My Turn

We avidly support Matina Madrick for one of the two open seats on the Lincoln School Committee in the March 27 election. We believe that Matina will be an outstanding member of the School Committee for the following reasons. She brings:

• Passion for understanding education policy and financial data as it relates to educational needs and resources
• Professional experience analyzing the New York City education budget as well as testing and class size data
• Consulting experience in a variety of districts and schools throughout the country
• Understanding of data in the context of the community, the schools and the students
• A vested interest in the schools as a parent of three children in the Lincoln and Lincoln-Sudbury Schools
• Context from having her children in different school systems previously and serving as a volunteer in those systems
• Ability to work collaboratively for change when needed
• Ability to use her interpersonal skills in working with the school committee, administration and Lincoln parents

We are convinced that Matina Madrick would be an excellent addition to the Lincoln School Committee, given her professional and volunteer experiences as well as her passion and enthusiasm for education policy. Please join us and vote for Matina Madrick on March 27 or via mail-in ballot.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

(Editor’s note: Lehrhoff is vying with Peter Buchthal, incumbent Adam Hogue, and Matina Madrick for two openings on the School Committee. A Q&A with those candidates appeared in the Squirrel on March 14.)

We enthusiastically support the candidacy of Jake Lehrhoff for one of the two Lincoln School Committee seats up for election on March 27. We believe he will be an outstanding member of the School Committee. He will bring to the work of the Committee:

• Professional experience as an educator in middle school English/language arts
• Skills in both leadership and collaboration honed as chair of the English Department at the Gifford School
• Expertise in leading a data science and research organization at Spotify sharpening the strategic analysis required for data-driven decision-making
• Empathy and a recognition that honest communication unlocks collaboration, and that collaboration is a key to progress
• Determination to improve the educational experience of every student the Lincoln School serves
• Capacity and intent to create space for the voices and needs that are not in the room as well as those that are
• Commitment to effective and collaborative leadership by the School Committee as it guides and continues to strengthen Lincoln’s excellent school system
• Vested interest in the schools with two children that will attend the LPS system
• Dedication to Lincoln and a love for its strong community and conservation land

We are confident that he will do a superb job on the School Committee and we hope that you will join us in voting for Jake Lehrhoff on March 27 or by mail-in ballot.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Kim Bodnar

(Editor’s note: Bodnar, a Fox Run Road resident, is running uncontested for the open seat on the Select Board. The Squirrel will publish mini-profiles of the uncontested candidates in the upcoming town election early this week.)

It is with much enthusiasm that I announce my candidacy for the Select Board for a three-year term beginning in March.

Reflecting on the past five and a half years as vice chair of the School Building Committee (SBC), I cherish the time I’ve spent building relationships with my fellow committee members and residents in our community. The many conversations I’ve had in our community spaces or just walking the trails together have shaped my understanding of Lincoln’s history and culture, as well as concerns for its future and the challenges ahead. This process has made me a better listener, collaborator, and communicator. And it’s the same dedication and commitment to inclusiveness, transparency and thoughtful leadership that have characterized my work on the SBC that I hope to bring to every aspect of my role on the Select Board.

My family moved to Lincoln over a decade ago. It’s when my daughters were enrolled at preschool at Lincoln Nursery School and kindergarten at the Lincoln School that we first walked the trails behind the deCordova and fell in love with Lincoln’s natural beauty. It’s also when I began to appreciate the town’s commitment to its long-held traditions and core values, and I recognized the need to contribute to that history of stewardship. I chose volunteer opportunities that blended my skills of thoughtful questioning, data analysis and unwavering effort with a strong sense of teamwork. Over the years, that has included Lincoln School’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) Chair, a board member for the Friends of the Lincoln Library, lead organizer of a community-wide kickball tournament, and as a contributor of the Citizen’s Petition that recently renamed the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board. 

As vice chair of the SBC, I have spent a great deal of time in front of our town’s many boards and committees. These meetings have given me a tremendous respect for the exceptional level of volunteerism as well as a first-hand view into how our town is run and managed by our talented town staff. And as an SBC Outreach subcommittee member, I did everything I could to ensure that residents felt engaged with the decision-making process and informed of progress every step of the way. Our 200+ blog and LincolnTalk posts, videos, the SBC website, multiple mailings, and handouts are a testament to the level of transparency we tried to achieve. The skills and expertise gained through a business career in supply chain management, process engineering, and market development have, without a doubt, been an asset throughout my many volunteer roles.

Looking ahead, I am eager to share my experiences and knowledge as a crucial phase of the community center building project begins. It is a humbling process that requires tireless effort but also a tremendous opportunity to listen and learn from a great cross section of our residents. The town of Lincoln is also at an interesting crossroads with respect to the recent housing choice legislation for MBTA communities and the need for expanded housing options. It is a conversation that requires full community engagement as we reflect on what we value and decide on what zoning changes we will support. We are also at an inflection point when discussing next steps for the revitalization of Lincoln Station, transportation policy, and the work of the Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Climate Action Plan, and diversity and equity initiatives, to name a few.

Because these initiatives touch every part of our lives, they require broad based discussions from residents including those who serve on our many town boards and committees. I look forward to contributing to these efforts and building consensus for the long term benefit of Lincoln.

Finally, as I announce my candidacy, I would like to express my thanks to Jonathan Dwyer for his many years of service to the community, including his six years on the Select Board, and I respectfully ask for your support at the town election on Monday, March 27.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Lucy Maulsby

(Editor’s note: Maulsby, a Tower Road resident, is running uncontested for one of two open seats on the L-S School Committee along with Sudbury resident Ravi Simon. The Squirrel will publish mini-profiles of the uncontested candidates in the upcoming town election early this week.)

I am writing to ask for your vote for the Lincoln-Sudbury District School Committee in the March 27 town election.

I have lived in Lincoln since the spring of 2012 and currently have two children at the Lincoln School, with my eldest headed to LSRHS next fall. Both of my children have benefited enormously from their time at the Lincoln School — they have been inspired by excellent teachers, developed strong friendships, participated in musical performances, and joined sports teams. Their experiences have made me alert to the many ways in which we as a community support and nurture our children as they grow, the critical role that public education can play in that process, and the responsibility that we have as members of the community to ensure a vibrant, inclusive, rigorous, and innovative school system.    

To that end, I have supported the Lincoln School in several volunteer positions. I am currently the School Committee appointee to the Library Board of Trustees (2019–present). In that role, I support the operations of the library and serve as a liaison between the School Committee and the library. I also served as a member at large and grant chair for the Lincoln School Foundation from 2014–18. In that role, I had the opportunity to work closely with the faculty and administration on the launch of a variety of programs and projects in support of deeper learning.  

Education is also central to my professional life. I am an associate professor of architectural history at Northeastern University where, in addition to teaching, I manage undergraduate programs and have served as chair of the School of Architecture. In these roles, I am engaged in curriculum and program development, faculty assessment, budget preparation, staff reviews, hiring of faculty and staff, and student engagement and support. These experiences have taught me how to effectively navigate complex bureaucracies, to balance conflicting priorities, and to work collaboratively. 

As a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee, I look forward to helping shape the future of -LS as the school transitions to new leadership at a critical time in the institution’s history. I will also aim to foster an environment of thoughtful, respectful, transparent, and collegial participation and debate within the School Committee. More broadly, I will advocate for the various stakeholders — especially students, but also parents, faculty, and staff — each of which are critical to the success of L-S; work to maintain the excellence of the many programs that L-S supports; and facilitate communication and engagement among Lincoln, Sudbury, and Boston to collaboratively impact the broad L-S community.

It has been a great pleasure to volunteer in Lincoln and I would like to continue that work as a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee. I look forward to meeting you and hearing your ideas and concerns, and I hope that you will consider voting for me on March 27.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Lynn DeLisi

Lincoln’s local election on Monday March 27 is going to have crucial implications for the long-term future of the town. You are not casting your vote for individual personalities and their backgrounds, but instead are making important choices about decisions that will impact the town for a long time to come.

One key topic is whether to comply with the Housing Choice Act (HCA) of the state of Massachusetts. It is not mandatory to do so, but there are some benefits that come with that compliance. The Planning Board currently has mixed views on how to pursue this important discussion. Some prefer to jump ahead now and create zoning for significantly more dense housing (a minimum of 15 units per acre for at least eight acres) that would comply with the HCA, even before the town’s HCA Committee studies it carefully and suggests how best to respond. I disagree.

I support a more logical approach to an unbiased examination of the risks and benefits that this significant (more than double) change in zoning will have on the town. (Currently, the target area allows approximately six residential units per acre). I believe collecting these basic data is a must to drive our decision-making:

• What all the residents of Lincoln want for the future of their town;
• What other towns like ours are doing;
• What our town’s infrastructure can support (septic, water, roads, fire/safety); and,
• What the financial implications of development are.

Only then can we make responsible decisions about the planning in the center of South Lincoln.

Thus, I am not biased toward or against development. Rather, I am biased toward fact-based, responsible planning for the long-term future of the town and, most importantly, taking the time to gather the input of the people who live within the region we want to change. I will not vote for new zoning that puts anyone who currently rents a home at risk of losing it. I currently do support Jennifer Glass’s leadership of a committee representing major town boards that will attempt to do this.

We do have some data on what the town wants. Last year, the Planning Board conducted a town-wide survey as a means of gathering input about the future of the Lincoln commuter rail area. Its scientific rigor was lacking, but even so, more than 800 responses were obtained, and many pointed comments  indicated two priorities:

1. Maintain Lincoln’s unique rural character; and
2. Maintain viable commercial activities in Lincoln Center.

Significantly fewer respondents listed more housing as a priority.

We owe it to the town, its residents, and future residents to do our homework, to provide balanced information for solid decision-making, and not rush into decisions that will be difficult to reverse. We need to take time to understand what the people who now live in Lincoln would like to have as a town for future generations of residents. If you agree, then please vote for me in the March 27 election.

In summary, this is what I advocate for:

1. Representing the interests of the people who currently live in Lincoln, both South and North Lincoln
2. Preserving the unique character of the town of Lincoln with an historical and conservation perspective
3. Creating an interesting and unique town center where people can have services they need and find an enticing place to gather
4. Careful and responsible planning, with no preconceived bias toward development without understanding its long-term implications such as for noise, traffic, wildlife loss, and associated financial costs.
5. Understanding what Lincoln specifically gets by complying with the HCA, and weighing the pros and cons of compliance carefully without any inherent bias.
6. No expansion of the Hanscom airfield in any way. Any further noise and other environmental pollution would be beyond what should be allowed for North Lincoln, as well as Minuteman Park.
7. Not supporting any zoning changes that put anyone at risk of losing their current housing.

I am committed to serving the Town of Lincoln and to representing you. As such, I am interested to know your views on all of these topics. I welcome speaking with you 1:1. You can email me at delisi76@aol.com or lynn_deLisi@hms.harvard.edu.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Bob Domnitz

It has been my honor and privilege to have served on the Planning Board for 15 of the last 20 years. After many hundreds of meetings and countless hours spent on issues facing the town, I have decided to step back from the daily rigors of board membership. I am therefore withdrawing from this year’s race for Planning Board. I do look forward to continuing as an active voice in Town affairs.

My decision is made easier by the emergence of first-time candidate, Mark Levinson. Mark will bring new energy and focus to the important work of the Planning Board. Mark has been a regular attendee at board meetings for years. As a resident of the economically diverse Lincoln Station area for a quarter century, he has been an important voice in discussions regarding the area’s future. He has a strong conservation ethic and will help steer the town as it evolves while maintaining its rural character.

I also support the re-election of Lynn DeLisi. Lynn and I have been colleagues on the board for years. Lynn has an independent, fearless dedication to rational thinking about what is best for the town, and she is, above all, a uniquely empathic listener when residents ask to be heard. Many neighborhoods around Lincoln have benefited from Lynn’s support. Like Mark, she will continue her work to preserve the character of Lincoln that we all treasure.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Craig Nicholson

My name is Craig Nicholson, and I am a candidate for one of the two open seats on the Lincoln Planning Board in the upcoming election on March 27.  As a resident of Lincoln since 2013 along with my wife and three daughters, I would consider it a privilege to serve the town in this capacity.  

In my professional career as director of operations for a real estate development consultancy, I spend my days working closely with building owners, architects, designers, planners, and contractors in carrying out our clients’ vision for their projects. I am accustomed to working with a variety of stakeholders including abutters and municipal agencies, and I feel that this experience would serve me well in assisting the Town of Lincoln’s Planning Board in carrying out its mission and critically evaluating those proposals that come before it.

Additionally, as a member of the Lincoln School Building Committee and former lead of Washington Gateway Main Street (an organization that worked closely with residents, landowners, developers and businesses along the Washington Street corridor in Boston’s South End neighborhood), I understand the importance of hearing a range of community voices to inform planning direction within a community. Lincoln, in particular, has highly active residents who want to be heard, and I believe my experience in participatory community planning makes me an ideal candidate to join the Planning Board. My practical experience in development furthers my ability to support Lincoln in this capacity. 

I am excited by the opportunities Lincoln is faced with in strategic planning for our future. I see tremendous opportunities for our community to collectively roll up our sleeves and continue to work together on our path forward on the Housing Choice Act, the impacts of climate change, the changing dynamics in retail, the proposed expansion of Hanscom Field, improvements to our transportation network, and a desire for long-term affordable living in Lincoln.

I hope that you will find me uniquely qualified to work with you and on your behalf as a member of the Planning Board for the next three years as we carefully move our way forward preserving the Lincoln we know while thoughtfully planning the Lincoln of the future.

I welcome hearing from you to listen to your opinions and answer any questions you have about where I’d like to see the town head. I hope through my experience, knowledge of Lincoln, and passion for impactful planning to earn your support on March 27.

If you’re further interested in my experience, the following summarizes my background:

• I hold a master’s in urban and environmental policy and planning (UEP) from Tufts University, which I obtained in 2008. The UEP program is a hybrid planning program which combines traditional planning with a focus on social justice and sustainability — a focus I believe aligns well with the pulse of Lincoln.
• For over 15 years, I have worked in the development industry and currently manage the operations of Ajax Consulting Services, LLC, a real estate consultancy that oversees large renovation and construction projects across the country. As director of operations, I oversee project planning, scheduling, budgeting and implementation for the firm. Projects range in size from small tenant fit-out projects and mechanical projects with budgets starting in the $50K range to large renovation and ground up construction projects with budgets of $70M plus. Earlier in my career, I worked as an environmental consultant overseeing site assessments, soil testing and air quality investigations as well as longer term remediation projects.
• I currently serve as an associate member of the Lincoln Planning Board, where I was initially appointed by the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen in 2018. As an associate member, the chair of the Planning Board may designate me to sit on the board for the purpose of acting on a special permit application in the case of absence, inability to act, or conflict of interest on the part of any member of the Planning Board or in the event of a vacancy on the board. I was reappointed to this position in 2021. I also served as a member of the South Lincoln Planning Implementation Committee from 2017 to 2020 as a member of both the Placemaking and Village Planning and Zoning teams.
• I have served as a member of the Lincoln School Building Committee since 2017, demonstrating my deep commitment to serving the interests of our town, dedicating significant time and energy to ensure we were able to deliver on this complex multi-year effort. With the winding down of the School Building Committee in 2023, I am able to redirect this capacity to the Planning Board.
• In addition to service in Lincoln, my past municipal experience includes volunteer service on the Town of Hanson Conservation Commission and president of the board for Washington Gateway Main Street, an organization that worked closely with residents, landowners, developers and businesses, along the Washington Street corridor in Boston’s South End neighborhood, to implement the long-term planning vision aimed at creating a sustainable mix of housing, commercial, and office uses in the district.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Kevin J. Matthews

The members of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School are so appreciative to the residents of Lincoln for your consistent support year to year for our shared resource in L-S Regional High School.  As we find ourselves in search of new leadership, we again look to you all for your continued support.

We on the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee are opening up our superintendent search survey again for the residents of Lincoln after hearing feedback of difficulties finding a way to participate the first time (click here to take the survey). The survey will remain open until January 30 and we urge all residents to participate. We know you share our sense of urgency about the importance of finding the best new leader for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. Thanks in advance for your participation in this.

Kevin J. Matthews
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee
137 Haynes Rd., Sudbury

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

By Robin Stuart

This is a letter to express appreciation to the Lincoln Cultural Council (LCC) for funding two Mass Audubon programs at the Lincoln Public Library this past fall. The LCC’s strong support of community events, as well as individual artists’ endeavors, helps build a stronger and more welcoming Lincoln.

Both library events focused on native birds, with one being specifically for families and the other intended for adults. We’re pleased to share that each event was followed by a bird walk in nature. Participants were able to test their observation skills with live birds, study bird adaptations, and discuss why birds look and act the way they do.

Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm is proud to be part of Lincoln and the wider community. We welcome residents to visit our farm, walk our fields and trails, see how a sustainable farm operates, and visit with our many animals. Our commitment to environmental and nature-based education would not be possible without the support of local foundations and organizations, and we are proud to consider the LCC both a partner and collaborator.

With great appreciation,

Robin Stuart
Senior Regional Education Manager, Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.