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

government

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.

Minuteman vote on Tuesday

mm1A special election to vote on funding for a new Minuteman High School will take place in Lincoln and the other 15 towns in the Minuteman High School district on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Polls will be open in the Smith School from noon to 8 p.m. and voting will be conducted alphabetically by last name using a single ballot box.

The election is the culmination of a long process to get approval from district towns for a $145 million school building on Lincoln land adjacent to the current building, which is just over the town line in Lexington. A majority of the votes cast throughout the entire district will determine the outcome.

Lincoln is one of six towns that opted to withdraw from the Minuteman district, but that withdrawal does not become effective until July 2017. However, the withdrawal also means that Lincoln will not be responsible for a share of the capital costs for the building as current members towns are. Thus, there are no direct financial consequences for Lincoln.

If the district-wide vote fails, Minuteman will lose a promised $44 million state grant, and member towns will have to pay $100 million for repairs to the existing building. In November of 2012, the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) placed Minuteman’s accreditation on “warning” status due to the building’s condition.

State law allows regional vocational school districts to secure local bonding approval either through their local Town Meetings or by a district-wide referendum. Minuteman initially tried the Town Meeting route but was unable to secure approval from one member town. Belmont’s Town Meeting voted against bonding for the project on May 4.

Earlier articles:

State grant will help town look at options for street safety

massdotLincoln residents can learn and offer ideas on how the town can best use a Complete Streets state grant at several public forums starting on October 19.

The Complete Streets program provides funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that support projects providing safe and accessible transportation options for all travel modes—including walking, biking, transit and motor vehicles—for people of all ages and abilities. The goal is to improve the livability of communities by designing streets that contribute toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments.

The town applied for a $50,000 grant last spring, before a series of bicycle/vehicle accidents resulted in two deaths over the summer. Wayland cyclist Eugene Thornberg was fatally struck by a vehicle on Route 126 just south of Hillside Road on June 16, and Westford cyclist Mark Himelfarb, 59, was killed in an August 17 accident on Virginia Road about 200 feet north of intersection with Old Bedford Road.

A third accident on August 19 occurred when a vehicle struck and injured a 30-year-old Somerville bicyclist whose name was not released by police. The accident happened on Route 117 near the entrance to the Mt. Misery hiking area when a vehicle allegedly crossed the white line on the right-hand side of the road and struck the bicyclist going in the same direction. Alexandros Kontsas, 48, of Lynn was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating with a suspended license. He was also issued civil citations for failure to stay within marked lanes and improper passing. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal complaints in Concord District Court on October 6.

The two fatal accidents are still under investigation by various agencies, and official determinations of the causes of the accidents may not be released for several months.

Residents have also voiced concern in the past few years about overall roadway safety and congestion. Late last year, selectmen approved a new stop sign configuration at Five Corners next to the library at the recommendation of the Roadway and Traffic Committee.

“There has been a tremendous increase in both cars and bicycles,” Selectman Peter Braun observed at Monday’s Board of Selectman meeting. At that meeting, resident Edward Morgan asked the board to appoint a committee on bicycle safety “to see what actions can be taken to improve safety in a cost-effective and reasonable way.”

“This is a regional issue, not just a Lincoln issue,” Selectman Renel Fredriksen said. “I would like to talk to other communities and see what their needs are and what they’re thinking.”

Planning for Complete Streets projects

Lincoln learned earlier this year that it had received the Complete Streets grant, which will pay for a study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. The town may also apply to have construction work funded by a separate grant (the maximum available is $400,000). Residents can learn more and make suggestions at any of the following forums:

  • Wednesday, Oct. 19 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Learn about the Complete Streets program and the type of projects that can be funded. Residents are invited to bring their ideas, participate in a panel discussion and take part in a breakout working session.
  • Saturday, Nov. 12 — Brief presentation at the State of the Town meeting
  • Wednesday, Dec. 7 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Presentation and discussion of the summary of ideas and recommended project list as a result of public forum in October
  • January/February 2017 — Presentation of prioritization project list to the Board of Selectmen

The town is eligible to apply for a separate Complete Streets grant of up to $400,000 for construction of whatever project(s) it decides to pursue. The list of potential projects will probably include some that are not eligible for funding under the Complete Streets program, however.

“I think we’re going to open up some eyes in town that if there is a real desire to make progress in a way that we’re hearing anecdotally from town, it’s going to be an expensive proposition,” Town Administrator said. “We’re going to have to step up as a community and think about public funds in that process also.”

News acorns

Session on town’s hazard mitigation plan

acorn

The Lincoln Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes and blizzards. The Board of Selectmen is hosting a public meeting to provide an overview of the plan and an opportunity for questions and public input on Monday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room. For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at 617-933-0747 or mpillsbury@mapc.org, or Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney at 781-259-2684 or burneyj@lincolntown.org.

Garden Club offers yoga and event for prospective members

The Lincoln Garden Club will host an informational coffee for prospective members on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. All Lincoln residents are invited. If interested, RSVP for the coffee’s lcoation to 781-259-0841 or 781-259-0276 or email membership@lincolngardenclub.org.

Melinda Bruno-Smith, certified hatha yoga instructor and Lincoln Garden Club member, will lead yoga sessions in the Station Park Garden (160 Lincoln Road, across from the train station) on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9-10 a.m. A $5 donation is suggested; bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to practice on and wear loose clothing. Lincoln Garden Club volunteers created and maintain the garden, which includes a native plant bed designed by the New England Wildflower Society and installed with help from horticulture students from Minuteman High School. For further information about the yoga classes, email Melinda Bruno-Smith at melindabruno@hotmail.com.

Horse show in Lincoln

The Old North Bridge Pony Club will hold its annual horse show in the Browning Field Riding Ring (Weston Road near Conant Road) on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for entries is September 21. The schooling show will award numerous ribbons and trophies. Proceeds will benefit the Browning Field Riding Ring. For more information, see the club’s website or email vlochiatto@verizon.net.

Preschool open house

Lincoln Country Day Preschool is hosting a Fall Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Our students range from 2.9 years of age in September through 5-6 years of age for pre-K. Parents and  their children are invited to take a tour of the school, play in our Threes, Fours and Pre-K classrooms, and make a souvenir project to take home. Please RSVP to 781-259-8607.  Lincoln Country Day is located at 147 Concord Rd. in St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church.