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Police log for December 15–23, 2020

December 15

Granville Road (6:38 a.m.) — Officer on patrol found a package that had fallen off a delivery truck. Package was delivered to the residence.

December 16

Pierce House (3:36 a.m.) — A vehicle was seen with its lights left on belongs. It belongs to the caretaker, who was contacted.

Tower Road (9:00 a.m.) — Officer on a work detail reported a strong odor of natural gas. Fire Department and National Grid contacted; National Grid to handle.

Ashland, Mass. (9:28 a.m.) — A Fire Department member responded to Ashland for a dive team activation.

Lincoln Road (12:41 p.m.) — Minor two-car accident in the parking lot of the red commercial building; no injuries.

Town Hall (11:46 p.m.) — Officer saw two individuals walking near the front door of Town Hall. Officer checked the building and all was secure. The individuals went to a nearby home.

December 17

Oriole Landing, Mary’s Way (12:57 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog charged at him while at the residence. Animal Control Officer was notified to handle.

Sunnyside Lane (5:34 p.m.) — Council on Aging requested a well-being check on the residence. Officer responded and confirmed that the resident is OK.

December 18

Old Cambridge Turnpike (10:04 a.m.) — Caller reported an outside odor of natural gas. Fire Department responded and reported residual gas at the meter.

December 19

Old Concord Road (3:26 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle blocking the emergency gate on Old Concord Road. Cars were gone when officer arrived.

North Great Road (9:44 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled over to the side of the roadway. The driver was fine; he had pulled over to gather something in his car.

December 20

South Great Road (9:32 a.m.) — Caller was looking for information from the Fire Department.

December 21

Woodcock Lane (12:37 p.m.) — Car hit a utility pole. The road closed due to pole damage and one person was transported to local hospital; vehicle towed from the scene.

Lincoln School (1:40 p.m.) — Caller reported that buses at the school had snow on their roofs which they considered dangerous. Officer responded and evaluated and found no danger.

December 22

North Great Road (3:08 a.m.) — An unoccupied vehicle was parked in the visitor’s center lot. No one was nearby.

Lexington Road (2:20 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle was parked at a neighbor’s residence when no one should be home. No vehicle was located when the officer arrived.

Hallett Hill Road, Weston (5:09 p.m.) — Weston Fire Department requested an engine to respond to a residence for a reported house fire. Lincoln firefighters were cleared by Weston 20 minutes after arrival.

South Great Road (7:16 p.m.) — A vehicle was parked in front of Stonegate Gardens with no one around.

December 23

Lexington Road (7:20 p.m.) — Paperwork was delivered to the residence.

Lexington Road [different address from above] (7:22 p.m.) — Paperwork was delivered to the residence.

Lincoln Police Department (7:49 p.m.) — Officer assisted Weston police in using Lincoln’s breath test machine for an arrest.

Police log for December 7–14, 2020

December 7

Old Concord Road (9:42 a.m.) — Officer responded to a minor two-car crash; no injuries.

December 8

Mackintosh Lane (9:50 a.m.) — Caller reported that a tree crew was blocking his driveway. Officer responded and spoke to the crew. If anyone needs to come in or out of the road, they’ll move.

Donelan’s Supermarket (12:25 p.m.) — Caller requested Fire Department assistance with opening her car with two dogs inside. Cancelled while end route; caller was able to get the door unlocked.

December 9

Davison Drive (3:43 p.m.) — Caller reported a man in a U-Haul van was going through their mail. Vehicle fled when confronted. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate. Investigation is ongoing.

December 10

Lincoln Road (8:56 a.m.) — A tree crew was taking down marked trees and the caller didn’t want a particular tree taken down. The tree was removed due to its condition and a notice of removal hearing had been on the tree.

December 11

Wells Road (3:52 p.m.) — Lincoln Woods management reported a that vehicle is parked next to the dumpster hasn’t moved for two months. Vehicle belongs to a resident.

December 12

Old Bedford Road (1:44 a.m.) — Officer reported an unoccupied vehicle parked by the loading dock of the building. No one was around and the building was secure.

Wells Road (3:59 p.m.) — Caller reported two kids with backpacks were knocking on doors in the area. Officers checked the area and spoke with two juveniles who denied their involvement. No contact with any other parties.

December 13

Virginia Road (1:18 p.m.) — A resident wanted the Fire Department to do a well-being check on their neighbor who is not feeling well. Neighbor was fine; units cleared.

Sandy Pond Road (3:17 p.m.) — Officer checked on two people at the pumping station. They were sent on their way.

Weston Road (7:57 p.m.) — Officer checked on vehicle pulled over to the side of the road. The party was making deliveries.

December 14

Hanscom Air Force Base Vandenberg Gate (7:25 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported a party is at the gate had a warrant. Officer found that the individual has a receipt for the fines paid; they were advised to call the court.

Conant Road (11:30 a.m.) — Caller believed a delivery driver opened their garage door and delivered a package to the wrong residence. The package was taken to the correct residence.

Lexington Road (10:24 p.m.) — Report of loud music playing in Flint’s Field. Officers checked the field and the cemetery but were unable to locate any noise.

News acorns

McGean recognized by Boston Globe

Tricia McGean

The Boston Globe recently included Tricia McGean, the public health nurse for several towns including Lincoln, in its lineup of 2020 Everyday Heroes: “Tricia Emery McGean spends every day and night, including weekends, trying to keep local communities healthy… She handles contract tracing for local schools, sometimes working overnight to ensure the safety of the community.”

Annual First Day celebration canceled

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Pierce House Committee and manager Victoria Otis have reluctantly decided to cancel this year’s First Day celebration, an annal tradition where residents come together at the Pierce House on New Year’s Day for food, drink and entertainment.

Update from Drumlin Farm food effort

Renata Pomponi

Renata Pomponi, the Wildlife Sanctuary Director at Drumlin Farm in Lincoln, provided this update to her article (“My Turn: Drumlin Farm pitches in with produce during pandemic”) on December 3 about the Drumlin Farm Food Donation Program:

Over the course of the 2020 growing season, Drumlin Farm has distributed over 17,000 pounds of veggies and 600 dozen eggs to people in need around eastern Massachusetts. We are grateful to the Lincoln Agricultural Commission for provided funding this summer to allow Drumlin Farm to begin making twice-a-month contributions of produce and eggs to the Lincoln food pantry. The Ogden Codman Trust then stepped forward with a generous grant to allow us to continue the program through the winter, with eggs from our chickens and greens coming soon from our hoop house.

Our hunger relief work in Lincoln has been a true community partnership, and we are honored to be part of making the connections from farm and farmer to those who truly need our food.

The December 3 article has been updated to include this information.

News acorns

Youth talent show to benefit Save the Children

To bring the community together in a time of isolation for a good cause, two L-S students are organizing a youth talent show. Performers will be pre-recorded and the show will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. Adults who watch will be asked to make a $10 donation to Save the Children, a nonprofit focused on helping kids impacted by Covid-19. The goal is to raise $1,000. Organizers hope to have prizes for everyone who participates.

To register for free as a performer, email kids4covid.19@gmail.com with your name, age, and talent by Friday, Dec. 11. A few ideas for performers include singing, dancing, instrumentals, group skits, magic tricks, stop-motion, and bike tricks. Click here to donate. All are invited to watch the show; to get the Zoom link, email the address above.

Food drive for St. Vincent de Paul

Residents are encouraged to donate items by Monday, Dec. 14 for a food drive organized by Lincoln resident Devon Das to benefit clients of the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry. Bring donations to the collection bin to the left of the main entrance to the Smith school building (drive through the bus loop to avoid any construction and please wear a mask). Any nonperishable food is welcome, but here are some specifics of what the food pantry needs:

  • Spaghetti sauce
  • Peanut butter
  • Jam
  • Mayonnaise
  • Baked beans
  • Canned corn
  • Canned peaches
  • Salad dressing
  • Canned tuna

Questions? Email devondas3d@gmail.com.

Boy Scouts selling Christmas trees

Christmas trees are now for sale by Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 127 on the corner of Codman and Lincoln Road, across from the public safety building. Tabletop sizes up to eight-foot trees are available along with wreaths. Scouts will trim the trunk, wrap the tree and fasten it to the customer’s cars. The tree lot is open on weekends from 9 a.m.–7 p.m. and most weeknights from 5–7 p.m. Maximum three families at a time in tree lot.

L-S orchestral concert on Dec. 18

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Music Department will present an Orchestral Winter Concert on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. The concert will air in both Sudbury and Lincoln on Comcast channel 9/Verizon channel 32, with a live stream at this link. It will also be available to view on demand a few days after the concert.

L-S Orchestra Cohort A rehearses for the December 18 concert.


Due to COVID restrictions, student musicians were placed into two groups. Cohort A will perform a scene” from Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” and “B Rosette” by Su Jin Kim. Cohort B will perform the viola concerto in G major (first and second movements” by G.P. Telemann featuring student soloists Richard Yao and Will Sotiriou, and then themes from the “American Quartet” by Dvorak. Selected movements from “Le Carnaval De Venise” by C. Dancla will also be performed by the L-S Music Violin Ensemble. There will also be video performances from the combined Concert Choir and Treble Choir, Chamber Singers, Guitar Class Level II students, and the combined Symphonic and Concert Bands.

To learn more about the L-S music program and how the community can support L-S musicians, please visit www.lfom.org.

Fridays at Farrington program

Farrington Nature Linc is offering a new Fridays at Farrington program for children from January 15 to February 12 from 2:15–4:15 p.m. Activities (all outdoors and socially distanced with masks) include hiking, art with natural materials, scavenger hunts, exploring around the pond, and more. Registration is open until Friday, Dec. 18. There will be also later series starting in March, April, and May. Click here for more information and registration materials.

Police log for November 30–December 6, 2020

November 30

Deerhaven Road (8:51 a.m.) — Caller reported someone was blowing leaves onto their property. Officer responded and spoke to the reporting party. The issue was unfounded; caller satisfied.

Trees, branches and/or wires down on Page Road (two calls), Trapelo Road, Codman Road, South Great Road, Old County Road, South Great Road, Bedford Road, Woods End Road, Beaver Pond Road, North great Road, Ridge Road- Several reported of trees down as a result of the storm. Eversource, DPW were in town dealing with the trees and wires.

December 1

Baker Bridge Road (1:24 p.m.) — Resident turned in old ammunition to be destroyed.

MassPort Civil Terminal, Hanscom Field (4:33 p.m.) — Fire Department units responding up to Hanscom for an Alert 2 for a plane with control issues coming in and burning off fuel. Fire units staged but then cleared after plane safely landed.

December 2

Brooks Hill Road (3:51 p.m.) — Report of fraud involving unauthorized charges on a party’s credit card.

December 3

Wells Road (12:59 a.m.) — Caller reported a loud vehicle running in the apartment complex. Officer checked the area; vehicle was gone on arrival.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:42 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled off to the side of the highway. Everything was OK; a party was being dropped off at a nearby residence.

December 4

Old County Road (7:37 a.m.) — Caller reported that a disabled person walked away from a group home in Waltham and the caller believed they’ve located the party on Old County Road. At the same time, Waltham police reported finding the party in their city. The caller was advised that the missing party was located in Waltham.

Lincoln Police Station (5:44 p.m.) — A party came to the station requesting to speak with an officer regarding clarification on a civil matter.

December 5

Cambridge Turnpike )1:51 a.m.) — Caller reported their electric stove was making an odd sound. Fire Department responded to check. Firefighters unplugged the stove but were unable to determine the cause of the noise.

Old Conant Road (2:03 p.m.) — Caller reported fraudulent charges on their credit card.

North Great Road (4:15 p.m.) — Report of a one-car crash near Sunnyside Lane. No injuries; vehicle towed.

Trees, branches and/or wires down starting at 4:49 p.m. on South Great Road, Tower Road, Sunnyside Lane, Stonehedge Road, Concord Road, Huckleberry Hill. DPW and Eversource responded.

Mill Street (6:30 p.m.) — Lexington police asked Lincoln police to close Mill Street at Lexington Road for traffic entering Lexington due to a large tree across the road in Lexington.

December 6

Wells Road (11:17 a.m.) — Caller asked to speak to an officer for assistance with a family member. Officers responded and assisted the party.

Police log for November 23–29, 2020

November 23

Tower Road (3:18 p.m.) — A party turned in two license plates they found. The owner was contacted and will pick them up.

November 24

Grasshopper Lane (5:41 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog on a leash was aggressive towards him while out on a walk. Animal Control was contacted.

November 25

Todd Pond Road (11:42 a.m.) — Caller requested an officer about an unwanted party at the house. Officers responded; a party was at the residence getting personal belongings. After the belongings were retrieved, the involved party left without incident.

Scott Circle, Hanscom Air Force Base (12:49 p.m.) — Caller requested information/advice regarding a Facebook Marketplace transaction that they suspected was is a scam. Officer spoke to the party and it indeed appears to be a scam.

Mary’s Way (1:56 p.m.) — Caller wanted to speak with an officer regarding a suspicious phone call they received.

Lincoln Police Department (3:16 p.m.) — A resident turned in an old firearm, asking that it be destroyed.

November 26

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:04 a.m.) — Officer stopped a vehicle traveling 108 mph on Rte. 2. The operator, Alain Neves, 29 of 50 Spencer Rd. in Boxborough, was arrested for OUI–liquor, possession of a Class B (substance (cocaine), reckless driving, operating after suspension of license, and speeding. He was later bailed to appear in Concord Court the next day.

November 27

North Great Road (1:56 a.m.) — Party walking along Rte. 2A wearing dark clothes. Officer spoke to the party walking along Rte. 2A wearing dark clothing. Evan Chaggaris, 50, of 36 Church St. in Everett was arrested for an outstanding warrant out of Lynn District Court.

Lincoln Road (9:13 a.m.) — A car struck a telephone pole near Upland Field Road. No injuries; vehicle was towed from the scene. Verizon was contacted regarding the damage to the pole.
South Great Road (2:18 p.m.) — A car hit the traffic island at Lincoln Road. No injuries. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

North Great Road (3:39 p.m.) — Caller reported their son and friend were lost on the trails in Minute Man National Park. Officers responded and the two parties met up with the parents (there had been a miscommunication about a meetup location).

Old Farm Road (5:00 pm.) — Caller wanted to speak to an officer about the caller’s dog and a neighbor allegedly making false claims. An officer spoke to the party, who has been in contact with Animal Control.

Aspen Circle (8:10 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone bought a computer using his credit card. They reported the transaction was cancelled.

Morningside Lane (10:22 p.m.) — Caller reported that kids rang their door bell and left. Officer responded and spoke to two kids who were playing in a yard.

November 28

Heritage Road, Hanscom Air Force Base (2:45 a.m.) — Hanscom security forces reported a disturbance at a residence on base. Officer responded and assisted the victim in the incident. Hanscom security is handling the investigation.

Silver Hill Road (8:58 a.m.) — Caller reported a cardboard box on the side of the roadway. Officer confirmed it was trash; DPW to remove.

Old Sudbury Road (1:19 p.m.) — Officer spoke to a party who was putting some items in a field. The party is the owner of the property.

South Great Road (3:31 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle pulled into the lot of Drumlin and when approached, the driver said they were looking to buy a house. Caller reported seeing them earlier in a different parking lot. Officer responded but the vehicle was gone on arrival.

November 29

Lincoln Road (11:18 a.m.) — MBTA reported an unruly passenger on the train. Officers responded and spoke to the involved parties. An argument had occurred due to an issue with a party not wearing a mask. Officers calmed the situation down and the train continued on its way

Lincoln Road (5:42 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious car in the parking lot but was unable to describe the car or persons in vehicle, or what was suspicious about it. No response by officers.

Police log for Nov. 13–21, 2020

November 13

Lincoln Police Department (2:37 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in front of the station. Operator had pulled over to rest, checked out OK. Same party was parked at Doherty’s Garage at 2:58 a.m. but then went on their way.

November 14

Sandy Pond Road (4:31 p.m.) — A person walked into the station reporting their neighbor is having an outside fire. Fire Department checked and it was a cooking fire,

November 15

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (12:07 a.m.) — Motor vehicle crash near the Concord line. No injuries; state police will handle the crash report/investigation.

Old Winter Street (11:02 a.m.) — State police requested an officer to make contact with homeowner regarding a crash. Party was not home.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (4:13 p.m.) — State police reported a vehicle was involved in a crash and left the scene near Emerson Hospital. Officers in the were unable to locate them.

Lincoln School (4:18 p.m.) — Caller reported kids climbing on construction equipment. Officer responded and saw two kids sitting on a construction vehicle tire but they were gone on arrival.

November 16

Lincoln Police Department (2:00 p.m.) — Party walked into the station requesting a well-being check on their daughter who is living in Boston. Officer contacted Boston police and gave them the information for the well-being check.

November 17

DeCordova Museum (6:28 a.m.) — Caller reported that a worker was stuck in an elevator. Fire Department responded and got the worker out of the elevator. Maintenance is contacting the elevator company.

November 18

Greenridge Lane (12:14 a.m.) — Caller reported hearing someone yelling for help but couldn’t tell where it was coming from. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Griffiss Street (3:47 p.m.) — A civilian was caught shoplifting at Hanscom Air Force Base Exchange. The items were returned to the store and an officer took a report to document the incident.

Page Road (7:54 p.m.) — An elderly housing residence in Milton called because one of their resident reported that a family member in Lincoln threatened them. An officer spoke to the parties involved; the elderly party was upset over Covid restriction/quarantine

November 19

Lincoln Cemetery (1:19 p.m.) — A caller requested assistance with getting a family member in a wheelchair out of a pothole in the cemetery.

November 20

Hallett Hill Road, Weston (5:16 a.m.) — A Lincoln ambulance responded to a Weston residence to transport party to a Boston hospital.

Silver Hill Road (12:29 p.m.) — A party advised he was just terminated from a job and isn’t sure where he was. An officer met up with the party and drove him to the train station to get back home.

November 21

Lincoln Police Department (12:45 a.m.) — A party walked into the station looking for directions.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:34 a.m.) — Officer checked on a party pulled over in the breakdown lane. The person was using their cell phone.

Trapelo Road (1:50 a.m.) — An officer observed a vehicle pulled over with all its lights off. When the officer turned around, the vehicle was gone but was later found on Stratford Way. The officer spoke to the parties inside, who were staying at a house on Winter Street.

Concord Road (8:51 a.m.) — Caller complained about landscapers working with leaf blowers. The landscapers were gone when police arrived.

Todd Pond Road (11:37 a.m.) — Multiple callers reported a sick raccoon. An officer responded and had to dispatch the raccoon.

Concord Road (9:33 p.m.) — Report of a deer that was struck by a car and in the roadway. Officer responded and the deer went off into the woods.

Investigation into allegations against Higgins is closed

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to close its investigation into the conduct of Town Administrator Tim Higgins, who was accused of discrimination, harassment, and intimidation by former Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney.

Assistant Town Administrator Dan Pereira, who oversees human resources issues for town employees, said on November 24 that Burney is no longer employed by the town and her last day was October 1. “We cannot comment further on personnel matters, but would like to express our appreciation for her service to our community,” he said.

In a formal complaint leaked to the public in September, Burney accused Higgins and former Assistant Town Administrator Mary Day of Family and Medical Leave Act violations and gender discrimination. She alleged that Higgins thwarted her attempts to work on a remote schedule to accommodate a family member during the pandemic lockdown and also alleged that Day unexpectedly resigned after being intimidated by Higgins.

An independent investigator “found that there were no facts to support any of the allegations made against Mr. Higgins and recommended that the investigation be closed,” according to a statement released by the Board of Selectmen on November 23. “The board reviewed the report with Mr. Higgins and voted unanimously to close the investigation, without taking any further action. The board now considers this matter closed and continues to have the highest confidence in Mr. Higgins’s professionalism, character, and integrity in his role as our Town Administrator.”

Selectmen received the investigator’s report on October 30, almost a month after Burney’s last day on the job in Lincoln, according to the statement. Selectman James Craig said he would have no further comment on the matter. Reached by email, Burney also declined comment.

Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie has been acting director of planning and land use since the summer, when Burney first went on FMLA leave to care for a family member. Given her departure, “we are eager to fill this critical role and will announce a transition plan in the coming weeks,” Pereira said.

Higgins read this statement at the selectmen’s meeting on November 23:

On being advised of the recent allegations against me, my only public comment then and since has been to express confidence in the town’s investigative process and in the capabilities of a discerning community. My faith in the process and in the people of Lincoln was not misplaced. I thank the board for undertaking a thorough, independent investigation which has concluded that all allegations made were ‘unfounded and unsupported by the facts.’ It is important to note that the investigation included interviews of multiple witnesses and an extensive review of relevant documents.

I am especially grateful to the many residents, staff and officials who have reached out in concern and friendship, and who have extended the benefit of the doubt throughout. As upsetting as these attacks against my character have been for me personally, the public manner in which they were carried out has caused real pain to other innocent parties — this aspect makes the matter all the more unfortunate and unfair. I am pleased to have the matter resolved and look forward to continuing with the work I enjoy doing, alongside colleagues and friends who make me grateful every day.

Burney’s complaint to the Planning Board and Board of Selectmen was leaked in separate anonymous emails on September 29 to the Lincoln Squirrel and the LincolnTalk listserv, which was temporarily shut down as a result. All LincolnTalk emails must now be approved by a moderator before they are sent on to list members.

One of the anonymous emails was made to appear as though it came from Lincoln resident Deborah French, the widow of former Town Moderator Jack French. The Lincoln Police Department informed her of the spoofing and opened an investigation, but it’s still unknown who sent the emails, and Burney strongly denied she had done so.

Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said on November 24 that there was “still an active investigation” and that police were waiting for certain information. He added that he didn’t know when the investigation would conclude but that there would be a statement at that time.

Residents discuss town diversity issues at second SOTT

A centralized town group would be helpful in fostering more diversity of all types in Lincoln, participants in the second 2020 State of the Town meeting agreed.

The November 18 session focusing on diversity, equality inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA) recapped the three roundtables on this topic that were held earlier this fall (click here for links to videos and other information from those sessions).

The first roundtable looked at policing in Lincoln and Middlesex County. The second focused on the role of town government and discussed housing issues such as affordability, multifamily housing and possible zoning changes. Participants also noted ways in which the town’s social services staff and programs are already engaged in promoting and preserving diversity. The final roundtable included panelists from churches and cultural institutions in town as well as the Food Project and Drumlin Farm.

Presenters at the second SOTT meeting offered data on Lincoln’s demographics:

  • Between 2010 and 2018, the number of residents aged 65 and over increased by 53% to 1,650, largely due to the expansion of The Commons. However, for reasons that are unclear, the number of residents aged 20–34 more than doubled from 357 to 820.
  • The percentages of Lincoln’s white, black, Asian, and Hispanic residents in 2017 were 79%, 3%, 9%, and 7% respectively. For the Lincoln School, which includes METCO students from other communities, 64% were white, 10% were black, 6% were Asian and 10% were Hispanic. If Hanscom schools are included, the percentages were 60%, 9%, 4%, and 16%.
  • Lincoln’s median household income in 2017 was about $150,000, and 38% of households earned more than $200,000 a year. The assessed value of single-family homes and condominiums clustered around $800,000 to $1,000,000.

Participants floated ideas and suggestions in Zoom “breakout rooms” and reported back to the full group, which numbered almost 100 participants. Summarized comments from the breakout group included:

  • Lincoln has some level of economic diversity but needs more ethnic and racial diversity. How can the town make itself more attractive or welcoming to minorities of all types?
  • Lincoln needs more connectivity among generations and involvement in town government by younger people. A community center would help.
  • Think regionally, teaming up with border towns but also more diverse communities such as Waltham and Watertown
  • A “big shout-out” to METCO and the Food Project, which employs youths from all over the Boston area
  • Try to engage more with Hanscom Air Force Base. Many of those who live and work there are unaware that they are even Lincoln residents.
  • “Educate, educate, educate” on a personal level, in the schools and community-wide

In light all of the discussions in Lincoln around DEIA, “I’m struck that there really is a need for one central clearinghouse for all of this activity,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins said.

A group focused on promoting DEIA could be either private or part of town government. A town-appointed committee might have more perceived legitimacy and could take advantage of town-sponsored outreach efforts, but the downside is that it would have to abide by open-meeting rules, “a layer of housekeeping you need to go through… that could make the committee less nimble,” Selectman Jennifer Glass said.

A private citizen-led group could operate in a more simplified way and independently of any possible “editorial control” by town officials. The other side of the coin is less connection to town government, including planning, policy and budgeting, and a lack of continuity over time, she said.

In an instant poll conducted during the SOTT meeting, 67% of participants favored a town-led DEIA committee while 25% were in favor of the citizen-led model.

After a recap of the issues surrounding the pending request by the Lincoln Police Department for body-worn and cruiser cameras, another poll showed that 75% of participants said they were in favor of the cameras. Three percent said they were not in favor while 22% said they needed more information or weren’t sure.

Whichever model is chosen, committee members should be given time to “self-reflect, team-build, and have their own conversations so they can learn and then be role models for the rest of the community,” Glass said.

My Turn: Thanks for “Turkey Tin” donations

By Tomasina Lucchese and the SVdP team

On behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston, we would like to thank all who participated in our Turkey Tin project last week. Together we distributed 120 food baskets filled with all the fixings for a thanksgiving meal, including a grocery store gift card for a turkey.

The only thing more heartwarming than seeing those bountiful baskets lined up was witnessing the varied groups, parishes, clubs, troops, friends, and families who came together to pass the blessings on to our neighbors in need. We are very fortunate to be part of such a generous and thoughtful community.

May you all have a peace-filled and happy Thanksgiving.

SVdP team members Larry Buell, Gretchen Covino, and Karen Salvucci distributing the Turkey Tins.

The SVdP of Lincoln and Weston works with people in need who live, work or go to school in Lincoln or Weston.  We are currently serving people twice a month at the SVdP Food Pantry located behind St Joseph’s Church in Lincoln.  SVdP also offers emergency financial assistance to help with bills, rent, etc. For more information or to make an online donation to support this ministry, please click here.

If you or somebody you know is in need of food or emergency financial help, please reach out at 781-899-2611 x4 or svdplincolnweston@gmail.com. This is a challenging time for many and although it can be difficult to ask for help, we are here to support. Everything is kept completely confidential.

”My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their 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.