By Jonathan Dwyer Many times, I have witnessed Jennifer’s wisdom, skill, and thoughtfulness from the upper rows of the Harriett Todd Lecture Hall in Donaldson Auditorium, from the seat beside her at our board meetings, in the parlor room at Bemis Hall, and on the grass at Pierce Park. She is everywhere in town, and…
My Turn
Over 200 residents urge town to vote yes on HCA article
Dear Lincoln friends and neighbors: What vision of Lincoln do we share? Over the past several decades, our town has voted consistently for projects that preserve open space, increase access to housing, and protect our broader environment. With Lincoln Woods and the Ryan Estates, we have welcomed new residents in the village center giving them…
My Turn: Fiduciary behavior and debt burden
By Chris Burns Of course, a community center would be nice to have, but… The town debt service today is greater than what we spend for the Police Department or L-S High School or the entire town government. How high should it go? In the warrant for the March 26, 2022 Town Meeting, page 18…
My Turn: The real housing crisis is affordability
By Gail O’Keefe The HCA zoning decision looming is based on an assumption that we have a housing crisis in Massachusetts. Politicians have linked development to diversity, claiming all towns must help the state in the housing struggle. However, in looking at recent building data from local cities and towns, it seems very likely that…
My Turn: Vander Meulen endorses Taylor for Planning Board
By Allen Vander Meulen I’ve known Gary Taylor for nearly 15 years. He and his wife Susan were one of the first people we met when we moved into our home on Beaver Pond Rd. I think we all are very aware of the many years both Gary and Susan have invested in service to…
My Turn: In support of Article 3 at Town Meeting
By Joan Kimball I am supporting Article 3, the Housing Choice bylaw, at the March 23 Town Meeting. Having voted in favor of Article C (with the majority) at the December Special Town Meeting, I have since read carefully the pros and cons, attended meetings about the Housing Choice Act and made my decision. I…
My Turn: The importance of counting the votes
By David Onigman I have lived in Lincoln most of my life. I grew up here, my mother and her four brothers lived here. I worked for various town departments through a Massport internship growing up in town, working for the Select Board, the Finance Department, and others. I attended Town Meetings growing up, running…
My Turn: Taking issue with Planning Board dissenters
By Trisha O’Hagan Editor’s note: O’Hagan has said that her quote by her in the February 27 Lincoln Squirrel story headlined “Planning Board splits 3-2 on endorsing zoning amendments” was inaccurate, so it has been removed. I attended the February 26 Planning Board meeting and felt I needed to respond when a community member emphatically…
My Turn: Don’t post signs in front of other people’s houses
By Mark Robidoux This office has received multiple questions and concerns from residents that signs are being installed on the town-owned easement in front of private residences without the resident’s permission or town permission. As a friendly reminder, 16.4 of the local zoning ordinance states signs on town-owned property need approval from the Select Board…
My Turn: HCA in Lincoln – managing risks and finding solutions
By Rob Ahlert When it comes to finding a solution to the Housing Choice Act riddle for Lincoln, there are many paths the town could choose to go down. When choosing which path to go down, an organization (e.g., our town) usually carefully identifies its options and the risks vs rewards for each, ultimately choosing…