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Police log for June 13–21, 2022

June 27, 2022

June 13

Lincoln Station (1:35 am.) — An officer checked on an occupied vehicle parked at the mall. The occupant was an employee of a nearby business and left shortly thereafter.

South Great Road (9:52 a.m.) — A resident reported his canoe was missing from his yard.

Baker Bridge Road (11:01 a.m.) — An officer was called to assist and answer some questions.

Trapelo Road (4:12 p.m.) — Officers responded to Trapelo Road for a report of a confused motorist. Officers assisted and were able to have family retrieve the motorist and vehicle.

Trapelo Road (5:12 p.m.) — A report of people fishing on Trapelo Road by the causeway. The individuals were advised they were trespassing and cleared from the area.

June 14

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (9:47 a.m.) — Two-car motor vehicle crash.

Lexington Road (1 p.m.) — An individual requested to speak to an officer regarding some missing items.

Trapelo Road (1:20 p.m.) — A resident reported a possible credit card scam.

June 15

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (9:07 p.m.) — Motor vehicle crash involving a tractor trailer.

Baker Bridge Road (11:30 a.m.) — A resident wanted to speak to an officer regarding a previous incident.

Oak Meadow Road (4:58 p.m.) — A resident asked to speak to an officer regarding a possible scam.

Old Winter Street (8:02 p.m.) — An officer was called to the area to assist with a dispute between a resident and a motorist. The officer spoke to both parties.

June 16

Lincoln School (8:21 a.m.) — A report of an unattended child in a motor vehicle was called in. Moments later, the call was cancelled as an adult had returned and left the area.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:10 p.m.) — Police assisted a motorist at Tracey’s Gas Station.

Lincoln Road (4:34 p.m.) — A resident reported some suspicious activity on her property the previous evening.

Robbins Road (5:11 p.m.) — Timothy Obin of Providence, R.I., was arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was transported to Concord District Court.

June 17

Ballfield Road (10:08 a.m.) — A spent bullet casing was found on a service road behind the Brooks School. Officers responded and searched the area. It was determined that the casing was weathered and appeared to have been outside for a considerable amount of time. Lincoln police personnel coordinated with Lincoln Public Schools administration.

Wells Road (10:31 p.m.) — An officer responded to the area for a noise complaint but found no loud noise.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (11:06 p.m.) — A motorist struck a deer in Lexington on Route 2. Massachusetts State Police handled.

June 18

North Great Road (12:05 a.m.) — A motorist parked in the Paul Revere lot was advised to move to the Route 128 rest area.

Old Concord Road (8:32 p.m.) — A resident reported seeing a vehicle drive in and out of their driveway multiple times. Police checked the area but could not locate the vehicle.

June 19

Lincoln Police Department (7:30 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a citizen regarding a situation involving another department.

June 20

Windingwood Lane (10:01 a.m.) — One-car crash; no injuries.

Conant Road (10:39 a.m.) — A resident called reporting a suspicious vehicle in the driveway. The vehicle was a contractor.

Lexington Road (9:39 p.m.) — A resident reported an audible alarm in the area. Officers checked the area and could not hear the alarm.

Indian Camp Lane (11:05 p.m.) — A caller reported their vehicle appeared to be missing. A check of the area showed the vehicle was parked in a different location.

June 21

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (7:19 a.m.) — Two-car crash. One operator was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Old Sudbury Road (10:45 a.m.) — Officers responded to the railroad crossing for reports of vehicles crossing the tracks when the gates are down. An officer observed the area but did not observe anyone cross when the gates were down. Incident is ongoing and the area will be monitored.

South Great Road (9:06 p.m.) — A motorist reported striking a deer. There was no damage to the vehicle and the deer ran into the woods.

Lincoln Public Schools (9:26 p.m.) — An officer discovered multiple individuals at the school after hours. The individuals were with the construction company.

Debate over opening more trails to bikes continues

June 26, 2022

The Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Committee last week highlighted some areas where town conservation trails could be upgraded to allow use by bicycles. Three of the spots suggested by the BPAC are within areas that the ConCom is also considering opening to bikes as part of its set of proposed amendments to the town’s trail use regulations.

The trail segments shown in the BPAC’s June 22 presentation to the Conservation Commission were part of the draft master plan the group unveiled to the Select Board in April. That plan outlined several types and examples of infrastructure improvements they recommended making over a period of decades to increase roadway and path safety for all users (cars, bikes, and pedestrians) and improve connectivity within the town.

Some of the suggested spots (shown with fuchsia arrows in the images below) already have walking trails but are not currently usable by bikes because of flooding or other reasons; in other locations, the BPAC suggested creating new trails, as indicated by asterisks.

Complicating the issue is the fact that the trails have different owners. Some of the land is owned by the town, some by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, and some by private property owners who have granted easements. “We understand there are a lot of land ownership issues, but these are the connections we’ve identified where trails might be the best option,” said BPAC Co-chair Ginger Reiner.

North Lincoln

Bypass Road to Brooks Road*
Brooks Road to Sunnyside Lane
Minute Man National Historic Park to the corner of Old Bedford and Virginia Roads
Mill Street to Bedford Road*

East Lincoln

Weston Road to Tower Road
Tower Road to Todd Pond Road*
A trail connection to a future underpass or overpass near Page Road if MassDOT ever builds one*

South Lincoln

Mt. Misery to the canoe landing parking lot alongside Route 117
The canoe lot to Birchwood Lane (now open to walkers but closed to bikers via terms of an easement over private property)
The link from Old Sudbury Road to the Weston trail system

West Lincoln

Baker Bridge Road near Woods End Road to the rear commuter lot in South Lincoln*
The link to the Concord trail system in Adams Woods just northeast of Fairhaven Bay
Concord Road to Goose Pond Road, very close to the easter edge of Walden Pond*

Three of the suggested areas for opening trails to bikes totaling 1.2 miles are part of the ConCom proposals to open more trails to bikes: Adams Woods (West Lincoln), Brooks Road to Sunnyside Lane (North Lincoln), and the Weston trail connection in South Lincoln.

In a few areas prone to flooding, the work might have to include a boardwalk that bikers would be required to walk their bikes over. Most or all of the initial work could be funded by grants, BPAC Co-chair Bob Wolf said.

The improvements will require multiple neighborhood discussions as well as plan modifications and compromises over time as circumstances change, said Wolf, noting that it took the Netherlands at least 25 years to make its targeted roadways equally safe for bikers, walkers and cars.

If we can’t get a full loaf, we’re happy to get half a loaf,” he said. “We’re not advocating for a wholesale opening of trails… [the recommendations] are highly selective and in places we could not get a roadside path option to work well.”

The BPAC will continue to meet with town boards and committees over the summer, followed by regional public forums in the fall and a State of the Town presentation in November and a possible measure to be voted on at Town Meeting in March 2023.

Bikes on trails

Later in the Zoom meeting attended by more than 50 residents, the ConCom continued its discussion of the four areas of proposed trail improvements from its last meeting on June 1. Most of the comments focused on the bikes-on-trails issue, with some residents advocating for more equity in how some trails can be used and others worrying that more biking will damage trails and detract from the enjoyment of walkers. There was debate over what neighboring towns allow on their trails, how new rules would be posted and enforced, and why certain trail segments were targeted for opening.

Given the strong and numerous opinions, “This might be a wise place to pause… this is a very hot issue and I think it needs a lot more consideration,” Diana Beaudoin said. Sara Mattes agreed, saying the town should “step back a minute and look more holistically” at the issue of safe roadway and trail use.

“Our goal is to reach consensus… but we know we won’t keep all of the people happy all of the time. It’s a dance,” ConCom Chair Susan Hall Mygatt said.

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is scheduled to discuss the issue early next month, and the ConCom will resume its discussion on July 13 at 8 p.m.

News acorns

June 22, 2022

Planning Dept. seeks summer worker

The Lincoln Planning Department is seeking a recent high school graduate or college student for an administrative assistant summer internship. You will work directly under the Assistant Director of Planning and Land Use on office and tourism projects. We are looking for a motivated and creative thinker. Graphic design skills are a plus but not required. Pay is $20/hour for 16 hours per week. Expected schedule is Tuesday and Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m. but we can be flexible for the right candidate. The anticipated start date for this position is July 5 with an end date of August 25. The deadline to apply is Thursday, June 30. Please email curtinj@lincolntown.org with your resume/background and a brief statement of why you’re interested in the position

Town offices closed on Fridays for the summer

From July 5 through September 2, town departments located in Town Hall will not be open for business on Fridays. All offices will be open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m.–5 p.m. Departments that are subject to this change in hours of operation include: Select Board’s Office, Tax Collection, Town Clerk, Cemeteries, Finance & Accounting, Conservation, Building, Planning, Zoning, and Assessors. In the event of an emergency requiring the immediate attention of one of the above offices, please notify the Lincoln Police Department at 781 259-8113.

DeCordova welcomes volunteers

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is seeking volunteer park ambassadors to help support the myriad offerings hosted by deCordova including snowshoe tours, nature tours, curator and artist conversations, special talks, screenings, and other events. Volunteers will collaborate with staff to provide our visitors a fun and educational experience. Volunteers must be at least 18, and a background check may be required. Click here to learn more and sign up for one day or as many as you like. Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Welcoming visitors, checking in guests, and helping answer questions about the park and museum
Gathering information from visitors for mailing lists and promotional outreach
Promoting the Trustees of Reservations’ mission and provide membership information
Assist with light property cleanup, if needed
Assist with administrative projects such as updating bulletin boards and restocking pamphlets and flyers
Assist event with setup and cleanup, including lifting tables and chairs
Communicate effectively with staff and other volunteers

Police log for June 6–12, 2022

June 16, 2022

June 6

Bedford Road (8:23 am.) — A caller asked officers check a sign that was posted at the five-way intersection in Lincoln Center. Officers checked the area and discovered no issues with the posted signs.

Goose Pond Road (2:25 p.m.) — An attempt was made to serve court paperwork.

Laurel Drive (4:24 p.m.) — A resident wanted to speak to an officer regarding a possible scam.

Goose Pond Road (5:27 p.m.) — Service of court paperwork was made.

Care Dimensions Hospice House (10:25 p.m.) — Caller reported loud noises, believed to be gunshots. It was later confirmed to be fireworks set off in the Winter Street area.

June 7

Lexington Road (10:25 a.m.) — Officers assisted with a civil matter.

Bedford Road (4:33 p.m.) — Minor motor vehicle crash (no injuries).

Wells Road (8:09 p.m.) — Officers were called to Wells Road to assist two residents.

June 8

Autumn Lane (11:20 a.m.) — A caller reported two unknown vehicles on Autumn Lane. The vehicles were gone when officers arrived.

Weston Road (4:11 p.m.) — A caller registered a complaint about vehicles parking on both sides of Weston Road in the area of the Pierce House.

Minuteman NHP Visitor Center (6:30 p.m.) — A caller wanted to speak to an officer regarding a past incident.

June 9

Wells Road (9:15 p.m.) — A well-being check was requested. Lincoln police officers were responding to a separate incident so Concord police handled. Everyone was fine.

June 10

Long Meadow Road (10:39 a.m.) — An officer was asked to perform a motor vehicle VIN verification.

Wells Road (1:37 p.m.) — Officers responded at the request of Concord District Court.

Weston Road (8:50 a.m.) — A caller reported excessive noise coming from the Pierce House. An officer responded and found the noise levels were suitable at that time.

Silver Hill Road (9:58 p.m.) — A caller reported that a family member was overdue. Officers were able to make contact with the family member and confirmed that they were OK.

June 11

Route 2 Gas (2:31 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle that was parked at Tracey’s gas station. The motorist continued on their way a short time later.

Sandy Pond Road (2:08 p.m.) — A caller reported several people fishing at Flint’s Pond. Officers responded but were unable to locate anyone fishing.

Weston Road (5:38 p.m.) — A resident reported a possible scam.

South Great Road (8:29 p.m.) — Police and fire personnel handled a one-vehicle rollover crash was reported. The road was closed for approximately tow hours until the vehicle could be removed. Click here for details.

June 12

Concord Road (9:55 p.m.) — Items were discarded on the side of the road. The DPW was contacted to remove them.

Treble Cove Road, Billerica (11:12 a.m.) — A prisoner was transported from the Lincoln Police Department to the Middlesex House of Correction.

Trapelo Road (4:44 p.m.) — Police received a report of several people fishing in the Cambridge Reservoir. Police made contact with the individuals and advised them it was not allowed.

Rollover accident sends two to hospital

June 14, 2022

Lincoln firefighters used the jaws of life to free a trapped driver and passenger from a crashed car on Route 117 just east of Farrar Pond on June 11.

The car rolled over and wound up on its side, so firefighters stabilized it with supporting struts and then gained initial access to the people inside through the trunk. They covered the driver with a blanket to protect them from debris while they cut out the windshield, then extricated them and took them by ambulance to Lahey Clinic. The passenger (who had been under the driver) was still trapped, so firefighters again used the jaws of life to open the car’s roof. The patient was then slid out with the help of a backboard and sheet and also taken to Lahey Clinic.

Fire Chief Brian Young said on Tuesday that the accident victims were a man and woman in their 50s or 60s, though he didn’t know their town of residence. Both were conscious when they were extricated but had neck and back injuries. He added that in some cases, posts at the side of the road that are intended to keep cars from flying into the pond or the woods can get bent from the initial impact and act as a ramp, causing the car to roll over.

Photos courtesy of the Lincoln Fire Department’s Facebook page.

Water bill discounts available for some residents

June 14, 2022

The Board of Water Commissioners, in partnership with the Council on Aging & Human Services, has instituted a new water fee waiver program beginning on July 1. Any Lincoln homeowner who meets certain following criteria will be given an annual 100% water base rate waiver or reimbursement. This benefit applies to condo owners even if the water bill is included in the condo fee.

To qualify, the water bill must be for a property that is owner occupied and the owner’s primary residence, and not an irrigation account or in the range of Tier 3 usage (more than 40,000 gallons per quarter.) The homeowner must also be receiving a senior circuit-breaker tax credit on state income taxes, or any one of the following town-administered property tax exemptions:

Veteran (Exemptions 22, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D, 22E, 8A)
Blind (Exemption 37A)
Elderly (Exemption 17E) — income limit: none; asset limit: $45,183 for a household of two (HH2)
Elderly (Exemption 41D) — income limit: $35,050 for HH2; asset limit: $64,256 for HH2
Community Preservation Act Exemption — income limit: $112,160 for HH2 aged 60+ or $89,728 for HH2 under aged 60; asset limit: none

For more information or to receive this waiver/reimbursement, contact Abigail at the COA&HS (781-259-8811, butta@lincolntown.org). Residents who qualify do not need to file an application or complete additional paperwork to receive the benefit. The Assessor’s Department will share when an address receives a qualifying property tax exemption.

Residents receiving the senior circuit breaker tax credit or those who believe they qualify for the Community Preservation Act Exemption should contact Abigail. Once eligibility is confirmed, the COA&HS will contact the Water Department directly and the waiver will be applied to the resident’s account.

Robert Lemire, 1933–2022

June 13, 2022

Robert Lemire

By Elise Lemire

Robert Arthur Lemire, a long-time resident of Lincoln, died on June 8, 2022 at The Commons in Lincoln after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 89.

Bob was born in Lowell, Mass., on January 19, 1933, the third child of Emile and Blanche (Bisaillon) Lemire. Upon graduating from St. Jeanne d’Arc School, where classes were conducted in English and French, he received permission from Cardinal Cushing to attend Lowell High School. He graduated in 1950 as a member of the varsity track and field and football teams and was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus in 2015.

Bob continued to play football at Yale University, from which he graduated with a degree in economics in 1954, before serving two years in the Navy as a junior officer on the heavy cruiser, U.S.S. Baltimore. After receiving an MBA from Harvard Business School in 1958, Bob wrote case studies for a Boston consulting firm and then worked in corporate underwriting at Paine, Webber, Jackson & Curtis, during which period he and Howard Reynolds had a nightly radio show called Spotlight on Business. In the mid-1970s, Bob started and for decades ran his own one-man investment advisory firm, Lemire and Co. During these early career years, Bob was an avid rugby player and in 1960, he was one of the founders of the Boston Rugby Club, for which he was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

Bob was a committed environmentalist. He joined the Lincoln Conservation Commission in 1963, becoming the chair three years later and serving in that role for fifteen years, during which time the town put 1,400 acres into permanent conservation. He traveled the country teaching other communities how to cluster new development and thereby save open space and taught these principles at the Rhode Island School of Design, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, and the Conway School of Landscape Design.

In 1972, the Massachusetts Audubon Society awarded Bob its Action Award. Gov. Michael Dukakis appointed him to the Massachusetts Agricultural Preservation Commission and to the Citizens Water Supply Committee, for which Bob served several years as a member of the executive committee. Bob was also a consultant for the Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Foundation, and other national organizations. He is the author of Creative Land Development: Bridge to the Future (Houghton Mifflin, 1979).

In 1984, after watching his dyslexic son struggle to learn to read, Bob created Lexia Learning, a company that pioneered the use of computers to teach literacy skills. Today the company serves more than 5.5 million students across more than 3,300 school districts.

Bob was predeceased by his sister Gabrielle Marie (Lemire) Jussaume and his brother John (“Jack”) Emile Lemire. He leaves behind his beloved wife of 61 years, Virginia (Bock) Lemire; his daughter, Elise Lemire and her husband, James T. Taylor II of Port Chester, N.Y.; his son, Robert “Bo” Lemire and his wife Melissa (Strong) Lemire of Castle Rock, Colo.; and three grandchildren, Eli James Taylor-Lemire, Zachary Burk Lemire, and Sophia Grace Lemire.

Bob will be fondly remembered for his leadership skills, sense of humor (with jokes on hand in both French and English), love of fishing, camping, and hiking, and for his enthusiasm for his wife’s homemade cookies.

There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the International Dyslexia Association would be appreciated.

News acorns

June 12, 2022

Learn about going solar at home

Have you thought of putting solar panels on your roof? Do you want to save on electricity? Ready to capture the 26% federal tax credit for solar? Come to Lincoln Green Energy’s solar presentation on Tuesday, June 21 at noon via Zoom. Presenters will discuss topics including solar system net metering, state and federal incentives, battery storage backup, and MassSave’s ConnectedSolutions program. Great Sky Solar will also be on hand to answer questions. Click here to preregister and get the Zoom link.

Music of the civil rights movement

The Council on Aging & Human Services presents “The Music of the Civil Rights Movement” on Friday, June 24 at 1 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The travelogue featuring musical historian and lecturer John Clark’s Great American Musical Experience focuses on the music of the movement during the 1950s and 1960s.

Buy bouquets to benefit SVdP in June

Stop & Shop of Wayland has selected the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston to be the benefactor of its Bloomin’4 Good Program. This program works to provide meals through the sale of floral bouquets. During the month of June, each time a shopper purchases a $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet with the red circle sticker at the Wayland Stop & Shop, SVdP of Lincoln and Weston will receive a $1 donation for the Lincoln Food Pantry.

Police log for May 30–June 5

June 9, 2022

A Lincoln resident was nearly the victim of a cryptocurrency scam on June 1. A clerk at the Quick Service gas station on Boston Post Road in Sudbury noticed a woman standing at a Bitcoin machine with a large amount of cash. He alerted Sudbury police, who intervened and also contacted Lincoln police, as the victim was a resident of Huckleberry Hill Road in Lincoln.

According to an account in the Sudbury Patch that was confirmed by Lincoln police, the woman was the victim of a ransomware attack, and the scammers told her to convert her cash into Bitcoin to pay them off. This is the second time someone has visited the Bitcoin machine at the behest of scammers, according to Sudbury police.
May 30

Baker Bridge Road (3:37 p.m.) — Multiple calls about cars parked along the side of the road causing a traffic hazard. An officer responded and moved the cars along.

May 31

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg gate (7:07 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called reporting a party attempting to enter the base who had an arrest warrant. Phillip DeSouza, 23, of Centerville was arrested on a warrant for traffic offenses. He was later brought to the Concord District Court.

Lincoln Road (10:34 a.m.) — A caller reported a turtle in the roadway, causing a traffic issue. An officer responded and moved it to the side of the road.

Codman House (11:20 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle in the lot of the Codman Estate. The party had pulled over to use their phone.

June 1 (also see item above)

Ridge Road (12:55 p.m.) — A party reported that a vehicle pulled over and talked to a group of kids and then left the area. The party was concerned and thought it was suspicious. The officer located the group of kids involved. The kids reported that it was one of their mothers who pulled over to talk with them.

Ryan Estate (4:17 p.m.) — A caller reported receiving a call demanding money as part of a Publishers’ Clearinghouse scheme. An officer told the party that it was a scam and not to provide any personal information or money.

North Great Road (5:22 p.m.) — Lexington police requested assistance in locating a vehicle involved in a hit-and-run in their town, last seen headed west on North Great Road. Police checked the area but found nothing.

Lincoln Police Department (5:32 p.m.) — A party came to the station with a dog found wandering near the railroad tracks. Animal Control was notified.

June 2

Lincoln Road (12:20 p.m.) — A car hit a stone wall near Todd Pond. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Old County Road, Lincoln (4:53 p.m.) — The Waltham Fire Department requested an engine to respond to the residence in their town for a telephone alarm. Lincoln firefighters responded but couldn’t find a cause for the alarm.

Tower Road (6:09 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to a resident.

June 3

Lincoln North office building (1:53 a.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle in the parking lot. The party was a security guard for the complex

Marconi’s Auto, Concord Road (2:27 p.m.) — Officer found a vehicle with its interior light on. It appeared to be neglect; everything was secure.

Page Road (7:55 a.m.) — A party turned over several old firearms to be destroyed.

Winter Street (3:46 p.m.) — A caller reported that a neighbor’s dog was being aggressive towards them. Animal Control was notified.

Farrar Road (9:10 p.m.) — A caller reported fireworks being set off in the area. An officer checked but was unable to locate the source.

June 4

Lexington Road (12:41 a.m.) — An officer came across a vehicle on near Route 2 with fresh damage. Officers checked the area for the site of the crash but were unable to locate it. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

North Commons (10:12 a.m.) — A party came to the station regarding a civil matter. An officer spoke to the party and assisted them.

Grasshopper Lane (12:07 p.m.) — A caller reported their water meter was leaking. The Water Department was notified.

June 5

North Great Road (8:31 a.m.) — A caller report that a male exposed himself to them while walking on the Minuteman Trail. Officers responded but were unable to locate the

Lincoln’s first Pride Day is a colorful success

June 9, 2022

Dozens of residents of all ages turned out with lots of smiles and bright colors on a beautiful afternoon in front of the Pierce House for Lincoln’s first LGBTQ+ Pride community celebration on June 8.

The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), a 30-member organization with students from grades 5-8 in the Lincoln School and Hanscom Middle School, hosted the event, which featured guest speakers, a performance by the Lincoln School Step Team, games, an ice cream truck, music, a raffle. SAGA helps students build connections with each other, support all identities, hosts events, learn to be allies, increase understanding, and improve visibility.

Click thumbnails below to see larger images and captions (photos by Alice Waugh).