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Letter to the editor: Bassett and Lorenz support Braun

March 16, 2014

(received March 14)

To the Editor:

We write in support of Peter Braun’s candidacy for reelection to the town of Lincoln’s Board of Selectmen. Peter has been at the forefront of current town issues, such as the future of Hanscom Air Force Base, the renovation of our K-8 school facilities, and advocacy for neighbors impacted by the Route 2 construction. And as Lincoln continues to experience regional changes that will impact our future, we are fortunate to have his leadership in reaching out to our legislators as well as leaders of neighboring communities. We wish to express our appreciation for his contributions as a Selectman in his first term and encourage others to join us in electing him to a second term.

Sincerely,

Ken Bassett and Mary Helen Lorenz
37 Page 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. They may be edited for length, grammar/punctuation, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Selectman candidate profile: Peter Braun

March 14, 2014

Peter Braun

Editor’s note: This is being published simultaneously with a profile of candidate Vincent Cannistraro.

By Alice Waugh

When asked about the current state of affairs on various issues facing the town, Selectman Peter Braun is eager to talk, but he says that he acquired much of his knowledge through not talking—by being, as he says, “a good listener to all different viewpoints.”

Selectman candidate profile: Vincent Cannistraro

March 14, 2014

Vincent Cannistraro

Editor’s note: This is being published simultaneously with a profile of Peter Braun.

By Alice Waugh

For Vincent Cannistraro, how things get decided in town is just as important—maybe more so—than the actual decision.

“I think the town could benefit from a more collaborative approach in the ways we do things sometimes, whether it’s the schools, the Route 2 project or anything,” said Cannistraro, who’s running against incumbent Peter Braun for a three-year seat on the Board of Selectmen. “I just feel we could do a better job of making people feel heard and being more up front. I’m more about process than about one particular issue.”

Letter to the editor: Braun refutes Feinberg

March 13, 2014

To the Editor:

I am writing on behalf of the town of Lincoln and the Lincoln Board of Selectmen with regard to statements made by Neil Feinberg in his article entitled “Incorrect Thoughts,” published in the March 6 edition of the Lincoln Journal. Mr. Feinberg stated the following with respect to the imminent commencement of more active construction of the Crosby Corner flyover bridge: “Route 2 traffic will be (gulp) diverted through town.” He went on to predict massive traffic tie-ups through the town center.

Mr. Feinberg’s statements were truly, and regrettably, “incorrect.”

Letter to the editor: Cannistraro on Route 2

March 12, 2014

Editor’s note: Vincent Cannistraro, the author of this letter, is running against incumbent Peter Braun for a seat on the Lincoln Board of Selectmen.

To the Editor:

I have respectfully read the recent letters to the editor in support of Peter Braun for selectman. It appears as if several of his supporters have known Peter for years as both a neighbor and a friend, and/or are serving with Peter on various town committees. As admirable as these letters of support are, I am concerned that sometimes politically based relationships, or even the enduring bonds of friendship, can blind us all to the realities of truth:

Jet Aviation proposal to be voted on Wednesday

March 10, 2014

The Conservation Commission expects to vote Wednesday on Jet Aviation’s application to expand into a wetlands buffer zone at Hanscom Field. The group meets on Wednesday, March 12 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room.

News acorns

March 8, 2014

New “spring greens” CSA offered by The Food Project

To get a jump-start on the growing and distribution season, The Food Project has launched a brand new “Spring Greens” community-supported agriculture (CSA) share. For $200, you get five weeks of cooking and salad greens (4 pounds a week on average) grown in our high tunnel greenhouses in Lincoln. Distributions on Thursdays from 3-6 p.m. will start in May at the Lincoln farm on Baker Bridge Road (the exact start date will be determined depending on the weather). Visit The Food Project website to sign up online, or call 781-259-8621 x20. Spaces are limited.

Codman Community Farm and Drumlin Farm are also offering CSA shares—see the Lincoln Squirrel, March 5.

Meals on Wheels needs delivery volunteers

The Lincoln Council on Aging needs people to deliver Meals on Wheels either regularly or as occasional substitutes. Drivers pick up the meals in Concord at about 10:30 a.m. and deliver them to two to three homebound residents in Lincoln. The meals are absolutely essential to those who receive them, and we would be so grateful if you could help! For more information, please talk to Carolyn at the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811. Meals on Wheels is administered by Minuteman Senior Services.

Fill out your File of Life

A File of Life is a red plastic envelope that attaches to your refrigerator or a small folder to put in your wallet that holds a piece of paper with essential information that would be needed by emergency medical services should you ever have a medical emergency. Lincoln residents of all ages are welcome to pick up one more free Files of Life at the Council on Aging at Bemis Hall anytime Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You will receive both the envelope or folder and the paper that goes inside with spaces to fill in your information. You may also call the COA at 781-259-8811 and they will mail a File of Life to you.

Farm shares shares now on sale

March 5, 2014

You wouldn’t know by looking outside, but it’s almost growing season, and local farms are gearing up to sell CSA (community-supported agriculture) shares of vegetables and meat this summer.

Letter to the editor: Support Peter Braun

March 5, 2014

To the Editor:

We are writing in support of Peter Braun’s reelection as a Lincoln selectman. We, the selectmen of Bedford, Concord and Lexington, serve with Peter on the Hanscom Area Towns Committee (HATS).

Ballot corrections and additions

March 4, 2014

There were several errors in the election ballot published in the Lincoln Squirrel on March 3:

There are now two candidates for two seats on the Bemis Trustees, Melinda Abraham and Stephen Atlas.
Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee candidate Michael Walsh and Planning Board candidate Gary Taylor have withdrawn and will not appear on the ballot.
The middle name of Commissioner of Trust Funds candidate Derek Paul Fitzgerald was omitted.
The last name of Water Commission candidate Ruth Ann Hendrickson was misspelled.

The list in the March 3 article has been updated to reflect these corrections. The Squirrel regrets the errors.

Also on the March 31 ballot will be two yes-or-no questions for voters:

1. Shall an act filed in the year 2013 and passed by the General Court entitled “An Act Relative to the Granting of Special Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages in the Town of Lincoln” be accepted?

Summary: On December 23, 2013, the Governor approved Chapter 187of the Acts of 2013 (the “Act”). The wording of this ballot question is taken directly from the Act, which follows a vote taken at the March 25, 2013 Annual Town Meeting. If accepted by the voters of the Town, the Act will authorize the Board of Selectmen, as licensing authority, in accordance with the provisions of G.L. c.138, §14, to issue one-day alcoholic beverage licenses for the sale of wine and beer to the organizers of special events, with one-day licenses for the sale of all alcoholic beverages available only to non-profit organizations. While no notice to abutters or formal hearing is required by law, the Board of Selectmen would be required to act on such license requests at meetings posted in accord with the Open Meeting Law, and retains discretion as to whether to grant such licenses. The Board of Selectmen would also be authorized to set uniform fees for such licenses.

2. Shall an act passed by the General Court in the year 2014, entitled “An Act Authorizing the Town of Lincoln to Grant a License for the Sale of Wine and Malt Beverages to be Drunk on the Premises” be accepted?

Summary: On January 16, 2014, the Governor approved Chapter 5 of the Acts of 2014 (the “Act”). The wording of this ballot question is taken directly from the Act, which follows a vote taken at the March 25, 2013 Annual Town Meeting. If accepted by the voters of the Town, the Act will authorize the Board of Selectmen, as licensing authority, to issue a single license for the sale of beer and wine to be drunk on the premises to the deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park located at 51 Sandy Pond Road. State liquor license laws will apply to the issuance of the license. Said laws require, among other things, that the Board of Selectmen provide notice to abutters, hold a hearing, and determine that the applicant is of good character and has premises suitable for such purpose.