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

My Turn

My Turn: former Farrington trustees urge “yes” vote

As Lincoln residents who have served over the years as trustees of Farrington Nature Linc, we five fully support the proposed Nature Link project, and we ask you to join us in voting “yes” on both Articles 3 and 4 at Special Town Meeting this Wednesday evening. 

The access road included in the overlay zoning in Article 3 provides Farrington a unique and long-sought-after safety alternative to Route 2 for on-site nature programs for children.

The conservation plan in Article 4 will ensure that Farrington Nature Linc can afford to stay in Lincoln for decades to come and continue to serve children from low-income communities.

This public and private collaboration that each of us has seen develop over the years gives Farrington value for the property it has stewarded here since 1909, enhances safety of its extraordinary programs in service of children and community, and maintains a surrounding of the natural world so important for all children to experience.

Many of you know at least one of us personally, and you know we ask for your support responsibly and respectfully. Please join us at Special Town Meeting (beginning 6:30pm June 25) and, with us, vote “yes” on both Nature Link Articles 3 and 4.

Sincerely,

Sandra Bradlee, Hemlock Circle
Sue Klem, Trapelo Road
Brooks Mostue, Lexington Road
Susan Taylor, Beaver Pond Road
Susan Winship, Meadowdam Road

“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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.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: Change how FinCom members are named

By Bob Domnitz (on behalf of petitioners)

Several weeks ago, 130 residents signed a citizens’ petition asking that our Special Town Meeting consider an amendment to the General Bylaws of the town. If adopted, the amendment would grant authority to the Select Board to appoint the members of the town’s Finance Committee. That authority is currently held by the Town Moderator.

The Finance Committee (FinCom) is one of Lincoln’s most important volunteer committees. Its work is complex and its analysis and recommendations have a decisive impact on town operations and residents’ taxes. Despite its importance, FinCom receives limited direct engagement from residents.

As signatures were gathered for the petition, the vast majority of residents said they did not know how the members of FinCom were chosen. They thought that the moderator’s role was limited to presiding over Town Meeting. No one could recall a contested election for the position of Moderator, and no one could recall that a moderator had ever expressed a viewpoint on town finances or FinCom appointments.

The disconnect between FinCom and residents has been compounded by the current practice of relying on FinCom to screen potential candidates for membership. Vacant positions have not been advertised, and public interviews have not been held.

If endorsed by Town Meeting, the citizens’ petition will make the Select Board the appointing authority for FinCom. Residents look to the Select Board for overall management of the town. It seems natural that they ought to be the authority that appoints FinCom. The town usually has a contested race for Select Board, and candidates differentiate themselves based on their views and policy preferences. That process helps align our Select Board with residents.

Adoption of this amendment will empower the Select Board to solicit and publicly interview volunteers for FinCom, following the same public process they use for other committees that they appoint. Appointment by the Select Board will therefore create a clear link between residents and FinCom.

Although many Massachusetts towns continue the tradition of a moderator-appointed Finance Committee, the trend is toward other methods of appointment. A substantial minority of towns now rely on appointment by Select Boards, direct election by residents, or appointment by a committee composed of various town officials.

By considering this amendment, the town has an opportunity to strengthen transparency, accountability, and resident engagement in a vital part of our local government. Embracing best practices that encourage diverse perspectives and open public participation will not only enhance the Finance Committee’s effectiveness but also foster greater trust and collaboration within our community. Together, we can ensure that Lincoln’s financial decisions reflect the voices and values of all its residents, building a stronger, more inclusive future for our town.

“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: Almost 200 residents urge passage of Nature Link proposal

Dear friends,

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our strong support for the Nature Link (Farrington/Panetta land) proposal that will be on the June 25 Town Meeting warrant. We urge you to join us and vote in favor. We support the Nature Link proposal because we believe it is more than a win-win for the town.

  • 77 acres of land — long identified as being critical — will be permanently protected. Not only is it important for habitat; it also connects to other parcels of open space to provide a significant wildlife corridor.
  • Wetlands and their buffer zones will be protected permanently. Laws and bylaws can be changed. Conservation restrictions are permanent.
  • The Cambridge water board has confirmed, by their large financial contribution, that the Farrington/Panetta proposal offers significant protection for their water supply.
  • Townspeople can enjoy the proposed trail that provides access to this land and to adjacent trails.
  • Protection of significant forestland, such as found on this site, mitigates against climate change by providing carbon sinks, absorbing and storing greenhouse gases.
  • The housing would provide an appealing addition to our housing stock by creating a close-knit condominium neighborhood. Seventeen of the new single-family houses will be in the under-2,000-square-foot range; three of these will be income-restricted. The remaining three houses will be in the 3,500-square-foot range.
  • The funding proposal for conservation will not add to our tax base. The funding proposal includes $500,000 from the Rural Land Foundation, $800,000 from the Cambridge Water Department, $950,000 from the Community Preservation Act (designed for both land protection and housing); and the remainder, approximately $850,000, from contributions (more than half of that amount has already been raised, dependent upon the Town Meeting Vote.)
  • Farrington’s Nature Linc will be able to continue in Lincoln. Farrington, created in 1906, provides an important nature-based education program for students from low-income communities. The agreement with Farrington is dependent upon their gaining a safe access road that is not dependent upon Route 2.
  • This proposal benefits the long-time Lincoln Panetta family; it also further benefits Lincoln and Massachusetts by creating mixed-income housing. It also preserves Gerard’s Farm Stand.

There will be two warrant articles* on this proposal: one that requires a two-thirds vote and one that requires a simple majority. Article 3, requiring a two-thirds vote, will extend the land area in the North Lincoln Overlay District to provide for housing and the farm stand. Article 4, requiring a majority vote, allocates existing funds from the Community Preservation Act fund to conserve the land designated as being of conservation interest.

We believe this proposal is a strong one. It follows the long range, careful planning that has made Lincoln the town that we love. The town has a long tradition of partnering with the Rural Land Foundation to protect open space, and open space linked with housing and public trails.

We hope you will join us and vote yes on Article 3 and Article 4 at Town Meeting.

Sincerely,

Abigail Adams
Gail Alden
Robert Anderson
Sarah Andrysiak
Dogan Arthur
Loretta Arthur
Steve Atlas
Ken Bassett
Cynthia Bencal
Alex Benik
Rebecca Bermont
Sarah Bishop
Pam Boardman
John Bordiuk
Janet Boynton
Stephen Brand
Kim Buell
Larry Buell
Annemarie Calhoun
Jennifer Campbell
Karen Carlson
Tom Casey
Ted Chan
Alex Chatfield
Deborah Choate
Andrew Clark
Lindsay Clemens
Marshall Clemens
William Constable
Rosamund Delori
Alice DeNormandie
Penny DeNormandie
Tom DeNormandie
Jona Donaldson
Nancy Donaldson
Anne Doyle
Jonathan Drew
Leah Drew
Rachel Drew
Nataly Dvash
Lucy Edgington
Dave Elliott
Elizabeth Elliott
Andy Falender
Shirin Farrahi
Becca Fasciano
Jon Ferris
Kristen Ferris
Caroline Fiore
Jim Fleming
Nancy Fleming
Sara Foster
Martha Frost
Rainer Frost
Keli Gail
Jerry Gechter
Gina Halsted
Jean Hardcastle
Chris Hamilton
Sue Harmon
Emily Haslett
Tom Haslett
Jim Henderson
Nancy Henderson
Ruth Ann Hendrickson
Lis Herbert
Zach Herbert
Amanda Hill
Ruth Hodges
Jennifer Holleran
Susanah Howland
Tony Howland
Ken Hurd
Pam Hurd
Peter Hussey
Caroline Jacobs
Brian Jalet
Kim Jalet
Paula Johnson
Steve Johnson
Diana Jong
Herman Karl
Suzanne Karl
Judy Kearney
Bryan Kelly
Elizabeth Kelly
Jonathan Kelman
Joan Kimball
John Kimball
Chris Klem
Sue Klem
John Koenig
John LeClaire
Barbara Leggat
Virginia Lemire
Jackie Lenth
Dave Levington
James Light
Jonathan Light
Paula Light
Lew Lloyd
Rosemary Lloyd
Mary Helen Lorenz
Gwyn Loud
Sara Lupkas
Rick Mandelkorn
Fred Mansfield
Joan Mansfield
Caroline Marotta
Rachel Mason
Lucy Maulsby
Sally Maulsby
Libby Maynard
Nick Maynard
Chris McCarthy
Janice McQuaid
Richard McQuaid
John Mendelson
DJ Mitchell
Matt Mitchell
Richard Mollica
Staci Montori
Edward Morgan
Terry Morgan
Henry Moss
Anne Mostue
Brooks Mostue
Patty Mostue
Richard Nichols
Trish O’Hagan
Barbara O’Neil
David O’Neil
David Onigman
Jane O’Rourke
Margaret Olson
Stacy Parks
Andrea Patton
Joan Perera
Terry Perlmutter
Chris Plonski
Laura Protzman
Ginger Reiner
Kurt Reiner
Dana Robbat
Joe Robbat
Travis Roland
Rick Rundell
Aldis Russell
Lucy Sachs
Reynold Sachs
Barbara Sampson
Don Seckler
Jim Sheehan
Kathy Shepard
Ray Shepard
Ellen Meyer Shorb
Paul Shorb
Molly Slavet
Barbara Slayter
Vickie Slingerland
RL Smith
Tucker Smith
Jonathan Soo
Kara Soo
Nancy Soulette
Charles Staples
Bill Stason
Andy Stevenson
Hannah Stevenson
James Stock
Henry Stone
Jim Storer
Sandy Storer
Kathleen Sullivan
Laura Sullivan
Tricia Thornton-Wells
Dilla Tingley
Peter Van Winkle
Prudy Van Winkle
Mary Jo Veling
Peter Von Mertens
Katy Walker
Tom Walker
Irene Weigel
Lynn Weigel
Deborah Weisgall
Ben Wells
Bryce Wells
Susan Welsh
Throop Wilder
Robin Wilkerson
Blandyna Williams
Susan Winship
Krystal Wood
Louis Zipes
Tanya Zipes
 

* Note: There are five articles on the warrant so the Town Meeting may continue on the evening of June 26. The Nature Link article is third. Please plan on attending both the evenings of June 25 and 26 in case the Nature Link article is not reached until the second night.

“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: Thanks from St. Vincent de Paul

By the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston

We are so grateful to you, our dear neighbors, for giving so generously to make our annual appeal a great success and securing a $20,000 matching grant from the Ogden Codman Trust. Your donations help ensure that our neighbors in need have food on the table, basic needs met, and the opportunity for further training and education. Every gift shows you care and makes a significant impact on the lives of those we serve. 

To our wonderful communities of Lincoln and Weston and all who came to our spring concert on the Weston town green: it was a real celebration of the generosity of all our volunteers and donors, and a perfect evening of music and fun.

We are truly blessed to live and serve in such active and compassionate communities. Thank you and have a lovely summer! 

“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: Details on the North Lincoln Overlay District

By Margaret Olson

On the issue of zoning: this is not a zoning by-law change. This is a use of the North Lincoln Overlay District, and it easily meets the purpose of the North Lincoln Overlay district:

12.5.1 Purpose

The NL-North Lincoln Overlay District is intended:

(a) to permit greater flexibility in the development of tracts of land by requiring few predetermined standards,

(b) to permit a developer to propose, and for the Town to vote on, a site development and use plan unique to a particular location,

(c) to permit the use of development standards more detailed than the general standards elsewhere in this By-law,

(d) to provide information for the Town to evaluate the potential impacts of a proposed development, and

(e) to enable the Planning Board to require adherence to a site development and use plan in the granting of a special permit.

Other North Lincoln Overlay District projects include Oriole Landing, The Commons, and the North Lincoln office buildings. Both the North and South Lincoln overlay districts give the town flexibility (via a town meeting vote) to approve uses outside of the base zoning and control over how that is done.

The downside is that development under the overlays requires a significant investment by the developer prior to approval without any guarantee that the project will go forward. The answer to “why Civico” is that there are few developers willing to do this: it’s expensive in both absolute terms and opportunity cost. The RLF and other landowners would be in a better negotiating position with respect to developers if there was more flexibility in the by-right uses (base zoning).

Olson is former chair of 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.

My Turn: Planning for climate-friendly aviation

By Christopher Eliot

In a previous Lincoln Squirrel article, I explained why “sustainable” aviation fuel (SAF) is unlikely to make aviation climate-friendly, barring one or more significant technological breakthroughs.

If SAF will not make aviation climate friendly, what should be done? Unfortunately, this is a very hard question to answer. I do not have an ideal solution any more than the aviation industry, but I believe my truthful admission is better than industry propaganda. It requires a lot of energy to fight the law of gravity. Currently, aircraft use the energy reservoir of millions of years of fossil fuel. It is unclear what renewable energy sources can practically be used to support aviation. It is more unclear if we can produce enough renewable energy for basic electrical needs and aviation too.

Expanding aviation is clearly wrong: we don’t want to make a hard problem bigger. We need to constrain the growth of aviation, starting with private jets which are the worst part of the problem as explained by Alex Chatfield on February 23 (“My Turn: Proposed private-jet Hanscom expansion is a climate bomb in sheep’s clothing“).

Existing aircraft can be made somewhat more efficient, thus reducing their environmental impact. Unfortunately, crowded seating, while loathsome for passengers, does reduce the fuel consumption per passenger mile. Scheduling that reduces empty seats is beneficial to the airlines and to the environment. Flying directly to a destination under 3,000 miles away is almost always more environmentally friendly than flights with layovers. Further efficiencies are possible but will only produce some percentage of improvement, easily outweighed by increases in travel.

Spending a trillion dollars to support production of SAF does not seem like a good use of resources or a path to a solution. Spending a trillion dollars on high-speed rail is much more likely to succeed and have a much better impact on climate considerations.

The single most impactful proposal is the development of blended wing aircraft. Fundamentally altering the shape of an airplane to generate much more lift will significantly reduce fuel consumption, and climate impact. JetZero claims the design can reduce emissions by up to 50%. However, more independent estimates predict more conservative benefits of 20-30%. Furthermore, the development of a new aircraft with associated production, servicing, and operational infrastructure is exceedingly challenging from a technical perspective, and maintaining the investment interest for the long development period is excruciatingly hard. The safety issues associated with a new design are immense. One or two fatal crashes could easily end production of an otherwise promising technology.

Jet contrails, while short-lived, turn out to have a massive effect on global warming and may account for 50% of the climate impact of aviation. Modifying flight paths to avoid the conditions where contrails form could substantially reduce this effect, although this has not been proven.

Electric aircraft are being tested and may soon become operational but it is not certain this technology will prove to be economically feasible. Several promising companies including Eviation and Lilium that have attempted to develop electric aircraft have recently failed. The industry wants to focus on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVtol) instead of the simpler electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCtol) form of electric aircraft. From an environmental perspective, eVtol is probably bad and eCtol is probably good. All forms of electric aviation are technically difficult and have an uncertain future.

EVtol would create a whole new aviation industry providing a fast way to commute from cities to suburbs. Vertical takeoff and landing requires a prodigious expenditure of energy, likely limiting range to 25-50 miles. It is likely that eVtol will be a form of luxury travel unavailable to most people. It will probably be an expensive replacement for bus and automobile service to those who have the means. It will place a further drain on limited green energy sources, create new sources of overhead noise and confusion while reducing the environmental impact of nothing.

ECtol, on the other hand, could replace a certain number of short range flights (200-300 miles), including trips to The Cape and Islands. While this is a limited benefit, it is certainly better for the environment than using private jets to fly those same routes. Approximately half of all air travel is under 593 miles. More than 90% of high-traffic scheduled flights are less than 1,500 nautical miles. Current battery technology cannot produce electric aircraft that address a large percentage of the aviation problem. Increasing battery efficiency by at least a factor of three might allow electric aircraft to replace almost half of the current passenger miles. Electric aircraft do not have to cross oceans to dramatically reduce the climate impact of aviation.

My best plan for aviation requires (hopefully) addressing 10-30% of the problem with electric aircraft, 20-50% through the development of blended wing aircraft, 10-30% by reduction in contrails, 20-30% of the problem with high-speed rail, 10-20% of the problem with SAF, 10% from incremental optimization of engines, and remaining reductions due to remote meetings, more local vacationing, and some reductions in the use of air travel. The technological improvements are all uncertain; reduction in air travel is the only proven way to reduce aviation’s impact on the climate. However, while uncertain, the various engineering proposals (other than SAF) could greatly reduce the climate problem of aviation. Moving slowly toward this goal will be better for the aviation industry than following the false promise of SAF and being forced to drastically scale back operations when the scale of the climate crisis becomes inescapable.

What can you do?

The most direct action is to reduce your air travel slightly, maybe by 10%. Perhaps you can combine two trips into one (longer) trip or convert an in-person meeting to an online meeting. You can support groups opposed to private jet expansion and write to your government representatives.

Eliot, a Lincoln resident, is the former chair of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission.

“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.

Community center bids expected; Hartwell work begun

By Alison Taunton-Rigby
Community Center Building Committee

This has been a busy, high-energy month for the community center building project. Construction document drafts are in the final stages of review prior to publication on May 30, 2025. Bids for subcontractors are due on May 21, 2025, and bids for the general contractor will be opened on May 29, 2025.

We all recognize these are challenging, unpredictable economic times, so the Community Center Building Committee (CCBC) has worked hard to design within our budget with considerable contingency. The CCBC and Select Board have scheduled meetings in late May and early June to review the bids and approve a path forward. Assuming the bids come in on budget, we expect to sign a construction contract in June and begin work in early July.

Temporary relocation plans are complete for the occupants of the pods, who will move out as soon as the school year ends. This will free up the area occupied by the three pods for demolition and the beginning of community center construction:

Wall demolition in the Hartwell building for the maintenance shop is complete and electrical installation is ongoing, with HVAC ductwork to begin shortly.

  • The school maintenance shop will move into its new permanent home in the Hartwell building.
  • The Parks and Recreation Department offices will move into the Hartwell building, and programs will continue in school spaces and the usual locations around town.
  • The Lincoln Summer Day Camp will be entirely housed in the Lincoln School as well.
  • LEAP will move into the Smith Gym area of the school building.

Magic Garden Preschool will remain on site and will use the Strats Play area, a safe distance away from construction.The next CCBC meeting is scheduled for May 21, 2025. We welcome your comments, and questions. Please see the CCBC website for full information.

“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: Please donate during food pantry annual appeal

By SVdP Lincoln/Weston

Yes, the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston operates a food pantry, right here in our beautiful communities, that serves over 100 households facing food insecurity. And yes, we also provide emergency financial aid to those experiencing difficulties, and vocational scholarships for those seeking better job opportunities. We serve our neighbors in need who live, work, or whose children go to school in Lincoln and Weston. Just this past year, we spent:

  • $80,000 on food
  • $90,000 on assistance for rent, utilities, and other basic needs
  • $11,000 on scholarships for education and training

Weston residents Sarah Hasselbeck (left) and Christine Hayward volunteer at the food pantry behind St. Joseph Church in Lincoln.

The need among our most vulnerable neighbors continues to grow, especially during these uncertain times, your support is crucial! Your donation, regardless of the amount, can have a huge impact on someone’s life. Donate now, and the Ogden Codman Trust in Lincoln will match your contribution with a matching gift challenge.

  • Donate online: go to svdplincolnweston.org
  • Mail a check: SVdP of Lincoln and Weston, PO Box 324, Lincoln MA 01773
  • Spread the word: share our mission with friends and family.

Thank you for believing in the power of neighbors helping neighbors. We appreciate your compassion and continued support, especially now, during our annual appeal. With sincere gratitude from all of us at SVdP Lincoln/Weston.

“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: Dozens of Lincolnites join “Hands Off!” protest in Boston

By Barbara Slayter

Among the thousands of demonstrators across the country for the “Hands-Off Protest” Saturday, April 5 were 50 Lincolnites who joined the rally at the Boston Common opposing the current administration’s abrupt and widespread dismantling of programs, services, and institutions that have long been part of Americans’ lives.  

Specifically, what were participants protesting? Numerous conversations and posters irevealed widespread alarm over attacks on Social Security and Medicaid; mass firings of federal workers, immigration raids, the chainsaw tactics of Elon Musk and DOGE, cuts in scientific research, dismantling of educational programs, national park services, and veterans’ benefits, and the arrest of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts University graduate student.

The Lincoln contingent gets ready to board the bus to join the protest in Boston (click to enlarge).

Despite the raw, cold, and rainy weather, the mood both at the rally and on the Doherty’s bus (arranged by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee) was buoyant, determined, and hopeful. Participants appreciated the fervor and commitment of the speakers from a variety of Massachusetts organizations and networks, and especially from Sen. Ed Markey, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Rep. Ayanna Presley. Also welcome were the ease of the waiting, warm bus and the skillful driver who deposited us mere steps from the Boston Common and then safely back at Ballfield Road at the end of the rally.

“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: Revolution comes to Lincoln Town Meeting

By Lynne Smith

The 1775 Lincoln Town Meeting featured a heated but civil debate about the need for a tax increase to equip Lincoln volunteers to fight the British.

This debate came alive last Saturday at the 2025 Town Meeting as seven reenactors, led by Rick Wiggins as Eleazer Brooks, argued the topic. The passion and clarity of the different views rang out in the Donaldson Auditorium as they must have done in the Old Town Hall 250 years ago.  Those in favor of the tax were eloquent about the need for Lincoln volunteers to be armed and ready. Those opposing the tax and the revolution explained the difficulties caused by a tax increase, the loss of their sons to work the farm, and their hope that the problems with the British could be resolved without resorting to war. 

I was deeply moved by the elegant language of the reenactors. It was, in fact, a recreation written recently, but it captured the serious tone and reflected the views of the speakers, pro and con. That our town records preserved the outcome of this 1775 meeting illustrates the value our Lincoln forebears had for free speech and civil debate. Thank you to Kim Bodnar, the Lincoln Minute Men, and the Lincoln250 Committee for reminding us of what we are celebrating this year — and what we hope to continue.

“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.