2014)
  • Fought with federal, state and local officials in the BRACC [Base Realignment and Closure Commission] process to keep Hanscom open
  • Fought the expansion of commercial aviation at Hanscom Field
  • Created a new budget line item to fund municipal school transportation for homeless children
  • Passed legislation to protect open space in the western Greenway
  • Transferred control of the Fernald property to Waltham preventing its overdevelopment
  • Earmarked millions in a bond bill for the proposed UMass Urban Center for Sustainability
  • Advocated and arranged meetings for public school building funding assistance for Lincoln
  • Helped secure $350,000 for invasive aquatic species removal in the Charles River and other watersheds with an amendment to the fiscal year 2017 budget
  • Increased funding for Council on Aging servicing our seniors

The most rewarding part of the job is assisting the hundreds of people who have contacted me through the years with their personal or family struggles. And most recently, it has been an honor to work with you all as we struggle to tangle our state’s fight against addiction and the stigma that comes with it.

Lincoln and Waltham need an experienced and effective state representative that has demonstrated leadership and accomplishment at the state and local level. In this year’s election, I ask for your support and vote so that we can continue to move forward and build stronger and safer communities for everyone.  Please visit my website at www.tomstanley.org to learn more about me and read an important letter from the Lincoln Board of Selectmen and School Committee.

Sincerely,

Rep. Thomas M. Stanley
9th District–Middlesex

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Complete Streets survey input sought

Residents are invited to participate in a survey about the upcoming Complete Streets study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. Click here for more information or see the Lincoln Squirrel (September 14, 2016). The topic will also be discussed at the State of the Town on Saturday, Nov. 12. Click here to take the survey.

Early voting now going on

Early voting, introduced in Massachusetts with this election, will be available in the Town Clerk’s Office (16 Lincoln Rd.) through Friday, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Hours for voting are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (and until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Forum on agriculture and conservation projects

“New Projects: The Lincoln Way” on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall will feature presentations by Pete Lowy of Codman Community Farm; J. Harrison of The Food Project; and Jane Gruba-Chevalier, Robin Wilkerson and Anna Wilkins of People for Pollinators. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Garden Club and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT).

Job fair for Hanscom civilian positions

Come learn about opportunities to work as a civilian for Hanscom Air Force Base at a combination information session and job fair on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 3-7 p.m. at Minuteman High School (758 Marrett Rd., Lexington). Meet Hanscom’s top management to discuss their  opportunities relative to your skills and experience. There will be Information sessions at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the event hosted by the state Department of Career Services and Employment and Training Resources in partnership with Minuteman High School. Military personnel will also be available to discuss opportunities including Officer Candidate School, the National Guard and enlisted service. Preregistration required; call 508-478-4300 ext. 113 or or  508-766-5720.

‘The Sweet Hereafter’ to be shown

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen The Sweet Hereafter (1997, 112 minutes, rated R) on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The movie tells the story of a small community torn apart by a tragic accident which kills most of the town’s children. A lawyer visits the victims’ parents in order to profit from the tragedy by stirring up the their anger and launching a class-action suit against anyone they can blame. One young girl, left in a wheelchair after the accident, who finds the courage to lead the way toward healing.

Rutter’s ‘Requiem,’ prayer vigil at St. Anne’s

stanneschoir_requiem

Members of St. Anne’s Choir sing a requiem to honor those who have passed away.

St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church will celebrate All Saints’ Day on Sunday, Nov. 6 with John Rutter’s ethereal and moving Requiem, accompanied by harp, flute, oboe, percussion and organ, together with special anthems for the day by Bullock, Harris and Lassus. This service of remembrance will be led by guest preacher Brother Nicolas Bartoli, SSJE, a member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal monastic community in Cambridge. All are welcome.

Starting immediately after that service, St. Anne’s will host a 48-hour prayer vigil leading up to the presidential election on November 8 in conjunction with other Episcopal services throughout the state. Click here for the schedule from November 6-8.

Letter to the editor: Tully seeks votes in 9th District

letter

Editor’s note: Tully is running an an independent against incumbent Rep Thomas Stanley (D).

To the editor:

My name is Stacey Gallagher Tully, candidate for state representative in the 9th Middlesex District, and I humbly ask for your vote on November 8th. I am running on a platform of ideas that will bring fresh thinking, positive energy and proven leadership to Beacon Hill on behalf of all constituents in Lincoln and Waltham.

My leadership style has always been and will continue to be one of collaboration. I want to be a strong advocate for you, the people of the 9th District, and I would be honored to earn your vote so that I can work together with you to help make our community an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

I have a proven track record of being a strong voice and advocate for the people of Lincoln and Waltham. As a teacher, I am involved with instructing people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures. My philosophy as a teacher is to listen to the students so that my classroom experience brings out the best in them. As your state representative, I will listen to you, the constituents of the 9th District, in the same manner to ensure your voice is heard in the process. We will work collaboratively to come up with innovative public policies that will make our community stronger and more vibrant for all residents.

Over the past few months, I have had the honor of campaigning for your vote. As I have discussed with many of you in your homes and around the community, I am running on a platform that will support our public education system; improve our crumbling infrastructure; protect our veterans and active-duty personnel; support our seniors; and work in a bipartisan fashion to support our community’s fight against addiction. With your vote, we can work together to solve these important issues.

On a personal note, I am a strong family woman, wife and mother, and a firm believer in being a leader and promoter of good will. I have been and will always be accessible, approachable and visible in the community. As your state representative, I will bring these qualities and more to ensure that I am accessible to you at all times.

Your vote is a valuable tool in our American democracy and something I will honor each day as your representative. Please vote Stacey Gallagher Tully for State Representative on November 8th.

Sincerely,

Stacey Gallagher Tully
85 Lincoln St., Waltham

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Letters to the editor on both sides of charter school question

letter

Vote “yes” on Question 2

To the editor:

As an educator, parent and student, I do not approve of decisions regarding education that are based entirely on (at times erroneously understood) monetary reasons. I would ask that citizens not blindly follow the “no” vote recommended by school committee.

For those educators whose mission in life is that there be a place for every child to learn and succeed, we have seen charter schools save the intellectual and emotional lives of many learners, as well as raise the standard of education in existing public schools.

It has been my experience as a parent and teacher in three states that charter schools can vastly increase chances of a superior education for all kinds of learners. The only detriment to the existing public school that I have seen over the course of 23 years is, at times, that the best and the brightest students often leave their existing public school for what can often be a more diverse and rigorous academic life in a charter, once parents realize the astonishing breadth, depth, and range of knowledge to which a charter school is committing its students.

Charter schools are different from each other and not easy to compare, just as a current public school in an affluent community is quite different from an urban school in a financially poor area. For this reason, rather than make generalizations about all schools, I would urge voters to educate themselves thoroughly on this issue as Ted Charrette has suggested. Please take the time to fully understand why an award winning teacher like Ted is bringing this to your attention.

I cannot say I have ever won an award for teaching, but the well-being and integrity of our American school system and the future of your children is a subject about which I am passionate. Vote “yes” to ensure we put the academic and personal growth of every student in Massachusetts ahead of any other concern. And because it is time to begin making decisions from a place of courage rather than fear.

Sincerely,

Isabella Nebel
1 Millstone Lane

Vote “no” on Question 2

To the editor:

I am no fan of the “Common Core” curriculum, and feel that we have yet to develop adequate reforms to ensure our schools remain competitive and beneficial, especially for students who are less privileged (by virtue of economics, race, native language, etc).

That being said, I agree with the School Committee’s letter to the editor in the Lincoln Squirrel: Question #2, if passed, would pull money away from our public schools and there would be a worrisome lack of accountability for the use of that money. This is deeply concerning.

As I see it, Question #2, even though well-intended, is not a recipe for reform but an abandonment of our responsibility to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity for a good education—so I will be voting “no” on Question #2.

Sincerely,

Allen Vander Meulen III
30 Beaver Pond Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Letter to the editor: Newspapers all over U.S. agree on Hillary

letter

To the editor:

Hillary Clinton is the only responsible choice to elect as our next President.

As a Lincoln resident, when I look at my two beautiful young granddaughters, I think it’s not just gender opportunity. As the Cincinnati Enquirer says, “…it’s the need to elect a leader who will bring out the best in all Americans, not the worst.”

We’re not surprised that the Washington Post would endorse Secretary Clinton for President. They remind us that she is well qualified and well prepared. They further underscore that the negative feelings and bitter partisanship exist mostly because of the dishonest and groundless attacks to which she has been subjected for decades.  They close their endorsement saying that anyone voting for her now will look back in four years with pride in that decision.

Likewise, the New York Times says in their endorsement that the best case for Secretary Clinton is not that she isn’t Donald Trump, it’s that she has the capacity to rise to the challenges this country faces. Americans deserve a grown-up president. A lifetime’s commitment to solving problems in the real world qualifies Hillary Clinton for this job.

Never before has any candidate been endorsed by so many newspapers and editorial boards across the country. So far, over 80 major newspapers have endorsed Secretary Clinton, while Trump has just one (printed, by the way), with no narrative rationale.

Other than the Washington Post or the New York Times, what do editorial staffs in other parts of the country have to say? Here are just a few of many examples.

  • The Denver Post: “Democrat Hillary Clinton, the first woman ever to win a major party nomination is without question the most qualified candidate in the race for president and an easy call to make when considering the challenges confronting the nation.”
  • The Arizona Republic: “This year is different. The 2016 Republican candidate is not qualified. That’s why, for the first time in our history, The Arizona Republic will support a Democrat [Hillary Clinton] for president.”
  • The Dallas Morning News: “There is only one serious candidate on the presidential ballot in November. We recommend Hillary Clinton.”
  • The Orlando Sentinel: “Democrat Hillary Clinton is well qualified to be president.  Republican Donald Trump is not.”
  • The Birmingham (Alabama) News: “We’ve watched Clinton weather every challenge and every groundless and politically driven attack that’s faced her over the last 30 years. Unlike Donald Trump’s meltdowns, Clinton has consistently remained presidential, strong and poised in her response and demeanor.”
  • Finally, The Olympian in Olympia, Wash., says, “There is no better choice than Hillary Rodham Clinton for president of the United States in 2016. This election needs to be over. Our country needs Hillary Clinton. It’s time.”

Sincerely,

Gary Davis
Co-Chair, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Town announces early voting, State of the Town agenda

ballotThe town of Lincoln now offers the opportunity for early voting at Town Hall from October 24 to November 4. Hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday (October 25 and 27, November 1 and 3) from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone with questions may call 781-259-2607 or email brookss@lincolntown.org.

The annual State of the Town meeting—a uniquely Lincoln tradition that provides the opportunity for residents to help shape the decisions of their elected and appointed representatives—will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The agenda will include:

  • A discussion of roadway and traffic planning
  • A preview of contemplated accessory apartment and agricultural bylaws
  • An update on the feasibility of installing solar panels at the landfill and other town-owned sites
  • An open forum during which attendees are welcome to ask questions or comment on any of the issues of the day

Some past Lincoln Squirrel stories on these issues:

Lincoln gets funding to help pay for Hanscom retirees’ students

schoolThe Board of Selectmen has formally thanked State Rep. Thomas Stanley in a September 13 letter for securing $100,000 for Lincoln to help offset the costs of educating the children of retired-military families living on Hanscom Air Force Base (HAFB) this year.

Gov. Charlie Baker originally vetoed the funding in the state’s fiscal 2017 budget, but Rep. Stanley successfully lobbied legislative leaders and restored the $100,000.

“The number of non-active, retiree families is projected to keep growing over time and will be unsustainable in the near future for Lincoln,” says the August issue of The Stanley Report, a monthly email newsletter produced by Stanley’s office.

HAFB has about 730 housing units, all within Lincoln’s municipal boundary, though the town cannot collect property taxes on that land, as explained in an FAQ published by the town. The federal government has an enrollment-based contract with Lincoln to educate K-8 children of active-duty Air Force and Defense Department employees living on the base.

About four years ago when the base housing was renovated, some retirees from active-duty military service began living there as well. However, the federal education contract with Lincoln does not cover their children, which now number about 30. Lincoln’s aggregate contract revenue has been sufficient to absorb the costs of the Hanscom retirees’ children in grades K-8 without additional money from the town, though costs would rise sharply if any of the students needed out-of-district special education services.

Going forward, however, the town will no longer be liable for any of those costs because the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education will include the Hanscom retirees’ children in the enrollment figure that determines yearly state aid to schools.

“We were quite surprised and pleased about that,” Selectman Peter Braun said.

The town of Bedford has also receives subsidies from both the federal and state governments to educate children of active-duty personnel in grades 9-12 at Bedford High School, partly because of a deal in the 1950s whereby Bedford agreed to educate those children in perpetuity in exchange for a federal grant to build the original high school.

However, high-school children of retirees are another matter. The first retiree-family high school student emerged two years ago, and there were three more each in 2015-16 and 2016-17. Because the students live in the town of Lincoln, Bedford argued that they should enroll at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, while Lincoln argued they should be able to go to the same high school as their Hanscom Middle School classmates. Lincoln eventually agreed to pay Bedford about $17,000 per student to allow them to enroll at Bedford High. But Bedford has said it will not allow any more retirees’ children at its high school after this year.

Bedford Superintendent Schools Jon Sills did not returns calls on Friday and Tuesday.

News acorns

ballot

Election worker training offered

A training for those wishing to serve as election workers in the 2016 Presidential Election will be offered on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in the Donaldson Room at Town Hall from 7-9 p.m. Please call the Town Clerk’s Office at 781-259-2607 to pre-register; space is limited.

‘My Beautiful Laundrette’ screening

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents My Beautiful Laundrette (1985, rated R) on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room. Directed by Stephen Fears, My Beautiful Laundrette is an uncommon love story that takes place between a youth South London Pakistani man (Gordon Warnecke) who decides to open an upscale laundromat to make his family proud, and his childhood friend, a skinhead (Daniel Day-Lewis) who volunteers to help make his dream a reality. The culture-class comedy is also a subversive work of social realism that addresses racism, homophobia and sociopolitical marginalization in Margaret Thatcher’s England. Refreshments will be served.

Open house for nursery school

Lincoln Nursery School, a cooperative preschool at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, will hold its annual Open House on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9-11 a.m. This is a relaxed opportunity for interested families to tour the studios and play areas as well as meet some of the current parents, teachers and director Nancy Fincke.

Upcoming public hearings in Lincoln

meetingPlanning Board

Public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27 to review an application for site plan review. The applicants, Lynette Jones and Ian Hunter, propose to construct an addition to their home at 6 Oakdale Lane.

Public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to review an application for site plan review. The applicant, Dr. Benjamin Warf, 15 Old Sudbury Road, proposes a renovation and addition to an existing home.

Public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11 to review an application for site plan review. The applicant, Jon Drew, 135 Weston Road, proposes to construct a new home.

Historic District Commission

Public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to consider the application of Codman Community Farms to renovate and install a new food handling room in Barn D at 58 Codman Road.

Public hearing at 7:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to consider the application of Catherine Rogers to replace wood gutters with another material at 16 Weston Road.

Board of Selectmen

The Board of Selectmen will conduct a public hearing on Monday, Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in response to a petition by National Grid to install and maintain approximately 545 feet more or less of 2 inch gas main in Old Lexington Road. This new gas main will run from an existing two-inch main in Lexington Road, northerly approximately 545 feet where it will service 17 Old Lexington Road. Plans are available for review in the Selectmen’s Office.

Lincoln Historical Commission

The Lincoln Historical Commission will hold a public hearing at 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 4 to consider the application of Theo Kindermans to demolish more than 25 percent of the roof structure at 5 Hawk Hill Road.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of the Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7:30 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

  • Sandy Bureau and Hannah and Jeff Sias, 109 Old Sudbury Road, for a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Benjamin and Cindy Warf, 15 Old Sudbury Road, to transfer and renew an existing special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Jason and Jessica Packineau, 148 Lincoln Road, for a special permit to extend the existing front porch and create a screened in porch.

State legislators Barrett, Stanley to speak at Lincoln forum

State Sen. Michael Barrett and State Rep. Thomas Stanley will speak at a forum sponsored by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee for Democratic candidates in Lincoln on Saturday, Sept. 24 at Bemis Hall. Both are running for re-election on November 8.

Because they represent different constituencies and districts, they will speak separately. Barrett will speak from 9-9:50 a.m. and Stanley will speak from 10:10-11 a.m. Refreshments will be served starting at 8:30 a.m. Each will speak about the work they have completed for their districts, their understanding of key issues and the goals they would hope to accomplish in their upcoming term if elected. They will also take questions from the audience.

Barrett represents the Third Middlesex District consisting of Bedford, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Sudbury and Weston. Representative Stanley represents the Ninth Middlesex District consisting of Lincoln and several wards in Precinct 1 of Waltham.