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

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Codman Estate arts fair on Saturday

The annual Codman Estate Fine Arts & Crafts Festival takes place on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 10 am. – 4 p.m. Now in its 40th year, the event features the work of nearly 100 local artisans. Work includes painting, woodworking, food products, jewelry, photography, glass, clothing, metalwork, and more. Enjoy live entertainment, a food court, and first-floor tours of the Codman Estate. Member tickets are free; nonmember tickets are $5. Click here to buy tickets.

Author talk by Anita Harris

“The View from Third Street: Anita Harris and the Harrisburg Independent Press: is the title of an author talk at the Lincoln Public Library on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 3 p.m. The View From Third Street is an unconventional memoir draws on Harris’s experiences as cofounder of the Harrisburg Independent Press, a weekly alternative newspaper that covered the 1972 trial of the Harrisburg Seven — nuns and priests stood accused of conspiring to kidnap Presidential Advisor Henry Kissinger and blow up underground heating tunnels in Washington, D.C. A limited number of autographed copies will be available for purchase. Refreshment will be served.

Lyric opera concert at Gropius House

The Gropius House will host “Lyric Opera Revisited: A Musical Evening with Ben Schwendener and Carley De Franco” on Sunday, Oct. 2 from 4:30–6:00 p.m. The Gropius family enjoyed a wide variety of musical genres including innovative interpretations of classical music. Enjoy an evening of music with opera singer Carley DeFranco and pianist Ben Schwendener, whose sounds combine lyrical operatic improvisations based on natural geometric design, contemporary poetry, and Bach are some elements serving their inspired sound. Click here to buy tickets (members $65, nonmembers $75).

Sing in the First Parish choir

Residents are invited to sing for the First Parish in Lincoln choir, which meets every Thursday night from 7-8:30 p.m. in the parish hall (stone church) and Sunday mornings at 9 a.m. The choir welcomes those of high school age and older from all religious backgrounds and abilities. The anthems draw from diverse genres including sacred harp, gospel, Renaissance, baroque, contemporary, jazz, and folk. Singers use masks unless they take a rapid test at the start of rehearsal. For more information, email mirandaloud574@gmail.com. 

Emily Beekman

Lincoln’s Beekman wins recognition

Emily P. Beekman of Lincoln was included in the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for her work in elder law, litigation – trusts and estates, and trusts and estates.  She was first listed in 2021. Beekman is an associate in Mirick O’Connell’s trusts and estates group with a focus in estate planning, estate and trust administration, and tax planning. 

Locke awarded deCordova’s Rappaport Prize

Steve Locke is the winner of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum’s Rappaport Prize. Spanning painting, drawing, sculpture, and installation, Locke’s artistic practice critically addresses the history of western art and interrogates the connections between desire, identity, and violence. Locke has exhibited extensively, including solo exhibitions at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston and the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, where he showed Three Deliberate Greys for Freddie: A Memorial for Freddie Gray (2019). Locke, a professor of fine art at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, N.Y., received a Guggenheim Fellowship in 2020. A free lecture is planned at the deCordova in spring 2023. 

Police log for August 21–28

August 21

Cambridge Turnpike (9:36 a.m.) — A resident called to report a suspicious item had been left in his driveway. Police are investigating.

Baker Bridge Road (4:12 p.m.) — A complaint was called in for vehicles parking on the side of Baker Bridge Road. Police responded to the area.

August 22

Ballfield Road (2:57 p.m.) — An officer observed an occupied vehicle on the school campus. A check of the vehicle showed it to be a Lincoln resident.

Ballfield Road (8:41 a.m.) — An officer assisted with traffic while the temporary modular classrooms were being moved off campus.

South Great Road (1:05 p.m.) — Railroad gates were stuck in the down position. An officer arrived to assist with traffic. A short time later, a Keolis representative arrived and resolved the issue.

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (5:11 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a motorist.

August 23

Hartwell Lot, North Great Road (2:32 a.m.) — An officer checked on an occupied vehicle at the Hartwell Tavern lot. Both parties were identified and sent on their way.

Todd Pond Road (4:00 pm., 6:10 p.m., 9:47 p.m.) — Attempts were made to serve court paperwork. The attempts were unsuccessful.

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (4:43 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a civil matter.

August 24

Barksdale Street, Hanscom AFB (1:00 p.m.) — An attempt to serve court paperwork was made. The paperwork had already been served by Bedford police.

South Great Road (3:26 p.m.) — A request was made for a well-being check of a resident. The resident was fine.

Food Project Field (8:16 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot. The vehicle was locked and unoccupied.

August 25

Brooks Road (9:16 a.m.) — Police and fire units responded to the area for the report of an odor of outside smoke. The area was checked but no fire was found.

Hanscom Field (9:55 a.m.) — Massport called for fire assistance but canceled the call shortly thereafter.

Conant Road (1:19 p.m.) — An officer observed a dumpster situated in the travel lane of Conant Road. The dumpster company was contacted.

South Great Road (2:20 p.m.) — Weston police called to request assistance with an individual. An officer responded to the area.

Stonegate Gardens (2:33 p.m.) — The Lincoln Fire Department was called to assist with a transport.

South Brook Road (3:28 p.m.) — A resident wanted to speak to an officer regarding a scam.

Goose Pond Road (7:59 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle pulled to the side of the road. The motorist was lost.

August 26

Todd Pond Road (1:54 p.m.) — Court paperwork was served.

North Great Road (8:10 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing what they believed to be gunshots in the area. An officer responded and confirmed that the noise was coming from a professional display in the town of Bedford.

Sunnyside Lane (11:56 p.m.) — An officer was requested for a potential parking problem. Upon arrival, there was no parking issue.

August 27

Bedford Road (9:59 a.m.) — A caller reported an injured raccoon on the roadway. An officer checked the area and was unable to locate the raccoon.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (5:44 p.m.) — Report of a motor vehicle crash in the area of Route 2 and Bedford Road. Lincoln fire and Massachusetts State Police were notified.

August 28

Baker Bridge Road (1:04 p.m.) — A report of vehicles parking on Baker Bridge Road accessing Walden Pond. An officer responded and issued a parking violation.

Virginia Road (1:26 p.m.) — An officer was called to a dispute between a motorist and two bicyclists. The officer spoke to all parties. A report was issued.

Bypass Road (2:20 p.m.) — A resident called to report a possible break-in. An officer responded and determined that the damage appeared to come from an animal.

Ent Road, Hanscom AFB (3:14 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with locating an individual on base. Officers responded to assist.

Ridge Road (9:22 p.m.) — Officers assisted a resident with a well-being check.

Town gets grant to create Climate Action Plan

Lincoln will have its own Climate Action Plan next year, thanks to a recent $100,000 grant from the Baker-Polito administration that will fund a consultant to create the plan.

The municipal climate resilience grants administrated by the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program support cities and towns in identifying climate hazards, developing strategies to improve resilience, and implementing priority actions to adapt to climate change impacts including sea level rise, inland flooding, storms, and extreme temperatures.

Lincoln is one of 73 projects to have received action grant funding in the latest round of applications. With this year’s awards, 97% of Massachusetts cities and towns, or 341 municipalities, are enrolled.

“This grant application was a monumental group effort, thanks in large part to the 27 letters of support we received from citizen groups, individual residents, and town officials and departments,” the Planning Department said in a statement.

Climate Action Lincoln, a subcommittee of the town’s Green Energy Committee, has been advocating for the development of a Climate Action Plan for several years. In 2021, Climate Action Lincoln conducted extensive outreach to 12 town boards and committees and presented at the State of the Town Meeting in November 2021 and at the 2022 Annual Town Meeting on the urgency to plan and prepare for climate impacts and mitigate carbon emissions. Lincoln residents responded by unanimously voting to embark on a process to develop a Climate Action Plan for the town.

The plan will build on the town’s 2019 MVP Community Resilience Building Workshop, which identified seniors, low-income residents, and people living alone as more susceptible to extreme heat and other climate risks. The workshop and corresponding data analysis also identified flooding, severe storms, and droughts as top hazards. The planning process will center on inclusive and equitable community engagement to identify priorities, goals, and strategies for the town to rapidly build community resilience, adapt to these climate impacts, and develop actionable strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.

Anyone who has questions or would like to be included in the project’s mailing list may email ClimateAction@lincolntown.org.

News from the Conservation Dept. and the LLCT

Learn about protecting Lincoln’s water supply

The next Virtual Lincoln Conservation Coffee on Thursday, Sept. 8 from 8–9 a.m. will look at “The Ins and Outs of Lincoln’s Water Supply Protection.” Darin LaFalam, Lincoln’s Water Superintendent, will talk about Lincoln’s drinking water infrastructure, challenges surrounding water quality and distribution, and what emerging contaminants Lincoln is looking out for.  He’ll also discuss some regulatory issues such as DEP’s water withdrawal permit and unaccounted water loss. Finally, he’ll offer some tips and tricks for how you can help conserve water. After the presentation you’ll hear updates from our Conservation Department and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT). Click here for the Zoom link.

Survey on trail use and new rules

In July 2022, the Lincoln Conservation Commission and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust jointly approved an updated set of Conservation Land & Trail Use Regulations (click here for a summary). Feedback on trails and their use is welcome — please take two minutes to share your comments here. A link to this survey is also posted at trailheads throughout Lincoln, and we encourage you to fill out this survey after your next visit to one of Lincoln’s trails.

Fall “noticing” walks

These free walks are for people of all ages who want to enjoy a gently paced, observation focused exploration of nature on Tuesdays from 1–2:30 p.m. on September 6, October 4, November 1, and December 6. Locations posted online at www.lincolnconservation.org. 

LLCT annual meeting on Sept. 20

All are welcome to celebrate another year of conservation with LLCT on Tuesday, Sept. 20. The business meeting will start online at 7 p.m., and LLCT members in attendance will be invited to vote in the new slate of trustees. Immediately following the short business meeting, Avalon Owens will give a keynote address. Owens, a local firefly researcher who is studying why fireflies flash, will also share her recent research into the impacts of light pollution in firefly communication (some of her data was even collected in Lincoln). Registration is required to receive the meeting link. Visit www.lincolnconservation.org to learn more. 

10th Annual Scarecrow Classic 5K

Registration is now open for the 10th annual Scarecrow Classic 5K, a road and trail race through Lincoln’s beautiful conservation land that raises funds for the LLCT, on Sunday, Oct. 16 starting at 9:30 a.m. Participants are encouraged to register by October 3 to guarantee their Scarecrow Classic tech shirt and (new this year) a Scarecrow Classic mesh running cap. A virtual participation option is also available through the registration form. Visit scarecrowclassic5k.com to learn more and register. 

New trail blazes being installed

Have you noticed the new yellow blazes on Lincoln’s Trails? The LLCT and the Conservation Department is now converting trail blazes (red and yellow circles on trees) to yellow diamond blazes on all trails. This change is being implemented to provide better wayfinding assistance to those with color vision deficiency. If you’re on a trail that still has red blazes, there’s no need to alert the Conservation Department. They’re systematically replacing all the blazes and it’ll take a while to do all 80 miles of trails in Lincoln.

News acorns

Get your new transfer station sticker

Residents who wish to obtain a new Transfer Station/Commuter Lot sticker have until Thursday, Sept. 1 to do so. The new yellow sticker affixed to the windshield will be required to gain entry to the transfer station as of that day. See the DPW’s transfer station web page for more information and to request a free sticker online, visit the DPW office on Lewis Street, or call 781-259-8999.

Film: “Le Cercle Rouge”

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “Le Cercle Rouge” (“The Red Circle,” 1970) in the Tarbell Room on Thursday, Sept. 15 21 at 6 p.m. After leaving prison, master thief Corey crosses paths with a notorious escapee and an alcoholic former policeman. The trio proceeds to plot an elaborate heist. Starring Alain Delon and Yves Montand; in French with subtitles.

Show your artwork in the library

Applications for exhibits in the Lincoln Public Library’s main art gallery will be available starting Thursday, Sept. 1. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 30. More information can be found on the library’s Art Gallery & Display Spaces web page, and applications are available at the Reference Desk.

News acorns

Information for upcoming election

The last day to register to vote in the September 6 primary is Saturday, Aug. 27. You can register in person at Town Hall (which will be open on that day from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.) or online at www.sec.state.ma.us/ovr. See this town website to check your voter status and see sample ballots and early voting FAQs. Note that Lincoln is now split into two Mass. House of Representatives districts. Precinct 1 (southwest Lincoln) is in the 13th Middlesex and Precinct 2 (northeast Lincoln) is in the 14th Norfolk.

August 27 is also the first day of early voting in person at Town Hall. Early voting hours for the following week (August 29 – September 2) are 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Town Hall is also open for absentee voting on Friday, Sept. 2 from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Anyone who would like to volunteer at the polls on Election Day should contact Town Clerk Valerie Fox at foxv@lincolntown.org.

Bird programs coming up

Backyard Birds of Lincoln with Mass Audubon
Wednesday, Sept. 7 from 7–8 p.m.
You’ll meet a variety of birds, from song birds to raptors while learning about their habitat needs and adaptations. Join us in the Lincoln Library’s Tarbell Room to understand the impacts of climate change on birds, and how you can help the birds in your own backyard.

Beginner Bird Walk at Drumlin Farm
Saturday, Sept. 10 from 7:30–9:30 a.m.
New to birding and unsure where to start? Learn the ins and outs of this exciting hobby from Mass Audubon teacher naturalists on this guided bird walk at Drumlin Farm. Enjoy learning a simple, logical approach to field identification while exploring the beautiful 291-acre wildlife sanctuary. Learn how to navigate your field guide and some popular birding apps. We’ll review observation tips and how to you can confidently land on a positive identification. Meet at the Education Learning Center. Click here to register (required).

Register for in-town youth soccer

The 2022-23 Lincoln Youth Soccer season for grades K-2 kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 10 and runs through October 29. Register at www.lincolnsoccer.com (note that registration covers both fall and spring seasons). Grades K-1 will practice from 8–9 a.m. and grade 2 from 9–10 a.m.

LYS is always looking for parent volunteers for assistant coaching. Click here or contact sallyannecoleman@gmail.com if you have questions or would like to get involved.

Family concert to benefit food pantry

LincFam presents a family concert to benefit the SVdP Lincoln and Weston Food Pantry on Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 3:30–5 p.m. on the Pierce House lawn. Bring chairs and blankets to a concert by songwriter and Lincoln parent Kat Chapman and enjoy offerings from Chillwagon Ice Cream. Suggested donation: $20 per car/family, and food items are welcome. All proceeds benefit the food pantry.

Station Park anniversary open house

Come celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lincoln Garden Club volunteers maintaining Station Park at an open house on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m.–noon at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Ridge Road, just across Lincoln Road from the mall at Lincoln Station. Light refreshments will be served, and the farmers’ market will be open across the street with produce, crafts, and music. Information on the park’s history and how to join the Lincoln Garden Club will be also available.

The Commons wins kudos for independent living

The Commons in Lincoln has been named one of the best senior living communities in the country by U.S. News & World Report. The Commons was the only community in Massachusetts to be recognized in the magazine’s inaugural edition of Best Senior Living for independent living.

In a survey of more than 3,000 facilities nationwide, residents recognized The Commons independent living community for its responsive management and skilled staff, variety of life enrichment activities, safety, gourmet food and dining options, friendly dining staff, robust variety of meals, excellent local transportation, helpful billing department, and prompt and thorough housekeeping, among other features.

In addition to being a Best Senior Living community, The Commons is a two-time U.S. News & World Report Best Nursing Home and has also been named as having some of the best skilled nursing and rehabilitation care in the country.

Notify Conservation Department of downed trees on trails

If you come across any trees blocking Lincoln trails, please email a photo with the location and approximate diameter of the tree to conservation@lincolntown.org. You can help the land management team by removing any small branches you come across along the trail system.

News acorns

Codman Pool closed on Monday; August hours listed

Codman Pool will be closed on Monday, Aug. 8 for paving construction. Notes will be sent out if the pool has to remain closed on August 9. Here is the upcoming schedule:

  • August 9–11: Adult lap swim, 7–9 a.m.; general public, 1–6:30 p.m.
  • August 12: Adult lap swim, 8:30–10:30 a.m.; general public, 1–6:30 p.m.
  • August 13–28: Adult lap swim, 10–11 a.m.; general public, 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m.

Fess for lap swim: $5 non-pool members for adult lap swim (residents and non-residents). Lap swimmers must check in and pay at the tent with lifeguards. 

“Fort” Nite at the library

Have you every wanted to cozy up with a book in your own little fort in the library? Here’s your chance! Join us for a fun filled night of making blanket forts in the library on Thursday, Aug. 11 at 6 p.m. Bring your own clean sheets and/or blankets. Pajamas encouraged! Bring a stuffed animal and a flashlight if you like. A light snack will be served. All ages welcome. No registration necessary.

Film: “Divorce Italian Style”

The Lincoln Library Film Society presents “Divorce Italian Style” (1961) on Monday, Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. Ferdinando Cefalù (Marcello Mastroianni) is desperate to marry his cousin, Angela (Stefania Sandrelli), but he is married to Rosalia (Daniela Rocca) and divorce is illegal in Italy. A hilarious and cutting satire of Italy’s hypocritical judicial system and male-dominated culture, winner of the 1962 Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Register for adult ed classes at L-S

L-S Adult & Community Education course registration for fall/winter 2022-23 is now open. Click here for links to the course catalog and registration.

Transfer station: new written rules, new stickers required

The town has approved a set of rules and regulations for the transfer station that they hope will encourage more effective recycling. 

Meanwhile, residents’ 2020-22 transfer station/commuter lot stickers will expire at the end of August. See below for details on getting a new sticker.

The Select Board recently approved the rules recommended by the Department of Public Works. Those rules are not very different from the DPW’s long-time informal guidelines for use of the transfer station that Lincolnites are familiar with; they merely formalize things for the first time.  

“Over the years, we’ve never had rules and regulations approved [by the Select Board]. We used our own common-sense rules but never had anything formal,” said DPW office manager Susan Donaldson. The rules will help the DPW educate the public and enforce the rules surrounding things such as the transfer station sticker requirement, where various types of trash and recycling should be placed, prohibited materials, proper use of the swap shed, etc. “We’re just trying to get people to do the right thing.”

The transfer station is a popular spot for community groups to share information and products, candidates to collect signatures for petitions, etc. The new rules require individuals and groups to contact the DPW in advance before setting up with a table or clipboard.

Education about recycling is an ongoing process but will become more important in the fall, when the state will no longer allow fabrics and clothing, mattresses, or box springs to be thrown out with household trash. The transfer station already has bins for textiles as well as a spot to drop mattresses and box springs, in addition to containers for recycling glass bottles and jars, single-stream recycling (cans, paper, cardboard, and some plastics), electronics, compost, scrap metal, and books.

But what happens to all that stuff after it leaves the transfer station? Coming soon: a series of articles that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about recycling, trash, compost, textiles and everything else.

Transfer station stickers

New yellow transfer station/commuter lot stickers are required as of September 1. The stickers will be good through August 31, 2024. Stickers must be affixed to the bottom left corner of the driver’s side windshield of each vehicle. Any resident who doesn’t have a new yellow sticker by September 1 may be refused access to the transfer station or commuter lot.

Lincoln residents can get a new sticker at the DPW office on Lewis Street (call 781-259-8999 or email Donaldson at donaldsons@lincolntown.org) or by applying online at  epay.cityhallsystems.com/selection. Select Lincoln from the “municipality” dropdown and then click on “Make Purchases” (even though the stickers are free). Under Vehicle Information, choose “First Sticker” even if you already have a 2020-22 sticker. You’ll also need to upload a scan or photo of your driver’s license and car registration.

The City Hall Systems website can also be used for other town transactions including purchasing compost containers, paying motor vehicle excise taxes, or donating to the town’s emergency assistance or Pierce House funds.

Water board outlines exceptions to watering ban for all residents

Watering lawns by any means is now prohibited until further notice, but the Water Commission carved out some exceptions to the draconian Stage 4 water restrictions it imposed earlier last week. It also clarified that the restrictions apply equally to those who use private well water, not just those on town water.

The commission was bombarded with questions after its July 26 announcement that outdoor watering via sprinklers and, in many cases, even by handheld hose was prohibited in light of the continuing drought. In emails to LincolnTalk, residents asked if the latest rules applied to things like watering vegetable gardens or new landscaping plantings.

Water Department Superintendent Darin LaFalam told the commission that state guidelines were vague, requiring only restrictions on “nonessential watering,” but that state law does indeed empower towns to apply the rules to those who are not using the public water supply. Of Lincoln’s roughly 1,500 households, about 200 have private wells.

“There’s going to be a firestorm,” Commission Chair Ruth Ann Hendrickson predicted when well owners learn their outdoor watering habits have the same restrictions.

Stage 4 restrictions prohibit any outdoor watering except via drip irrigation once a week, but Hendrickson clarified in a LincolnTalk email last week that hand-watering by hose of personal vegetable gardens and watering of non-vegetable plantings using a bucket or watering can would be allowed.

At their July 29 meeting, the commission discussed the various questions that had been raised, and members voted to allow the following exceptions, and only between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.:

  • Vegetable gardens may be hand-watered as needed, since they fall under the state food production exemption. 
  • The town pool, tennis courts, and playing fields may get the minimum amount of water needed to ensure they can continue to operate because they are considered “essential to the mission” of the body that oversees them (the Park and Recreation Department). However, the toddler fountain at Codman Pool will be turned off. LaFalam had previously suggested that Parks and Rec use a pool cover when Codman Pool was closed to reduce evaporation. But Parks and Rec was reluctant to do so for safety reasons in case someone used the pool illegally and got trapped under the cover, he said. However, he will ask them look into using a liquid chemical solar cover. 
  • Recently planted landscaping that needs more frequent watering to become established may be watered by hand or with drip irrigation as required, preferably just once a week. No new flora may be planted during this time.
  • Conservation agencies (i.e., the Conservation Commission and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust), which install and maintain native plants to keep invasive species at bay, may also water those plants as needed.
  • Power washing houses and decks is not allowed, nor is window washing that uses water, but if a painting or repair job has already been scheduled or is underway, the homeowner may ask the Water Department for an individual exemption.

As noted when the State 3 restrictions were put in place, Water Department staff will drive around town and leave warning cards at home where they see sprinklers running. A second violation will result in a letter and subsequent violations will result in fines.

The department will make every effort to contact homeowners with automatic sprinkler systems who are away on vacation, but if the sprinklers are still running after a month, they will consider shutting off the water supply to the home.

The short period of time between the Stage 3 and Stage 4 declarations may cause some confusion. The Water Department included a notice of the Stage 3 restrictions with the quarterly water bills that just went out in the mail, but those notices are “already obsolete,” LaFalam said.

Lincoln is not in immediate danger of running low on water; Flint’s Pond is actually “at a normal state for this time of year,” LaFalam said. However, the groundwater level is seven feet lower than it was in December, something that was discovered when workers recently drilled test holes for the planned new town well on Tower Road. The existing well system was recently cleaned with the goal of increasing its capacity until the new well can come online.

“One water” is the guiding principle, LaFalam said, meaning that water from Flint’s Pond, the town well and private wells ultimately comes from the same place, as state regulations recognize. Even if conditions in Lincoln are not dire at the moment, “I think we have an obligation to the wider area to use our water with restraint,” he said.