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

news

Police log for July 13–23, 2024

July 13

Sandy Pond Road (1:41 p.m.) — Several items were turned in to police for destruction.

Giles Road (1:56 p.m.) — A resident called to report animal noises coming from within their walls. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Battle Road Farm (8:35 p.m.) — A caller reported that a rabbit appeared to be trapped. The property manager was notified.

July 14

Lincoln Road (8:38 a.m.) — A caller reported a missing tabby cat. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Juniper Ridge Road (10:49 a.m.) — A motorist had pulled off of Route 2 and parked on Juniper Ridge Road to make a phone call.

Baker Bridge Road (2:32 p.m.) — Several illegally parked vehicles were cited on Baker Bridge Road.

Lincoln Road (6:52 p.m.) — Another call about the missing cat was received.

Overflow parking lot, South Great Road (9:42 p.m.) — An officer checked on a parked and occupied vehicle.

July 15

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (8:32 a.m.) — Officers responded to the gas transmission station near Bedford Road for a report of an individual who had established a stand in a tree. Police returned to the site several times over the week. Click here for details.

Tabor Hill Road (12:39 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a resident reporting a suspicious vehicle in their driveway.

Davison Drive (12:45 p.m.) — A resident called to report being the victim of identity theft.

Wells Road (7:33 p.m.) — An officer spoke with an individual regarding a civil matter.

July 16

Oak Meadow Road (8:38 a.m.) — An individual reported being bitten by a dog.

Lincoln School (4:29 p.m.) — A caller reported that their vehicle had been struck while parked at the school.

Chestnut Circle (9:00 p.m.) — An officer helped the Water Department replace a missing cap to an exposed pipe.

July 17

After a truck took out a utility wire, traffic at the five-way intersection at the library was detoured for a period of time. Lincoln police were busy with other calls but a detour was established by the DPW, and mutual aid partners assisted with diverting traffic until the wire was repaired.

Huckleberry Hill (11:42 a.m.) — An officer conducted a well-being check. The person in question was OK.

South Great Road (4:52 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak with an officer about being the victim of credit card fraud.

Concord Road (7:17 p.m.) — Officers checked the area for a female who appeared to be in distress but she was not found.

July 18

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:44 a.m.) — An officer located a stopped vehicle on the off-ramp. The operator of the vehicle, Scott Snow, 39, of Boxford was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor. He was subsequently bailed and ordered to appear at Concord District Court at a later date.

Hanscom Drive (8:51 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with an individual who had an active arrest warrant. Robert Baker, 37, of North Attleborough was taken into custody. He was booked and transported to Concord District Court.

Tabor Hill Road (1:21 p.m.) — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle in their driveway. The vehicle was not there when the officer arrived.

Todd Pond Road (2:19 p.m.) — A resident reported being the possible victim of a phone scam.

Old Bedford Road (5:46 p.m.) — A caller reported a turkey running across the roadway.

Donelan’s Supermarket (9:59 p.m.) — A caller reported a woman sleeping on a bench outside the store. She declined any services and wished to remain where she was.

July 19

Lincoln Road (6:20 p.m.) — A caller reported losing their wallet but locating it a short time later.

Old County Road (8:20 p.m.) — A small camp fire was located behind a residence after a report of smoke in the area.

Warbler Springs Road (10:23 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing what they thought were two gunshots. The noise came from fireworks.

July 20

Wells Road (8:49 a.m.) — A caller found a rabbit and requested assistance from the Animal Control Officer.

The Commons of Lincoln (11:23 p.m.) — An officer assisted a resident.

July 21

Trapelo Road (1:32 p.m.) — A caller reported a dog running in the area of the five-way intersection with a leash around its neck. Officers were unable to locate the dog.

Lincoln Road (2:08 p.m.) — A motorist reported their vehicle was struck by a bicyclist. The bicyclist left the area before police arrived.

North Commons (5:05 p.m.) — A caller reported an alarm sounding in their residence. The alarm was caused by a surge protector.

Battle Road Farm (5:52 p.m.) — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle in the area. The vehicle was there for an online transactional purchase.

July 22

Donelan’s Supermarket (1:19 a.m.) — An officer checked on an individual at Donelan’s and then provided them with a courtesy transport.

Lincoln Road (3:15 p.m.) — A caller reported a vehicle traveling down Lincoln Road with their hazard lights on. The vehicle was gone on arrival.

Ridge Road (7:15 p.m.) — An individual reported an ongoing incident with a neighbor.

July 23

Lincoln Road (11:12 a.m.) — A person was evaluated by the Fire Department in the lobby of the station.

Sandy Pond Road (3:08 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person regarding an ongoing incident.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (4:07 p.m.) — Officers performed a well-being check on an individual but they were not home.

Bypass Road (7:54 p.m.) — Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Bypass Road at Lexington Road. There were no injuries reported. One vehicle was towed from the scene.

Lincoln School (8:07 p.m.) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person at the school campus. Everything was fine.

Property sales in January and February 2024

233 Aspen Circle — Dorothy Blanchard Brown Trust to Paul Roeder and Sarah Birss for $799,000 (February 23)

10 Deerhaven Rod. — 10 Deerhaven Road LLC to Lecheng Zhang and Feng Zhu for $1,231,000 (February 22)

15 Stratford Way — Joe Zimmerman to Ali and Danielle Raja for $3,200,000 (January 24)

16B North Commons — Marcia Libman To Douglas and Shahinaz Carson for $429,000 (January 16)

82 Virginia Rd. #106 — Sebastiano Blandino Trust to Phyllis Chen for $420,000 (January 16)

31 Old Concord Rd. — 32 Old Concord Rd. Trust to Robert N. Feldman Trist and Helen L. Feldman Trust for $3,500,000 (January 16)

26C Indian Camp Lane — Nancy Politzer to Resilient Investments LLC for $220k000 (January 11)

21D South Commons — Margaret Davis to Mine and Degerhan Usluel for $680,000 (January 4)

Lincoln firefighters attack pair of house fires

The rear of the house on Old County Road after the fire. (Photo courtesy Lincoln Fire Department)

Lincoln firefighters helped extinguish two house fires in the area in the past week, including one in Lincoln.

The Lincoln fire started in the early afternoon of Friday, June 21 at 15 Old County Rd. in a home owned by Scott and Angela Kadlec. A passer-by called the Fire Department after seeing smoke in the area, investigating further, and then discovered the house with part of its roof on fire. Because it was caught early, damaged was fairly minimal. The cause is still being investigated but firefighters suspect it was a lightning strike during the thunderstorm storm that ended shortly before the fire. See more photos on the Lincoln Fire Department’s Instagram page.

On Wednesday, June 18, firefighters from Lincoln and 11 other towns responded to a major house fire at 17 Bartkus Farm Rd. in Concord. It quickly became a four-alarm fire. Each alarm brings about four pieces of apparatus with four firefighters on each piece, according to Lincoln Fire Chief Brian Young; normally there would have been fewer firefighters, but more were called in due to the hot weather so they could relieve each other frequently.

According to the Concord Bridge, a neighbor saw the fire, knocked on doors, and then tried to break into the house, fearing the family dog was trapped inside, though it turns out it wasn’t. The owners were not at home because the house was being renovated, the news site said. The fire’s cause and origin is under investigation. See aerial photo on WHDH.com.

News acorns

New senior property tax exemption program starts

Applications are now being accepted for the Lincoln means-tested Senior Circuit Breaker Property Tax Exemption. This new property tax exemption was recently approved by the state and then again at Annual Town Meeting in March (after the initial 2021 approval) for implementation for the FY25 real estate tax billing cycle.

The new exemption reduces property taxes for income-eligible households and is in addition to any other exemption allowable under Mass General Laws, though the maximum benefit received may not exceed 50% of any resident’s property tax bill. This program coincides with the Massachusetts Circuit Breaker program, with additional criteria specific to Lincoln. The funds available for this program are limited. Thus, program eligibility based on household income may be reduced to ensure those most in need receive a benefit. To be eligible for the new exemption, individuals must:

  • Have owned property in Lincoln for at least five years
  • Be 65 years of age at the close of 2023. If married, your spouse must be at least 60 years of age at the close of 2023.
  • Have completed your 2023 Massachusetts state income taxes, including Schedule CB.
  • Have a household gross income of less than 100% of the AMI (area median income) for the household size. For a household of one, this is $104,510; for a household of two, it’s $119,440.

For more information or to apply, call the Council on Aging & Human Services at 781-259-8811. Town staff and board members have been working hard to start the first year of this program off well; please be patient as we navigate this process with you. Applications are due by 4:30 pm on July 1, 2024 and applicants must file annually to retain the exemption.

Eighth-grade car wash on Saturday

The Lincoln School eighth-graders will host their annual fundraising car wash Saturday, June 8 at the Town Offices from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (rain date June 9). This is their biggest opportunity to raise funds for a well-deserved graduation celebration and class gift. Purchase your ticket early so we have a sense of the funds available for the expenses. Click here to purchase tickets ($20 per car) and/or make a donation. You can also pay the day of the car wash ($25 cash or check).

Summer softball league starting up

Lincoln Co-Ed Softball is a not-too-competitive league with modified rules to enhance player safety while maintaining the integrity of the game for players age 16 and up. We provide players with a rewarding experience with their neighbors where the mandatory thing is stretching before games. We have four veteran teams that would love to have you join — pick one when you register, or we can assign you. No experience necessary, and don’t worry if you can’t make every game. Post-game bragging rights at the Tack Room is optional. Register here. Questions? Email lincolnsoftball01773@gmail.com.

Ongoing trail work with closures at Minuteman

Ongoing trail improvement projects at Minute Man National Historical Park involve temporary trail closures and parking lot closures to the public at various locations along the Battle Road Trail and North Bridge Trail. The first of these projects will include the Fiske Hill West and East Trail, as well as the portion of Battle Road Trail between the Whittemore House and Parker’s Revenge site. Work also continues at the trail re-route between Olive Stowe Boardwalk and Brooks Village. These locations will be completed by early July. 

It’s important that visitors respect the temporary closures. Due to the type of material being applied to trail surfaces, unauthorized trail access can impact the curing process and potentially delay completion of the projects. Updates on trail closures and completion are available on the Minute Man NHP website and social media platforms. 

The work to rehabilitate trails and improve the visitor experience is funded by a $27 million grant from the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund in the lead-up to April 2025, the 250th anniversary of the opening battle of the American Revolution.

LLCT annual meeting is June 23

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust at our Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 23 at 4 p.m. at the Lincoln School’s learning commons. After LLCT members vote in the business meeting, Mark and Marcia Wilson from Eyes on Owls will lead a program where attendees can meet six live owls up close. This live animal program can be enjoyed by people of all ages (5+ is recommended) and young naturalists will be invited to sit on the floor at the front of the room.

After the owl program, LLCT will host a burrito dinner from the Tack Room in the adjacent dining commons. Burritos will be prepared in advance, so we are asking participants to RSVP so we can plan accordingly. Suggested donation for the burrito dinner is $10/person. Click here to learn more and RSVP.

See high school service day activities in Lincoln

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School SRHS Class of 2024 thanked the communities that have given so much to them over the years by giving back on the annual Senior Day of Service. Click here to watch a slide show of the activities at several Lincoln locations.

Coming up at the library

Book talk: “Suffrage Song”
Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. (Zoom)
Hear author Caitlin Cass discuss her book, Suffrage Song: The Haunted History of Gender, Race and Voting Rights in the U.S. Part graphic novel, part map of the suffrage movement, this book tells the story of the fight for the right to vote by women from the very beginning. Click here to register.

Summer reading kickoff and sale
Wednesday, June 12 from 3–6 p.m., library lawn
Children are invited to the library for balloon sculpting (balloons for ages 3+), crafts and other fun, ice cream, and a magic show by Ed Popielarczyk at 4 p.m. Learn about the library’s summer reading program and pick up reading challenge forms. The Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) will also be holding a sale of used children’s books for kids ag 5-12 priced from 50 cents to $2.00. 

No registration required. The event will move indoors in the event of inclement weather. Funding provided by FOLL.

June activities hosted by the COA&HS

Here are some of the June activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Human Services. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For a full list — including clinics, exercise classes, regular meetings of interest groups, and online chats with town officials — see the COAHS’s calendar page or newsletter archive page. Call 781-259-8811 or email gagnea@lincolntown.org for Zoom links and other information.

Health and wellness fair
Friday, June 7 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Get your questions answered by local healthcare vendors including Lincoln public health nurse, police and fire personnel, Parks & Rec, Emerson Health, AARP, SMOC, elder law attorneys, Vascular Care Group, St. Vincent de Paul, Minuteman Senior Services, independent & assisted living and many more. Free door prizes.

Toni Lynn Washington jazz concert
Thursday, June 13 at 2:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
All ages are invited to a free jazz concert by Boston’s queen of soul and blues. Sponsored by Margo Cooper in celebration of her mother, Ronna Cooper.

“Love, Loss and What I Wore”
Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m., library Tarbell Room
Friday, June 14 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Wordsmove Theater presents this poignant and hilarious play by Nora Ephron and Delia Ephron, based on the book by Ilene Beckerman (details here) that explores matters of the heart and closet. Cast: Carol Becker, Nancy Bush, Mary Crowe, Susan Gates and Sally Kindleberger. Directed by Mary Crowe.

Strawberry & Ice Cream Social
Thursday, June 20 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Make your own ice cream sundae topped with luscious local strawberries, chocolate, and more, and then share conversation with old friends and new. Please RSVP by June 14 by calling 781-259-8811. Transportation available for those who need a ride. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging.

The Gardner Museum Theft
Friday, June 21 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Bob Ainsworth shares the story of Isabella Stewart Gardner’s life and her creation of the museum. He delves into the heist on March 18, 1990, when 13 priceless objects were stolen. Why was the heist successful? Who are the suspects?

Classical Piano Concert
Friday, June 28 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Join us for a concert with Abla Shocair and her grandchildren, Nooreddeen and Zaineddeen Kawaf. Music includes compositions by Beethoven, Liszt, and Chopin.

Addendum

In the May 29 edition of News Acorns, two photos accompanying a piece about FELS grant recipients were missing captions. The original post has been updated.

Art sales pull in funds for Boston Bridges Initiative

The Schrader-Johnson family of Lincoln with their new painting. 

The Schrader-Johnson family of Lincoln are the proud new owners of an original painting titled “Changes” by James Leonard. They purchased the painting at a recent event hosted by Boston Bridges Initiative (BBI), a nonprofit that facilitates cultural exchange and meaningful social interaction between city and suburban families in the greater Boston area.

The art sale was a fundraiser through BBI’s Downsize for Diversity program, which accepts donations of artwork and sells it at greatly reduced prices — and whose earlier iteration resulted in this 2022 book. The sale focused on art donated by the global consulting firm McKinsey & Co.

Framed paintings and photographs from this collection are still available along with hundreds of additional pieces of art at a home gallery in Lincoln. If you’re interested in purchasing art at discount prices for a good cause, contact Joanna Schmergel at owenjoanna@yahoo.com or 617-645-9059.