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Letter to the editor: Town Meeting matters

letterTo the editor:

This coming Saturday, March 29, we will come together to discuss and vote on issues that matter to the future of our town. Town Meeting matters, as these votes decide how we will spend our money and what zoning we will enact to manage change over the coming years. By giving direction to town board and committees, the voters are the ones who have the final say. It is the voters who are ultimately responsible for how our town will proceed on all fronts.

This Town Meeting will take up some very important matters that go beyond the seemingly more pedestrian issues of straightforward annual budgets, the purchase of new police vehicles, or the adjustment of building height calculations. We will have an opportunity to engage in debate that could result in an outcome that reflects the best of Lincoln’s collaborative innovation.

Early in the day, a critical portion of Town Meeting will pick up where we left off at the State of the Town meeting last fall. Two articles hold potential for further developing a pathway suggested at that fall meeting. But the path is filled with potholes that could prevent a positive and creative outcome.

At State of the Town, we had a remarkable coming together of generations—School Committee members, Council on Aging (COA) representatives, Parks and Recreation, and citizens—singing the praise of bringing together, on one campus, programs to serve all ages. There we heard great support for what might become a Lincoln community campus.

To facilitate the creation of the unified campus concept celebrated at the State of the Town, the challenge will be to find a way to discuss the two separate components of this scheme at the same time.

The two components are a School Committee-sponsored article (Article 11) and a Board of Selectmen request of the Capital Planning Committee (one line item of Article 9). Article 11 asks for up to $250,000 to study a range of options for a school building project. Article 9 will ask for (among other items) up to $75,000 to study a variety of sites for programs for the COA and Parks and Recreation, as recommended by the Community Center Feasibility Study report.

At State of the Town, the Community Center Feasibility Committee (CCFC) presented the results of their analysis of programmatic needs and potential sites to deliver programs. Many of the sites are those also mentioned in the Selectmen’s list for further review. The CCFC preliminary analysis found that:

  1. Bemis Hall has both space limitations and safety concerns that cannot be solved in a way that addresses long-term needs.
  2. Pierce House was also determined to have serious space constraints, and any relocation to Pierce House would displace the uses currently enjoyed by citizens and many community groups.
  3. The only South Lincoln site that may be on a wish list might be the DPW site. But communities around us that have built new DPWs have encountered EPA regulations that place a price tag at $15 million and up. And where would we relocate our DPW, if we choose to spend $15 million?

So, if we can build on the enthusiasm for coming together that was expressed at State of the Town, embracing that spirit of collaboration and celebration of community, we might find a way to combine study of school needs, COA needs, and others needs in a unified, holistic manner—to develop a comprehensive way to meet community needs. And we might find that our community is best served when we all study, work and play together, on one campus.

The challenge will be for the leadership of the schools and the Board of Selectmen to create a committee to advance this collaboration. It won’t be easy to craft an innovative charge, and select a committee from the extensive talent pool that is Lincoln. It will need to take a fresh look at how we might proceed. But such approaches are not new to Lincoln. This is the kind of innovation that Lincoln has been know for—look at the creation of South Lincoln Crossing, Lincoln Woods, Battle Road Farm, Codman Community Farm, Codman Pool, and the recent protection of the Van Leer/MacDowell farmland. These initiatives all relied on cross-board collaborations and bold leadership that did not shy from the difficulties in bringing such projects forward.

We did it before. We can do it again. After all, when the ballfield at the center of our community campus was gifted in 1932, it was done with the notion that it would provide a place for all ages to come together and cheer as one.

Yes, there are exciting opportunities and challenges offered by matters before the town this coming Saturday. Be sure and attend. Jump into the discussions. Your voice matters. Your vote matters. Town Meeting matters.

Sincerely,

Sara Mattes
71 Conant 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 must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Braun thanks supporters

letterTo the editor:

The annual Town Election is next Monday, March 31. Please vote! This is our opportunity to elect town officials. We will also vote on the two liquor license petitions that were approved at last year’s Town Meeting (deCordova license and one-day licenses).

Thank you  to my supporters who held events at their home to enable me to interact with fellow residents about current town issues. One of the biggest challenges for a Selectman is to have as comprehensive an understanding as possible of residents’ concerns. I am also grateful to those who arranged forums at the Smith Gym, The Commons in Lincoln, the Rural Land Foundation office, and the school’s story room (PTO), as well as a community discussion at the Battle Road Farm Meeting House.

Thanks also to those who have written supportive letters and/or provided me with valuable advice. And a special thanks to Dan Boynton for his sage advice and thoughtful input to the dialogue regarding Route 2.

I would appreciate your support at the election. I would be honored to serve as Selectman for a second term. I am seeking to continue to give back to my community of 54 years by volunteering my experience, full-time commitment, and appreciation of the town’s values.

Sincerely,

Peter Braun
16 Trapelo Road

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Jay Flanagan supports Cannistraro

letter

To the editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Vin Cannistraro as Selectman. I have worked with Vin on the LSRHS School Council for two years and was impressed by his ability to communicate openly and effectively with a wide range of people and generate fresh ideas.  Vin’s contributions to the team were essential in uniting us to create a thoughtful initiative that is being implemented in Sudbury to bring attention to the crucial role that the high school plays in our community. His work on the technology infrastructure and academic supports subcommittees is helping to ensure L-S remains one of the best high schools in the country. His presentations to the faculty at the end of the school year make the teachers feel supported and appreciated for their invaluable impact on our children’s lives.

I also believe that Vin’s substantial experience in construction would be a tremendous benefit to a town with many capital projects desperately searching now for a pathway to success. Vin’s unique combination of education, corporate, and community-based experience will help our great community be even greater, and I encourage you to vote for him on Monday, March 31.

Sincerely,

Jay Flanagan
74 Cambridge Turnpike

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Gary Davis supports Braun

letterEditor’s note: The headline on this letter was corrected on March 25.

To the editor:

I have attended the forums, spoken with the candidates and other voters, and facilitated a policy discussion between Selectman candidates about Hanscom AFB and Hanscom Civil Airfield with some of us who are Hanscom abutters. Based on those conversations, I was able to come to a conclusion about my personal choice in the race for Board of Selectmen.

While I admire Mr. Cannistraro’s general observations that focus on citizen empathy and strategic planning, Mr. Braun illustrated a depth of knowledge, understanding and experience that he brings to both aspects of Hanscom issues. I now find that I agree with those who have previously submitted letters in support of Peter Braun for reelection to the Board of Selectmen.

Particularly, as an abutter of Hanscom Civil Airfield and Hanscom AFB, it is important to me that our town leadership completely understand the history of positions and policies taken over time by the wide range of public and private entities who play roles in this continuing drama. They must be able to provide enlightened continuity.

Mr. Braun also understands that building relationships and working together with neighboring HATS [Hanscom Area Town Selectmen] communities is our best means of achieving our mutual goals. In this, he has participated regularly in Hanscom related committees and boards almost always out of the spotlight.

Community support is one of the primary criteria used by the Air Force to make decisions relative to base evaluation. HATS, through Mr. Braun, provided that support in his participation with the Hanscom tour and mission briefing with General Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff last November and more recently with new Congresswoman Katherine Clark.

The Lincoln Conservation Commission is currently reviewing a proposed expansion of facilities at Hanscom Civil Airfield which is operated by Massport. Mr. Braun understands that the town has a limited responsibility in this particular review to conservation issues. However, he clearly understands the debate that has been raging for several years over long-term protection of surrounding historic and environmental assets, air and noise pollution, and the incremental growth this current expansion represents.

Based on his valuable knowledge, experience and understanding of town and Hanscom issues, I encourage Lincoln citizens to vote for Peter Braun on March 31.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis
20R Indian Camp Lane, Battle Road Farm

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Apsler supports Braun

letterTo the editor:

Lincoln has been fortunate to have a long history of competent, caring, and collaborative leadership in the Selectmen who have served the town through the years. Peter Braun continued that tradition of thoughtful and intelligent stewardship during his first term as Selectman and should be reelected to maintain and enhance the knowledge and momentum he has attained with so many projects vital to Lincoln’s well-being.

Peter thoroughly and methodically researches every issue. He listens carefully to all aspects of an issue, clearly articulates his understanding, and encourages questions and concerns with his positions. In serving with Peter on the Capital Planning Committee for the past few years, I have come to appreciate Peter’s willingness to listen to opposing views—often my own—with civility and respect. He models gracious discourse always with the goal of reaching the best solution for the town as a whole. Let us ensure Lincoln’s tradition of robust debate, respectful disagreements, and creative problem solving that meets the needs of our town through intelligent dialogue and continued good will. Reelect Peter Braun.

Jacquelin Apsler
84 Mill St.

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Community Preservation Committee request

letterEditor’s note: The following letter from the Community Preservation Committee is addressed to the Lincoln community. It was updated on March 24 to reflect a correction to the street address given for CPC member Margaret Olson.

To the editor:

Massachusetts passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in 2000. Lincoln voted to join in 2003 with a 3 percent property tax surcharge. Since then the state has matched the town’s revenues anywhere from 100 percent to the low 30 percent level. This past year the state match was 66 percent due to a provision in the state budget which required the first $25 million of any surplus to be deposited into the CPA trust. Hopefully this requirement will be renewed in the ongoing state budget process, but it is not guaranteed.

[Read more…] about Letter to the editor: Community Preservation Committee request

Letter to the editor: Glass on school funding

letter

Editor’s note: The author of this letter, Jennifer Glass, is chair of the School Committee. She is running unopposed for reelection on March 31.

To the editor:

At the March 29 Annual Town Meeting, one of the warrant articles citizens will be asked to consider is whether or not they will approve funds to study a range of Lincoln School renovation choices. Following is some information about the warrant article.

Article 11: The School Committee is requesting that up to $250,000 be withdrawn from the Stabilization Fund to be used for commissioning cost estimates for a range of potential Lincoln School renovation projects.  

Up to $200,000 would be used to contract design and cost-estimating services. $50,000 would be held in reserve in case unexpected study services are required. The funding for the warrant would come from money already put aside by the town, and would not increase property taxes.

Q:  Why is the School Committee asking for this money?

A:  The last major renovation of the school was in 1994. At that time, the library link and kindergarten classrooms were built, and some renovations were made to the Smith building. However, Brooks was not renovated, and the entire Lincoln School has reached a point where the basic infrastructure of the building needs renovation: 

  • The “Univent” heating system is inefficient, distracting, and difficult to regulate.
  • The Smith boiler room is below ground and prone to flooding; the four boilers are 20-40 years old.
  • The Brooks smoke stack is deteriorating and needs replacement.
  • The roof is at the end of its useful life. It has been patched and re-seamed, but will need replacement.
  • Windows/window walls: About half of the windows are still single-pane glass and/or in uninsulated wood framing.
  • Reed Gym exterior wall panels are porous and need replacement.
  • Plumbing/drinking water: Some plumbing fixtures require high water usage and some new piping is required to deliver potable water if drinking fountains are to be reinstalled (currently the school uses bottled water). When fixtures are replaced, walls must be opened as new fixtures require a different interface with piping.

There are additional renovations that would improve the educational environment:

  • Cafeteria/kitchen—Currently students use half of each gym for lunch, making them unavailable for physical education classes for about three hours a day. The size of the kitchen facilities makes it challenging to prepare fresh foods; all meals must be served using disposable dishes, utensils and trays.
  • Original Smith Building (1948) and second-grade classrooms (1955)—the second-grade classrooms are inadequately sized, and the 1948 building is not constructed in a way that is today considered adequate for a public building.
  • Special education and support spaces—spaces have been carved out of hallways or closets, are inadequately sized and sometimes not ventilated. Also, there are students who specifically require environments that are temperature controlled (for heat and cold) and have good acoustics and lighting. It would be helpful to have at least one classroom at each elementary grade level that meets all those requirements.
  • Spaces for differentiated learning—It is important to have smaller spaces where groups of students can work together while remaining under the supervision of teachers. Currently, unsupervised hallways are frequently used for this purpose. 

Q:  How will the money be spent?

A:  The money will be used to get cost estimates for a number of renovation concepts, ranging in scope from the most urgent repairs to a comprehensive renovation (including limited new construction) that would address both infrastructure and educational needs. All solutions will keep the building in its current, “L-shaped” configuration.

For each of the concepts, we must consider the following:

  • Swing space—where will students learn while work is being done? For how long and at what cost? Should we collaborate with the proposed Community Center Study to look at solutions that might serve both purposes?
  • Code compliance—concepts must address code issues such as fire suppression/safety, accessibility, snow load, and seismic stability.
  • What is the life span of the proposed work? What is the value for what we are spending?

Q:  What about state funding? Is the $21 million from the state still available?

A:  After the failed 2012 school project vote, the town forfeited the $21 million. Lincoln reapplied for state funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in April 2013, but was not invited back into the funding pipeline.

  • The School Committee decided not to reapply to the MSBA in 2014 in order to take time to determine if that is the direction the town wishes to go. Demonstrated town support is important to an application’s success.
  • In February, the School Committee, Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee, and Board of Selectmen held a joint public meeting. The School Committee noted that only a renovation that addresses all of the infrastructure and educational needs would be eligible for MSBA funding. 
  • The boards received feedback from the community that it wanted to be given a range of renovation options before deciding whether or not to reapply to the MSBA.

Q:  What happens next?

A:  If the warrant article passes at Town Meeting, the Lincoln Public Schools will hire a firm capable of refining the five concepts and providing cost estimates. The School Committee is committed to community participation, and will seek public input throughout the process. When the study is complete, the committee will ask the town to vote on which concept it would like to develop into a renovation project, and, if relevant, whether or not the town would like to reapply for state funding.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass
11 Stonehedge

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Kudos to office-holders and volunteers

letterTo the editor:

I feel most of Lincoln tremendously admires our town volunteers and elected personnel. The time and effort they expend on our behalves is tremendous. Mr. Braun is certainly one we admire. While MassDOT has the only authority on the Route 2 project, town and citizens’ voices count in our democracy, or should. My admiration also extends to Mr. Cannistraro who has the fortitude to question. It is always good to have new blood in any situation, if democracy is to flourish. I do hope he will consider running for town office at a more auspicious time.

Sincerely,

Claire L. Mount
123 Tower Road

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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Henry Francis on “irresponsible” Jet Aviation plan

letterTo the editor:

I attended the February 19 and March 12 public hearings on Jet Aviation’s proposal to expand its Hanscom hanger facilities, which were sponsored by the Lincoln Conservation Commission. These were working business meetings of the commission to which the public were invited.

The commission is concerned with the issue of proposed Jet Aviation construction encroaching on a few acres of Lincoln wetlands. It appears that Jet Aviation will successfully conform to the commission’s requirements, and will therefore be permitted to proceed with their project. However, this is not the issue of importance to most citizens. We the people feel strongly that increasing Hanscom’s total hangar area, in order to house and service more of the dirtiest type of aircraft (as measured by amount of fuel burned and carbon emitted per passenger-mile), is totally irresponsible by any conceivable standard.

There is a striking dichotomy here between the will of the people and the presumed approval of this project, and I am deeply disappointed that the commission  members all were excessively deferential and accommodating to the Jet Aviation representatives and their proposal, in spite of the totally obvious fact that the many citizens in attendance unanimously and angrily oppose the project—there was not one comment from the invited public in support of Jet Aviation.

At what level of environmental pollution (both chemical and acoustic) do we draw the line? The line should be drawn right now—Jet Aviation should not be permitted to expand their Hanscom facilities to accommodate more jets, and we, the people, expect the (our?) Lincoln Conservation Commission to recognize and support this position. This project, and indeed the entire Hanscom expansion juggernaut, should be axed as soon as possible.

Sincerely,

Henry Francis
Sunnyside 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. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.