In the February 22 articles headlined “Property sales in January,” an incorrect sales price was given for three parcels on Huckleberry Hill sold to Ramana Lagemann. The total price was $2.1 million. The article has been updated to reflect this correction.
land use
Trail’s End Cafe to close after this week
Trail’s End Cafe is closing after this week, and there are no immediate plans to offer breakfast fare at its nearby sister restaurant, Lincoln Kitchen.
In a February 26 post on the LincolnTalk email list headlined “Exciting News from Lincoln Kitchen,” general manager Manny Rodriguez announced that Matt Molloy had been named as the new culinary director for Lincoln Kitchen and the Trail’s End restaurant in Concord. Both restaurants as well as the Trail’s End Care are co-owned by Lincoln residents Jim and Carol White. Near the end of the email, Rodriguez said that Trail’s End Cafe would close on March 2.
“It really didn’t work out for us. We enjoyed doing it, but financially it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” Jim White said in an interview with the Lincoln Squirrel. “The cafe is a small business, and as we’ve learned, what it offered in the way of breakfast food and sandwiches competed with Donelan’s. I think we should provide to the town a really first-class lunch and dinner restaurant, and Lincoln Kitchen really is that option.”
Trail’s End Cafe opened in October 2016 and Lincoln Kitchen opened almost exactly a year ago. They replaced the Whistle Stop, which closed in July 2016, and AKA Bistro, which shut its doors two months earlier. In August 2016, the Whites and their daughter Elizabeth Akehurst-Moore signed leases on both South Lincoln properties, which are owned by the Rural Land Foundation.
According to Rodriguez’s email, Molloy has 20 years of experience including acting as the longtime Chef de Cuisine at Lumiere in Newton, executive chef at Beacon Hill Bistro and The Inn at Hastings Park in Lexington, and a chef instructor at Le Cordon Bleu Boston. He is leaving his current position as a chef at a software company in Lexington.
“Hiring Matt Molloy really was independent of the closing of the cafe,” White said. “Our chef in Concord left and we really need a chef of Matt’s caliber to be responsible for the menus in Lincoln Kitchen and Trail’s End Concord as well as Concord Market, which will have a lot of prepared foods.”
The 15,000-square-foot Concord Market is under construction in Millbrook Tarry between Keyes Road and Lowell Road in Concord, a commercial plaza owned by the Whites that is also home to the original Trail’s End, and is aiming for a mid-July opening, he said. “Obviously it’s taking a lot of resources and it requires a lot of attention. It’s a major operation. I think the cafe in Lincoln is a nice little spot, but it’s too small for us to really be worth our effort.”
Molloy will start work on March 5, but White said he didn’t know when diners might see changes in the restaurants’ menus.
Council on Aging activities in March
Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
March 2 from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Come hear the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band on Friday, March 2 at Bemis Hall. Enjoy old-time trad jazz that will have you up on our feet dancing and your hands a-clapping!
Painting in pastels with Juliet
March 5 at 10 a.m.
Express your vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m.–noon on March 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, and 23 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six. Cost is $40.
Lincoln Academy with Karin Flynn: A family divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989
March 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 5 at 12:30 to hear Karin Flynn discuss “A Family Divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989.” Karin will talk about the effect of the Berlin Wall on her family and how they held together despite political pressure trying to divide them. She will also read a few of her poems and tributes to people who helped her and her two brothers when they decided to come to the US and become American citizens. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!
World hand drumming
March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Hand drumming is a fun way to express yourself and enhance well being. Come learn the joy of drumming with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music on 12 Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning March 6. Cost is $156. Sign up now by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. No need to bring a drum.
Piano class with Wanda Paik
March 6 and 20 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books, and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will meet for 6 sessions, every first and third Tuesday of the month (March 6 and 20) from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.
Mindfulness walks in nature
March 6 at 1 p.m.
Early spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays March 6, April 3, and May 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place are to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let our senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the COA. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org. If there’s snow on the ground, you may wish to bring pull-on grippers, walking sticks, or walking poles.
Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
March 7 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to the COA at 9:30 on Wednesdays, March 7 and 21 and then every other Wednesday to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, social worker, life coach, certified and licensed facilitator of positive psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.
Declutter and get organized
March 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Decluttering and getting organized can seem overwhelming, but you can do it with some help. Come to a new decluttering group facilitated by Pam Mizrahi on March 7 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall to talk about why we clutter and learn strategies.
Selectman drop-in
March 7 from 2–3 p.m.
Drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the selectmen hope to see you between 2–3pm on Wednesday, March 7 at Bemis Hall.
Caring for loved ones at home after death and green burial
March 9 at 10 a.m.
For millennia families have cared for loved ones at home after death and buried them directly in the earth with simplicity and dignity. You can do the same today. Come to Bemis Hall on March 9 at 10 a.m. to hear Peg Lorenz discuss reclaiming these beautiful traditions. Did you know that embalming is not required; the deceased can be kept at home (two to three days is usual); a family can do the paperwork and transport the deceased; a cement vault is not required by law; both cremation and conventional burial have serious environmental consequences. Get the information you need to make an informed decision.
Proposed Town Meeting plastic water bottle and bag ban
March 6 at 3:10 p.m.
Students from the L-S Environmental Club will be at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 6 at 3:10 p.m. to discuss the two proposals they are sponsoring at the Annual Town Meeting to ban plastic bags and plastic water bottles in Lincoln. Get information about the impact of plastic water bottles and bags in our environment and why the students are proposing the bans, ask questions, and give your thoughts and ideas.
Town Meeting resolution on gas leaks
March 9 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 9 at 1 p.m. to hear information about a resolution to be proposed at Town Meeting by Mothers Out Front Lincoln to support a bill before the state legislature, “Protecting Consumers of Gas and Electricity from Paying for Leaked and Unaccounted-for Gas.” If Lincoln passes this resolution, we will join many other Massachusetts towns which have also passed similar resolutions in an effort to motivate the utilities to fix the largest gas leaks.
Lincoln Academy with Steve Low—Jerusalem & At Tuwani: international law & local action
March 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Steve Low who will discuss “Jerusalem & At Tuwani: International Law & Local Action.” A retired business consultant, Steve Low’s frequent travels to the Holy Land have brought the Israel-Palestine conflict into sharper focus. His talk will address two timely questions: (1) Why is moving the American embassy to Jerusalem so contentious? and (2) Can Lincoln play a role in promoting peace? The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!
Free elder law clinic
March 12 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship, or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 12 from 3–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.
Free wellness clinic for all ages
March 13 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, March 13 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.
Explore what’s next in a new group
March 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Explore simple ways to have greater joy and meaning in your life in a new group, facilitated by Pam Mizrahi, that will be held every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning March 14 in Bemis Hall. This group will help you discover what is truly important to you and how you want to spend the next chapter of your life. People in the group will share their in-depth knowledge and wisdom, do some brainstorming, and be supported in their endeavor to get more out of life. What you discuss in the group will be confidential.
“The Irish and How They Got That Way”
March 14 at 12:45 p.m.
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 14 at the Stoneham Theatre. Trip-goers will attend the matinee performance of The Irish and How They Got That Way by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). This revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, music, and love of life. It is a fabulous show, with excellent reviews, an uplifting musical that will leave you smiling. A comfortable air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 12:45 p.m., returning at approximately 5:30 p.m. This trip is rated easy, as it entails a short walk from the bus to the theater with no stairs to climb. Complimentary refreshments are served at intermission. The cost of the trip is $29 and is non-refundable. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, send your check made out to “FLCOA Trips” to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. If you have questions you can call Virginia at 781-259-1291 or email her at vobrien39@yahoo.com.
Coffee with the candidates
March 14 at 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, March 14 from 1:30–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall, meet all the Lincoln Sudbury High School Committee Candidates who will speak about the issues facing our High School. Two LSRHS School Committee seats are up for election on March 26. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.
New group for spouses of veterans
March 16 at 10 a.m.
All spouses of veterans (whether the vet is living or deceased) are invited to join a group to be led by Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s Veterans Service Officer. We hope that the spouses will benefit from getting to know each other, discussing common concerns, and having fun together. This month’s meeting will be held on Friday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall, and subsequent meeting places will be at The Commons and Lincoln Woods. No need to sign up, but if you would like more information, please contact Priscilla at 781-259-4472 or leachp@lincolntown.org.
What you need to know about Oriole Landing and zoning proposals
March 16 at 1 p.m.
Important new changes related to planning and land use will be voted on at Town Meeting. Come find out more and have a chance to ask questions at Bemis Hall on Friday, March 16 at 1 p.m. Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney and Assistant Director Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie will discuss a site plan review zoning amendment. Then, members of the Housing Coalition and Civico Development will give information about a bylaw amendment to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development Overlay District and a Preliminary Development and Land Use Plan. Civico Development is proposing Oriole Landing, a 60-unit mixed-income rental community adjacent to the Rt. 2 interchange, Mary’s Way and the Commons including 15 units (25 percent) reserved for those earning a maximum of 80 percent of the Area Median Income.
Lincoln Academy with Jonathan Ammen—Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine: overview, modern research, and integration
March 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Jonathan Ammen who will discuss “Acupuncture and Traditional Asian Medicine: Overview, Modern Research, and Integration.” Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine have become popular and enjoyed increasing acceptance in the western world over the last two decades. Today, many hospitals and academic medical centers are integrating acupuncture services with conventional care. This talk will include a quick overview of traditional Asian medicine followed by an up-to-date chronicle of the science behind acupuncture, how it works and what it can treat. Jonathan Ammen has practiced and researched traditional Asian medicine for 37 years. He currently sees patients and conducts research at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Lexington, and Peabody. The lectures last about an hour, including a Q&A period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.
Senior dining is free in your birthday month
March 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 20 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. Enjoy a lunch free during your birthday month—just let them know!
Coffee with artist Owen Beenhouwer
March 20 at 2:15 p.m.
Come have coffee with Lincoln artist Owen Beenhouwer on Tuesday, March 20 at 2:15 p.m. to celebrate his exhibit of photographs in March and April in the Bemis Artists Gallery. Born in Amsterdam, Owen has lived in Lincoln for 45 years, as well as New York City and four other New England states and taught architectural design at the University of Washington. Owen has done photography in black and white, then color, then slides, and now digital. He has been fascinated with patterns and structure and their beauty, both in nature and man-made, and urban oddities including water tanks, and reflections. So come see shots of buildings, bridges, stairs, flowers, glass and windows, overhead wires and more.
Coffee with the candidates
March 23 at 10 a.m.
Get to know the candidates running for local offices at the March 26 election by coming to Coffee with the candidates Ask them your questions, and hear their approaches to the issues facing our community. Come to the Bemis Hall on March 23 at 10 a.m. to meet with candidates for Lincoln offices including Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Housing Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Board, School Committee, and more. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.
Donating your stuff locally after you declutter
March 23 at 1 p.m.
Your 2018 decluttering resolution can be easier than you think. Come learn the best choices for giving your possessions a local home while making great strides to de-clutter your home at a panel discussion on March 23 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Hear about the transfer station with Laura Berland, the library book sale with Sally Kindleberger, Old Town Hall Exchange with Dot Taylor, and Household Goods Recycling in Acton with Linda Svetz.
Lincoln Academy with Evelyn Harris—Music: understanding the art of repetition
March 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 26 at 12:30 to hear Evelyn Harris discuss “Music: Understanding the Art of Repetition.” Evelyn Harris invites you to spend an hour with her as she discusses (mostly performs) music by four different composers (Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Gershwin) and their creativity regarding repetition. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.
Access investment information free through the library
March 27 at 2:15 p.m.
Did you know that all you need to access subscriptions of investment information worth hundreds of dollars for free is a library card? Having a card allows you to get information at your home computer on mutual funds and stocks from Morningstar, Valueline ratings, reviews of stocks, and more! Find out what’s available in the Minuteman Library Network databases and how to use them when Lincoln Reference Librarian Laura Paryl comes to Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 27 at 2:15 p.m.
The Fireside Chat: coping with grief, sadness and disappointment
How do you handle grief or deep sadness, disappointment? Do you have any strategies to share, or tips to help others who may be struggling? Come to the Fireside Chat on Wednesday, March 28 from 10–11:30 at Lincoln Woods and engage in a lively conversation. Sharon Antia will facilitate the discussion.
School Building Committee update
March 30 at 10 a.m.
Please join the School Building Committee on March 30 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall for an update on the latest building concepts and cost estimates as well as a review of the SBC’s presentation at Town Meeting. The gathering at Bemis provides another important checkpoint for our community in moving collectively closer to a town-wide vote on June 9 for a preferred school building concept. For the latest information on the Lincoln School project, visit www.lincolnsbc.org. Questions or comments, email us at SBC@lincnet.org.
Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
March 30 at 1 p.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, March 30 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity.
The International Museum of World War II in May
In May, the COA will have a trip to the International Museum of World War II in Natick with lunch at a delicious Thai restaurant. The museum hosts over 500,000 artifacts, letters, and documents including the famous enigma machines, letters, diaries, magazines, photos, secret items used by the resistance, and much more. Check the April COA newsletter for more information.
Forums planned for Town Meeting and election issues
Oriole Landing update on Tuesday
Residents are invited to hear reports from town officials, boards, and committees on the proposed Oriole Landing mixed-income housing development on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 7–9 p.n. in Town Hall. Hosted by the Housing Options Working Group. There will be ample time for questions, discussion, answers, and suggestions in preparation for the Planning Board public hearing on March 6 and the Town Meeting vote on March 24.
Kasper to appear at three events
Lincoln’s Carole Kasper is running for the seat being vacated by Nancy Marshall on the Lincoln-Sudbury RHS School Committee. There are three public events upcoming in Lincoln at which citizens will have an opportunity to meet Kasper, learn about her involvement with various Lincoln institutions, and get a sense of her views and goals for L-S. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. The election is Monday, March 26; the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday, March 9 — Lincoln Woods Community Room, 9:30–11 a.m.
- Wednesday, March 14—Lincoln Library Tarbell Room, 9:30–11 a.m., and Bemis Hall, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
Green Energy Committee sessions on Town Meeting articles
At Town Meeting, there will be several articles and citizens’ petitions related to the environment and sustainability. In one article, the Green Energy Committee (GEC) will be asking residents to consider supporting a Lincoln “Community Choice Aggregation” program. Aggregation programs can provide advantages for price, price stability, and renewable energy content that is included in our electricity purchases. A “yea” vote would start the process involving about a year of planning, bid solicitation, and staff review. Pending the Board of Selectmen’s approval, the town would sign a formal contract with an electricity supplier on behalf of the town.
To learn more about this and the other “green” initiatives that will be voted on at Town Meeting, come to the Green Energy Committee Forum on Wednesday, March 14 from 7:30–9 p.m. in Hartwell Pod B. On the agenda:
- “Community Choice Aggregation,” sponsored by GEC
- “The Regulation of Sale and Use of Bottled Water,” sponsored by the Lincoln-Sudbury Environmental Club
- “The Regulation of Sale and Use of Bottled Water — Alternative,” sponsored by Jim White, owner of Trail’s End and Lincoln Kitchen
- “Protecting Consumers of Gas and Electricity from Paying for Leaked & Unaccounted-for Gas,” sponsored by Mothers Out Front
The forum is a chance to meet and talk with sponsoring groups and others engaged in sustaining the environment. Immediately before the forum from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Hartwell parking lot, residents can meet owners of electric vehicles, ask questions and learn more.
Property sales in January
36D Indian Camp Lane — Stephen Dirrane to RBGB LLC for $470,000 (January 5)
113 Tower Rd. — Jennifer Leaning to David K. and Kate K. Bruenner for $1,041,000 (January 5)
6 Brooks Rd. — John G. Zornig to Michael Preshman and Yuliya Tsaur for $750,000 (January 8)
0 Oxbow Rd. — Omar N. White to St. Peter’s Parish of Weston for $855,000 (January 11)
58 Weston Rd. (formerly known as 64 Weston Rd.) — Walter Cannon Trust to Joachim Fruebis for $800,000 (January 12)
48 Todd Pond Rd. — Daniel W. Ladd Trust to Michael Luneau for $320,000 (January 22)
80 Tower Rd. — MCH 80 Tower LLC to Richard and Wendelin Nelson for $1,300,000 (January 25)
1 Moccasin Hill — Torin Fitton to Bradley and Candace Pearson for $976,000 (January 26)
Huckleberry Hill (three parcels at #0, #0, and #8) — Steven A. Justi to Ramana Lagemann for a total of $2,100,000 (January 31)
Report: Oriole Landing will boost revenue by up to $115,000 a year
A fiscal analysis performed for the developer of the proposed Oriole Landing project says the housing will result in a net boost to town revenue of at least $75,000 per year.
The report for Civico Development done by Fougere Planning & Development, Inc., looked at increased revenue from property and excise taxes as well as costs from added school-age children and emergency services. The Milford, N.H. company is also doing a fiscal impact analysis for the proposed 180-unit LCB Senior Living development in Lexington.
With an estimated value of $16 million, Oriole Landing would be expected to generate first-year tax payments of $217,870 based on Lincoln’s current property tax rate of $12.60 per $1,000 valuation, the report says. Another $32,813 in revenue would come from automobile excise taxes and $6,536 in the 3 percent property tax surcharge that funds the Community Preservation Act. The added estimated revenue totals $257,219.
Fourgere analyzed three years of emergency call data from 1,582 apartment housing units to project annual increases of 29 calls a year and 14 more calls for fire and ambulance services. Based on Lincoln’s Public Safety Department call records and budgets, the town would pay an additional $18,641 for Oriole Landing services. There will be no added road maintenance costs because the development’s road maintenance and garbage removal will be paid for by the apartment complex operator.
The report analyzed the school impact of the 30 proposed two-bedroom units, disregarding the 30 one-bedroom units since those tenants would presumably not have children living with them. Using the Lincoln Woods units (minus its three-bedroom units) for comparison, Fourgere projects that 9–16 school-age children may live at Oriole Landing, with 70-80 percent of them in grades K-8.
Oriole Landing’s fiscal impact according to the Fougere report (click image to enlarge).
Based on Lincoln’s class size policies, this will result in less than a single additional class, meaning an extra teacher costing about $100,000 probably would not have to be hired. However, the firm included a figure of $60,000–$100,000 “to account for some school-related costs… to cover potential teacher salaries.” K-8 school enrollment is down 12.5 percent since 2011-12, according to school data cited in the report, so “given the declining enrollment trend, the need for additional staff is unlikely.”
When everything is added up, the net fiscal impact will be an estimated $75,437–$115,437 in additional revenue for the town.
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Civico’s preliminary site plan on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in town hall. Residents will also be asked to amend zoning bylaws to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development District and approve the prelininary site plan at Town Meeting on March 24.
On Thursday, Feb. 22, Civico Development will host a presentation and Q&A for the Council on Aging at 2:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall and an open house in the Lincoln Public Library from 6:30–8:30 p.m. There will with additional open houses on March 8, 15, and 22 and another COA session on March 16. A full list of meetings can be found here.
77% in survey prefer a mostly new school building
An outline of Option B6 with new construction in blue and renovated areas in gray. The new southeast portion would have two floors. (Click image to enlarge.)
The vast majority of residents surveyed after January 23 presentations on options for the Lincoln School preferred the most compact and expensive scheme costing an estimated $89.8 million. Option B6, which concentrates the school on the north side of the ballfield, includes a two-story classroom segment.
The School Building Committee and architects will host a “mini workshop” showcasing work that’s been done since the January 23 workshops on Friday, Feb. 9 at 9:30 a.m. in Bemis Hall.
Of the 156 residents who completed a feedback survey after the two community workshops in January, 77 percent preferred Option B6, which calls for a mostly new building that retains the two gyms and auditorium (see pgs. 38-43 in the January 23 slideshow). Fifteen percent preferred a comprehensive renovation (Option A3.4, pgs. 32-36) with an estimated price tag of $88.3 million, while 5 percent chose the repair-only scheme costing $48.7 million.
The School Building Committee is still going through the written comments in the surveys. However, SBC Chair Chris Fasciano said there had been feedback on the fact that the three comprehensive renovation options (A1.1, A3.4 and B6) call for three fewer classrooms than the school now has, or would have in the “optimal program” concepts shown at the State of the Town meeting in November (excluding the new preK classrooms). “We have asked the design team to come up with concepts that include those classrooms in the plans. We hope to see them soon,” he said.
All of the latest series of options call for moving preK from Hartwell to the main school building, which would also contain an area for school administration while leaving the district administrative offices (superintendent of schools, etc.) at Hartwell. If preK does in fact move, other functions, such as technology might move out of the school and into Hartwell, but “it’s important to note that no final decisions have been made at this point in the SBC process,” Fasciano said.
Some of those who attended the workshops wondered if the school would quickly become too small if the Oriole Landing project, which calls for 60 units of mixed-income housing, is approved and more families with children move into town.
“Most of the housing in Lincoln is single-family housing that could turn over at any time, so flexibility is an important part of any plan. We’re confident that the current designs could accommodate normal fluctuations in student enrollment, including any potential increase from construction at Oriole Landing,” Fasciano said, adding that the 2012 MSBA project had the same number of classrooms as the current essential program.
In addition to the regular SBC meetings (the next is February 13), there are other meetings on the school project coming up. The design team and some of the architects who live in Lincoln will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room to explore design ideas for the project concepts. On March 7 at 7 p.m. (location TBA), sustainability consultant Bill Maclay and the desing team will talk about the sustainability implications of the range of project concepts.
A second set of community workshops will take place on March 13.
Details on Oriole Landing released; hearing on March 6
The Planning Board’s public hearing on Oriole Landing, a proposal for 60 units of mixed-income housing on Mary’s Way, is scheduled for Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m.—just 18 days before residents will be asked to vote on the matter at Town Meeting.
The proposal calls for 60 one- and two-bedroom units on six acres of land adjacent to The Commons. Fifteen of the 60 units would be deed-restricted as affordable according to state guidelines. At the March 24 Town Meeting, voters will be asked to approve a bylaw amendment to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development Overlay District as well as a Preliminary Development and Land Use Plan for the project (click here to view the draft warrant article). Five projects have been approved under this process in Lincoln: Battle Road Farms and the Lincoln North office building (1986), Minuteman Inn (approved in 1989 but never completed), and Minuteman Commons and The Groves/Lincoln Deaconess, now The Commons (2006).
The Planning Board has created a detailed FAQ document about the project, and the Housing Commission also has a website with an overview and background on affordable housing in Lincoln. Plans and other documents relating to the March 6 public hearing are available here. A list of upcoming public forums and official meetings can be found here.
If approved next month by a two-thirds vote, Civico Development must return within two years to the Planning Board for site plan special permit approval through another public hearing process. Civico must also go before the Historical Commission if they plan to demolish an existing structure on the property that may be deemed historically or architecturally significant. The company is working with the commission to develop a plan that will “honor a historic house located on the property,” according to the FAQ document.
Other information from the document:
- The development would have the second-highest density of housing units per acre in town (10.5), lower than The Commons (11.95) and greater than Minuteman Commons or Lincoln Woods (8.72 and 6.28 units per acre, respectively).
- Nine to 16 school-age children spread over various grades would be expected to live in Oriole Landing. Since there will be only one- and two-bedroom units, Civico believes the number will be on the lower side.
- A traffic study indicates that there will be no significant delays at any of the nearby intersections due to added traffic from the development. It is also “not anticipated to have a significant impact” on the Deerhaven Road/Garland Road community. The town is having the traffic study reviewed by a third-party consultant.
- Estimated rents will run from $1,564–$1,759 per month for the designated affordable units, or $2,200–$2,900 for the market-rate units.
- The state is expected to allow up to 70 percent of the affordable units (10 of the 15) to be rented to households qualified as “local preference”—tenants who are already Lincoln residents, employees of the town or of Lincoln businesses, or families with children enrolled in the Lincoln Public Schools.
- The Lincoln Housing Coalition projects that the town will need to add 10 units of affordable housing per decade just to keep pace with development trends and maintain Lincoln’s Subsidized Housing Inventory (SHI) at a minimum of 10 percent. If the SHI falls below this state-mandated threshold in the 2020 census, developers can bypass local zoning restrictions to build so-called 40B projects. Lincoln needs approximately 10 units of affordable housing to meet requirements for 2020.
- Future expansion is unlikely because the developer is keeping the bedroom count under 90 bedrooms in order to use a septic system. Bedroom counts over 90 require construction of a package treatment plant costing approximately $1 million.
Public forums and other meetings scheduled for Oriole Landing proposal
A schedule of important dates for the Oriole Landing proposal (click image to enlarge or click here to see this on the town’s Oriole Landing website).
Civico Development and town officials have scheduled several public forums and meetings on the proposed Oriole Landing mixed-income housing development. The next forum is Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 2:30–4 p.m. in Bemis Hall.
If approved, Civico will build 60 units of housing—15 of them deed-restricted as affordable—in two adjacent buildings on Mary’s Way abutting The Commons (see this January 15 Lincoln Squirrel article for more information). The developer touts the proposal as a way to attract both new residents and current Lincoln residents looking to downsize but stay in town.
Residents will be asked at the March 25 Annual Town Meeting to approve two measures relating to the project: a zoning change to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development Overlay District, and a preliminary development and land use plan for the project. If it gets those approvals, the plan must later undergo a site plan review with details on traffic and environmental impacts and get a special permit from the Planning Board.
More information:
- Town of Lincoln website on Oriole Landing, including links to information about the town’s approval process and affordable housing inventory
- Civico Development’s Oriole Landing website (via CoUrbanize.com)
- Oriole Landing Facebook page
Letter to the editor: Taylor running for reelection to Planning Board
To the editor:
It doesn’t seem so long ago, but it has been three years since I declared my candidacy for the Planning Board, and I’m asking you to elect me once again for a three-year term.
In my initial letter, I summarized my previous service to Lincoln on the Finance Committee, the Housing Commission/Housing Trust and as a Selectman. Now I would point to how the Planning Board has improved since you first elected me, and commit to you that, if elected, I would continue to work to give Lincoln the forward looking planning effort that it needs and deserves.
When I asked for your support previously, I identified two objectives that I would pursue. First, the board should spend much more time actually planning and much less time in the process of negotiating with people about what they could and couldn’t do with their residential properties. The second objective, related to the first, was to make the process of residents seeking reasonable improvements to their property much simpler and less costly. We have made substantial progress on both fronts.
The process through which residents seek to develop or improve their properties has become much simpler, more efficient, and far less costly. The board now delegates to its talented staff, Jennifer Burney and Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie, the task of resolving conflicts between applicants’ plans and Lincoln’s bylaws and board policies. Most issues are addressed at the staff level, so public hearings required for approval are focused narrowly upon any conflicts that remain and any concerns raised by abutters and interested parties.
Unlike in the past, it is rare that we continue a public hearing (forcing applicants and their architects to return) except in cases of substantial public interest, such as development of the new Minuteman High School facilities, or very large and impactful residences. The board protects the town’s interests but makes the process as user-friendly as possible. Furthermore, the board is considering changes to the bylaws governing site plan review to make them much more equitable.
By making its permitting function more efficient, the board and planning staff have been able to turn their attention to the planning that Lincoln needs. In addition to following and supporting the school building and community center development committees, the board has begun efforts to revitalize the Lincoln Station/mall area and to improve wayfinding and connectivity in Lincoln. The Lincoln Station effort includes working with the MBTA to improve commuter rail facilities, alterations to zoning to improve incentives for private commercial and residential development, and creation of “spaces” to make the mall area more attractive.
Wayfinding and connectivity initiatives seek to better inform people of what Lincoln has to offer and where to find it, and to develop facilities such as walkways, crosswalks, and trails to increase foot and bicycle access to key locations and improve safety. Our staff has brought in over $600,000 in grants to support these efforts, and we are actively pursuing additional grant funding.
I ask your support in the upcoming election to further pursue these efforts.
Sincerely.
Gary Taylor
2 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.