letters to the editor

To the editor:

Mr. Richardson is absolutely right, as is John Kimball in his letter to the editor on June 4 regarding this same topic.

I’d go further and say there are multiple issues with traffic flow at that intersection: it is difficult for folks coming up Weston Road, since the heavier traffic coming down Bedford Road and off Trapelo cannot see them. Also, the turn lane in front of the library is problematic. It seems to be intended for folks to turn right from Trapelo onto Bedford, but every so often someone comes down that lane from Bedford Road towards Trapelo, nearly always causing chaos for themselves and other drivers.

At the very least, moving the Trapelo Road stop sign closer to the actual intersection would seem to be mandatory, before someone gets seriously hurt. But I’d suggest that rethinking the whole intersection—at the very least providing clearer signage and lane markings for all drivers—is necessary.

Sincerely,

Allen Vander Meulen
Beaver Pond Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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 Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Editor’s note: A letter to the editor on June 4 addressed the same topic.

To the editor:

In the last ten or twelve years, I have written letters and spoken to the Lincoln Selectmen and Police Department at least three times about moving that stop sign on Trapelo Road several feet closer to Lincoln/Bedford Road so drivers approaching that intersection will have clear sight lines there. LPD said it would be a good idea, but no action to date. I have also observed several near misses there; it ‘s an accident waiting to happen.

Sincerely,

Fred Richardson
The Commons in Lincoln

Editor’s note: This is a copy of a letter sent to the Lincoln Board of Selectmen.

To the editor:

I was nearly run into again at the five corners by a driver (obviously from out of town, not bred in the Lincoln way) who thought that she, having stopped at the stop sign on Trapelo Road, could roar through the intersection past the horse trough. I saw recently the Selectmen’s meeting explaining that this arrangement—placing the stop sign on Trapelo Road well before the intersection and not at the horse trough—is to preserve the historical character of the area, or some such argument. Of course, horses always stopped at the trough, and probably did not observe any stop signs that may have been placed elsewhere.

I think that public safety should trump historic concerns and believe that the selectmen have ample authority to place the stop signs for Trapelo Road at the horse trough under MGL Ch. 89 S. 9 (you “may designate intersections or other roadway junctions at which vehicular traffic on one or more roadways shall stop or yield and stop before entering the intersection or junction”). The normal rules about when to enter an intersection do not work when the stop sign is placed so far out of the intersection that drivers stopping there cannot observe other cars and other cars cannot observe them. Please remedy this arrangement before someone is seriously hurt.

Sincerely,

John Kimball
14 Hillside Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

To the editor:

Spring has arrived! The mini dunes of sand on the bike paths and roads seem to have magically  disappeared overnight. Certainly we are safer as we walk, bike and drive Lincoln’s sidewalks and byways. But the real magic for me is that winter has (almost) been swept from memory. I’m feeling warmer and cheerier just looking at the newly de-sanded landscape. Thanks to the DPW for ushering in the new season (and again, for getting us through the last)!

Sincerely,

Rob Jevon
9 Trapelo Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

(Editor’s note: This letter was updated on May 5 with additional information on how to donate by check.)

To the editor:

Our son Adrian Smith lives most of the year in Nepal. Here is a copy of the letter he wrote to his friends on Facebook to thank them for their contributions to his earthquake relief efforts:

Thank you so much for your concern, your generosity, and your trust in me. 100% of the funds you have donated will go towards providing the most basic support to Nepali farmers who have lost everything. We are working in the rural village of Chaukati and surrounding areas to bring basic shelter, safe drinking water and food to people who have lost their homes. The homes in Chaukati, as in much of rural Nepal, are built of stone without cement mortar with stone roofs. As in the neighboring villages, all 50 houses in Chaukati have been reduced to rubble. Thankfully the devastation occurred during the day when most people were out working in their fields. It is reported that only four have died in Chaukati. There is no electricity, no running water, and food sources are scarce and buried within their homes. Their crops have largely been destroyed. The earthquakes have been followed by rain and residents have had to endure with only the clothes on their back without even a tarp overhead. Road access has been compromised by a collapsed bridge and landslides. Provisions will need to be carried in through strenuous mountain terrain. As of writing, no disaster relief has yet come to this area.

We are providing each household in Chaukati with basic provisions: a tarp for shelter, a ceramic water purifying system, soap, rice and lentils, foam sleeping mattresses, and bowls for food and water. They are incredibly resilient people and the help now is critical for their recovery. We will not be able to give much in the way of updates but will be writing again in two weeks to update you on their progress and our work in the surrounding area. This is a village that is dear to my heart. I have been bringing American student groups to Chaukati for 15 years. They are some of the kindest, most honest, hard-working people I have ever met and they will use this minimal support to get back on their feet and rebuild their lives. Thank you again for your generosity. Probably never before have your dollars gone so far. Please help spread the word. 

With best wishes,
Adrian

If anyone else wants to contribute, you can do so through Paypal. Adrian’s ID/email address is adrian_108@yahoo.com. Direct contributions to Adrian are not tax-deductible, but 100 percent of the gift goes to help the villagers. There are no administrative fees. Adrian and his friends will be carrying the supplies through the mountains to the villages because the roads are blocked.  You can make out a check to Adrian Smith and mail it c/o Diana Smith, P.O. Box 6294, Lincoln, MA 01773. The memo can say “Earthquake Relief.”

Sincerely,

Diana Smith
8 Trapelo Rd.

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.