News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.
The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee (DTC) will host a forum with candidates for lieutenant governor on April 5 in Bemis Hall and a forum for attorney general and state treasurer on May 10. All five lieutenant governor candidates have indicated they will attend: Stephen Kerrigan, Mike Lake, Jonathan Edwards, Leland Cheung, and James Arena-DeRosa.
[Read more…] about Dems announce two more candidate forums for statewide offices
By Alice Waugh
Three people with prominent Lincoln roles—Police Chief Kevin Mooney, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum director Dennis Kois, and longtime assistant librarian Ellen Sisco—are moving on.
[Read more…] about Mooney, Kois, Sisco say goodbye to Lincoln roles
In a March 26 letter to the editor headlined “Town Meeting matters,” the signature was inadvertently omitted. The letter, which was written by Sara Mattes, has been corrected.
To the editor:
This Saturday at Town Meeting, there will be some discussion about a Revised Regional Agreement for the Minuteman Regional High School. Minuteman really needs a new school, but before this can happen, they need the Revised Regional Agreement to be passed by all communities in the district involved.
I can assure you that Dr. Edward Bouquillon, superintendent of Minuteman, has spent an incredible amount of time (his own time) and an incredible amount of meetings to come up with the best outcome for this school and the best agreement possible. I trust his work 100 percent. This school provides incredible education and is extremely valuable for our communities. Please do not let down the other communities and the school’s opportunity to be improved.
Even though this should be supported through state and federal funds, it is not going to happen tomorrow, and maybe it is never going to happen. We can’t take this as an excuse to turn our heads away. I strongly feel that it is our responsibility and our commitment to help this school at a time they need it most, meaning now. Lincoln is an “in-district” town for Minuteman High school; it can’t just take advantage of it when needed and then not help when the school needs financial support. Lincoln is one of the richest towns in the district, and I would feel very ashamed as a Lincolnite if this Revised Regional Agreement did not pass because of Lincoln.
The Lincoln Public Schools and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School each had their turns to rebuild and improve; now it is Minuteman Regional High School’s overdue turn. Let’s give them our support. It is a good and honorable use of your tax money.
Sincerely,
Tania Dessain
62 Conant Rd.
Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.
To the editor:
Minuteman High School, which provides career and technical education to Lincoln students, has proposed a revised regional agreement as a warrant article for the March 29 town meeting at the Brooks Auditorium. For this new regional agreement to come into effect, it must be approved by a majority at the town meetings of every member town. It is important that stakeholders such as yourselves be aware and informed about the new Agreement so that you and your community can make informed decisions about it. To that end, informational material about the new agreement can be found here along with a seven-minute video explaining the agreement.
Minuteman is a vital resource to the community. Providing a rigorous and relevant curriculum that prepares students for both college and careers is only the first part of our role in Lincoln. We provide education for post-graduate students who seek additional training in order to achieve career readiness. We offer community education programs that enrich the lives of the young and old with new learning opportunities. Our students are involved in community projects across our district. Our restaurant and other service-oriented shops welcome visitors for excellent and affordable service.
In order to continue offering this excellent education and these other services, Minuteman must adapt. One way that we are attempting to achieve this change is by amending the current regional agreement, which will allow the district to move on from a regional agreement that no longer serves the best interests of our students. In brief, the revised agreement makes the following changes:
These changes are the result of years of work by the administration of Minuteman High School, the Minuteman School Committee, subcommittees and task forces made up of local stakeholders, and local government representatives. The revised agreement reflects the input of every member community and represents a hard-earned compromise between these communities.
The article will be heard at Lincoln Town Meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m. on March 29 at the Brooks Auditorium. Please take some time to review the linked materials or watch the video and express your opinion at town meeting this Saturday.
Sincerely,
Edward Bouquillon, Minuteman High School Superintendent-Director
10 Mill St., Lincoln
Brendan Dutch, Minuteman High School Communications Coordinator
Plymouth, Mass.
Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.
Architect’s drawing of the proposed hospice building and parking (click to enlarge).
By Alice Waugh
Faced with negative reactions from the Zoning Board of Appeals and residents, Care Dimensions plans to rework its proposal for a hospice facility on Winter Street.
[Read more…] about Care Dimensions reworking hospice proposal
The headline for a letter to the editor from Gary Davis misidentified the author of the letter. The original post has been corrected.
Get a free home energy audit and benefit L-SSchedule a free home energy audit to benefit Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and the environment and potentially save thousands in home energy costs. This is free for homeowners or renters (in fact, there are free energy saving gifts worth $30-$80!). Sign up by March 31 and L-S will get $10-$50 per audit toward environmentally friendly water bottle refilling stations. Higher amounts are available for school for solar and cooling audits. For more more information or to schedule an audit anytime through June, visit the Next Step Living website. If you have questions, call Eleanor Burke, housemaster and Environmental Club advisor, at 978-443-9961 x2453.
The Lincoln Public Library will host two Games Days next month. On Sunday, April 6 from 3-5 p.m., visitors can play Mystery at Hogwarts and Saboteur. Hogwarts melded with the game of Clue yields Mystery at Hogwarts. In Saboteur, you can be a Gringots goblin excavating for treasure. Game Day on Sunday, April 27 from 3-5 p.m. will feature Dragon’s Gold and Fist of Dragon Stones. Settlers of Catan and Carcassonne will also be available to play on both days.
The Magic Garden Children’s Center will offer mailboxes hand-painted by each preschool class at its annual benefit auction on Friday, April 11 at 7:30 p.m. Along with the unique child-crafted items, the live and silent auctions will include items for all tastes and budgets: vacation stays, sports tickets, birthday parties, antique furniture and a behind-the-scenes tour with the Lincoln Police. While the auction is open to all and generates significant support for Magic Garden, the evening itself is a festive and fun gathering for the community, including the hundreds of families whose children attended Magic Garden over the past 31 years. Tickets are $60 in advance (purchased by March 28) or $75 at the door. Guests can register online for “A Magical Evening for Magic Garden” or send a check to Magic Garden, P.O. Box 34, Lincoln, MA 01773.
Heather Pierson will be the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, April 14 from 7-10 p.m. in Bemis Hall (temporarily relocated from the Lincoln Public Library).
Pierson is a pianist, multi-genre singer/songwriter and performer and winner of the 2012 New England Songwriting Contest. From poignant folk narratives to New Orleans jazz to Delta-style blues to soul-stirring instrumentals, Heather’s memorable, intimate live performances move seamlessly between styles. Her catalog of seven CDs reflects singular creativity. Her latest CD, The Hard Work of Living, delves into the Americana/folk genre.
The modern folk duo Friction Farm consisting of Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay will also perform a mini-set. On tour from North Carolina, the duo’s moving songs and rich harmonies make a lasting impression. They were named as Kerrville New Folk Finalists and Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists in 2011. Friction Farm has released four CDs, the latest being I Read Your Book.
Rounding out the 2013-13 LOMA season will be Tom Hanlon and Leslie Bryant on May 12 and the Creek River String Band on June 9.
LOMA is a monthly event. Perform or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com before noon of the open-mike day for a slot. Names of those who are signed up by 7:15 will be drawn at random. We have a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Brad Meyer and Brent Clark ably handle the sound. We expect everyone will have a chance to perform, but in case of overflow, the first 20 performers to sign up will be given priority.
In a letter to the editor published on March 23, the street address of Margaret Olson was listed incorrectly. It should have said 17 Boyce Farm Road.
Editor’s note: The headline on this letter was corrected on March 25.
To the editor:
I have attended the forums, spoken with the candidates and other voters, and facilitated a policy discussion between Selectman candidates about Hanscom AFB and Hanscom Civil Airfield with some of us who are Hanscom abutters. Based on those conversations, I was able to come to a conclusion about my personal choice in the race for Board of Selectmen.
While I admire Mr. Cannistraro’s general observations that focus on citizen empathy and strategic planning, Mr. Braun illustrated a depth of knowledge, understanding and experience that he brings to both aspects of Hanscom issues. I now find that I agree with those who have previously submitted letters in support of Peter Braun for reelection to the Board of Selectmen.
Particularly, as an abutter of Hanscom Civil Airfield and Hanscom AFB, it is important to me that our town leadership completely understand the history of positions and policies taken over time by the wide range of public and private entities who play roles in this continuing drama. They must be able to provide enlightened continuity.
Mr. Braun also understands that building relationships and working together with neighboring HATS [Hanscom Area Town Selectmen] communities is our best means of achieving our mutual goals. In this, he has participated regularly in Hanscom related committees and boards almost always out of the spotlight.
Community support is one of the primary criteria used by the Air Force to make decisions relative to base evaluation. HATS, through Mr. Braun, provided that support in his participation with the Hanscom tour and mission briefing with General Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff last November and more recently with new Congresswoman Katherine Clark.
The Lincoln Conservation Commission is currently reviewing a proposed expansion of facilities at Hanscom Civil Airfield which is operated by Massport. Mr. Braun understands that the town has a limited responsibility in this particular review to conservation issues. However, he clearly understands the debate that has been raging for several years over long-term protection of surrounding historic and environmental assets, air and noise pollution, and the incremental growth this current expansion represents.
Based on his valuable knowledge, experience and understanding of town and Hanscom issues, I encourage Lincoln citizens to vote for Peter Braun on March 31.
Sincerely,
Gary Davis
20R Indian Camp Lane, Battle Road Farm
Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.
The deadline for submitting letters to the editor that discuss warrant articles for the March 29 Town Meeting or candidates running in the town election on March 31 is Wednesday, March 26 at 8 p.m. No letters on these topics will be published after Thursday, March 27. Letters to the editor on other topics may still be submitted whenever you like and will be published at the discretion of the editor.