My Turn

By Ephraim Flint

After much reflection, I have decided not to run for another term on the Planning Board and would like to take this opportunity to thank Lincoln residents for allowing me to serve on the Board for the past three years. For a great many generations, going back to the early 18th century, Lincoln’s volunteer government and town meeting have served the town well, guiding Lincoln through many changes and challenges, and making the town the special place that it is today. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that this tradition continues.

We will be electing two Planning Board members at the upcoming election on Monday, March 31. I am delighted to support Susan Hall Mygatt and Rob Ahlert for these positions. Susan has been active in town government for many years. She is currently co-chair of the Conservation Commission and she previously served on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Through her many contributions to the town, she has demonstrated thoughtful consideration of issues and respect for Lincoln’s traditions and unique character.

Rob Ahlert has been an active participant at many board and committee meetings over the last 5 years. He’s young (compared to me!), energetic, and eager to help move the town forward in a thoughtful way that preserves our town’s heritage. Much of the Planning Board’s work over the last 5 years has focused on the Lincoln Station area. Rob will be an important contributor to this ongoing effort because, in addition to his technical skills, he lives in the Lincoln Station area. With all the changes that are slated for this area, I believe it’s critical that the neighborhood has a voice on the Planning Board.

“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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.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, the undersigned, strongly support Margaret Olson for Planning Board. For the past ten years, Margaret has been both a dedicated leader and member of the board. highly hones management skills and her creative mind, Margaret has helped make decisions that serve to protect Lincoln’s character — open space and our landscapes — while promoting necessary policies for our present and future needs.

Effective participation as a member of the planning board requires a person who understands the complexities of zoning and is at home with site plans, as well as understanding Lincoln’s values, its past decisions, and its uniqueness. Members of the planning board must have the ability to create solutions to accommodate both our present and future needs. Members need to be committed to and comfortable with the public process.

Margaret has all those characteristics. She has worked on the Planning Board to:

• Institute Lincoln’s first Dark Sky lighting regulations
• Streamline the Site plan review process. This has resulted in benefits for both residents and the planning board, saving time for all
• Increase multi-generational housing by incrementally loosening the Accessory Apartment zoning requirements
• Engage cooperatively with a variety of boards and stakeholders to pass the Housing Choice Act that allows the town to qualify for specific grants—resulting in Lincoln already receiving $430,000 for water main replacement
• Improve safety for all forms of transportation by serving on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Roadside and Traffic Committee and the Transportation Coalition.

Margaret believes in an open and collaborative approach to solving problems. She knows from observation that over-regulation costs the town money and increases a homeowner’s individual costs to get through permitting with no benefit to either the town or their neighborhood. Planning Board reviews should focus on the critical issues in a manner that is thorough, fair, consistent and predictable. 

Margaret’s ten years on the Planning Board coupled with her tenure on Lincoln’s Board of Appeals, her years on planning boards in other towns as well as her professional background have and will serve Lincoln well.  

In addition, Margaret has honed skills central to the management of public processes that have benefited the planning board. She developed these skills when she co-founded two startups, Constant Contact (IPO) and Plum (purchased by Nokia), where she was responsible for all personally identifiable information for a worldwide service, and she has served as chief technology officer at several companies. Margaret’s public process management skills — important for Planning Board public processes — were developed as chair of several technology standards committees.

We believe that Lincoln needs Margaret on the Planning Board for her technical skill, her management style, her deep understanding of Lincoln and its unique qualities and her commitment to consistent, fair, and predictable public process. We hope that you will join us and vote for Margaret Olson for Planning Board. The election is March 31 with early voting beginning on March 22.

“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 Nancy Marshall

Please elect Charles Morton and Jack Ryan to the L-S School Committee I write to enthusiastically endorse Charles Morton and Jack Ryan in their campaign for the L-S School Committee. Charles and Jack are in a three-way race for two vacated seats on the committee. I encourage you to meet Jack and Charles, in the process learn more about LSRHS and its wide and incredible array of opportunities for our children, and to vote Monday, March 31 at the polls in Lincoln for Charles Morton and Jack Ryan.

Charles Morton (CharlesMorton.com) is the father of four elementary and middle school children, all of whom will attend LSRHS over the next ten years. He is active in the Sudbury community as a youth soccer and volleyball coach. In his professional life, he is an academic, teaching chemistry at Brown. Before that, Charles worked with a wide array of learners as a tutor in the metro Boston area, which helped inform him and his wife where they wanted to live, raise and educate their children. From these experiences, he has an astute sense of what it takes to educate the whole child, the need for ongoing, thoughtful educational program evaluation and responsive change, and a full and enthusiastic respect for the teaching and learning that occurs at Lincoln-Sudbury. In my encounters with Charles, I find a calm, reflective, well-prepared candidate ready to roll up his sleeves, impart his perspective, but most of all to listen, learn and contribute fully to the roles and responsibilities of the L-S School Committee.

I have known Jack Ryan (RyanforLS.com) for 20 years. A retired lawyer, Jack and I overlapped as colleagues on the L-S School Committee, early in my tenure and at the conclusion of his first four terms of service. Jack chaired the LSRHS building committee, completed in 2004, bringing the project in on time and below budget. Jack has a wide lens on Sudbury, Lincoln, and our shared high school. He has served in many other capacities in Sudbury (Finance Committee for seven years, Sudbury Council on Aging Board, and other organizations). His pull to run again is multifaceted — policy, governance, funding, and also family, as he has grandchildren who will be attending LSRHS in the near future. Jack is sharp, knowledgeable, candid, and committed. He shares with me a depth of perspective and appreciation for LSRHS that also fuels his call to serve again.

Charles and Jack, both Sudbury residents, will be thoughtful and inclusive in their service to LSRHS, to Lincoln, and to Sudbury.

In addition to their websites, the Sudbury League of Women Voters has a recorded candidates’ forum featuring all the candidates for the L-S School Committee which can be found here. Sudbury Weekly, Sudbury’s online news source, also has “Thoughts in Return,” a Q&A with all candidates.

There will be an opportunity to meet the candidates and ask questions at the candidates’ forum in the Learning Commons at the Lincoln School on Monday, March 24 at 7:00pm. Please remember to vote on Monday, March 31 at the Lincoln School and ink in the circles for Charles Morton and Jack Ryan.

Note: I am an appointed member of the Lincoln Finance Committee. I am writing this letter in my personal capacity as a private citizen. My views are my own.

“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.

It is with great enthusiasm that we, the undersigned, endorse Susan Hall Mygatt to be elected to a seat on the Lincoln Planning Board. We believe her combination of relevant town experience, commitment to balancing town character and growth, and genuine excitement for the role make her uniquely qualified to be an informed, engaged, and effective Planning Board member.

You’ve probably seen Susan around town. She has been an active volunteer in Lincoln for many years, serving in roles including seats on Lincoln’s Zoning Board of Appeal (eight years) and on Lincoln’s Conservation Commission (six years), of which she is currently co-chair. She regularly attends Planning Board meetings and is very familiar with Lincoln’s zoning bylaws, the Planning Board’s regulations, and the issues and requests that the board addresses. She will be a ready-to-go board asset on day one.

As a retired real estate attorney and board member of several nonprofit organizations, Susan brings both attention to detail and great respect for the role of collaboration for the common good. She is comfortable asking difficult questions — always with respect — and is committed to community engagement, timely and open sharing of information, and a clear, transparent public process. This will create a welcoming environment for productive exchanges among and with the Planning Board.

Susan sees an opportunity to value Lincoln’s rural character while respecting the state-wide need for more housing. She believes that the town can find a balance that protects the aspects of Lincoln which we value and at the same time carefully plan for inevitable change. She is a keen listener and believes that open collaboration is a key element to finding and implementing solutions that unite, not divide.

At a time of great change, when we are making decisions about processes and solutions that impact the future of our town, Susan Hall Mygatt is the ideal choice for a seat on the Lincoln Planning Board. Please join us in voting for Susan Hall Mygatt for one of the two seats on the Lincoln Planning Board.

“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 Charles I. Morton, IV

I am a candidate for one of two open seats on the L-S School Committee. I am running to bring my experience as a teacher, coach, tutor, and mentor to an oversight body tasked with fielding questions and concerns from community members and collaborating with administrators and teachers to solve problems arising from budget uncertainty and shifting demands for academic, extracurricular, and support services.  

We are fortunate to live where we can be confident that a public high school education provides elite preparation for our children to pursue their future endeavors. In Fall 2026, my wife and I will begin a full decade as L-S parents as our four children progress through the ranks.  

I have been on the faculty of the Chemistry Department at Brown University since 2016, teaching general and organic chemistry classes to 150–600 students who are primarily pre-med and/or STEM concentrators. I have observed, particularly since Covid, that instructors have to be far more adaptable than ever before to best serve each cohort of students coming in with different high school experiences: what worked as recently as 2022 still requires significant updating in 2025. While the subject matter I teach barely changes from year to year, the opportunities for innovation and renewal help me thrive — a spirit that I admire in L-S’s community of educators as well.

After nearly two decades as an assistant coach for MIT volleyball, I took on much younger clientele by coaching 15 (and counting) seasons of Sudbury Youth Soccer and co-founding Sudbury Youth Volleyball. After grad school I was a master tutor and tutor coordinator for Signet Education, designing custom curricula for students needing enrichment or alternative programs and offering mentorship far beyond homework help or test prep.

With four kids ages 7–12 plus students and advisees ages 17–22, every day crystallizes the importance of the high school years as a crucial developmental stage. This in-between phase of ever-accelerating academic intensity and social pressure requires expert mentorship. Our faculty at L-S deliver an outstanding product year after year, but there are always new challenges that can be solved with the support of a collaborative and collegial committee when the membership is committed to and invested in the future of L-S for decades to come.  

I look forward to doing everything I can to bring our two communities even closer together. I ask for your support on March 31 and invite you to read more about me and check my calendar of events at charlesmorton.com.

“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 Susan Hall Mygatt

I am running for one of the two open positions on Lincoln’s Planning Board. As a resident of Lincoln since 1977, I care deeply about the town and hope you will consider voting for me.

My experience and why I am running

I have been thinking about taking this step for more than a year. For the past 18 months, I have attended a majority of the Planning Board meetings. I am very familiar with Lincoln’s zoning bylaw, the Planning Board’s regulations, and the issues and requests which the board addresses, particularly those which have come before the Board since the Fall of 2023. I served on Lincoln’s Zoning Board of Appeal for eight years, and since 2019 have served on Lincoln’s Conservation Commission, of which I am currently co-chair.

As a retired real estate lawyer, I understand the limits and opportunities inherent in Massachusetts’ zoning statute, which establishes the powers of Lincoln’s Planning Board. This professional experience allows me to interpret state and municipal legal requirements quickly and accurately.

Susan Hall Mygatt

I am a keen seeker of the facts and am comfortable asking uncomfortable questions, always with respect. This approach leads to better decisions. I believe that my presence on the board will have a positive impact on the town.

My values

I value Lincoln’s rural character while recognizing the statewide need for more housing. We need to arrive at a comfortable balance between nature and the built environment, a balance which protects the aspects of Lincoln that the town values and at the same time carefully plans for inevitable change.

I value meaningful community input on important local decisions and will strive to create a welcome atmosphere for the opinions of our engaged residents. I may not always agree with you, but I will always listen to you!

I value a clear and open public process, where decisions are made in full view of the public, and important information is shared with the public on a timely basis. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me at susanhallmygatt@comcast.net. I would like to know your position on the local issues which concern you.

“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: Planning Board member Ephraim Flint is not running for another term on the board. Three candidates — incumbent chair Margaret Olson, Ahlert, and Susan Hall Mygatt — are running for two open seats. Suzanne Parker also filed papers to run but has decided to drop out.

By Rob Ahlert

My name is Rob Ahlert, and I will be hosting a virtual meet and greet to discuss my background, why I think I’m a good candidate for Planning Board and to have a discussion on key planning and development issues with those who join. This first virtual meet and greet will be on Thursday, March 13 at noon (optional registration here; Google Meet link here).

I am a 10+ year resident of Lincoln and live in the Lincoln Station area. My goal is to bring a new energy and perspective to the Planning Board along with my leadership, analysis and engineering skills. I very much appreciate the support already given to me by Eph Flint and his suggestion that I would be a good candidate for this role. I am starting the process of learning what is important to folks in town and will look forward to continuing that journey should I be elected. I believe it is important to move forward with collaboration, compromise, and fact-based decision making, and to leave the “us vs. them” mentality in the past.

Rob Ahlert

Please join this virtual meet and greet to:

• Get to know me as a person
• Understand my background, skills, and ideas for Lincoln
• Ask questions and make comments
• Discuss your concerns for future town planning and development

I’ll do a ~10-minute introduction and then spend the rest of the time in Q&A and discussion I particularly encourage people to attend who may not agree with me on planning and development topics so I can learn about different perspectives before potentially taking on this role for the town. If this format seems to be useful, I’ll set up follow-up sessions.

Please mark your calendars, store this Google Meet link, and join the meeting on March 13. Also, please visit my website at www.lincolnforward.org to learn more about me and my positions ahead of time, or to provide your written thoughts on the challenges facing Lincoln as it relates to planning and development. The Google Meet link is also on my website, and I will forward to LincolnTalk as well. Once you join via the link, I will admit you to the meeting. Please plan to include your full name when you join.

Also, if you see me around at Donelan’s or the transfer station or elsewhere, please say hi.

Rob Ahlert, 185 Lincoln Rd.
www.lincolnforward.org 

“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.

“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 Margaret Olson

I am Margaret Olson, and I am asking for your vote in the upcoming town elections for Planning Board. I have lived in our beautiful town for 27 years and have served on the Planning Board for over ten years, working to make everything we love about this town even better. During my tenure on the board, we have:

• Instituted Lincoln’s first Dark Sky lighting regulations
• Worked with town staff to streamline and formalize the site plan review process
• Incrementally relaxed the accessory apartment unit zoning
• Passed the Housing Choice Act zoning, securing our state funding and enabling the town to qualify for a $430,000 grant through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to replace the water main on Lincoln Road.

I believe in an open and collaborative approach to solving problems. I also encourage incremental changes. When I joined the board, the zoning requirements for accessory apartments made it difficult and, in some cases, impossible for residents to create an apartment that was usually needed immediately for a family member or caregiver. When an application complied with the zoning, it was never denied. We were overregulating to the detriment of the town. The board relaxed the requirements in 2021. When those changes created no issues, the board further relaxed the requirements in 2023. When the state mandated that towns permit accessory apartments (or accessory dwelling units, to use the state’s term) under 900 square feet this past summer, we were ready. We are currently crafting a bylaw that complies with state law and works for Lincoln.

This is a small town — overregulation costs everyone money. From staff time to individual’s costs to get projects through permitting, I do my best to make good use of those dollars. If we are adding regulations, we need to be clear on what problem we are solving and that we do so efficiently. Planning Board reviews should focus on being thorough, fair, consistent, and predictable.

The state is continuing to create pressure on single-family zoning. Until the housing crisis significantly abates, I expect we will see continuing regulatory pressure from the state. I believe it is the Planning Board’s job to craft zoning that implements the requirements of state legislation while ensuring protections are in place to safeguard our community.

Along with many other Lincolnites, I deeply value Lincoln’s open spaces, our tree-dominated landscapes, and our roadsides. We will need to continue to work together to preserve our landscape while doing our part to ease the housing crisis.

As the Planning Board’s member of Lincoln’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Roadside and Traffic Committee, and the Transportation Coalition, I continue my commitment to policies that promote sustainability, mobility, and safety. Join me in making Lincoln safe for everyone and all modes of transportation: for our health, for our enjoyment, and for the environment. You can learn more about me at margaretolson.com.

“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.