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

news

Police log for November 6–15, 2021

November 6

Old Winter Street (8:03 a.m.) — A person lost their dog. Waltham police recovered the dog and made arrangements with the owner for reunification.

Moccasin Hill (4:01 p.m.) — A resident reported possible identity theft.

Woods End Road (8:10 p.m.) — Report of possible drone in the area. Officers checked but found nothing.

Weston Road (10:51 p.m.) — Report of screaming coming from behind a residence. Officers checked; the noise may have been coming from wildlife.

November 7

Bedford Road (12:23 a.m.) — A driver struck a deer. There was no damage to the vehicle and the deer ran off.

Concord Road (2:06 p.m.) — Caller was concerned about an individual walking behind their home. Turns out it was a neighbor.

Wells Road (6:05 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious vehicle near the railroad footbridge. Police confirmed the vehicle was associated with an event at the Codman House.

November 8

Tower Road (12:00 p.m.) — Caller reported a loose goat. The animal control officer was notified and returned the animal.

Todd Pond Road (4:01 p.m. and 7:10 p.m.) — Attempt and then successful delivery of court paperwork.

November 9

Bedford Road (11:52 a.m.) — Caller reported a possible vehicle crash. The crash turned out to be utility workers.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:16 p.m.) — Report of a minor motor vehicle crash at Tracey’s Gas Station. Patricia Keefe-Driscoll of Concord was transported to the hospital and summonsed for operating under the influence of alcohol.

Donelan’s lot (2:39 p.m.) — Caller reported that they had locked their keys in their vehicle. The fire department responded and was able to open the vehicle.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:42 p.m.) — Motorist stated that they were involved in a motor vehicle crash on Route 2 east. The call was transferred to the State Police.

November 10

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (8:39 a.m.) — Report of a minor motor vehicle crash. An officer responded and assisted with exchange of papers.

Hanscom AFB (9:13 a.m.) — Hanscom Security reported that an individual attempting to access the base had an active arrest warrant. Chhandy Khon of Lowell was arrested and transported to Concord District Court.

Bedford Road (2:34 p.m.) — Caller reported a deceased deer on their front lawn. The animal control officer was notified.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (10:55 p.m.) — Caller stated that they had observed an individual running behind their property. Officers checked the immediate and surrounding area and were unable to locate anyone.

November 11

Old Cambridge Turnpike (11:57 a.m.) — A resident asked to speak with an officer regarding a possible dispute with their landlord.

Lexington Road (3:15 p.m.) — Caller reported that an individual was flying a drone over their property and when confronted, refused to leave. When police arrived, the individual was gone from the area.

Mt. Misery lot (4:47 p.m.) — Caller reported that their vehicle was damaged while parked. A report was filed.

Trapelo Road (6:29 a.m.) — Waltham police reported that they were looking for a vehicle involved in a possible domestic violence incident that was heading toward Lincoln on Trapelo Road. The area was checked but the vehicle wasn’t found. Waltham police said that the vehicle may have traveled onto I-95.

November 12

Due to a brief but powerful storm, branches, trees, and/or wires reported down on South Great Road (2:58 p.m.), Sandy Pond Road (3:17 p.m.), Hillside Road (3:21 p.m.), Brooks Road (3:26 p.m.), Wheeler Road (3:29 p.m.), Old County Road (4:19 p.m.), Weston Road (5:13 p.m.), and Silver Hill Road (6:24 p.m.),

Conant Road (7:36 p.m.) — A resident reported that a family member was overdue. After police were called, the person returned home.

November 13

North Great Road (2:50 p.m.) — Officer checked on an unoccupied motor vehicle in the Paul Revere lot.

Ridge Road (2:45 p.m.) — A resident reported an incident at their neighbor’s home. Officers responded and an investigation was initiated.

November 14

Blackburnian Road (9:48 a.m.) — A resident reported they had located a cat and advised that they will hold onto it until the following day and bring it to the vet.

Lexington Road (11:01 a.m.) — A resident reported an unknown vehicle on their property. It turns out that another family member had granted permission for the vehicle to be there.

Minute Man NHP Visitor Center (12:52 p.m.) — A wallet was found on the Minuteman trail. The owner was contacted and recovered the item.

South Great Road (3:48 p.m.) — A resident reported that squirrels had made their way into the home. The animal control officer was notified.

Post office, Lincoln Road (6:27 p.m.) — A passerby reported what looked like a strobe light at the post office. The strobe turned out to be a flickering exterior light.

South Great Road (6:39 p.m.) — A caller reported an elderly male walking on Route 117 heading east in all-black clothing close to the side of the roadway. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the individual.

November 15

Tower Road (12:55 a.m.) — A resident reported that an engine had been running in the area for the last 15 minutes. A disabled train was nearby, and officers remained on scene to assist with the transfer of passengers to awaiting buses. The disabled train was ultimately removed from the area.

South Great Road (10:09 a.m.) — Weston police reported a black Ford Mustang with heavy front end damage was last seen heading west on Route 117. Lincoln police officers located the vehicle near Codman Road. The operator of the mustang failed to stop for the police. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle stopped on the off-ramp to Route 30 in Weston. The operator of the vehicle, identified as Miguel Gonell of Manchester, N.H., was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property (motor vehicle), operating after license revocation, failure to stop for police, speeding, marked lanes violation, and malicious destruction of property. He was arraigned the following day at Concord District Court.

Lincoln School (2:26 p.m.) — An individual asked to speak with an officer regarding a vehicle parked at the school.

Juniper Ridge Road (6:10 p.m.) — A resident reported receiving multiple fraudulent calls.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (7:11 p.m.) — OnStar called to report a motor vehicle crash with airbag deployment on Route 2. One occupant was transported to the hospital via the Lincoln ambulance. Massachusetts State Police will handle the crash investigation.

Town gets $400,000 for South Lincoln septic plant design work

The town has received a $400,000 state grant to design and engineer an upgrade to the wastewater treatment plant in South Lincoln, which owners of the mall have been advocating as a requirement for redeveloping that commercial area.

Lincoln Planning officials have been considering ways to rezone South Lincoln to encourage denser housing and mixed-use development in the larger area encompassing the mall, the MBTA station and adjacent businesses, Ridge Road, Doherty’s Garage, and Lewis Street. Among the ideas is redeveloping the mall (which is in tenuous condition financially) by adding a second story for housing. But the Rural Land Foundation, which owns the mall, has said that the wastewater treatment plant that serves both the mall and Lincoln Woods will need an upgrade for any redevelopment to be feasible. 

As a result, the town applied for a $400,000 grant even as it awaited the results of an engineering study by Wright-Pierce to evaluate the condition of the plant and see if it could handle additional septic capacity. Phase 1 of the study was completed in October and showed that the 35-year-old plant, though “a little long in the tooth” and needing some work, is operating at about 50% of its 26,000 gallon-per-day capacity and could handle some additional residents and businesses.

The town applied for the grant before knowing any of the study’s results because “you always have to plan the next step and the next step” in advance, said Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie, director of planning and land use.

“As that [study] was going on, we knew that if we could get a grant to cover [upgrading the treatment plant], that would benefit both the town and Community Builders,” which owns the 125-unit Lincoln Woods and the plant, Vaughn-MacKenzie said. “Everybody knew it was working but everyone also knew it was old… this entire evaluation is in response to the feedback we’ve been getting from the public asking about the infrastructure, and we know we can’t have redevelopment without the infrastructure” to support it.

The mall originally had a separate wastewater treatment facility that failed, and the RLF has been contracting with Community Builders to use the Lincoln Woods system for some years.

Wright-Pierce said earlier that Phase 2 of the study, which should be complete by the end of the year, will look at whether the existing plant can handle flow above 26,000 gallons per day for which it’s permitted, alternative treatment methods with a life-cycle cost analysis, and a recommendation on how to proceed, both with flows and treatment type. It’s unclear if that remaining work will be affected by news of the grant.

The grant money isn’t targeted at a specific project, “but it will provide a framework for going forward,” Vaughn-MacKenzie said. After Phase 2 is complete, “we’ll look at options and discuss with the community and Community Builders what the capacity and various costs will be” to upgrade the plant.

Vaughn-MacKenzie said she had asked Wright-Pierce and two other engineering firms for a ballpark estimate for upgrading or replacing the plant and was told it would be around $400,000, so that’s the figure she used in the grant request.

The town had been under a public announcement embargo while a formal announcement ceremony was being organized. Mike Kennealy, Secretary of Housing and Economic Development, will appear at the event at Town Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. 

My Turn: Many thanks to all who helped with costume parade

By the Lincoln Family Association

The Lincoln Family Association organized a Halloween costume parade with Courtney Koumijan, resident coordinator of Lincoln Woods, and Cathiangely Quirindongo, Rey Romero, and their children Vianavi and Reythian Romero of Lincoln Woods with friend Isaac Rosado. This was a bright light for so many in Lincoln during a difficult time to parent children — a chance to celebrate the creativity of kids, the joy of a longstanding trick-or-treat tradition, and a chance to gather safely as a community that has always focused on the growth, happiness, and health of its children.

It is in the heart of this rally around our youth that we see Lincoln shine so bright — every business at the Lincoln Mall simply saying an enthusiastic yes, and how can we help, when LincFam inquired if they would be able to participate. Donelan’s — which in the heart of the pandemic kept their doors open and created special shopping times for residents most at risk for Covid-19 complications — created a beautiful autumnal Halloween table laden with sweet treats and healthy snacks just inside its doors. Something Special — who in this same time offered to personally shop for each resident and bring perfectly wrapped gifts to hands unable to enter their store so no kid missed a birthday present from their grandparents, friends and family — opened its doors to delight children and fete them with delicious treats, smiling at each costume, knowing every superhero and classic character. Twisted Tree — which somehow managed to keep us fed, create an opportunity to not have to cook a meal to keep that semblance of normalcy, and to lessen the burden of the isolation for individuals and families — had frosted bubbles, hay bales and pumpkins lining its windows.

The police and fire crews  — who never stopped showing up for us and keeping us safe — showed up first to shepherd us from a flawless fall fest organized by Lincoln’s incredible Parks and Rec department to Lincoln Woods to safely end the parade for our costumed little ones. They engaged each child who sprinted towards the shiny vehicles and trucks. As if on cue, a commuter train slowly passed, dappled with late fall sunshine and honking for the cheering kids who deserved just a little more magic this year when being a kid is just a little more complicated. Residents of Lincoln Woods handed out countless pieces of candy, sharing the joy and creating the joy of the day. 

We are a community of individuals, organizations, and businesses who say yes. You came, Lincoln, you showed up. Masked and ready to celebrate our youth, you came and costumed yourselves, your kids, your pets. Our youngest participants may not remember a time before masks, but they will never forget the  happiness of that day. Thank you for all your kindness, your joy, and your willingness to always do a little more to make Lincoln such a special place to grow up. The world may make our individual hearts weary, but the community of Lincoln consistently lifts and fills us.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

parade3
parade5
parade4
parade2
parade1

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Police log for Oct. 25 to Nov. 5, 2021

October 25

North Commons (4:46 p.m.) — Caller reported someone placed scrub and dirt in front on their entry door. An officer responded and took a report.

October 26

Trees, branches and/or wires down were reported on Sandy Pond Road, Old Concord Road, South Great Road, Lincoln Road, and the Lincoln School.

Police Department (2:256 a.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported having a flat tire and requested assistance from a tow service. Ramsay’s Towing assisted the party.

North Great Road (3:04 a.m.) — Officer on patrol came across a one-car crash vs. a tree. Fire Department responded and transported the party to a nearby hospital.

Mackintosh Lane (11:23 a.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle parked in a No Parking zone. Officer responded and issued a parking ticket.

Wells Road (1:50 a.m.) — Caller reported not having contact with their adult child in several months. Officers investigated the matter and located the party, who is living out of state and is fine.

Bedford Lane (6:26 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked on the road. Officer checked the area but the vehicle was gone on arrival.

Sandy Pond Road (9:30 p.m.) — Caller reported that an Uber driver possibly drove over their lawn after dropping a party at the residence. An officer responded and spoke to the reporting party as well as the driver, who was no longer on scene. It was determined to be a civil matter and the reporting party was advised of their legal options.

October 27

Trees, branches and/or wires down were reported on Tower Road, Old Farm Road, Warbler Springs Road, Bemis Hall, and the Lincoln School.

South Great Road (7:10 a.m.) — Caller reported the railroad gates were stuck down. An officer responded and waited until MBTA maintenance workers responded.

Page Farm Road (11:10 a.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported that someone tried to open up a loan in their name which was caught by the bank. No financial loss to the reporting party or the bank. Report taken.

South Great Road (12:54 p.m.) —Attempt to deliver paperwork from the Registry of Motor Vehicles to the resident. No contact made.

Lincoln Road (5:36 p.m.) — Police attempted to deliver court paperwork to the resident. No contact made.

October 28

Lincoln Public Library (2:12 a.m.) — Vehicle found disabled on Library Lane with hazard lights on. Officer checked on the party, who had called AAA.

Lincoln Road (11:24 p.m.) — Police attempted to deliver court paperwork to the resident. No contact made.

Deerhaven Road (11:41 a.m.) — Town Hall reported that a resident told them that they received a letter from their bank that an inquiry made made on behalf of the Zoning Board when in fact no inquiry was made. An officer followed up with the resident due to a concern of fraud. The resident contacted the bank, who confirmed that the letter was sent in error.

Conant Road (12:45 p.m.) — Caller reported coming home and finding their garage open. Officers responded and checked the interior of the residence; everything was fine.

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (2:09 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with a party driving a vehicle who was acting erratically and not being cooperative. Officers responded to assist and determined that the party was suffering a mental health emergency. An ambulance from Hanscom transported the party to a local hospital.

Lincoln Road (4:05 p.m.) — Resident walked into the station to pick up court paperwork.

South Great Road (5:50 p.m.) — Paperwork from the Registry of Motor Vehicles was delivered to the resident.

The Commons (7:04 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a suspicious phone call from an unknown party. An officer responded to speak to the resident and took a report.

October 29

Tower Road (8:25 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle was parked in their driveway with the lights on. Officer responded but the vehicle was gone on arrival.

Winter Street (9:32 p.m.) — Caller reported a loud party at a residence. Officer responded and spoke to the homeowner, advising them to make sure they quiet things down.

Lincoln Road (9:56 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked behind Town Hall. Party was lost but was on their way.

Tower Road (10:05 p.m.) — Caller reported someone rang their door bell and ran off. Caller acknowledged it’s a Halloween prank; no police response.

October 30

Minute Man NHP Visitor Center (12:54 a.m.) — Officer checked on an unoccupied vehicle in the parking lot.

Bedford Road (3:30 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle stopped on the side of the roadway. Driver was OK and on their way.

Todd Pond Road (10:37 a.m.) — A party came to the station to discuss a civil matter with an officer, who assisted them with their legal options.

Lincoln Road (11:04 p.m.) — Caller reported what sounded like a car rash near their home. Officers and Fire Department checked the area but found no sign of a crash.

October 31

Twin Pond Lane (10:00 a.m.) — Caller reported low-hanging wires. Officer responded and placed cones at the location and notified Eversource.

November 1

Hanscom Drive (1:34 a.m.) — Report of an erratic vehicle operator. Officer responded and witnessed the vehicle driving the wrong way on Hanscom Drive. Mynor Garcia, 37, of Lawrence was arrested for OUI–liquor and unsafe operation. He was bailed to appear in Concord District Court

Lincoln Road (5:27 p.m.) — A party walked into the station and asked for a ride to their residence. An officer dropped them off at their house.

November 2

Entrance Road, Hanscom AFB ( 12:40 p.m.) — Caller report someone filed fraudulent tax forms in their name. Officer spoke to the party and took a report.

North Great Road (1:02 p.m.) — Two-car crash at Mill Street. Two people transported to a local hospital and both vehicles towed.

November 3

Codman Community Farms (4:46 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot with the interior lights on. Vehicle was unoccupied.

Minuteman Vocational Technical High School (10:17 a.m.) — Caller reported a tractor trailer driver did some damage to curbing and the lawn at the school while making a delivery, and that the driver was being uncooperative. Officer responded and spoke to all parties. The school will deal with the contractor for reimbursement for the damage.

Wells Road (12:59 p.m.) — Caller believed their former spouse took their cell phone. Officer responded to the area and after speaking to the party, it appears the phone was misplaced.

Conant Road (1:48 p.m.) — Caller reported that a horse was loose on Conant Road. The horse’s owner also called to say they were looking for it and was advised as to its location. Owner collected the horse.

Wells Road (2:26 p.m.) — Caller reported people walking behind several units. Officer responded; they were contractors working on the property.

November 4

Bedford Road (6:15 p.m.) — Fire Department responded for a chimney fire; police assisted with traffic.

November 5

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:30 a.m.) — Caller reported a person walking along Route 2. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Old Sudbury Road (6:05 a.m.) — Water main break reported near the Wayland town line. Water Department notified.

Lincoln Road (12:13 p.m.) — Officer attempted to serve court paperwork but the party no longer lives there.

News acorns

Library offers “Nutcracker” reading, gift book suggestions

All are invited to a live reading via Zoom of “The Nutcracker,” complete with costumed dancers from the Commonwealth Ballet, on Saturday, Nov. 13 at 10 a.m. Following the performance, attendees can “meet” the dancers for a live Q&A session. For audiences of all ages, these readings of the The Nutcracker are a fun introduction to a great story and a joyful reminder of a holiday favorite. Hosted by the Lincoln Public Library. Email dleopold@minlib.net for Zoom invitation. 

Do you need holiday gift book suggestions for the young readers in your life? Join the children’s librarians as they review their favorite new books of the year as well as some perennial favorites on  Thursday, Nov. 18 at noon. This event is open to all adults. Email dleopold@minlib.net for Zoom invite.

Personal stories on climate-efficient homes

At a MetroWest Climate Solutions panel discussion via Zoom on Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m., three local residents will share their personal experiences on creating more climate-efficient homes efforts that extend well beyond adding basic insulation and programmable thermostats. Speakers include Bill Churchill of Lincoln, Sarah Maas Scheuplein of Weston, and Roger Wiegand of Wayland. Register at tinyurl.com/Retrofit2021.

MetroWest Climate Solutions is a growing partnership between First Parish in Wayland, First Parish Church in Weston, First Parish in Lincoln, the Congregational Church of Weston, Sustainable Weston Action Group, and other communities and individuals. Our mission is to share strategies for moving towards a low- and no-carbon-based society and economy and to suggest activities that enable individuals to help bring about solutions.

Members sought for ice rink subcommittee

The Parks and Rec Department is looking for volunteers to join the ice Rink Subcommittee to get its operating and maintain the ice. The rink this year will be a bit bigger than last year (40’ x 80’ instead of 30’ x 60’) and it will be in front of Pierce House instead of behind Town Hall. Parks and Rec aims to fill the rink in mid-December and expect the ice to stay frozen through mid-March. More details, including ice rules, will be coming out closer to our expected opening date. Please contact Rob Stringer at urbanvineyard@comcast.net if you want to learn more about being a part of the rink subcommittee. We’ll have our first meeting before the end of November.

DeCordova Biennial is now the Triennial opening in April

Since 1989, the New England Triennial (formerly known as the deCordova New England Biennial) has been a mainstay of deCordova’s programming and mission, exemplifying the museum’s commitment to the region’s contemporary art. The next iteration will span two venues (the DeCordova and the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard), the Triennial exhibition will have a wider platform to feature existing artwork and new commissions, as well as original outdoor installations and artistic performances. The exhibition opens at both museums on April 8, 2022 and will be on view through September 11, 2022. Click here for more information and a list of the 25 artists who will be represented.

L-S alumni soccer game Thanksgiving weekend

The Lincoln-Sudbury alumni soccer game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27 noon. It’s a casual game for alumni from any era. Spread the word out to other players from your class. Let us know you’re coming by posting on the event’s Facebook page. Questions? contact Tim Mangini at tim_mangini@wgbh.org.

MassDOT goof apparently led to water main break

A water main break on Route 2A that left many north Lincoln residents without potable water for several hours on Monday was not due to old pipes — concrete at the base of a signpost recently installed by MassDOT workers apparently punctured the main.

Phone calls (about 40 in all) began pouring into the Water Department even as two staff members spotted the leak as they drove by on other business. “Great job by them not dismissing standing water on the side of the road,” Water Department Superintendent Darin LaFalam said. 

MassDOT had installed a concrete base for the new signpost down to a depth of five and a half feet — the same depth as the top of the water main and directly over it, he said. “The recent windy weather must have rocked the sign, wearing a hole in the main. But the main itself appeared to be in good shape.”

The department quickly shut off the main and workers from the DPW, Water Department and a private contractor quickly made repairs, getting the water turned back on at 3:30 p.m.

“Since their infrastructure damaged our infrastructure, I’ll see if I can get MassDOT to cover the cost of the repairs,” LaFalam said. “I invited them out to view the depth of their sign base and underground obstacles in that area while the pit was open, and they did send someone out to take a look.”

SOTT #1: Community center could cost more than $25 million

A community center for Lincoln is now expected to cost up to $25.4 million in 2025 dollars — and to save money for the project, many attendees at the November 1 State of the Town meeting said, “go for it ASAP!”

The updated estimates were revealed during one of several topics at the first of two State of the Town (SOTT) meetings on November 1. Other issues discussed were the public health situation, town finances, and the school building project.

  • Click here to see the community center slides presented at State of the Town

Several years ago, the Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee documented the need for larger and more appropriate facilities for both the Council on Aging and Human Services (then called simply the COA) and the Parks and Recreation Department. After studying space needs and various possible locations in 2018, two slightly different design concepts for the site of the current Hartwell pods came in at $16.2 million for Scheme 1 and $15.3 million for Scheme 2. (A survey of residents who attended a June 2018 Special Town Meeting showed that voters were almost evenly split on which of the two they preferred.)

Those cost estimates were recently reexamined by the firm that worked with the town on the school building project. In 2021 dollars, the concepts would cost up to $22 million and $20.7 million respectively, and in 2025 dollars, those numbers rise to $25.4 million and $24 million.

As of fiscal year 2020, the town’s borrowing capacity is $29 million, and that number goes up by about 2.5% every two years, so the community center could theoretically be paid for by borrowing alone. The Finance Committee estimates that it would cost the average Lincoln homeowner about $245 in taxes for every $10 million borrowed.

Officials presented a revised timeline for the project whereby there would be a “sense of the town” vote in March 2022. If a majority of residents wanted to go ahead with it, a community center building committee would then be appointed. There would be another town-wide vote a year from now to hire architects and other professionals, and a final Special Town Meeting vote in fall 2023 on a preferred design and budget appropriation.

But several of the more than 150 residents who attended the SOTT meeting via Zoom urged officials to speed up the timeline at least by a few months to minimize cost escalation.

“This is getting really expensive. I’m really concerned that the people who will use this facility will not be able to afford a bite this big,” Barbara Low said.

Community center planning was delayed for about a year by the pandemic, but despite that, “prices of commodities and building projects in our region have been going up astronomically,” Select Board member Jonathan Dwyer noted.

“We have a significant number of seniors in this community who have been waiting patiently for their turn” until after the school project is substantially complete, Diana Beaudoin said. “To expect them to wait for another 5 years while costs escalate… I think quite frankly the risk is that we might not do it.” While she fully supported the school project, “there needs to be some companion consideration given to the resources for seniors,” she added.

There’s no concern that Bemis Hall will fall into disuse after the community center is built. Library offices as well as organizations that are now squeezed into Bemis will welcome more space in Bemis, several residents noted. “We’re tripping all over ourselves trying to find space” for various activities, Sara Mattes said. “Please step it up, guys.”

Other SOTT topics

Public health — Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, there have been 248 cases of the disease reported in Lincoln, public health nurse Tricia McGean said. Almost 90% of Lincoln residents have been fully vaccinated.

Thirty-six of those were breakthrough cases in people who had been fully vaccinated. Breakthrough cases nationally represent about 1% of the vaccinated population, and those who do contract the virus despite being vaccinated have a less severe illness — usually nasal congestion, headache and fatigue, but not the cough and high fevers seen at the outset of the pandemic, she said. 

  • Click here to see the SOTT slides on the public health situation

There will be a COVID-19 vaccine clinic at the Lincoln School for those aged 5–10 on November 10.The town also hopes to schedule a booster vaccination clinic using the Moderna vaccine by the end of the year.

School project — Phase 1 of the construction was completed on time over the summer and middle school grades are now using the revitalized space, School Building Committee chair Chris Fasciano said. Phase 2 is expected to be complete in July 22, followed by installation of solar panels and landscaping.

  • Click here for the school project presentation slides at SOTT

Fasciano showed photos of completed parts of the building, including the refurbished auditorium and lecture hall, school “neighborhoods” and hubs, and the Reed Gym’s new windows and connector to the school. He also highlighted features that were initially cut from the project for cost reasons but later restored by donations from the Ogden Codman Trust, the estate of Harriet Todd, Robert and Jacquelin Apsler, the Friends of the Lincoln School Project, and donors to a fund seeded by the eighth-grade Class of 2020 for new trees and other landscaping (though that fund is still about $11,000 short of the needed $60,000).

Residents also approved another $828,945 at Town Meeting in 2020. The gifts and additional town spending restored almost $2 million to the $93.9 million project.

Finance Committee — The pandemic “has stabilized from a financial standpoint,” Finance Committee Chair Any Payne reported, and in fact the town is in line for $2.74 million in reimbursements for Covid-related spending from three federal programs. Of that, the largest amount ($2.06 million) is expected from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) that President Biden signed into law in March 2021. The town has established an ARPA working group to comb through the requirements and regulations to find everything that could be eligible for that funding. Some things such as certain infrastructure projects don’t have to be directly pandemic-related.

  • Click here to see the Finance Committee’s SOTT slides

Going into the next budget cycle, the town has more free cash than it anticipated due to a lower-than-expected increase in annual health insurance premiums (less than 1%, though the town had initially budgeted about 6%, Payne said). The town is also getting more revenue and state aid than expected. The town’s stabilization fund, used to reduce the impact of large one-time expenses, now stands at $2.59 million, he added.

As usual, the Finance Committee will ask boards and departments to submit budget inverse requests of no more than 2.5% but will consider one-time “compelling preferred items” for additional spending, Payne said. Last year, in the face of uncertainty and expenses surrounding the pandemic, officials said no to most of the additional budget requests, “but this time we feel like we have a little more room to work with,” he said.

An online poll during the SOTT meeting showed that 79% of attendees were age 50 and up, and 42% served on a town board or commission.

Police log for October 11–24, 2021

October 11

South Great Road (1235 a.m.) — Concord police requested assistance looking for a party who fled on foot from a motor vehicle crash

Patterson Road, Hanscom AFB (7:09 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance regarding a disturbance on base. Officer responded and the incident was handled by Security Forces.

October 12

Harvest Circle (2:56 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle was blocking their garage on their property. Police left a phone message for the owner of the vehicle noting it was on private property

Tower Road (6:56 p.m.) — Officer made contact with a resident regarding a well-being check due to a possible safety concern.

October 13

Todd Pond Road (8:48 a.m.) — Caller reported receiving credit cards that were opened up in their name. Officer spoke to the party and assisted them with cancelling the cards.

Round Hill Road (3:03 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. Officer made contact with the party and everything was fine. A message was delivered to the party.

October 14

Lincoln Road (2:26 p.m.) — Caller reported losing a cellphone and was looking to see if someone had turned it in. Nothing had been; police obtained contact information given in case the phone is turned in.

Birches School (4:33 p.m.) — Police and Fire Department responded to the Birches School for a missing 5-year-old student. Several area organizations including state police airwing assisted in the search. A hiker found the child unharmed on the trail system behind the school (see this story in the Lincoln Squirrel).

October 15

Old County Road (11:29 a.m.) — Officer responded to the residence to speak with the owner and a dumpster company regarding an issue with a dumpster. The matter was civil in nature; officer advised the parties of their legal options.

South Great Road (4:50 p.m.) — One-car crash at the Concord town line. One party was transported to the Emerson Hospital and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

October 16

Winter Street (2:49 p.m.) — Caller reported a red convertible driving up and down Winter Street near Care Dimensions at a high rate of speed. Officer responded but was unable to locate the vehicle.

Wells Road (3:57 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak to an officer regarding an ongoing concern they have with a neighbor. An officer spoke to the resident and followed up with the Council on Aging & Human Resources.

October 17

Police Department (6:48 p.m.) — A party came to the station to pick up a lost cellphone that was found.

South Great Road (9:47 p.m.) — Caller reporting striking a deer near the Weston town line. Officers responded; the driver was uninjured. The deer was moved to the side of the roadway and the DPW was notified.

October 18

Meadowbrook Road (11:41 a.m.) — Caller wanted to speak to an officer regarding a conflict with a contractor allegedly not doing work. Officer spoke to the resident; the matter appeared to be civil in nature.

October 19

Old Sudbury Road (3:11 p.m.) — Caller reported his dog got into a fight with a skunk and is concerned about the possibility of the skunk having rabies. The town’s Animal Control Officer contacted the resident.

Lexington Road (3:13 p.m.) — Caller spoke to an officer regarding a civil matter with their neighbor. The officer provided them with their legal options.

Hanscom Drive (10:23 p.m.) — One car crash, no injuries.

October 20

Patterson Road, Hanscom AFB (1:15 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station asked to speak to an officer regarding threatening emails they received. Officer spoke to the party and is investigating the matter.

October 21

Wells Road (12:38 p.m.) — Management company called regarding a mall business dumping their trash in the development’s dumpster. An officer spoke to the business and advised them to stop. The business owner will speak to staff and correct the training issue.

Bedford Road (5:17 p.m.) — Caller reported being rear-ended near Route 2. An officer responded; no injuries, minor damage.

October 22

Farrar Road (9:35 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak with Animal Control regarding snakes on their property. Animal Control will contact the resident.

Weston Road (6:43 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing a party walking on Weston Road two hours previously who they believe to be a missing person from Minnesota. Officer checked the area but could not find the person.

Lincoln Road (8:12 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station requested a ride home. An officer dropped them off.

October 23

South Great Road (8:55 a.m.) — Car-vs.-bicyclist accident at the intersection of Route 117 and Lincoln Road. The cyclist was transported to the Lahey Clinic. The vehicle operator was cited for failing to yield.

Mill Street (5:23 p.m.) — Caller reported a large metal item in the road. Two officers moved it off to the side of the roadway. The item came from a telephone pole.

October 24

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:11 a.m.) — An officer found damage to an exit sign at Route 128 along with a vehicle bumper. State Police were notified.

North Commons (5:14 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone damaged plants on their porch. An officer responded to take a report.

Five-year-old lost in woods is found by hiker

Real-time data from Symphony PublicVue showing search aircraft flight patterns as they starting their work (top) and then circling at various altitudes during the search. Images courtesy of Alaric Naiman.

A child who went missing in the woods off of Bedford Road Thursday evening prompted an all-hands-on-deck search involving police, firefighters, ATVs, helicopters, and K9 police dogs before he was found.

At about 4:30 p.m. on October 14, Lincoln Public Safety received the call about a missing five-year old boy, and the search began near where he was last seen near the Birches School. Due to privacy issues involving a juvenile, Fire Chief Brian Young and Police Chief Kevin Kennedy declined to say whether the boy was a student at that school, though Kennedy did say he was not a Lincoln resident. Birches School officials did not immediately return calls or emails.

The child reportedly ran away from a group while walking along conservation trails between Red Maple Lane and Flint’s Pond, police said. Due to the large search area, they immediately requested assistance from the Concord and Bedford Police and Fire Departments, as well as from the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council and Massachusetts State Police, who scrambled several helicopters from their air wing with thermal imaging equipment to help locate anyone concealed beneath the tree canopy.

As it turned out, the high-tech and canine capabilities weren’t needed. Police got a 911 call at 5:47 p.m. from a hiker on the trails saying they had found a boy alone in the woods. He was found about 200 yards from the end of Orchard Lane and brought out of the woods by firefighters on an ATV who located the pair using verbal descriptions and the town’s  Outerspatial GPS trail-mapping system.

There was a short delay in reuniting the boy with his parents, who were waiting anxiously at a second command post at the deCordova Museum (the other post was on Oak Knoll Road).

Upon emerging, the boy was physically healthy but “very upset” and frightened of the firefighters who brought him out of the woods, Young said. 

Online aircraft data showed there were six helicopters circling the area during the search, though at least one of them was a news helicopter. Local TV news stations reported the story that night. The searchers were fortunate that the boy was found before the sun set about 45 minutes later, Young said.

One result of the incident: all the town’s firefighters have now downloaded the Outerspatial app to their phones to help in future cases of people lost in Lincoln’s woods, he said.

“The [hiker] calling 911 was certainly the biggest piece,” Young noted. “When you see something out of place, call 911.”

Police log for October 4–10, 2021

October 4

Bedford Road (8:08 a.m.) — Car-vs.-deer crash. Officer responded, no injuries, DPW notified to pick up the deceased deer

Windingwood Lane (12:52 p.m.) — A walk-in at the station requested that an officer confirm a vehicle identification number so their vehicle can be registered in Massachusetts.

Tower Road (3:36 p.m.) — Court paperwork delivered to the resident.

Tower Road (5:12 p.m.) — A resident came to the station to speak with an officer regarding an ongoing civil matter.

Wells Road (9:36 p.m.) — A walk-in at the station requested assistance with an ongoing problem. Officer assisted the party and referred them to an agency who could help.

October 5

Lincoln Road (10:20 a.m.) — Officer took a report regarding unemployment fraud.

Tower Road (11:18 p.m.) — A walk-in at the station was looking for assistance in an ongoing civil matter. Officers attempted to assist the party.

October 6

Mackintosh Lane (7:42 a.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle parked in a No Parking zone, causing a hazard. Officer responded and issued a warning to the party and also later spoke to the operator regarding not parking on the street.

Codman House (10:48 a.m.) — Caller reported their dog ran off. Officers advised in case they see a loose dog.

Lincoln School (7:48 p.m.) — Caller reported someone riding minibikes down at the school. Officer responded and spoke to the parties, who are selling them and wanted to meet in a public area.

October 7

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (9:55 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported someone at the gate with an outstanding warrant. Ryan Cormier, 33, of Lunenburg was arrested on a traffic offense warrant and brought to the Concord District Court.

Acorn Lane (5:25 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle had been parked on the road for a few days. Officers responded and found a note left about the car being disabled. Officers attempted to contact the owner.

Tower Road (8:13 p.m.) — Officer spoke to a resident regarding an attempted scam.

Lincoln Road (9:08 p.m.) — Report of smoke in the area of Town Hall. Fire Department investigated and found a resident had a small fire pit in their back yard.

October 8

Bowles Terrace (7:52 a.m.) — One-car crash into a telephone pole. One person was injured and transported to the Emerson Hospital.

Lincoln School (3:07 p.m.) — Report of a minor crash in the school parking lot. Officers responded and took a report.

St. Anne’s Church (7:30 p.m.) — Caller reported vehicles parked on the side of the church and was concerned it could be people looking for a place to hunt. Officer found that an event was ongoing at the church; vehicles left after the event was over.

October 9

Drumlin Farm (2:29 p.m.) — Caller reported a possible sick raccoon on the property. Officer responded and the raccoon did not appear to be sick but was avoiding people. No action taken.

October 10

Bank of America (3:50 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the bank parking lot. The party lives locally and was headed home.

Wells Road (6:27 p.m.) — An elderly confused party called requesting assistance at the residence. Officer went to the house and spoke to the party; everything was fine.