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

land use

November land transactions

(Editor’s note: this list does not include the sale of several parcels of land formerly owned by An and Lorraine Wang that are still going through the state Registry of Deeds.)

  • 102 Concord Rd. — Twelve Miles West Development to Joseph Adler and Preety Kaur Sidhu for $605,000 (November 1).
  • 82 Virginia Rd. #A101 — Mary Dirrane to Mildred Timberlake for $399,000 (November 16).
  • 152 Lincoln Rd. — 152 Lincoln Road LLC to Cambridge West 2 LLC for $1,015,000 (November 16).
  • 41 South Great Rd. — John Neister to James Laplante and Deborah race for $765,000 (November 23).

Town’s hazard mitigation plan updated

A summary of Lincoln’s existing hazard mitigation measures (click to enlarge and click on resulting image).

The Lincoln Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated to help the town to reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, winter storms, extreme heat, fire and wind. The town held a series of public meetings and is about to submit the plan to the Massachusetts and federal emergency management agencies.

The draft of the plan includes current mitigation measures, primarily a combination of zoning, land use and environmental regulations as well as infrastructure maintenance and drainage infrastructure maintenance and  improvement projects. Infrastructure maintenance. The plan was prepared for the town  by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council under the direction of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

Any comments on the draft should be submitted ASAP to Jennifer Burney, Director of Planning and Land Use, at burneyj@lincolntown.org.

Correction

In the January 4 article listing upcoming public hearings, the item about a January 10 Planning Board hearing about amending bylaws for solar installations was mistakenly followed by a link to an earlier Lincoln Squirrel story about a possible solar installation at the town landfill that was not related to this hearing. The link has been removed in the original article.

 

Public hearings coming up

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of the Appeals  will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

  • Seppo Rinne, 93 Tower Rd., for transfer and renewal of an accessory apartment special permit.
  • Randal Briggs, 31 Morningside Lane, for changes to the original approved special permit for renovations to the existing home.

Historical Commission

The Lincoln Historical Commission will hold public hearings at the following times on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in the Town Office Building to consider the following applications:

  • 7:30 p.m. — Joseph and Dana Robbat, to demolish more than 25 percent of the roof of an accessory structure at 151 Old Concord Road.
  • 7:45 p.m. — St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church, to demolish the dwelling at 149 Concord Road.
  • 8 p.m. — Ventianni, LLC, to demolish the dwelling at 144 Sandy Pond Road.
  • 8:30 p.m. — Birches School, to demolish a garage at 100 Bedford Road.

Planning Board

There will be public hearings at the following times on Tuesday, Jan. 10 in the Town Office Building to review the following proposed changes to the Lincoln Zoning Bylaw:

  • 7:40 p.m. — to amend Section 13.6 to revise the requirements for solar energy installations.
  • 8 p.m. — to amend Sections 6.1, 6.2, and 23 to allow certain commercial agricultural activities by right and commercial agricultural activities that generate annual sales greater than $5,000 per acre or more by special permit on parcels of 80,000 square feet or more. See “Small-scale agriculture expansion discussed at SOTT.”
  • 8:20 p.m.— to amend Section 14.3 to clarify the process and procedure regarding accessory apartments and to add a process and procedure for an accessory apartment that is affordable to low and moderate income households, as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (“DHCD”), and that meets DHCD requirements for inclusion in the town’s subsidized housing inventory. See “Residents hear about affordable accessory apartment proposal.”
  • 8:40 p.m. — to adopt an amendment to the Zoning Bylaw that would establish a temporary moratorium on the use of land or structures for recreational marijuana establishments through June 30, 2018 to allow time to study the issue and develop appropriate bylaws and ordinances.

Tree Warden

On Thursday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln DPW Office, 30 Lewis St., a public hearing will be held by the tree warden, deputy tree warden and/or their designees to consider the removal of the below trees in the public right-of-way. This meeting is consistent with the requirements of the Shade Tree Act (MGL,c.87) and Scenic Road Act. The trees have been marked with a hearing notice and are being considered for removal because they are dead, in decline, or otherwise posing a safety or operational hazard. Anyone with questions may contact the Department of Public Works Department at 781-259-8999.

 

The year in review (part 2)

Site of the former Aka Bistro, soon to be Lincoln Kitchen.

December

November

October

September

August

July

Town mulling options for Complete Streets funding

New street markings and signs, safety improvements for bicyclists and even underground pedestrian tunnels were some of the ideas discussed at a public forum earlier this month.

The forum summarized  input from an earlier forum in October, an online survey, and comments about roadways and traffic at the State of the Town meeting last month. Town officials are gathering this information in preparation for applying for a grant of up to $400,000 under the state’s Complete Streets program, which targets local improvements to benefit drivers, bicyclists, public transit users and and pedestrians. These grants can help fund eligible projects after a municipality has developed a Complete Streets policy and a prioritization plan of desired improvements. Lincoln already received an initial $50,000 grant earlier this year to pay for the consulting work presented on December 7.

The town could apply for specific project funding after the new year, but the deadline for actually completing any 2017 projects is the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2017. Thus, any initial projects must already be “shovel-ready” and must not require any town funding above the $400,000 maximum grant, because the capital planning process is too far along. However, in future years, the town may seek grants for projects that would require funds (including design work) in excess of $400,000, with the balance paid by the town.

“In that first round, we’re not going to get to the issues that people are frankly excited about,” said Town Administrator Tim Higgins.

“Low-hanging fruit” that might be targeted for early 2017 includes roadside path improvements and links, signs, street markings and resurfacing, and crosswalks, said Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney.

The town could supplement future grants with capital planning or Community Preservation Act funds, other state funding programs or bonding. However, Higgins tempered expectations by noting that “historically, roadways and path improvements have not been high on the community’s priority list for funding” and that the town is already facing major expenditures for a school project and possible a community center.

Specific suggestions

Based on public input thus far, residents want to see improvements at various problematic intersections:

  • Lincoln Road and Codman Road
  • Route 2 and Bedford Road
  • Old Winter and Winter Streets
  • Lincoln Road and Route 117
  • Routes 126 and 117
  • Five Corners

Possible safety measures include better signal timing/phasing, flashing lights, stop signs, enhanced pavement markings, new guardrails, improved sight lines, relocated utility poles and/or speed humps.

Crosswalks were also suggested for Lexington and Trapelo Roads, Page and Trapelo Roads, Baker Bridge and Concord Roads, and Codman and Lincoln Roads. Other ideas that surfaced included a safer Bedford Road crossing at Route 2 involving a bridge or tunnel, and seeing if the public could use an existing tunnel under Route 117 owned by Mass Audubon.

Other types of projects suggested for Lincoln that are eligible for Complete Streets grants include:

  • Lincoln Station improvements such as signage, seating and/or a shelter for the commuter train stop, and paving the residents’ commuter parking lot.
  • Connecting some conservation trails, improving signage and allowing more types of usage
  • Improvements for bicyclists such as bike lanes and shared-use paths, shoulder maintenance (fixing debris and cracks), widening shoulders to a consistent 18 inches, and widening roads back to the original pavement where dirt and weeds have crept in

Burney and other officials will present a list of recommended projects and a draft Complete Streets policy to the Board of Selectmen in January.

More information:

 

ConsComm approves ‘land swap’ for solar installation

In this map, the blue outline represents the former Wang land proposed for conservation, the green outline would be for a new town athletic field, and the yellow outline is where the Birches School hopes to relocate. Click to enlarge.

A solar power installation atop the former town landfill moved one step closer to reality when the Conservation Commission voted last week to remove seven acres from conservation status and replace it with some of the purchased Wang property, contingent on voter approval.

After examining 25 possible sites in town, a consulting firm hired by Lincoln’s Solar PV Working Group concluded earlier this year that the best spot for a municipal solar array is the old landfill. However, there was a hitch. After it was capped years ago, the landfill site was designated as conservation land; by state law, it can’t be used for any other purpose unless the town substitutes another parcel equal in size and quality as part of its conservation inventory. Officials had hoped that part of the Hargreaves-Heald property purchased by the town earlier this year could be used for this purpose, but the state said this was not acceptable.

However, an alternative presented itself when the Rural Land Foundation and the Birches School purchased 16 acres of land off Bedford Road belonging to the late An and Lorraine Wang in November. If all goes as planned, residents will approve spending $850,000 to purchase 12 of those acres—roughly five acres for a future athletic field and seven acres to be set aside for conservation in place of the landfill piece. Those seven acres comprise three lots owned by the Wangs—one on the east side of Bedford Road abutting Route 2 to the north, and two on the west side of Oak Knoll Road.

The Conservation Commission noted that the Wang land meets the state’s conservation-substitution criteria because it offers “a significantly greater resource value” than the landfill acreage owing to its habitat, trail connections and vegetated buffer. In its unanimous vote, the commission also stipulated that it will review the solar-array construction documents prior to installation to ensure the continued protection of the landfill parcel’s resources, and that the land may be used only for a solar installation.

In a 2015 report, BlueWave Capital said a solar installation on the landfill site could produce more than 50 percent of Lincoln’s municipal electricity.

News acorns

Members sought for South Lincoln planning group

The Planning Board is looking for residents to participate in the South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee (SLPIC), one of two new groups intended to promote business development in town.

The SLPIC hopes to create a more vibrant, attractive place at the hub of Lincoln where businesses, the MBTA station and several types of residences are concentrated. The group will be a subcommittee of the Planning Board and will focus on planning projects and establish project-specific working teams that include additional members representing various stakeholders based on the type of project.

Anyone interested in participating in this committee or a project-specific team should contact Jennifer Burney, Director of Planning and Land Use, at burneyj@lincolntown.org or 781-259-2684.

First Parish Christmas pageant on Sunday

The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) annual Children’s Christmas Pageant will take place on Sunday, Dec. 18 at 11:30 a.m. in Bemis Hall (there is no snow date). Goodies will be served after the pageant through donations by the families of FPL. Anyone with questions may contact Kathy Cronin, Acting Director of Religious Education, at kathycronin@firstparishinlincoln.org.

Minute Man NHP superintendent to retire

Nancy Nelson

Nancy Nelson

After 39 years of service, Nancy Nelson, superintendent of Minute Man National Historical Park, will retire on January 3, 2017. Nelson’s career has includes roles as an environmental protection specialist  and later a park planner, landscape architect and special assistant to three regional directors. She played an active part in planning for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island restoration/rehabilitation projects and for two new national parks (Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, and Lowell National Historic Park.

A primary focus of Nelson’s tenure at MMNHP since 1993 has been the development of the 800-acre Battle Road Unit of the park: design and completion of the award winning Battle Road Trail, rehabilitation of historic structures and historic agrarian landscapes, and construction of new and improved facilities to serve 1 million annual visitors. Recently, under the leadership of the Friends of Minute Man National Park, the park pursued the exploration, rehabilitation and interpretation of the site of “Parker’s Revenge,” a little-known battle on April 19, 1775.

Town and state sign Community Compact

compact

Lt. Gov. Karen Polito, State Rep Thomas Stanley, Selectman Peter Braun and Town Administrator Tim Higgins at the signing of the Community Compact.

In a December 1 ceremony in Lincoln, Lt. Gov. Karen Polito and town officials signed a Community Compact by which Lincoln will pursue best practices in three areas: water resource management, housing and economic development, and business continuity. In return, the town can get technical assistance as well as extra points on grants and grant opportunities from the state.

Under terms of the two-year agreement, Lincoln will work to implement stormwater management measures and land use regulations that help promote infiltration, control flooding and reduce pollution. Lincoln is now eligible to join nine other area towns in applying for a $99,000 Efficiency and Regionalization Grant, a regional grant that would provide technical assistance for communities to comply with permitting requirements for municipal separate storm sewer systems.

In the area of business continuity, the town hopes to digitize paper records and implement a permit tracking software program as well as creating a more robust GIS/GPS program that integrates with the software. These measures should result in improved operational efficiencies, both interdepartmentally and with the public. The town is also eligible to apply next year for a Community Compact IT Grant of up to $200,000.

Lincoln will look into aligning land use regulations, capital investments and other municipal actions with housing and economic development, the master plan or other plans for future growth. The town will also promote development and reuse of previously developed sites and create opportunities for various stakeholders in economic development efforts, such as by helping identify priority development projects, improve local permitting processes, and proactively address obstacles to housing and job creation with a focus on the South Lincoln area.

“We really want  to make it a vibrant village center,” Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney said at the ceremony.

Polito praised Burney, Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Selectman Peter Bran and town Lincoln officials for their efforts. “You are our public workforce across our state that really binds us together,” she said.  “The state is not a place where we should be making decisions; it’s really at the local level, and you are the people closest to the grassroots. If we strengthen local government, we will truly knit together a stronger Massachusetts.”

Public hearings coming up

The Zoning Board of the Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Room, to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning bylaws:

  • Holly Hedlund, 21 Sunnyside Lane — for a special permit for a treehouse/play structure.
  • Neil Feinberg, 104 Concord Rd. — for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Robert McCart, 22-24 Lewis St. — for an extension of the original special permit.

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on Wednesday, Dec. 14 in the Town Office Building on the following matters:

  • 7:30 p.m. — Abbreviated Notice of Resource Area Delineation from Michael Mountz/Ventianni, LLC for confirming the wetland resource areas delineated on the property located at 144 Sandy Pond Rd.
  • 8 p.m. — Notice of Intent from Chuck Lewin for new house construction at 35 Huckleberry Hill.