169 Lexington Rd. — David Spertner to Cao Yunfei and Wang Shuhui for $957,500 (March 29)
7 Tower Rd. — Andrew Thompson to Michael Fiore and Caroline Malcolm for $812,000 (March 28)
112 Codman Rd. — David Crisafi to Benjamin Pless for $1,381,900 (March 28)
216 Aspen Circle — Michelle Selinger-Schamberg to Nicholas H. Morgan for $615,000 (March 15)
11 Huntley Lane — Sheik Mehrdad Trust to Gilbert and Judith Roeder for $950,000 (March 8)
The DPW site on Lewis Street (click to enlarge).
The completed study of the options for moving some or all of the DPW’s Lewis Street functions to allow rezoning of the property recommends that the town replace the outdated facility at an estimated cost of more than $15 million.
Weston and Sampson were hired in 2017 to identify the current and future needs of the Department of Public Works and to identify a potential site to address those needs. The study will be formally presented to the Board of Selectmen on Monday, April 22 at 6:30 p.m. The board will ultimately make a decision as to whether to recommend the DPW as a future project to the Capital Planning Committee.
Weston and Sampson’s report says the current facility, which was built 60 years and has not been expanded since; does not comply with building, plumbing or mechanical codes; does not have enough space for storage or maintenance; and poses safety concerns for DPW employees.
The public works facility needs almost 30,000 square feet (about two-thirds of an acre), including 17,000 square feet of indoor vehicle and equipment storage, according to the report. The Lewis St. property facility has almost four acres, but most of the space is open to the elements.
The consultants started by compiling a list of 182 potential properties for a DPW (including Lewis St.) and narrowed it town to six, excluding most based on size, current use, and wetlands/floodplain status. The six remaining sites were Lewis St., the transfer station (both town-owned); land on Old Bedford Road owned by MassPort; land on Virginia Road owned by MassPort and the U.S. government at Hanscom Field; and land on Cambridge Turnpike owned by Farrington Memorial. Lewis St. is by far the smallest of the finalists based on acreage.
The rough cost estimate includes $8.5 million for the main building, $2.5 million in site and site support structures, $3.5 million in soft costs, and $670,000 in contingency costs, but no escalation costs.
The South Lincoln Planning and Implementation and Planning Committee is working on rezoning the Lincoln Station area, including the DPW property and will host a public forum on their work on Tuesday, May 7 from 6-8 p.m.in the Town Hall (see accompanying story).
South Lincoln showing proposed SLPIC projects (click image to enlarge)
A proposal to rezone parts of South Lincoln will be the subject of a public forum hosted by the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee (SLPIC) will hold a public forum on Tuesday, May 7 from 6–8:30 p.m. in the Town Hall.
SLPIC’s Village Planning and Zoning Team has been working on rezoning the area comprising the train station, Lewis Street including the DPW (see accompanying story), the mall, and Lincoln Road up to Codman Road as part of an effort to revitalize the area.
The agenda is as follows:
An E-TOD is a type of sustainable smart growth development that maximizes the amount of residential, business, and public space within walking distance of public transport. A transit-oriented development encourages walkability and use of public transit to reduce dependency on cars while reducing the carbon footprint and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. “Equitable” means that people of all ages, incomes, and abilities have access to housing, services, amenities ,and public transportation.
Benefits of a transit-oriented development include:
Now that spring is more or less here, stir-crazy Lincolnites and visitors are turning their thoughts to walks in the woods — but where to begin? Try one of the 10 suggested walks on the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust’s redesigned website.
With the help of LLCT staff and volunteers, Lewis Trails created the suggested walks using the town’s GIS map and Google Maps. Users can click on a trail name to get a description of the trail and surrounding property plus parking directions. Then they can carry the map with them on their smartphone, zooming and scrolling as they walk. The one- to two-mile walks are loops so walkers can return to where they parked without retracing their steps.
“If you’re new to Lincoln or its trails, it’s a great resource. Then on the next visit, you can start to explore a little more,” said Bryn Gingrich, assistant to the executive director at the LLCT.
The website also includes a town-wide map of all of Lincoln’s trails as well as 10 subsections for downloading and printing. “We thought it would be nice to offer those two options and decide what works best for them,” Gingrich said. Large paper trail maps, a paperback trail guide, and other items are also available in the LLCT’s online shop.
Stewardship work day
Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Lincoln School’s Smith parking lot)
The LLCT and the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) are partnering to provide trail maintenance on part of a Bay Circuit Trail connection in Lincoln, as well as to provide invasive plant removal at the People for Pollinators meadow site. Some of the work will include removing debris, filling holes, clearing the tread of the trail, and cutting back bittersweet and other invasive plants. For more information and to register, click here.
Turtle Time with the Turtle Rescue League
Saturday, April 27 at 4 p.m. (St. Anne’s Church)
Turtles are amazing reptiles that have been around for more than 200 million years, longer than crocodiles and snakes. Meet a snapping turtle, box turtle, painted turtle and more at this family-friendly program. Representatives from the Turtle Rescue League will share information on what to do when you find a turtle in your backyard or in the road. We will also learn what steps to take when faced with an injured turtle, baby turtle, or turtle nest that’s imperiled.
Spring Birding in Lincoln
Sundays, April 28, May 5, May 12, and May 19 at 7:30 a.m.
Click here for meeting locations and details.
History and Nature Walk
Saturday, May 4 at 3 p.m. (Food Project parking lot on Rt. 126)
Gwyn Loud, LLCT trustee, and Rob Todd will lead us on an exploration of the past and present landscape in Adams Woods, through the woods and fields that inspired Thoreau and past the railroad tracks that brought economic growth in the area. Along the way, we will also note the sights and sounds of nature that have reclaimed this space. An important site for agriculture, commerce, transportation, and the development of American philosophy, Adams Woods is now a haven for wildlife and is an integral part of Lincoln’s network of conservation land. Co-sponsored by LLCT and the Lincoln Historical Society.
Spring Mindfulness Walks with John Calabria
Tuesdays, April 2, May 7, and June 4 beginning at 1 p.m. (click here for meeting locations)
Sponsored with Lincoln’s Council on Aging, join walks where you can unplug, disconnect from the world for a while, and let your senses come alive in nature. Walk with naturalist John Calabria in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places.
Meeting locations will be determined by trail conditions and posted to our website two weeks ahead of each walk. Walks are organized for those who are 55+, but all are welcome. Choose footwear and clothing appropriate for weather conditions. Walking sticks or walking poles can help for stability, if you have them. In case of inclement weather, call the LLCT at 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for direction.
LLCT Annual Meeting
Tuesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. (St. Anne’s Church)
The annual meeting will feature a keynote address by Matt Burne, Conservation Director at the Walden Woods Project and Vice President of the Vernal Pool Association. Burne will bring the captivating and ephemeral nature of vernal pools into focus as he explores their biological diversity and ecology. Learn about spotted salamanders, wood frogs, fairy shrimp, and other wildlife species that rely on these amazing ponds.
A reception, including light refreshments and drinks, begins at 7 p.m.; the LLCT business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m., and the keynote address will follow. All are welcome.
Here are some of the measures approved by residents at the March 23 Annual Town Meeting. See previous stories for coverage of the votes on the leaf blower bylaw and the deCordova/Trustees of Reservations integration.
Voters approved a FY 2020 budget of $41.55 million, a 10.3% increase from this year’s budget of $37.68 million. The total includes $4.29 million in debt service for the school building project and a 2.39% increase in the operating budget. Property taxes on the median-value house (assessed value of $998,400) will increase by about $1,781 or 12.7%. See pages 4 and 6 of the Annual Town Meeting Financial Section and Warrant for pie charts showing revenues and expenditures by category.
Voters approved the requests from the Capital Planning Committee and Community Preservation Committee (see the Lincoln Squirrel, March 14, 2019). Also approved in a separate vote was an appropriation of up to $400,000 for an irrigation systems for the Codman athletic field next to the pool. This will be the second irrigated field in town; the first is the new Wang field on Bedford Road set to open this spring (the town’s first new athletic field in 60 years).
The largest capital item was $600,000 for a new roof for the Hartwell school building. The roof was installed 31 years ago but was designed to last for only 20, and the Finance Committee recommended doing it this year “because we could fit in in budget and we are worried about long list of capital projects on the docket in coming years,” FinCom chair Jim Hutchinson said.
This year’s Bright Light Award went to Gary Davis, who was recognized for outstanding volunteerism. Davis, a retired architect, headed a project to digitize and create a searchable index of Planning and Department of Public Works documents, as well as updating the Planning Department filing system.
Tim Higgins was recognized for his 25 years of service as Town Administrator. His citation noted his “integrity, accessibility to the community, creative problem solving. tireless diplomacy, eternal optimism, endless patience and thoughtful leadership.”
“There are very few dull moments in Lincoln; we seem to move from one interesting and challenging project to another,” Higgins said in accepting the award, which included his very own parking spot at Town Hall. “If you’re a public policy nerd like I am and a history-oriented person, you can’t imagine a better place to spend your career.”
Departing Water Commission chair Packy Lawler and School Committee chair Tim Christenfeld were also thanked for their service.
Residents approved changes to new definitions for roof-mounted solar systems, energy storage systems and carport/canopy PV systems; financial and ownership arrangements to allow power purchase agreements; increased height limits for canopy-carport solar arrays; and adding a general waiver section. See section starting on page 11 of the list of motions (Article 28) for details.
Residents voted to support creation of a state commission to study the idea of changing the Massachusetts state flag and seal, which some believe depicts oppression of Native Americans by English settlers.
“I would put to you that this is your version of the Confederate flag,” said Patricia Thornton Wells, who grew up in Georgia. “It has symbolism that means certain things to certain people that is very offensive. Most people in my town growing up didn’t take offense, but every African American does. I think this needs to be reconsidered from the context of all the people in our community.”
Noting that the motto on the flag and seal reads in part, “By this sword we seek peace,” resident Peter Pease said, “If that is not an aggressive statement… It seems so wrong to put people who owned this land before we came and have them on a flag… with a sword over their head. Please, let’s get this out of here.”
About a dozen residents voted nay, including Michael Coppock. He referred to the Native American on the flag, partly modeled on Metacomet, who led a rebellion known as King Philip’s War. “It was most deadly war in U.S. history as a percentage of population loss… he abandoned his father (Massasoit’s) of peace,” he said.
(Editor’s note: mousing over phrases in italics show where the specified language can be found in the Zoning Bylaw, General Bylaws, and Historic District Bylaw.)
Residents will be asked to approval several changes to town rules on zoning and historic districts at next Saturday’s Annual Town Meeting.
In Article 28, the Planning Board is seeking to change the zoning bylaw on [simple_tooltip content=’page 53 of the Lincoln Zoning Bylaw‘]solar energy systems[/simple_tooltip] in three ways. The most important change would allow the sale of energy to the grid or another third party — a necessity for the school project’s solar energy plans.
The change would mean that property owners (whether private or public, as in the case of the Lincoln School and the mall in South Lincoln) can enter into a Power Purchase Agreement (meaning they don’t have to front the cost for designing and installing the solar array) and can sell any excess electricity they generate.
If approved, the amendment would also add requirements for stand-alone canopy/carport structures, and for surety for abandonment and removal of commercial solar systems.
The amendment to Article 29 concerns property that’s taken by [simple_tooltip content=’page 2 of the Lincoln Zoning Bylaw‘]eminent domain[/simple_tooltip]. The current law says that when nonconforming lots are decreased in size, they lose their nonconforming protection. The proposed change would allow an exception for property that’s gotten smaller as a result of a taking, acquisition by, or donation to the town or other governmental entity for a public purpose — such as for the recent Route 2 project. Without this amendment, those property owners wouldn’t be eligible for a special permit to make changes but would instead have to get a Zoning Board of Appeals variance, “which is a much bigger lift,” noted Planning Board Chair Margaret Olson.
Article 30 on the warrant is being passed over, but that amendment would have established a Parking Benefit District affecting usage of fees collected from nonresidents at the commuter lot. The change would mean that a portion of parking fees for parking lot maintenance, beautification, lighting and roadway, public realm, and biking and walking improvements.
However, a recent grant is enabling a study of the town’s commercial parking lots and commuter lots to determine opportunities for shared parking and commuter lot capacity. “We want to study it a bit further and take advantage of that grant and come back with a better proposal,” Olson said.
Article 31, proposed by the Historic District Commission and Friends of Modern Architecture, would add two properties (8 and 18 Moccasin Hill Rd.) to the [simple_tooltip content=’page 60 in the Historic District Bylaw‘]Brown’s Wood Historic District.[/simple_tooltip] Being part of a Historic District provides some measure of protection for the essential character of the exterior appearance of the house that might otherwise involve creating an expensive deed restriction.
The proposed amendment to Article 32 aims to clarify that encasing a substantial portion of a roof or building within another building or structure is an effective demolition under the [simple_tooltip content=’page 46 in the General Bylaws‘]demolition bylaw.[/simple_tooltip] “The question has arisen from time to time particularly from homeowners who are interested in building an entirely new roof structure over an existing roof structure,” said Lincoln Historical Commission Andrew Glass. “At the same time, the commission wanted to clarify for homeowners that routine repairs such as replacing siding or roof shingles are not subject to the demolition bylaw.”
33 Tabor Hill Rd. — Edvaldo Morata to Mark Nebelung and Chantal Bray for $3,400,000 (January 4)
37 Longmeadow Rd. — John O’Laughlin Trust to John and Julia Sullivan for $855,000 (January 7)
47 Farrar Rd. — John Kling to Jean-Pierre and Jennifer Carney for $575,000 (January 29)
4 Cerulean Way — Madeline Osit to Tak K. and Mann-Wen Liu for $3,150,000 (January 30)
L-S School CommitteeThe Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Conference Room B at the high school regarding (a) the FY20 school budget and (b) school choice.
The Lincoln Historical Commission will hold two public hearings on Tuesday, Feb. 5 starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Donaldson Room to consider the following applications
The Lincoln Conservation Commission will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 8 p.m, in the Lincoln Town Offices. This is in response to the Notice of Intent filed by Peter Blackler of Valley Pond Corp. for the management of seasonal algae blooms within the swim pond within the Valley Pond property.
27R South Commons — Richard Golay Trust to Jena Salon for $592,000 (December 18).
1 Mary’s Way — John Morrissey Trust to Civico Oriole Lincoln LLC for $2,225,000 (December 7).
111 Lexington Rd. — James Roberge Trust to Jonathan D. Prange and Sarah D. Sherlock for $1, 250,000 (December 7).
215 Concord Rd. — Gordon D. Winchell Trust to Christopher Dubois and Emily Belz for $1,775,000 (December 18).
22 Birchwood Lane — Joan K. Rubin to Linda L. Emanuel for $509,000 (December 20).