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Minuteman school measure passes in district-wide vote

September 20, 2016

The Minuteman High School funding measure passed by a wide margin in a special election in the 16-town vocational-technical school district, according to unofficial results gathered by Minuteman officials Tuesday night.

By a total of 12,146 in favor to 5,319 opposed (70 percent to 30 percent), voters in the district approved funding for a $145 million new school building in Lincoln. Lincoln’s unofficial total was 294–41 in favor (88 percent to 12 percent).

Unofficial results from the September 20 Minuteman High School funding vote (click to enlarge).

Lincoln is one of six towns that opted to withdraw from the Minuteman district earlier this year, but that withdrawal does not become effective until July 2017. However, the withdrawal also means that Lincoln will not be responsible for a share of the capital costs for the building as current members towns are. The other towns that withdrew are Boxborough, Carlisle, Sudbury, Wayland and Weston.

Voter turnout was low, with Lincoln at 5 percent (though Sudbury, Wayland and Weston were lowest with 2 percent each). The largest turnout was 19 percent in Belmont, which precipitated Tuesday’s election by being the only town in the district to vote against the funding at Town Meeting earlier this year.

Belmont High School was accepted last spring into the funding pipeline by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), so voters at that town’s May 4 Town Meeting on Minuteman were facing two possible school projects within a relatively short time span. However, this was also true for Arlington, which passed the Minuteman measure.

The unofficial results were gathered by Steve Sharek, Minuteman’s director of outreach and development, from reports by town clerks for 14 of the towns and on-site observers in the case of Arlington and Lexington. His voter turnout calculations used registered-voter totals from either the Secretary of State’s office or individual towns.

McLean Hospital proposal goes to the ZBA

September 19, 2016

The Zoning Board of Appeals will take up the issue of McLean Hospital’s proposed Bypass Road property use at a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Town Hall.

A group of 10 families who live in the neighborhood of 16-22 Bypass Road filed an appeal challenging the determination by Building Inspector Daniel Walsh that McLean Hospital’s proposal for a 12-bed facility on Bypass Road constitutes an educational use of the property. Educational and religious organizations are exempt from certain residential zoning restrictions according to a state law known as the Dover Amendment.

In a July 8 letter, Walsh noted that McLean’s proposed use has “multiple objectives which include residential along with therapeutic and educational functions” and agreed with an earlier opinion by town counsel Joel Bard that the use qualifies for the zoning exemption.

The Planning Board voted 4-0 on September 13 to approve McLean’s site plan, which concerns only issues such as parking and visual screening on the property.

Neighbors have argued that there is a safety risk from the proposed facility, which will offer dialectical behavioral therapy as part of a psychoeducational program to young men aged 15-21 who will live there for periods of weeks to months. In an interview with the Lincoln Squirrel last month, the director of McLean’s Psychology Department refuted the notion that the young men posed any danger.

Minuteman vote on Tuesday

September 18, 2016

A special election to vote on funding for a new Minuteman High School will take place in Lincoln and the other 15 towns in the Minuteman High School district on Tuesday, Sept. 20. Polls will be open in the Smith School from noon to 8 p.m. and voting will be conducted alphabetically by last name using a single ballot box.

The election is the culmination of a long process to get approval from district towns for a $145 million school building on Lincoln land adjacent to the current building, which is just over the town line in Lexington. A majority of the votes cast throughout the entire district will determine the outcome.

Lincoln is one of six towns that opted to withdraw from the Minuteman district, but that withdrawal does not become effective until July 2017. However, the withdrawal also means that Lincoln will not be responsible for a share of the capital costs for the building as current members towns are. Thus, there are no direct financial consequences for Lincoln.

If the district-wide vote fails, Minuteman will lose a promised $44 million state grant, and member towns will have to pay $100 million for repairs to the existing building. In November of 2012, the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC) placed Minuteman’s accreditation on “warning” status due to the building’s condition.

State law allows regional vocational school districts to secure local bonding approval either through their local Town Meetings or by a district-wide referendum. Minuteman initially tried the Town Meeting route but was unable to secure approval from one member town. Belmont’s Town Meeting voted against bonding for the project on May 4.

Earlier articles:

News acorns

September 18, 2016

Meeting to look at region’s traffic issues

A roundtable discussion of traffic management will be the focus of the next meeting of HATS (Hanscom Area Towns Committee) on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room. Participants will include Timothy Higgins, Lincoln town administrator; Kevin Kennedy, Lincoln’s police chief; David Kucharsky, Lexington assistant planning director and chair of the Lexington Traffic Safety Working Group; Adrienne St. John, Bedford Public Works engineer; and a Concord participant to be announced. Also on the agenda are updates on the Route 2 and Route 128 projects as well as Hanscom Field and Hanscom Air Force Base.

Middlesex DA, Lincoln police chief to offer crime updates

Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan and Lincoln Police Chief Kevin Kennedy will be at Bemis Hall on Friday, Sept. 23 at 12:30 p.m. for an update on the latest crimes and threats to safety for older adults and others, including scams, computer security and fake charities. Ryan will also discuss initiatives on topics in the news such as the opioid crisis and preventing and prosecuting violent crime. While the program will focus on scams targeting elders, those of all ages can easily become victims, too, and all will also find the update on prevention initiatives informative.

A special focus will be on identifying potential scams through “red flags” by way of calls, emails and solicitations, as well as and the best way to respond. “Scam artists are skilled, and anyone can fall victim,” Ryan said. “Still, there are things individuals can do to educate and protect themselves from these sorts of crimes.” There will be a question-and-answer session following the program. Please call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 to sign up so Ryan will know how many informational packets to bring.

Events at Farrington Nature Linc

Join others at Farrington Nature Linc nature education program for several events. Registration is required for the September 24 and November 23 events; please email Brianne@naturelinc.org.

Saturday, Sept. 24 — STEM in the Woods
Join us at Farrington for a family STEM adventure in our woods.

Saturday, Nov. 5 — Put the Garden to Bed Volunteer Day
Join us to help clean up the garden and get it ready for winter.

Wednesday, Nov. 23 — Gratitude on Thanksgiving Eve
Bring the whole family (or get everyone else out of your kitchen!).

Carroll School gets Wayland’s OK for Old Sudbury Rd. project

September 15, 2016

A map showing the location of the Carroll School property (click to enlarge).

A drawing showing where the athletic fields will be located.

The Wayland Planning Board has approved a plan for an expansion of Lincoln’s Carroll School on property adjacent to the Wayland/Lincoln town line.

The Carroll School purchased two adjoining parcels last spring for playing fields and educational facilities for two grades that are now housed at its Baker Bridge Road site in Lincoln. The project on 11 acres at 39 and 45 Waltham Rd. in Wayland (close to the town line where it becomes Old Sudbury Rd.) will convert the existing main building and pool house to serve up to 60 students supported by up to 40 staff and also create two playing fields. It hopes to have the playing fields ready by spring 2017 and accommodate students in fall 2017.

State law grants exemptions to certain zoning restrictions for agricultural, religious, and educational organizations. However, on September 6, the Wayland Planning Board approved a list of conditions aimed at minimizing the impact on the neighborhood. Among them:

All parking, pick-up and drop-off must be done on the property itself and not on town roads.
The athletic fields may not have lighting or a permanent electronic scoreboard.
Maintenance, landscaping work, deliveries and trash removal are prohibited on Sundays as well as before 7 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. on Saturdays.
The lighting plan for the parking area in the front must ensure that there is no “light spillover” onto abutting properties.
The school will pay up to $5,ooo for a traffic study of existing conditions on Waltham Road and its major intersections in Both Lincoln and Wayland. If any traffic calming measures are proposed as a result of the study, the school will contribute up to an additional $5,000 toward the work.

News acorns

September 14, 2016

Free ‘Positive Psychology’ classes begin Friday

The Lincoln Council on Aging is offering a new course on “Positive Psychology” this fall through a special grant from the Ogden Codman Trust. The free, eight-session course for all ages will be held on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning Friday, Sept. 16. Participants will hear presentations and engage in discussions to learn strategies for being happier; realizing dreams; bringing about personal change; using mindfulness, exercise, sleep and nutrition to enhance quality of life; and improving relationships. The course will be taught by Alyson Lee, who recently led the “Being Mortal” series at the COA. She is a social worker and life coach and certified to teach Positive Psychology. To sign up, or for more information, call the COA at 781-259-8811.

The Lincoln Council on Aging is grateful to the Ogden Codman Trust for support of this course, as well as the many other projects it has funded, including the Emergency Assistance Fund, the Small Necessities program, Home Safe and ongoing wellness clinics.

Codman Community Farms Harvest Weekend

The Codman Community Farms Harvest Weekend will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Codman barn with the Farmside Feast catered by Blue Ribbon Barbecue and Verrill Farm pies for dessert. Tickets ($35 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under) must be purchased in advance at the farm or online at www.codmanfarm.org. Codman’s Harvest Fair will take place Sunday, Sept.25 from 1-4 p.m. There will be children’s and family games, pony rides, farm exhibits and crafts, a produce and harvest competition, and a rooster run ($5 entry fee). Admission to the fair is $8 for children and adults. For more information, click here, call the farm at 781-259-0456 or email info@codmanfarm.org.

Hoedown Food and Music Festival to benefit Lovelane program

The Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding program in Lincoln will hold its annual benefit Hoedown Food and Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 4-9:30 p.m. There will be 15 celebrity chefs donating their time, plus entertainment from the Marshall Tucker Band, David Foster and the Mohegan All-Stars, French Lick, and Jon Cohan and His Golden Rulers. All proceeds directly benefit the students and horses at Lovelane. Individual tickets are $500, a Young Professional ticket (age 21-35) is $200, and six or more tickets are $375 apiece. The event is at Duck Puddle Farm, just across the town line at 48 Lincoln Rd. in Wayland. Click here for more information, or call Eliza Wall at 781-259-1177 x24.

First Parish begins renovations

The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) recently began the renovation of its sanctuary at 4 Bedford Rd., a year and a half after winning final zoning approval. The approval capped a lengthy and controversial review process mainly because the footprint of the Stearns Room at the rear of the church is expanding slightly. The work is expected to be finished by June 1, 2017. The Stearns Room will be replaced, and there will be some repairs and changes made inside, including providing three additional handicapped seating places. In preparation, the organ has been encapsulated by the Noack Organ Company to protect it from any damage during construction. The sanctuary has already been re-roofed to ensure no further leaks.

State grant will help town look at options for street safety

September 14, 2016

Lincoln residents can learn and offer ideas on how the town can best use a Complete Streets state grant at several public forums starting on October 19.

The Complete Streets program provides funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that support projects providing safe and accessible transportation options for all travel modes—including walking, biking, transit and motor vehicles—for people of all ages and abilities. The goal is to improve the livability of communities by designing streets that contribute toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments.

The town applied for a $50,000 grant last spring, before a series of bicycle/vehicle accidents resulted in two deaths over the summer. Wayland cyclist Eugene Thornberg was fatally struck by a vehicle on Route 126 just south of Hillside Road on June 16, and Westford cyclist Mark Himelfarb, 59, was killed in an August 17 accident on Virginia Road about 200 feet north of intersection with Old Bedford Road.

A third accident on August 19 occurred when a vehicle struck and injured a 30-year-old Somerville bicyclist whose name was not released by police. The accident happened on Route 117 near the entrance to the Mt. Misery hiking area when a vehicle allegedly crossed the white line on the right-hand side of the road and struck the bicyclist going in the same direction. Alexandros Kontsas, 48, of Lynn was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating with a suspended license. He was also issued civil citations for failure to stay within marked lanes and improper passing. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal complaints in Concord District Court on October 6.

The two fatal accidents are still under investigation by various agencies, and official determinations of the causes of the accidents may not be released for several months.

Residents have also voiced concern in the past few years about overall roadway safety and congestion. Late last year, selectmen approved a new stop sign configuration at Five Corners next to the library at the recommendation of the Roadway and Traffic Committee.

“There has been a tremendous increase in both cars and bicycles,” Selectman Peter Braun observed at Monday’s Board of Selectman meeting. At that meeting, resident Edward Morgan asked the board to appoint a committee on bicycle safety “to see what actions can be taken to improve safety in a cost-effective and reasonable way.”

“This is a regional issue, not just a Lincoln issue,” Selectman Renel Fredriksen said. “I would like to talk to other communities and see what their needs are and what they’re thinking.”

Planning for Complete Streets projects

Lincoln learned earlier this year that it had received the Complete Streets grant, which will pay for a study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. The town may also apply to have construction work funded by a separate grant (the maximum available is $400,000). Residents can learn more and make suggestions at any of the following forums:

Wednesday, Oct. 19 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Learn about the Complete Streets program and the type of projects that can be funded. Residents are invited to bring their ideas, participate in a panel discussion and take part in a breakout working session.
Saturday, Nov. 12 — Brief presentation at the State of the Town meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 7 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Presentation and discussion of the summary of ideas and recommended project list as a result of public forum in October
January/February 2017 — Presentation of prioritization project list to the Board of Selectmen

The town is eligible to apply for a separate Complete Streets grant of up to $400,000 for construction of whatever project(s) it decides to pursue. The list of potential projects will probably include some that are not eligible for funding under the Complete Streets program, however.

“I think we’re going to open up some eyes in town that if there is a real desire to make progress in a way that we’re hearing anecdotally from town, it’s going to be an expensive proposition,” Town Administrator said. “We’re going to have to step up as a community and think about public funds in that process also.”

Images capture drought in Lincoln

September 14, 2016

Evidence of the long drought is everywhere in Lincoln, and residents have taken photos showing the unusual conditions. Several local experts will talk about the drought on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall (click here for details).

The pond in Pierce Park. (Photo: Susan Taylor)

This formerly submerged tree stump was photographed in the Farrar Pond area by Alaric Naiman. This is one of a series of remarkable closeup photos of wild animals and plants affected by the drought that Naiman posted on his website, farrarpond.org.

Greenery is growing in ares that used to be underwater in the Cambridge Reservoir off Old County Road.

Greenery is growing in areas that were once underwater in the Cambridge Reservoir off Old County Road. (Photo: Alice Waugh)

Where water used to flow in the Cambridge Reservoir, deer footprints and a clam shell can now be seen. (Photo: Alice Waugh)

News acorns

September 13, 2016

Session on town’s hazard mitigation plan

The Lincoln Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes and blizzards. The Board of Selectmen is hosting a public meeting to provide an overview of the plan and an opportunity for questions and public input on Monday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room. For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at 617-933-0747 or mpillsbury@mapc.org, or Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney at 781-259-2684 or burneyj@lincolntown.org.

Garden Club offers yoga and event for prospective members

The Lincoln Garden Club will host an informational coffee for prospective members on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. All Lincoln residents are invited. If interested, RSVP for the coffee’s lcoation to 781-259-0841 or 781-259-0276 or email membership@lincolngardenclub.org.

Melinda Bruno-Smith, certified hatha yoga instructor and Lincoln Garden Club member, will lead yoga sessions in the Station Park Garden (160 Lincoln Road, across from the train station) on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9-10 a.m. A $5 donation is suggested; bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to practice on and wear loose clothing. Lincoln Garden Club volunteers created and maintain the garden, which includes a native plant bed designed by the New England Wildflower Society and installed with help from horticulture students from Minuteman High School. For further information about the yoga classes, email Melinda Bruno-Smith at melindabruno@hotmail.com.

Horse show in Lincoln

The Old North Bridge Pony Club will hold its annual horse show in the Browning Field Riding Ring (Weston Road near Conant Road) on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for entries is September 21. The schooling show will award numerous ribbons and trophies. Proceeds will benefit the Browning Field Riding Ring. For more information, see the club’s website or email vlochiatto@verizon.net.

Preschool open house

Lincoln Country Day Preschool is hosting a Fall Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Our students range from 2.9 years of age in September through 5-6 years of age for pre-K. Parents and their children are invited to take a tour of the school, play in our Threes, Fours and Pre-K classrooms, and make a souvenir project to take home. Please RSVP to 781-259-8607. Lincoln Country Day is located at 147 Concord Rd. in St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church.

Winter Street hospice construction underway

September 7, 2016

Artist’s rendering of the completed hospice facility.

Construction has started on the Greater Boston Hospice House at 125 Winter St. on the Lincoln/Waltham town line, with an opening expected in fall 2017.

The 18-bed, 27,500-square-foot inpatient hospice facility will provide a home-like setting for terminally ill patients who need hospital-level care for pain and symptom management where hospice physicians, nurses and support staff can provide 24-hour care.

“While the majority of hospice patients spend their final weeks in their own homes, a growing number have care needs that are simply too complex to be managed at home,” said Care Dimensions President and CEO Diane Stringer.

The hospice entrance as seen from the Lincoln/Waltham town line on Winter Street at the end of the white stripe (click any image to enlarge).

The Waltham side of the hospice construction site looking southwest.

Care Dimensions of Danvers originally proposed a 42,400-square-foot facility straddling the Lincoln/Waltham town line but scaled it back after residents and town officials said it was too big. The nonprofit company later submitted a scaled-down plan with 64 parking spots rather than the original 89.

Access to the facility will be from a new driveway on the Waltham side of the property where Winter Street is two-way. The Lincoln side of the property, where Winter Street becomes one-way heading into Lincoln, would have a gated emergency entrance that be opened only by Lincoln emergency vehicles. It’s currently being used as a second construction entrance.