My Turn

(Editor’s note: This op-ed was originally published in the Lexington Observer on March 30, 2023.)

By Ed Sullivan

Lexington [and Lincoln] residents need to be aware of the Tracer Lane Solar Project at 0 Cambridge St./Concord Turnpike that is currently under review by the Lexington Planning Board. The project is planned in a forestry area adjacent to Lexington conservation land, the Cambridge Reservoir, and residential property in Lincoln and Waltham. The scope of the project is to cut down approximately 800 trees over 9+ acres and build a 1 megawatt 4,000-panel solar installation. Imagine the tree loss and wildlife displacement. The solar panels will be located on a steep hill and jammed up against Waltham residential property. The panels will have a proposed 50-foot setback from the residential property lines, but much of the area between the property line and actual panel placement will be cleared. 

Because of the proximity to the reservoir, there will be no foam fire suppression installed or used, as foam could contaminate the reservoir. Should there be a fire (solar panels do catch fire more frequently than people think), the agreed strategy by the Lexington and Waltham Fire Departments is essentially: let it burn itself out. You cannot fight an electrical fire with water, so all the responding firefighters will do is wet the ground near the abutting homes in hopes the fire will not spread. This is the plan! Where else in Lexington is there a “let it burn” strategy?

If there were a fire, the plume of smoke would contain both lead and cadmium (both carcinogens) that would settle on the reservoir and potentially contaminate the water. The smoke could travel for 1.25 miles and the residue settle on homes in Lexington, Lincoln, and Waltham. The potential for risk to firefighters is high. They would be exposed to toxic smoke, working on an extremely slippery and steep incline. The sole entry and exit to this solar field will be a 20-foot-wide gravel path installed across a residential property in Waltham (owned by the developer) which backs up to the Lexington property the developer is planning for this solar field.

The Waltham residents are not against solar. Some have it on their own homes. This is not NIMBY opposition. It is just a bad project with multiple problems. For more information, please visit our website at WalthamNeighborsForSafeSolar.org.

Sullivan lives at 24 Sherbourne Place in Waltham. 

“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 Barbara Slayter

If you live in Lincoln, chances are you are deeply concerned about the environment, distressed about the polarization afflicting our nation, alarmed about climate change, and disturbed about the rise of right-wing authoritarianism. Come hear Bill McKibben, who will discuss his childhood experiences and his reflection on transformations in our country as they are revealed in his latest book, The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks back at his Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened, on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. (event details below).

Bill McKibben is an eminent environmentalist, Professor of Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, and author of more than a dozen books, including the best sellers Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?, Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, and The End of Nature, which was the first book to warn the general public about the climate crisis. Recipient of several prestigious prizes, he founded the global grassroots climate campaign 350.org, an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all. His new project, organizing people over 60 for progressive change, is called Third Act.

McKibben grew up next door in Lexington, where he moved when he was ten years old. He rapidly became enmeshed in Lexington’s cherished heritage of colonial farmer-patriots who fought to secure the independence of this country. He was confident in the patterns and certainties of his family’s participation in the Hancock United Church of Christ, an institution central to the religious life of his family. He reveled in the opportunities made possible in an affluent suburb by the automobile, the mechanism for connecting home, work, schools, church, shopping, vacations, and various and sundry other destinations.

Now, 50 years later, he is asking a lot of questions about past policies that shaped contemporary life in America. He is looking around at vast inequalities in wealth, an extraordinary dependence on fossil fuels, sharp racial injustices, and a widespread collapse of trust in our long-treasured institutions. He asks, “What went so suddenly sour with American patriotism, American faith and American prosperity?”   

And we ask, how do McKibben’s questions, his experience, and his reflections relate to our small New England town? We may find that they do so in more ways than we could have imagined. Can we seize the opportunity to learn from this scholar/activist who is probing for ways that Americans – all of us — can build a sustainable and just future?

McKibben’s talk is on Sunday, April 2 at  3 p.m. Reservations are not required, so arrive early at the First Parish in Lincoln, go to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church to watch it simulcast live with others (enjoy light refreshments and informal discussion afterwards), or watch on livestream here. This event is sponsored by the First Parish in Lincoln and its committees: Racial Justice Advocates, Outreach, Green and Adult Education.

“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 Peter Buchthal

My name is Peter Buchthal and I am running for the Lincoln School Committee.

I am a huge supporter of public education. I attended an excellent public school in Scarsdale and was excited for the opportunity to enroll my three young children in the Lincoln Public School system (LPS) when we moved to town in 2013 (even though none were born yet!). I was thrilled with LPS during the pandemic when classrooms opened early for the lower grades, since remote work is more challenging with younger kids. However, over the past year, I have become concerned about our educational standards as I have learned more about the programs for older kids.

The school administration recently released an iReady report that showed that 38% of Lincoln School students (close to 200 out of 515 students) are one or more grades behind in their studies. At first, I wondered if we were just suffering long-term academic effects from the pandemic. Our average 2022 MCAS result is 510.05 vs. 2019 MCAS of 510.79. The results are so close that we can’t ignore our poor results and blame them on the pandemic.

In 2012, LPS’s #1 goal was “striving for academic excellence.” Over the past ten years, the academic goals and expectations have continually weakened. Now in 2023, only one of the school’s “high-priority goals” (see page 27 of the Financial Section and Warrant for the 2023 Annual Town Meeting) that talks about academics and just states: “Improve student investment, academic outcomes…” If elected to the School Committee, I will work with my fellow School Committee members to refocus our academic goals and devote more time in the classroom to foundational skills in reading, writing, and math to make sure all students are meeting grade-level proficiency standards in these subjects. This may involve reevaluating our current curriculum, after school and investing in additional resources to support struggling students.

Additionally, we spend 20% to 30% more per student than most of our peer towns. Yet all our academic test scores are middle of the pack. If more students were at grade level, we might free up budget money to expand our academic and athletic offerings. We might even be able to save a little money and reduce the burden on the Lincoln taxpayer.

I propose that we add additional learning opportunities to the Lincoln campus after school. I understand that many families supplement their child’s reading and math with Russian Math, Kumon, Beast Academy, etc. From an equity view, it is unfair that many students in our school do not have sufficient resources to attend these helpful programs. As a member of the School Committee, I would work with the administration and teachers to explore creating various additional extra academic offerings on campus so all of our students can get the benefits of these courses without leaving Lincoln.

I proposed during a PTO meeting that we look into an intensive six-week summer school program to get all of our students back to grade level. With the support of participating staff, parents, and students, I look forward to trying to make this happen next year. We could also consider adding academic special weeks during some vacations to further support the academics of our students. We need to solve this problem and I will reach out to all groups (teachers, parents, administrators) to explore all the different and creative ways we can work together.

A student survey from this past spring showed that only 24 percent of our middle school students felt engaged in the classroom. It is not difficult to understand a student’s lack of engagement when 38% of the class is behind one or more grades. I believe If more students were at grade level, the pace and content of our classes would be more challenging, more engaging, and academ

As a member of the School Committee, I will work tirelessly to support the new superintendent’s effort in doing a top to bottom review of our school system. I look forward to learning how we can improve our school with new offerings, initiatives and maybe even some cost savings. Many of my concerns and supporting information have been previously shared on LincolnTalk. Please check the archives for more information or email me directly.

Please give me a chance to help improve our school for everyone and support our new superintendent. Vote Peter Buchthal for Lincoln School Committee on March 27.

Sincerely,

Peter Buchthal (pbuchthal@gmail.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.

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.