government

To the editor:

It seems that local oversight of the Route 2 safety upgrade has become a key issue in this year’s election campaign for a selectman. Accusations are being made that “hundreds (or was it thousands)” of trees were needlessly cut down while Lincoln’s selectmen looked the other way. This is an absurd claim.

My driveway exits onto Route 2 and many of the trees that came down were screening my view of the highway, so I have been personally affected by the tree cutting. I could identify at least a dozen large trees in front of my house that could have been saved. My wife and I are very unhappy about this. Other residents living along Route 2 could probably identify a few favorite trees that could have been saved as well. However, while the unnecessary removal of a small number of trees that could have been saved is highly regrettable, we need to acknowledge that the majority of the trees that came down had to go.

There were many valid reasons why such tree removal was necessary. Breakdown lanes and service roads will be constructed on both sides of the highway, requiring the clearing of long strips of land. In addition, the state was granted five-year “construction easements” which have substantially greater dimensions than the actual roadways. The contractor had the legal right to clear the land up to the limits of these easements if this area was needed to accommodate their machinery.

The backhoes they use are huge and they need to have a cleared area where they can turn.  There also has to be open land where the excavated soil and rocks can be piled up.  A lot of the trees needed to be removed in order to accommodate these practical needs.

However, every tree was removed in all areas up to the boundaries of the easements despite contract documents specifying the process of determining which trees should be saved. The universal tree clearing also included wetland replication areas where it was mandatory for trees over 10 inches in diameter to be examined by an arborist and kept if possible. It is obvious that this process wasn’t followed, because not a single tree was saved. This has been the only apparent violation of the contract terms.

It has been suggested that the Lincoln Selectmen could have prevented the wholesale tree removal from happening, but the Selectmen did not have any legal authority over the tree-cutting issue. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is solely responsible for providing the monitoring and oversight of all construction activity. Town officials can only make recommendations and must depend upon the good will of MassDOT in responding to their proposals.

Fortunately, MassDOT has been quite cooperative in considering remediation proposals. A plan which adds 176 new trees to the landscape design will likely be approved and a request for stockade fences in key areas is currently being reviewed as well. A requested change in the grading of the Brooks Road intersection is underway and the originally specified retaining wall adjacent to The Commons will probably be eliminated. So, as a result of intensive advocacy by abutters, the town’s landscape consultant, the town’s Oversight Committee, and most especially by Peter Braun and [town administrator] Tim Higgins, steps are being taken to restore the landscape to its former forested appearance.

Sincerely,

Dan Boynton
34 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.

To the editor:

The Squirrel has posted several letters written by me, and I hope that what I have to say resonates in some way with what residents may be thinking and/or feeling. If you are curious to learn more about me or share your thoughts, you are always welcome to email me at vincentcann@gmail.com, or call me at 781-259-1726. I also encourage you to watch the recording of the March 15 town candidate forum [editor’s note: soon to be posted on lincolntv.pegcentral.com] so you can form your own opinion—be it good, bad, or other.

I would also like to take a moment to share why I have come to embrace a fundamental belief in the power of inclusion and deep appreciation for different perspectives.

Over 25 years of my professional career is in the area of mechanical construction. My dad started the business from my bedroom, and the company has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the nation. What was our family’s secret? In short, it was a philosophy of fostering inclusion and diversity of perspectives. We were the only firm to be started by someone who had never worked in the trades, the first to hire non-construction personnel in key management positions, the first to hire women in a traditionally “men’s” business at all levels, and the first to establish a program for inner-city youth to start in our shop, leading to sponsorship into the notoriously “tight-knit” labor unions.

Whether it has been in my academic, business or personal life, I’ve been so very fortunate to benefit from the different experiences of virtually anyone I meet.  If any of you feel the same way, I would certainly welcome your consideration of me as a Selectman for this amazing community.

Sincerely,

Vin Cannistraro
15 Deer Run 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.

Received March 16

To the Editor:

Along with many other Lincoln residents, we urge Lincoln voters to support Peter Braun for reelection to the Board of Selectmen. We have known Peter as a respected neighbor and a trusted friend for almost thirty years, and we appreciate his willingness to devote another three years of wholehearted service to the town.

Peter’s experience as an attorney, as a member of the Lincoln Finance Committee, and now as a diligent and dedicated Selectman make him thoroughly qualified for a second term.

Importantly, Peter has established substantial credibility with Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS) members and with Air Force and state officials, which makes him an indispensable representative during ongoing discussions about the future of Hanscom Air Force Base. His thoughtful perspective in managing the effects of the Route 2 flyover project has also upheld the best interests of the town.

Please vote to re-elect Peter Braun on March 31.

Sincerely,

Gus Browne and Lorraine Fiore
11 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. They may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Editor’s note: This letter was sent to the editor but is addressed to the Lincoln community.

Dear Lincoln Community,

I write to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Lincoln School Committee, and to respectfully ask for your support at the polls on Monday, March 31.

Creating a successful educational environment requires the ability to balance competing needs, manage constant change, and pay close attention to detail.  It is easy to be overwhelmed by all that must happen on a daily basis.  Yet, whether the task is implementing national Common Core standards, adopting the new Massachusetts educator evaluation system, managing our burgeoning technological needs, or planning for the construction or renovation of three buildings, it is important not to lose sight of why we expend so much of our time, energy and material resources on these tasks:  We want to foster joy and persistence, curiosity and engagement as our students learn skills and master content.

For six years, I have been fortunate to work with dedicated, thoughtful School Committee members and educators who keep the “big picture” of what we want to achieve at the heart decision-making.  Looking ahead, I would focus on three key tasks:

1. Support our new superintendent and our educators as they focus on the quality of teaching and learning; including thoughtful implementation of new learning standards and the Massachusetts educator evaluation system.
2. Continue to expand the district’s capacity to differentiate learning and meet student needs.
3. Determine, with the town, a clear plan for renovating the Lincoln School, and support the Hanscom schools through a multi-year construction process.

When I was elected to the Committee in 2008, I brought to the role my experience as a teacher, my active involvement in my daughters’ schools, and my belief that a child’s education is nurtured by the combined efforts of parents, schools and the community. What I have gained since then is an appreciation for the intricacies of operating a school district and a profound respect for the educators, staff members, parents, and community members who devote themselves to our children.  It is a privilege to serve the town, and I ask for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass
11 Stonehedge 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. They may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.