The Lincoln Squirrel

News, features and photos from Lincoln, Mass.

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Free sand for slippery times ahead

snowcloudIn preparation for tomorrow’s snowstorm, you may have stocked up on snow shovels and windshield washer fluid, but your already-icy driveways and paths will be needing more sand—and Lincoln residents can get some for free

The Department of Public Works allows Lincoln residents to take one five-gallon bucket of sand from the small shed at the DPW site on Lewis Street. The shed is just to the right of the main building across from the school buses. There’s even a shovel you can use, but be careful unloading—sand is even heavier than you think.

The DPW also reminds residents that they are not permitted to take sand or salt from the larger sheds at the rear of the site.

Clark wins easily in Lincoln and 5th District

Here are the election results for Lincoln and surrounding towns for the 5th Congressional District special election on  December 10. Among the 24 towns in the district, Lincoln was second only to Cambridge in percentage of residents who voted for winner Katherine Clark (Cambridge went for Clark by a margin of 93 percent to 6 percent). The only town that Frank Addivinola won was Woburn, by a vote of 1,347 to 1,161 (53 percent to 45 percent).

Lincoln’s voter turnout was 17 percent, compared to 13 percent for the district as a whole.

Katherine Clark (D) Frank Addivinola (R)
Lincoln 590 (80%) 139 (19%)
Lexington
 2,951 (79%) 740 (20%)
Sudbury 834 (64%) 445 (34%)
Weston 525 (59%) 348 (39%)
District total
 40,172 (66%) 19,319 (32%)

Panel to discuss possible school calendar changes

schoolThe School Committee will discuss options for the 2014-15 school calendar on Thursday, Dec. 5 in the Hartwell Multipurpose Room. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. and discussion of the calendar is slated to begin at approximately 7:55 p.m. (see complete agenda).

The committee will also discuss next steps for the school building project starting at approximately 8:40 p.m.

The 2012-13 school year ended later than usual because of several snow days but also because the schedule included days off for parent conferences and religious holidays. Among the options under consideration (click to download a PDF) are taking fewer of those days off, and/or starting the school year some time before Labor Day.

School Committee chair Jennifer Glass said there will be at least one more calendar discussion after tonight before a final decision is made. Public input is welcome either during the public comments period at the start of the meeting, or via email to schoolroom@lincnet.org.

Town water is safe to drink, Woods says

water-smBecause of a recent  notification that coliform bacteria had been in part of the town’s water system, some residents have expressed concern that their water may be contaminated, but Lincoln Water Department Superintendent Greg Woods assures residents that the water is safe to drink.

Standard monthly testing showed the presence of coliform bacteria within the plumbing fixtures at the Tower Road well pump-house. Species of coliform bacteria include E. coli, which often indicates contamination with fecal matter. Most strains of E. coli are harmless but some can cause illness in humans.

The plumbing fixtures  have  been treated and have tested bacteria-free, Woods said. “As stated in the state-required notice that was mailed to customers, the water distribution piping tested completely free of coliform bacteria.” As an extra precaution, the water at the first house on the line that would receive water from the well was also tested and was found to be free of bacteria, he said.

“The Lincoln water remains completely safe to drink; in-home treatment or filtering is unnecessary,” Woods said. Anyone with questions may call him at 781-259-8997.

Thanksgiving Night contra dance

contradanceCome to Smith School from 7-10 p.m. and dance off some of that turkey! Live music with Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf, with caller Chris Ricciotti. Sponsored by the First Parish Church.

Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under. For more information, call 781-259-0692.

Holiday events include “Gift Local” this weekend

wreathGet handmade items at “Gift Local”

Buy your holiday gifts from a local artisan, chocolatier, jeweler, painter, clothier, felter, glass artist, book artist, fabric artist, wood turner, hatter, neighbor, friend at Gift Local at Bemis Hall on  . Sponsored by Old Town Hall Exchange.

“An English Christmas” choir concert

Live from Lincoln Center! Vox Lucens, a 13-member choir Renaissance choir, will present a full-length concert of English Renaissance polyphony on Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. as part of the new concert series at the First Parish in Lincoln. This concert will include works by Gibbons, Byrd, Parsons and other English masters, and the choir will collaborate with organist Ian Watson, music director at First Parish and principal keyboard player of the Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra. Suggested donation: $20.