My Turn

The town of Lincoln is facing significant decisions that will impact its future, among them: responding to the Massachusetts Housing Choice Act, supporting the commercial success of our Mall area, and responding to the possible expansion of Hanscom Field.

To ensure that the town can respond successfully to these issues, Lynn DeLisi and Mark Levinson advocate for:

• Broad engagement with all residents to define a clear set of common town goals
• A planning process that requires thorough research to quantify the benefits, costs, and impacts of our shared goals
• Providing residents with a clear picture of the financial, environmental, and social impacts of any proposed changes BEFORE taking action or asking residents to vote.
• Protecting and preserving our current properties of affordably-priced multi-family housing options.

While planning is not an exact science, both Mark and Lynn have scientific backgrounds that ground them in doing the essential work to prepare us for making responsible and informed decisions. They do not bring a bias toward (or against) development based on their professional backgrounds. They do bring years of Planning Board experience (board member, resident liaison) and decades of residence in, and commitment to, the town of Lincoln.

If an unbiased, research-fueled, fiscally-sound, resident-engaging approach to navigating these important changes makes sense to you, please join us in voting for Lynn DeLisi and Mark Levinson.

“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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.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 Deborah Wallace

I am writing in support of Lynn DeLisi’s re-election to the Lincoln Planning Board.

I worked closely with Lynn on the Marijuana Study Committee established to address the (then) new state law legalizing recreational marijuana in the Commonwealth. Our charge was to educate and inform Lincoln voters about the policies, regulations, and implications associated with legalization of recreational marijuana, a highly charged and controversial subject. Lynn was always clear-minded, thoughtful, and extremely well informed, in large part due to her medical expertise on substance abuse, but also due to her ability to entertain different points of view.

Lynn’s familiarity with the subject of Lincoln’s compliance with the Housing Choice Act, also a highly charged and controversial issue, is another key asset she will bring to the Planning Board. Her familiarity will allow her to immediately contribute to decisions that will need to be made and provide a knowledge base for future discussions and outreach to residents with concerns, as well as support a potentially steep learning curve for new members less familiar with the HCA. I am confident that she will do this in the same clear-minded and well-informed manner that she did when serving on the Marijuana Study Committee.

Lynn cares deeply about Lincoln’s neighborhoods, the people who live in them, and the impact that housing changes could bring to so many fundamental aspects of their lives. As such, I know she will consistently encourage and seek their input and consider it carefully as plans emerge, change and re-emerge.

Please join me in voting for Lynn for re-election to the Lincoln Planning Board.

Sincerely,

Deborah Wallace

“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.

Many thanks to the PTO for putting on last night’s candidate forum. It was great to see such a good turnout at the event in-person and virtually to discuss some of the important issues facing our town. I believe the forum was recorded and will be posted. I encourage those who were unable to attend last night to watch it. In addition, I would like to ask for your vote on Monday, March 27 for the following reasons.

With all the work the schools are currently engaged in, and especially with the hire of a new superintendent in Lincoln, we need experience on the Lincoln School Committee, and I bring that with five years of experience. I helped navigate us through the pandemic and was the first one to say the schools needed to be open. I collaborated with my colleagues, the administrative team, parents, the town, and the teacher’s union to get the schools opened safely.

I have helped negotiate multiple contracts with union leadership and have built a collaborative relationship with our teachers. I am currently in the middle of negotiations with our teacher’s union for their next contract.

Since joining the School Committee, I have pushed for a data-focused approach while also supporting the development of a Portrait of a Learner so that we can monitor our achievement gaps and allocate resources to close them.

I hope I have earned your vote on March 27. Please reach out to me if you have any questions regarding my candidacy.

Respectfully,

Adam Hogue, 50 Lincoln Rd.
978-828-6184 (cell)

“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 Carole Kasper and Tara Mitchell

We are writing with excitement and strong support of Lincoln resident Lucy Maulsby’s candidacy for a seat on the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional HS School Committee.

While an uncontested race, the LSRHS School Committee role is currently significant as L-S is poised to welcome a new superintendent/principal, continues to balance the pressures of being a high-performing school district, supports the social emotional wellbeing of students and staff, and effectively engages the three communities of Sudbury, Lincoln, and Boston. We are excited that Lucy is willing to serve our community in this way and know that her past skills and experiences will help her thrive in this role.

Lucy has been involved in the Lincoln Public Schools for over a decade. She was part of the leadership team of the Lincoln School Foundation, where she worked directly with teachers to bring more innovation into their classrooms. Lucy’s enthusiasm for teaching and learning was evident when she spoke in a thoughtful, supportive way about how a certain grant would help engage students. 

Lucy has been the Lincoln School Committee’s liaison to the Lincoln Public Library for over three years. She created connections between the library staff and school administration and helped curate a collection of books that are about education in our schools. During the pandemic, Lucy volunteered as a substitute teacher and, now that her oldest son is heading off to L-S this fall, she will be a natural bridge to the younger families in Lincoln as they make the transition to high school. 

Lucy also brings essential interpersonal skills to this role. She is known as a caring listener, a clear communicator, and a rational thinker who is not afraid to inquire “why?” and “why not?” thoughtfully and collaboratively. 

Our community will certainly benefit from having Lucy at the table. Please join us in electing Lucy Maulsby to the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee!

Kasper is a former LSRHS School Committee member and Mitchell is a current member of the Lincoln School Committee.

“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.

Dear Lincoln neighbors,

Exciting news from the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St. Joseph’s Conference of Lincoln and Weston! In addition to providing food and emergency financial assistance, SVdP offers a Scholarship Program to make it possible for people to become qualified to apply for better employment and improve their financial stability. 

The SVdP Scholarship Program began in 2017 with an initial grant from Ogden Codman Trust to offer financial assistance to mature adults who wish to learn new skills for a job or enhance their education in order to strengthen their potential for advancement in their current job. Whereas the emergency financial assistance and food pantry services aim to support people in immediate trauma, the scholarship program’s mission is to help address the systemic issue of hunger and poverty. Furthermore, It is not only open to existing clients of SVdP but to all mature adults who live and work in Lincoln who do not have the extra funds to be able to take advantage of costly education opportunities that will result in a better employment.

Supported by a generous grant from the Ogden Codman Trust and the SVdP general fund, awards for scholarships are given on a rolling basis and range from $100 to $2,000 as long as funding is available. We have supported our Scholarship Program recipients’ education in a wide range of areas including nursing, accounting, technology, nutrition and cosmetology. The SVdP Scholarship Program can be a magnificent opportunity that could lead to financial stability. 

SVdP of Lincoln and Weston is eager to offer you this scholarship opportunity. Please send an email to svdplincolnweston@gmail.com or go to SVdPLincolnWeston.org/scholarships for information and eligibility requirements, or click on ad here in the Squirrel. We hope to hear from you soon!

Peace and blessings,

Karen Salvucci, President, SVdP of Lincoln and Weston
Larry Buell and Gerry McGovern, Scholarship Coordinators

“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.

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.