The Lincoln Squirrel – News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

My Turn

My Turn: Stop removing or damaging political signs

By Gary Davis

During the election campaign of 2013, a question was raised about whether town standards were too restrictive regarding political signs during election campaigns compared to other types of signs displayed at other times throughout the year.

The topic of political signs and issues current at that time (particularly regarding freedom of speech) focused on how, when and where citizens had the right to display them were discussed that year with the town administrator, other town staff, and with guidance from town counsel. At that time, town counsel provided recommendations that were consistent with state law governing regulations for political signs and consistent with Lincoln character.
Those town counsel recommendations were adopted at that time by the town in the form of a citizen agreement rather than a bylaw as follows:

  • Political signs can be held by right without a permit on town-owned land as long as they don’t impact safety or constitute a hazard either to motorists or pedestrians.
  • Unatttended political signs can be placed by right on town-owned land at the intersections defined in section 16.2(d) of the zoning bylaw as follows:
    • Sandy Pond Road and Lincoln Road
    • Ballfield Road and Lincoln Road
    • Lincoln Road and South Great Road
    • Bedford Road and Morningside Lane
    • Codman Road and Concord Road
  • One political sign can be placed by right on private land.
  • Political signs shall not exceed 8 square feet and are limited to display no more than 180 days prior to the related election.

Unfortunately, a number of practice habits have evolved that disrespect the original agreement terms. Some citizens or non-citizen advocates have refused to accept rules for signs located on the approved town-owned lands, use of signs over the size limit, and vandalism and theft of compliant signs on both private or town-owned land. It should be noted that the majority of such signs have been purchased by town citizens, so loss or vandalism is no light matter.
Given the increasingly negative political atmosphere in the last few years, it is conceivable there will be even more violations. Signs have already been stolen this year. Let’s do our best to comply with the letter and spirit of these recommendations both as measures of Lincoln environmental and character and abiding mutual respect.

Gary Davis is a member and former chair of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee.

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: Clarification on increased contaminants in town water

(Editor’s note: This is a follow-up to an August 24 article headlined “Fix for town water problem expected by next summer” in which Water Commission member Ruth Ann Hendrickson speculated about the course of the increase in TTHM contaminants in Flint’s Pond, the source of drinking water for many Lincoln residents.)

By Ruth Ann Hendrickson

I want to clarify the situation with the TTHMs in the Lincoln drinking water. I have speculated in the past about what might have caused the increase in organics in the water, but I have never actually taken the time to look at the data. Today I gathered the data from the required annual Consumer Confidence Reports (CCRs), which are available on the Water Department website.

Year20092010201120122013201420152016201720182019
TTHMs (ppb)36.854.229.356.169.274.773.773.7837983

The data shows a gradually increasing level of TTHMs over the last decade. The jump to 83.0 ppb actually occurred before the level of the dam was temporarily raised in 2018. It was my error to speculate without checking the data first. We don’t really know the cause, so any guesses on my part were ill-considered. It’s clear from the data that the increase of organics in the water has been a long term trend.

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: On the centennial of the 19th Amendment

By Donald Hafner

In November 1915, the men of Massachusetts trekked to the polls to decide whether the word “male” should be removed from the state’s qualifications for voting. The Massachusetts Woman Suffrage Association in mid-October had staged a pro-suffrage parade in downtown Boston, with 15,000 marchers and 30 bands, urging a “Yes” vote. A parade of 15,000. Yet according to the Massachusetts Anti-Suffrage Committee, what men should do was deliver “not merely a defeat for woman suffrage, but a defeat so overwhelming that the question will not rise again at least in this generation.”

The men of the town of Lincoln in 1915 took the advice and voted against suffrage for women, 143 to 66 — an even larger rejection than the overall vote in Massachusetts. The Anti-Suffrage Committee asserted that most women did not, in fact, want the right to vote. Given the opportunity, women seemingly ignored it.

In 1879, when women in Massachusetts had been granted the vote for members of their local school committees, fewer than 5% of eligible Massachusetts women registered to vote, and only 2% ever voted. In Lincoln, three women promptly registered to vote, but only one went to the polls.

Women argued that the right to vote for male school board members (only men could hold public office) was too trivial for the bother. Yet in 1895, when Massachusetts women were allowed to vote in a referendum granting women the vote for all local offices, only 7% of eligible women in the state registered to vote and only 4% went to the polls. The 1895 referendum was overwhelmingly defeated by men. In Lincoln, only five women were registered to vote in the referendum, and only three cast ballots — all “Yes” votes.

At the turn of the 20th century, more women in Lincoln registered to vote, perhaps from interest in the local school committee, perhaps just to make a point. Still, by 1919, there were 285 Lincoln women eligible to vote, yet only 40 had registered.

Then on August 28, 1920 — ten days after ratification of the 19th Amendment — 71 Lincoln women flocked to the town clerk’s office to register for their first Presidential election. Impressive, but still only 25% of those women eligible. The anti-suffrage message — that the woman’s place was in the home, not in politics — still had a powerful grip.

On the centennial of the 19th Amendment, one hundred years of slow progress — and more to come.

*    *    *

Donald Hafner is a member of the board of the Lincoln Historical Society and drum major for the Lincoln Minute Men. He is a retired professor of political science who loves exploring the rich history of the town of Lincoln.

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: Watch the Democratic National Convention this week

By Joan Kimball and Barbara Slayter

It’s the week of the Democratic National Convention, and we Dems are very excited. On Monday night, we heard from Democratic leaders such as Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders, and Amy Klobuchar, as well as Republican leaders including John Kasich.

On Tuesday night, voters, delegates, activists and leaders in the Democratic Party will officially cast votes to nominate Joe Biden. Wednesday night will feature the historic nomination of Kamala Harris as Vice President of the United States. Speakers will include Nancy Pilosi, Elizabeth Warren, and Gabrielle Giffords.

On Thursday, Joe Biden will accept the Democratic nomination and will speak about his vision for uniting America. Other speakers will include Senators Corey Booker, Tammy Baldwin, and Tammy Duckworth. The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) will perform. 

For the complete schedule and news about the Lincoln Democratic Party, see our website at www.Lincolnmadems.org. The convention will be broadcast TV on several channels on computers, streaming video and on the website at demconvention/watch. 

Joan Kimball and Barbara Slayter
Co-chairs, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: Many thanks for the awning

By Christine Brandt
St. Vincent de Paul Visitor Co-Chair

The members of the St. Vincent de Paul Lincoln/Weston Food Pantry wish to acknowledge the generous donation of a handsome awning by Lincoln resident Chris Knollmeyer. Chris not only provided the awning, but also took care of its installation.

Chris Knollmeyer and food pantry chair Karen Boyce under the new awning.

Due to the pandemic, all of our food distribution had to be moved outside because we were simply too small to accommodate social distancing within the confines of the pantry. Once the very hot weather arrived, and with the occasional summer rainstorm, we realized the need for some protection for clients and volunteers standing outside during distribution.

As he has done frequently since the pantry expansion, Chris stepped in to provide exactly what was needed. We are grateful to all of our benefactors, and during this heatwave, especially to Chris and his employees.

“My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: We have 10 years

Dear Lincoln residents,

We have ten years. Ten years to save the people and places we love from the climate crisis. The Green New Deal is the plan to make this happen and 2021 is critical for passing and implementing the necessary legislation at the federal level.

That’s why we’re asking you to vote for Ed Markey in the Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary.

Sen. Ed Markey is the co-author of the Green New Deal and has been a fierce advocate for environmental and climate justice throughout his time in office. We need his experience, his policy expertise, and his unwavering dedication in the Senate to ensure environmental justice and stability for all.

Sen. Markey has proven himself to be a powerful and dedicated advocate for the needs of the people of Massachusetts. He is a strong progressive leader with bold new ideas who will continue to fight for us and for future generations if we re-elect him.

For more information, go to www.edmarkey.com/vote. Vote early by mail or in person on Tuesday, September 1.

With gratitude,

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]
Trish O’Hagan & Alex Chatfield
Emily & Tom Haslett
Candace Pearson
Staci Montori & John Bordiuk
Lucy Chatfield
Elizabeth Cherniak
Barbara Slayter
Audrey Kalmus
Rory Bordiuk
Ilana Wind Newell
Laura Berland
Alvin Schmertzler
Joan Kimball
John RH Kimball
Nancy & Jim Fleming
Jackie Lenth & Andy Falender
Paul Shorb
Sarah Cannon Holden
Lynne Smith & Ed Lang
Gail Alden
Marie Alden
Nolan Watts
Jeff Eaton
[/lgc_column]Cathie Bitter
Nina Carmel
Elizabeth Graver
Christina Thompson
Barbara Leggat
Dave Levington
Marlene Major
Jennie Morris
Lucy Bergeron
Fan Watkinson
David Urion
Deborah Choate
Tim Barclay
Rachel Mason
Heather Ring
Michelle Barnes
Gwyn Loud
Susan & Bill Stason
Lorraine Fiore
Andrew Glass
Margaret L. McLaughlin
Jerry Gechter
Jean Welsh

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: The Food Project needs your help

By Peter von Mertens

The Food Project, which farms 31 acres of Lincoln conservation land, is hard-pressed during this Covid crisis to carry out their mission. Normally teams of volunteers from corporations, law firms, banks, schools, and other nonprofits would be planting and weeding the carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, and other crops. During the summer months, teams of high school youth would carry on that work as well as picking, washing, sorting, and helping distribute over 250,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce to inner-city hunger relief organizations and farmers’ markets. 

Not so this year. The 110 youth — some from cities and some from suburbs — cannot come together due to Covid, and the entire farm work has fallen on a core crew of eight farmers and some of the Food Project office staff. 

The Food Project is a powerful anti-racism program as it brings together youth from different racial and ethnic as well as socioeconomic backgrounds, and the youth and staff spend time discussing their biases, experiences and ways to understand and resolve conflicts. Of all the years to miss this kind of learning!

The Food Project has been hard hit financially this year. They were fortunate to have received a Payroll Protection Grant to help them keep key staff employed, but the future is very uncertain. Please consider making a donation at thefoodproject.org. It’s local. It provides high-quality produce to residents of Dorchester, Roxbury, and other areas in greater Boston. And it’s important to keep alive and well through this crisis.

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: School district race, equity, and inclusion work

By Becky McFall

Dear Lincoln community,

Following George Floyd’s murder, you received messages from Lincoln METCO Director Marika Hamilton, me, and recently a statement from the School Committee expressing a commitment to focusing on race, inclusion, equity, and diversity in all aspects of our schools. The School Committee and administration have received messages from many of you expressing your strong commitment to this work as well, and a request for an action plan to move forward together as a district. Planning efforts are underway to ensure that we are prepared to engage in our own learning as well as work with and support students as they return to school in September.

One of our eight working groups to plan for the opening of school is the Race, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group. We also have a Social Emotional Learning Working Group. These two groups are focused on what we need to have in place for the beginning of the school year to support students and faculty. We know how important diversity and inclusion are to student success and we are eager to continue growing in this area together.

Plans are being developed for professional development for all employees for the coming school year. There are several conversations taking place that include faculty members and administrators. As plans solidify, our goal is to communicate with you as soon as possible. Our first priority is to be prepared for the opening of school and our next priority is to develop plans for our areas of focus for the school year that will absolutely focus on race, equity, and inclusion. Please know that it will be a multi-faceted and multi-year endeavor. I look forward to sharing more details with you in the coming weeks.

McFall is Superintendent of Schools in Lincoln.

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: Thanks from the Front Steps Project

By Corey Nimmer

This is a bit delayed, but I just wanted to reach out with an update and huge thank-you regarding the Front Steps Project fundraiser that we wrapped up in early June.

Between May 10 and June 5, households in Lincoln participated by posing for a five-minute photo shoot outside their homes and received digital copies in exchange for a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, which operates the town’s food pantry and provides financial support to those in need. In the end, 89 households participated over 12 shooting days, and together we raised well over $7,000!

If you want to read a little more about the story behind this and see the gallery of photos, you can do so by clicking here.

I would like to thank Kristen Collins and Cara Soulia for starting the Front Steps Project in Needham back in March and for their guidance along the way. I’d also like to thank Ursula Nowak, Tomasina Lucchese, and Sarah Bishop for their help with organizing, spreading the word, and processing donations. Most of all, thank-you to all the incredible people who participated in this project. You are what makes Lincoln great and your generosity will help ensure that everyone who calls it home can stay here safely and happily.

Keep an eye out for some of the photos on my car in the 4th of July parade!

Corey Nimmer

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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: Girl Scouts are a big help to food pantry

By Tomasina Lucchese

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston would like to thank the Lincoln Girl Scouts for organizing a very successful July Fourth-themed drive!

Rising seventh-grader Ariana Shokrollahi and her mother Elaine Papoulias organized a service project and invited Girl Scouts of all ages to join them in supplying fun treats for the families of the food pantry. And what better thing for the Girl Scouts to generously give than cookies? They gifted cookies in Fourth of July-themed bags, decorated with American flags and other patriotic treats, to more than 90 families. And as a result, there were many smiles of appreciation as the families were warmly welcomed into summer.

Rising seventh-grader Ariana Shokrollahi and her mother Elaine Papoulias get ready to deliver bags of cookies.

The generosity and support of groups like the Girl Scouts enables SVdP to do our work. Twice a month, we serve a wonderful array of healthy foods to 275 members at the SVdP Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston. There’s a growing need for food in our community these days, and because of increased demand statewide, we cannot rely on the Greater Boston Food Bank to the extent we could in the past. SVdP also offers emergency financial assistance throughout the year to many neighbors in crisis. SVdP truly appreciates everyone’s support — we wouldn’t be able to do our work without it. 

If you or somebody you know is in need of food or emergency financial help, please reach out at 781-899-2611 ext. 4 or svdplincolnweston@gmail.com. This is a challenging time for many and although it can be difficult to ask for help, we are here to support. All communication remains completely confidential.

With much gratitude,

Tomasina Lucchese
Vice President of SVdP of Lincoln and Weston

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents to offer their 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.