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

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Lincoln break-in suspect nabbed in Lawrence

A garage surveillance photo of the Minuteman Commons burglar later identified and arrested.

Just days after a series of break-ins at Minuteman Commons in Lincoln, police arrested a suspect and recovered most of the stolen property.

Kevin Lynch, 40, of Lawrence was arrested at his Lawrence home on July 27 and charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime and several larceny charges after he allegedly stole bicycles and golf clubs from three garages in the Virginia Road complex on the night of July 19-20.

Lincoln police shared a surveillance photo of Lynch with other area enforcement agencies including Massachusetts State Police and police departments in Lowell, Chelmsford, and Lawrence. He was subsequently identified and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Lynch was taken into custody and was due to be arraigned on July 28 in the Concord District Court.

Lincoln Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said he couldn’t reveal if Lynch has a prior arrest record but noted that he was quickly fingered by several police departments after they saw his picture.

Kennedy said it was unclear why Lynch allegedly stole from Minuteman Commons, “but I don’t think there’s any reason to fear that this are was targeted over any other area.”

The quick arrest “shows the value of cooperation between multiple law enforcement agencies in sharing information that led to the arrest and recovery of the evidence,” he added.

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Codman Community Farms gets Edible Boston writeup

Edible Boston’s summer 2022 issue features a story about the changes wrought at Codman Community Farms by farmer Pete Lowy and his crew, especially at the farm store. Click here to read the story.

Area libraries sponsor “library crawl”

On Wednesday, Aug. 3 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., everyone is invited to take part in the Library Crawl. The challenge is to visit as many libraries as you can and take a picture of yourself with a designated item in each library in a 21st-century scavenger hunt. Download your Library Crawl passport with library locations and photo ops.

This is an event for all ages – all you need is a love of libraries and a way to get from place to place. Post your pictures and tag the libraries at #mlncrawl2022. Each library will have handouts and giveaways. Show your pictures to a librarian, get a prize, and see how many you can collect. Start and end wherever you like on the self-guided crawl.

Participating Minuteman Library Network libraries are Arlington Robbins & Arlington Fox Branch, Ashland, Bacon Free (Natick), Concord & Fowler Branch, Dedham & Endicott Branch, Framingham & McAuliffe Branch, Lexington (Cary), Lincoln, Maynard, Morrill Memorial Library (Norwood), Morse Institute Library (Natick), Needham, Newton, Sudbury, Wayland, Wellesley Main, Wellesley Hills, Wellesley Fells, and Westwood Main & Islington Branch.

Children’s events at library

“Not So Scary Animals” live program
Thursday, July 28 from 10:30–11:30 a.m., Tarbell Room
We think of some animals like sharks, snakes, and spiders as scary, but are they really when we learn more about them? Many seemingly scary animals have important jobs in nature, and some even help people. Children of all ages are welcome learn about and meet some “not so scary animals.” Registration required; email dleopold@minlib.net.

Mo Willems Film Festival
Friday, July 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Short films based on beloved Mo Willems stories. Ages 2+. Drop in.

Railroad crossing gates stuck down again last week

Due to a malfunction on an outbound train, sensors at four commuter rail crossing gate systems were damaged on July 21, causing significant delays during part of the morning rush hour and into the afternoon.

Shortly after 8:00 a.m., the gates at Old Sudbury Road, nearby South Great Road, and Lincoln Road got stuck in the down position. Lincoln police and crews from Keolis, which maintains the commuter rail system, responded and ensured the safety of the crossings. A fourth crossing in Cambridge was also affected.

When a crossing experiences any issues, gates are designed to default immediately to a safety mode by going down and staying down until the problem is fixed. The train follows a “stop and protect order” whereby the locomotive engineer and conductors reduce speed and stop at each crossing to confirm that it’s safe for the train to proceed, explained Alana Westwater, Manager of Public Relations and Government Affairs at Keolis. This happens fairly frequently — in Lincoln it occurred most recently on May 18, June 21, and July 2 before the July 21 incident.

These gate problems are unrelated to an April 11 incident in Lincoln where a gate was up when it should have been down, causing a train to narrowly miss hitting a car. The investigation into that incident is ongoing. At the June 27 Select Board meeting, Town Administrator Tim Higgins called the delay in getting more information “frustrating.”

“If much more time goes by without real evidence of progress in the investigation, we’ll call on our elected officials who oversee the MBTA to expedite that process,” he said.

Lincoln Chipmunk returns in the fall

The Lincoln Chipmunk got overwhelmed with busy-ness in the spring and is on hiatus for the rest of the summer. But this is a great time to relax and work on those creative words and images you’ve been thinking about. The next deadline is September 9, 2022. Anyone with a Lincoln connection is welcome to submit their work — click here for details.

Police log for July 10–21, 2022

July 10

Lincoln Road, Wayland (4:30 p.m.) — Wayland police requested assistance looking for a child who was out riding their bike and was overdue in getting home. Officers checked the area for the child. Wayland police later reported the child returned home.

Wells Road (4:40 p.m.) — Resident reported that someone was causing a disturbance and yelling inside an apartment. Officers responded to the residence and spoke to the involved party. The party was alone in the apartment and was upset and venting to themselves.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (9:41 p.m.) — Caller reported a car-vs.-deer crash at the Concord line. State police were notified. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

July 11

Brooks Road (5:15 p.m.) — Fire Department responded to a call about a problem with the electrical system. The homeowner is calling an electrician to handle the issue.

July 12

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (6:28 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a party having a mental health crisis. Officers responded to assist. The party was later brought to the hospital.

July 13

Bedford Road (1:54 p.m.) — Caller reported a water main break near the library. The Water Department reported they were flushing a hydrant in the area.

Wells Road (8:43 p.m.) — Officers took a report about headphones being stolen from a vehicle.

July 14

Conant Road (11:03 a.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. An officer went to the residence and everything was fine.

South Great Road (3:16 p.m.) — Caller reported a party driving erratically on Route 117 eastbound who appeared to be having a medical event. Officers and Fire Department checked Route 117 to the Weston line but were unable to locate.

July 15

Wells Road (2:01 a.m.) — Caller reported their outdoor motion sensor went off and asked an officer check if someone is outside their residence. An officer checked and everything was fine.

Lincoln Road (7:59 a.m.) — Fire Department personnel responded to Framingham for a District Dive Team activation.

Donelan’s Supermarket (5:21 p.m.) — Caller reported that their handicap placard was stolen from their car in the parking lot. An officer responded and took a report.

Care Dimensions Hospice House (7:59 p.m.) — Caller asked for an ambulance to transport a patient to the hospital. An officer responded and spoke to the individual, who was not the health care proxy.

July 16

Carroll School (10:59 a.m.) — Caller complained about landscapers using leaf blowers. An officer responded and spoke to the landscapers, who said they would stop for the day

Russett Court (6:18 p.m.) — Caller reported that their spouse was missing from the home. While officers were en route, the caller reported that their spouse had returned home and everything was fine.

July 17

North Great Road (4:43 p.m.) — Two-car motor vehicle crash; no injuries.

Indian Camp Lane (11:33 p.m.) — Caller asked the Fire Department to assist as they had locked themselves out of their house.

July 18

Weston Road (4:18 p.m.) — An officer assisted a resident with a VIN verification of a vehicle.

Wells Road (5:37 p.m.) — Caller asked the Fire Department to assist as they had locked themselves out of their house.

July 19

Cedar Road (11:20 a.m.) — Caller reported being involved in a minor motor vehicle crash. An officer responded and assisted the involved parties with exchanging paperwork.

July 20

National Park Visitor Center (3:36 a.m.) — An officer found a vehicle in the Visitor Center lot and checked on the parties. Everything was fine and the group left the area.

Bedford Road (2:34 p.m.) — Minor two-car motor vehicle crash; no injuries.

Codman Road (6:16 p.m.) — A party walked into the station to report that some tried to scam them. An officer spoke to the party; there was no financial loss.

July 21

Lincoln Road and South Great Road (8:22 a.m.) — Railroad gates were stuck in the down position at both crossings. An officer responded and the MBTA was notified.

Codman Road (3:32 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check at the residence. An officer responded and no one was home.

Drumlin Farm (6:03 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle was still in the parking lot and was concerned that people will be camping overnight. An officer responded and found that the vehicle was having mechanical problems and would be moved shortly.

Baker Bridge Road (7:32 p.m.) — An officer issued a parking ticket for a vehicle parked in the No Parking zone.

As drought continues, watering now limited to one day a week

Most of the state is now in a Level 2 “Significant Drought” condition, and it appears that the current weather pattern with limited rain will continue for some time. As a result, the Water Department has imposed Stage 3 watering restrictions, meaning that homes on town water are now permitted to do lawn and garden watering with sprinklers and soaker hoses just one day a week — down from the previous two days (see chart below). Handheld watering may still be done any time. The move is required as part of the town’s detailed Drought Management Plan.

Because Lincoln consistently exceeds the maximum annual and daily per-capita water withdrawal amounts stipulated in its state permit, the town is required by MassDEP to implement water conservation measures one step more strict than the current drought level declaration would normally call for. For the same reason, Lincoln automatically starts each watering season on May 1 with Stage 2 restrictions.

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
Hand-held wateringAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 7pm–7amAllowed 7pm–7amAllowed 7pm–7am
Above-ground/
in-ground sprinklers		Allowed 7pm–7am• Even house #s:
Tues & Sat

• Odd house #s
Wed & Sun		• Even house #s:
Sat only

• Odd house #s:
Sun only		Not allowed
Soaker hosesAllowed any time2 days a week1 day a weekNot allowed
Drip irrigationAllowed any time2 days a week1 day a week1 day a week
New lawnsAllowed any timeJune & Sept. only: 20 days of daily watering, then 2 days a week, 7pm–7amJune & Sept. only: 20 days of daily watering, then 1 day a week, 7pm–7amNot allowed
Washing vehiclesAllowed any timeCommercial services onlyCommercial services onlyCommercial services only
Washing buildings, pavementAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, JacuzzisAllowed any timeOne fill per season for new or repaired equipmentTopping off only (3" per month)Topping off or refill not allowed
Car wash fundraisersAllowed any timeAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowed
Games or toys with continuous waterAllowed any timeAllowed any time (30 mins/day) on specified day (see row #2)Allowed any time (30 mins/day) on specified day (see row #2)Not allowed

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Codman film: “Curse of the Were Rabbit”

Come watch a hilarious claymation favorite, “Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbit,” on Thursday, July 14 at 7 p.m. at Codman Community Farms. Latecomers welcome. Buy tickets in advance online or in person.

Drum one, drum all

“Drumming About You!” will take place under the tent at the Pierce House on Friday, July 15 at 10:30 a.m. The library is sponsoring the interactive event with Bob Bloom where everyone has a chance to play his array of colorful drums on legendary songs. All ages; no registration required. In case of inclement weather, the event will move to the library’s Tarbell Room (check the library’s website or social media feeds by 9 a.m. that day).

Film screening: “L’Eclisse”

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “L’Eclisse” (1962) on Thursday, July 21 at 6 p.m. In the movie, directed by Michelangelo Antonioni and starring Monica Vitti, Alain Delon, and Francisco Rabal, a young woman meets a vital young man, but their love affair is doomed because of the man’s materialistic nature. Free and open to all.

Police log for July 1–9, 2022

July 1

Wells Road (12:12 a.m.) — Resident called reporting someone is outside the building talking on their cell phone and they felt it was odd due to the time of night. An officer checked the area and everything was fine.

Bedford Road (12:17 p.m.) — Caller locked their keys in their car. The Fire Department responded and assisted the party with opening the door.

South Great Road (1:32 p.m.) — Council on Aging and Human Services asked police to do a well-being check on the resident. An officer checked and everything was fine. The resident was asked to follow up with the COA.

Weston Road (4:23 p.m.) — Caller reported hitting what they thought was a rock on Weston Road as they were driving home. An officer went and spoke to the party, who appeared confused as to where it happened. Report taken.

July 2

Tower Road (6:24 p.m.) — Caller reported the railroad gates were stuck down. An officer responded and contacted Keolis, which responded and fixed the gates.

July 3

Wells Road (2:01 a.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. Officers checked on the party and everything was fine.

Baker Bridge Road (6:42 p.m.) — Two cars were parked in the No Parking Zone were ticketed.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:37 p.m.) — Concord police reported a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound. An officer responded to the area but was unable to locate the motorcycle.

Wells Road (8:47 p.m.) — Resident reported a vehicle is parked in the fire lane. An officer responded and the vehicle was moved by the owner.

July 4

Codman Road (11:29 a.m.) — Caller reported that she was scratched by a dog while walking on the “red trail” earlier in the day behind the Codman House. An officer spoke with the party and took a report.

Baker Bridge Road (5:59 p.m.) — Nine cars parked in the No Parking zone were ticketed.

July 5

Todd Pond Road (1:49 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported someone opened up an account in their name. An officer took a report.

July 6

Laurel Drive (1:53 p.m.) — Paperwork from the Registry of Motor Vehicles was delivered to a resident.

Wells Road (2:31 p.m.) — Fire Department reported an odor of brush burning in the area and investigated; nothing was found.

Rockwood Lane (4:12 p.m.) — A minibike driven by a juvenile struck the tire of a FedEx vehicle. No injuries.

Weston Road (6:33 p.m.) — Caller reported a firework in the field along Weston Road. The firework, which was used, was disposed of.

Donelan’s Supermarket (8:53 p.m.) — Caller reported locking their keys in the bathroom of Donelan’s and the store was now closed. Attempts were made to contact the manager. The party called back and advised that they’ll get them in the morning.

July 7

Burlington (12:30 p.m.) — Detective Ian Spencer assisted Burlington police with a forensic sketch related to an investigation in that town.

Lincoln Public Library (4:45 p.m.) — Caller reported that a truck hit a vehicle next to the library and drove down Trapelo Road. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the truck.

Silver Hill Road (8:41 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle had been parked across the street for a while. An officer checked and found no problem with the location.

Ryan Estate (10:24 p.m.) — Caller reported people in another unit were making noise moving about the apartment. An officer spoke to both parties and advised them to speak with management.

July 8

Codman Road (12:58 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle pulled to the side of the road with what appeared to be two occupants arguing. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Lincoln Police Department (3:11 p.m.) — A party came to the station regarding a lost item.

July 9

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:00 p.m.) — Concord police reported a party walking along Route 2. Officers checked the area but the person was gone on arrival.

Baker Bridge Road (5:42 p.m.) — Vehicles illegally parked along Baker Bridge Road were ticketed.

Windingwood Lane (6:33 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle was in the area on a routine basis early in the morning and requested an extra check of the area.

DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum (10:54 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported loud music from the DeCordova. An officer checked and a wedding party was finishing up.

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Library mystery party for teens

Kids age 12 and up are invited to a Crimson Mystery Party at the Lincoln Public Library on Thursday, July 14 at 6 p.m. Sign up to be a character and come prepared to work together to solve the mystery. Space is limited; email SFeather@minlib.net with any questions and to sign up. Supported by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

St. Anne’s hosts blood drive

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thursday, July 21 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or sign up online at redcrossblood.org using the sponsor code STANNEITF. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.

Submit your nature photos for LLCT calendar

Calling all photographers! Each year the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust/Rural Land Foundation produces the Open Spaces of Lincoln calendar, which is a stunning showcase of Lincoln’s rural landscapes and abundant wildlife. All proceeds benefit the conservation, stewardship, and educational activities of the LLCT. Photographers of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and capture the rural and natural landscape, waterways, plants, or wildlife. Submissions for the 2023 calendar will be accepted through Sunday, July 24. Click here for participation guidelines and instructions for submitting photos.