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

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State of the Town promises plenty of discussion

stateofthetown-croppedResidents will have an opportunity to lean about and discuss several front-and-center Lincoln issues at the State of the Town meeting on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Brooks auditorium. Agenda items will be:

  • A status report on Ballfield Road campus planning efforts, incorporating information presented at the Campus Mater Planning Committee forum on October 17.
  • A general discussion of medical marijuana distribution and cultivation. There is no specific proposal on the table, but town officials have had informal talks (though not recently) with New England Wellspring, which is looking into locating facilities in one or more towns including Lincoln.
  • A preview of contemplated zoning bylaw amendments.
  • A discussion on the merits of installing solar power collection equipment at the closed Lincoln landfill adjacent to the transfer station.
  • A status report on Minuteman Regional High School’s proposed new building project.
  • A segment devoted to open discussion.

The morning will also include a very brief Special Town Meeting to vote on a proposed bylaw amendment that would ensure that Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting always occurs in advance of its Annual Town Election.

The Lincoln Squirrel will have more information on some of these topics in the coming weeks.

Letter to the editor: keep supporting “We the People Act”

letter

To the editor:

The legislative bill H3127 (“An Act for a U.S. Constitutional Amendment and Amendments Convention”), which was endorsed by overwhelming vote at Lincoln’s Town Meeting earlier this year, will have its legislative committee hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 28 before the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs. The hearing will begin at 1:30 p.m. in State House hearing room A2.

The “We the People Act” calls on the Massachusetts Legislature to support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution saying that the rights it protects are those of natural persons only—not corporations or other artificial entities—and that political contributions and expenditures are not protected free speech and can be limited by Congress and the states. Furthermore, if the US Congress fails to propose an amendment, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is on record for requesting an Article V constitutional convention for the purpose of proposing such an amendment.

Its passage will make Massachusetts the fifth state to request an Article V convention with the goal of limiting corporate political power and big money politics. Lincoln residents may wish to contact State Sen. Michael Barrett and State Rep. Tom Stanley to reiterate their support for this bill.

It’s not often that voters actually see progress in bills they have supported, but this is one of those rare times that progress is actually being made in front of our very eyes.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis (chair, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee)
20R Indian Camp Lane

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

No major obstacles to putting community center on campus, consultant says

A map showing which parts of the campus were built at different times (click to enlarge).

By Alice Waugh

If a community center is built on the Hartwell campus, more parking will be needed, but creating a new entrance from Lincoln Road on the south side of the site probably won’t be necessary, according to an interim report by the Campus Master Planning Committee consultants.

Because both a school project and a community center are being contemplated on the Ballfield Road campus, the CMPC was formed to study the basic infrastructure and physical layout of the campus and assess the capacity of the existing infrastructure (buildings, roadways, septic systems, etc.) to support future uses. [Read more…] about No major obstacles to putting community center on campus, consultant says

Letter to the editor: attend campus master plan forum

letter

To the editor:

This letter is urge all to come to the first forum hosted by the Campus Master Planning Committee on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7-9 p.m. in the Brooks Gym.

Lincoln is about to engage as a whole in crafting a new, big idea. There is an opportunity to create a legacy project that will serve now and for generations to come. This is the type of project that Lincoln has been famous for—big-picture, holistic thinking, and making large, long-term investments.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: attend campus master plan forum

News acorns

acornObserve and record nature on Oct. 14 at deCordova

Join Tom Gumbart, director of the Lincoln Conservation Department, in “Drawing on Nature,” a day-long observation of local flora and fauna from the deCordova Museum’s Rappaport Roof Terrace on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.,. Observe nature and record sightings through drawing, painting, poetry, photography, or data charts. Gumbart’s expertise on nature and local history provides opportunity for close observation and learning. Paper, drawing utensils, and binoculars are provided, but participants are encouraged to bring tools and materials of their choice for viewing and recording.

Corrections and an addition

In an Oct. 8 News Acorn about the upcoming Open Studio artists’ reception, the incorrect name and phone number were given. The person to contact for more information is Ruth Ann Hendrickson at 781-259-1551.

In the October 11 News Acorns item about the Lincoln Family Association’s Halloween activities, three names were given to contact for further information, when in fact the only person who should have been listed was Laura Taylor.

Next HATS meeting is Oct. 22

Hanscom Air Force Base Installation Commander Col. Michael Vogel will speak at the next HATS meeting (Hanscom Area Towns Committee) on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building. Also on the agenda: updates on the Route 2 projects involving Crosby’s Corner and the bridge over I-95.

Piano recital by Rhapsody in Bemis Hall

On Sunday, Oct. 25, members of a group of amateur pianists known as Rhapsody will present a piano recital at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The performance is free and open to the public, and all are welcome to attend. Featured on the program will be selections from Bartok, Brahms, Beethoven, Chopin, Handel, Liszt, Schubert and Schumann played on one of the finest Steinways in the Boston area. Rhapsody was formed in 2003 by visionary amateur pianists including Lincoln resident Ken Hurd who sought a venue in which to perform for each other, both to grow musically and to share their musical journey with others.  It has since grown to 18 people from the Boston metropolitan area, and members have met continuously every month for 12 years. This will be their sixth public performance on the beautifully restored Steinway at Bemis Hall.

Lincoln Democrats attend state convention

democrat_donkey_logoBy Gary Davis

Delegates from the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee (LDTC) attended the September 19 Massachusetts Democratic “Action Agenda” Convention in Springfield, which focused on key progressive issues such as income inequality and opportunity, voting rights, women’s rights, the contribution of unions, the Massachusetts progressive legacy, organizing for the grassroots success, and the 2016 presidential campaign.

The LDTC delegation was energized by the range of progressive issues highlighted during the convention and studied more in depth at the break-out sessions for subjects including voting rights, income inequality, and grassroots organizing strategies. The convention delegation elected by the LDTC consisted of Sharon Antia, Graham Atkin, Peter Georgiou, Mari Haass, Peter Pease, John Santa, Brigid Sheehan, Barbara Slayter and Gary Davis.

The enthusiastic convention crowd was treated to stirring speeches by U.S. Sens. Markey and Warren and new Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey. Each of them addressed the convention theme that, given the growth of the economy over the past several years, working-class income has remained stagnant. Sen. Markey reminded delegates of our legacy as national leaders and challenged delegates that we have more work to do. Sen. Warren enthusiastically spoke of core values, encouraged delegates to fight for those values, and chided Republican candidates for their recent threats to shut down the government as had been so disastrous in 2013.

The 2016 Democratic presidential candidates were represented by some well-known surrogates since the candidates were busy campaigning in New Hampshire. Former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean’s inspirational comments described Hillary Clinton as the most qualified candidate with the most thorough grasp of both domestic and foreign policy. National Nurses United Co-president Karen Higgins referred to the growing national support of Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders’ populist message. Boston City Councilor Matt O’Malley spoke of the accomplishments of another candidate, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley (apparently no relation). Each speaker was reinforced by their candidate’s enthusiastic supporters.

The convention approved several resolutions including support for a fair carbon pricing legislative bill—“An Act Combating Climate Change” developed by Lincoln’s state Sen. Michael Barrett. Another resolution supported the “We The People Act” to overturn the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision as endorsed last spring by Lincoln residents at Town Meeting.

The convention also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act while denouncing trends in conservative states aimed at suppressing voting, particularly for minorities and students.

Topics covered in the convention will be presented by the delegates at an LDTC meeting open to the public on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in Bemis Hall.

Gary Davis is the chair of the Democratic Town Committee.

News acorns

farringtonFarrington Nature Linc offers family events
  • Farrington Nature Linc will host a Fall Family Hike on Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon. The hike will feature family games in the woods and a chance to test out your stick-building skills.
  • At Fall Fun Day on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1-4 p.m., visitors can paint their own pumpkins, make and taste test fresh apple sauce, and hike amid the fall colors. The first 10 registered families get a free pumpkin (more pumpkins will be available for sale).
  • Start your Thanksgiving celebrations with activities to improve your night vision and a moonlit night hike on Farrington NatureLinc’s Full Moon Night Hike on Wednesday, Nov. 25 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

The suggested donation for all of these events is$5 per person. Click here for directions to Farrington Nature Linc.

Hydrant flushing next week

As part of its water quality and distribution maintenance program, the Lincoln Water Department will start its Annual Flushing Program on Monday, Sept. 28. Water mains will be flushed between 8:30 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and will continue for three to four weeks. Residents may experience discoloration of the water as the system is flushed and should avoid using washing machines and dishwashers during daytime hours. If the water in your home becomes discolored, please run an outside tap to remove any accumulated sediment from the service. For more information on the flushing program, please call the Water Department at 781-259-8997 or 781-259-1329 (open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.). As in the past, the Water Department appreciates the cooperation and patience of Lincoln residents.

Lincolnites in the news
  • Lincoln resident and composer Patrick Greene was featured in a September 21 New York Times review of a performance in a Brooklyn church of his 2013 composition for organ, Steel Symphony. Each movement is based on a sculpture at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, including the mound of steel cylinders titled Lincoln.
  • The Old Sudbury Road horsies were featured for the second time in the Boston Globe on September 21. The equine herd expanded by about a dozen members after the first article appeared on the front page of the Globe (complete with a video and photo gallery) on September 4.
Build your own scarecrow

Welcome autumn and have fun making your own unique scarecrow on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 1-4 p.m.  and Saturday, Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Stonegate Gardens (339 South Great Road, Lincoln). For $15, Stonegate provides hay, twine, markers, stakes, and instructions. You provide a pillowcase for the head, old clothing, and accessories. Lincoln School students can display their scarecrows on campus until November 1 or take them home.

Meetings on affordable housing, Hanscom coming up

The Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) will host several officials who will speak about plans and activities to maintain and enhance the Hanscom Air Force Base on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Town Hall.

Chris Willenborg, the recently appointed executive director of the Massachusetts governor’s Military Asset and Security Strategy Task Force, will discuss the task force’s plans and activities. He will be joined by MassDevelopment’s expert on military installations, Senior Vice President Anne Marie Dowd. Adam Freudberg, senior advisor to the chief technology officer at the base (and former executive director of the task force) will discuss efforts to enhance the base’s collaboration and innovation activities.

The public is welcome to attend all HATS meetings, which may also be viewed live or several days after the fact on Lincoln public access media via lincolntv.pegstream.com, Verizon channel 33, or Comcast channel 8, or viewed several days later by going to lincolntv.pegcentral.com.

HATS is an alliance between the Selectmen and other officials of Lincoln, Concord, Lexington, and Bedford, focusing on Hanscom Air Force Base, Hanscom Air Field, regional transportation, and other regional matters.

Affordable housing forum

Come learn about what the Lincoln Housing Coalition has been working on in the recent past and the current state of the town’s affordable housing stock at a forum on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 1-3 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room.

Attendees can hear and discuss plans for the future, learn what the state requires in order to allow accessory apartments to be counted in the town’s affordable housing inventory, discuss the benefits and the costs of pursuing this option, and weigh in on what can or should be done about the growing number of elderly who can no longer afford to live here (see this letter to the editor from Lincoln Housing Commission member Sharon Antia).

The Lincoln Housing Coalition is a collaboration of the town’s Housing Commission, Affordable Housing Trust, and the Lincoln Foundation. Housing applications are available by calling Elaine Carroll at 781-259-2613 or clicking here.