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

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Property sales in May 2020

40 Huckleberry Hill Rd. — Susan E. Conway to Alexandra Chomut and Christopher E. Brook for $1,800,000 (May 29)

41 Greenridge Lane — Patrick Greene to Christopher McCarty and Nataly Dvash for $550,000 (May 27)

59 Winter St. — Richard Wiggin to Marcus and Nicole Ruopp for $1,420,000 (May 18)

3 Smith Hill Road — Piyush Srinivastava to Brendon and Rachel Reiff for $1,150,000 (May 8)

21 Birchwood Lane — Alan J. Shapiro to Anthony M. Dubon and Kary K. Lee-Dubon for $598,320 (May 8)

54 Conant Rd. — Mary Q. Pope to Meghan K. Lytton for $1,090,000 (May 6)

Sandy Pond Rd. — Joseph Kasputys to [name withheld at editor’s discretion] for $1,078,000 (May 2)

News acorns

Food truck picnic at Pierce House

The Pierce House is hosting a Lincoln picnic on Saturday, July 18 from 4–8 p.m. with several vendors (Moyzilla food truck with Asian food, the Bacon Truck, and the Shuck Truck with fresh local seafood) offering dinner for sale. Bring your own blanket and beverages. Patrons are encouraged to wear wear face masks and maintain social distance of six feet while in line and on blankets, and they may enter the Pierce House to order and purchase food. All staff and food service is in compliance with CDC guidelines.

Library book pickup hours expand

Starting on Monday, July 6, the Lincoln Library will expand its curbside pickup hours for reserved books. The new hours will be Mondays and Thursdays from 1–7 p.m., and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Hours are subject to weather; any changes will be posted on the library’s website, which also has more information on the reservation and pickup process.

Covid-19 bereavement workshops, fundraising walk

Care Dimensions, which operates the hospice house in Lincoln, is hosting single-session virtual support groups and an eight-week-long support group for people who have had a family member die from the Covid-19 virus. The sessions are Tuesday, July 21 from 4–6 p.m. (RSVP by July 17) and Thursday, Aug. 20 from 3–5 p.m. (RSVP by August 14).

Led by a bereavement counselor, the eight-week group (for those whose loved one died at least three months prior to the first meeting) will be a safe space to process grief, learn coping techniques, and make connections with others who are on a similar grief journey. This group requires commitment from participants to attend all sessions, which will be on Wednesdays from September 9 to October 28 from 3–4:30 p.m. (RSVP by September 4).

All sessions will be held via Zoom. Although there is no charge for most support groups, donations are appreciated. For more information or to register, click here, call 855-744-5100, or email  grief@caredimensions.org.

Care Dimensions is revamping the format of its 33rd Annual Walk for Hospice to ensure the safety of walkers and the community. This year, individuals and teams are encouraged to walk when and where they feel comfortable by Sunday, Sept. 27. To learn more, register a team or individual, or make a donation, go to www.caredimensions.org/walk.

Care Dimensions staff care for hospice patients where they live and at two inpatient houses (one in Lincoln). They also run HomeMD, which provides in-home primary care to patients over age 65 in select communities on the North Shore and greater Boston who have difficulty leaving home. The Care Dimensions Learning Institute educates more than 7,000 healthcare professionals and community members each year on advanced illness and end-of-life topics.

Pandemic effects for police: more traffic stops, fraud claims

Traffic stops in Lincoln since January 1 (click to enlarge).

Lincoln police have experienced the Covid-19 pandemic in various ways over the months — many fewer traffic stops at first, and now, a rash of reports of fraudulent unemployment claims.

Gov. Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts on March 10, and starting a few days before that, the rate of routine traffic stops began falling dramatically (see graph), partly to safeguard officers and the public from infection but mostly because traffic volume plummeted as everyone sheltered in place. The rate has crept back up since late May, but nothing compared to the pre-pandemic days.

“Traffic was pretty much nonexistent” in those early weeks, Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy said. These days, officers wear masks when approaching and interacting with drivers, and collect as much information verbally as they can, as opposed to having the driver hand over his or her license and registration.

Another effect of the pandemic, of course, is that unemployment has shot up as businesses laid off staff. As a result, millions of people have filed for unemployment benefits — and police have been getting reports from residents who were notified by the state that unemployment claims had been filed in their names.

“It’s all over the country — there have been a ton of fraudulent unemployment claims” using compromised Social Security numbers, Kennedy said. He advised anyone who has had this happen to check their recent credit history to make sure other accounts weren’t hacked into, or false accounts created in their name. The federal government is investigating, he added.

Another recent development that’s required police attention is the surge of visitors to Walden Pond, more popular than ever since many other recreational venues in the area are closed due to Covid-19. Because the main parking lot closes when it reaches capacity, visitors park illegally on Baker Bridge Road and Old Concord Road. Kennedy said police plan to install electronic message boards warning people that parking in those areas may result in their cars getting towed.

Police log for June 18-24, 2020

June 18

Mary’s Way (6:51 q.m.) — Caller complaining about trucks working early at a construction site. Caller advised to contact the building department.

Todd Pond Road (6:59 p.m.) — Caller reported that her mother was solicited over the phone from someone purporting to be from a veteran’s agency.

Old Concord Road (9:14 a.m.) — Caller reported a landscaping crew is using a leaf blower. Officer checked the area and the crew was not using a leaf blower.

Hanscom Drive (6:54 p.m.) — Caller reported passing by a crash scene (car vs. MBTA bus). Officers checked the area and there were no signs of a crash. MBTA confirms no reports of a crash involving a bus

Sandy Pond Road (6:54 p.m.) — Caller reported possibly being followed by a moped from Concord into Lincoln. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

June 19

Lincoln Road (10:10 a.m.) — Caller reported a fraudulent unemployment claim was filed in his name. Report taken.

Morningside Lane (1:57 p.m.) — Court paperwork delivered to a resident.

Baker Bridge Road (4:00 p.m.) —  Caller complained about landscapers using leaf blowers.               

Baker Bridge Road (June 9 at 4:08 p.m. and 5:29 p.m., June 20 at 11:04 a.m., June 21 at 9:17 p.m., June 23 at 7:42 p.m.) — Caller complaining about cars parked along Baker Bridge Road. Officers checked the area; Walden Pond staff will make an announcement. Cars were ticketed in some cases.

Virginia Road (7:30 p.m.) — Caller reported that earlier in the day, mulch at the Minuteman Commons complex was smoking. Landscapers had been on scene and it no longer was smoldering. Caller advised to call back if she sees any smoke or fire.

South Great Road (10:37 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing an alarm going off in the area. Police were unable to locate the source of the alarm.

June 20

Conant Road (6:36 p.m.) — Caller reported that his house was egged sometime the previous night. Report taken.

Hastings Road, Weston (10:22 p.m.) — Weston police reported a missing child over age 12, possibly on Rte 117 or Rte 126. A Lincoln officer checking the area located the juvenile and notified the parents.

June 21

Birchwood Lane (8:18 p.m.) — Caller reported that a squirrel was in her house. Fire Department assisted the resident.

June 22

Old County Road (8:19 a.m.) — Large tree down across the roadway near Rte 2. DPW notified.

Concord Road (12:07 p.m.) — Caller reported a small brush fire near St. Anne’s Church. Fire Department will handle.

Twisted Tree Café (12:20 p.m.) — Report of an odor of gas. Fire and police evacuated the building and notified National Grid and Eversource. Gas and power were later restored to the building.

South Great Road (3:36 p.m.) — Resident reported that someone backed into his vehicle white it was parked in the Mt. Misery lot. Report taken.

June 23

Virginia Road, Concord (1:32 a.m.) — Concord police requested assistance with two parties on bikes who were acting suspicious and fled into the woods.

South Great Road (9:43 a.m.) — A passing motorist notified a detail officer of a brush fire along the railroad tracks near Rte. 117. Fire Department located and handled the fire while train service was stopped.

Stonehedge Road (2:02 p.m.) — Caller reported wires down across the road near Tower Road. Eversource notified and responded.

Premier Cleaners, Lincoln mall (3:52 p.m.) — Caller reported the store is open and no one is inside. Officers checked the area and everything looked OK. Officers were able to lock the door and the owner was notified.

June 24

MBTA station (1:44 a.m.) — Officer observed a party at the train platform and checked to see if they were OK. Party was out for a walk.

Changes afoot in several town employee positions

While Lincoln is transitioning to a new Council on Aging director, several other personnel moves are occurring as well.

Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Pereira is expected to move into the assistant town administrator’s job once a new PRD director is in place. “I’m really excited about the possibility of a partnership and having Dan join the leadership of the town,” said Town Administrator Tim Higgins, who said he had met with Pereira several times. “To a person, [the PRD] are thrilled for the opportunity for Dan to progress and for us to keep him in the fold.”

Pereira replaces Mary Day, who left at the end of May. Her departure was sudden but was a “voluntary resignation,” said Higgins, adding that he could not comment further on personnel matters.

Day was appointed in 2013 after working for several years as the town treasurer/collector. The role involves supporting Higgins in day-to-day administration and oversight of town services as well as overseeing the town’s human resources, risk management, and purchasing functions. 

Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie, administrative assistant in the Planning Department, is the acting director of planning while Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney takes a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. She’s expected to return on September 1, Higgins said.

Finally, Brian Young has been named deputy fire chief after serving in an acting capacity for about a year. “The last four months have really kind of sealed the deal for me, seeing him taking on responsibility after responsibility” since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, Higgins said. “In short order, he has really grown into the role and embraced the role.”

Bottum retires as Council on Aging director

After a decade as director of Lincoln’s Council on Aging, Carolyn Bottum is retiring next week and will be succeeded by former assistant director Abigail Butt.

“I decided this would be a good time to retire about a year ago,” Bottom said. “I knew that Abby would be fantastic [as director], and we anticipate it will be a seamless transition.”

Butt, who was hired almost three years ago, has been instrumental in expanding the town’s human services network, including establishing the social worker position and mental health clinics, outreach campaigns such as the holiday gift bags, helping start the Rental Assistance Program and other housing initiatives. Bottum also credited her with computerizing the COA and creating a single intake form for residents of all ages who need services.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, “we were able to immediately generate lists of at-risk residents and reach out to offer assistance via telehealth and housing assistance when needed. Without Abby, we would have had none of these,” Bottum said.

Amy Gagne

Taking Butt’s place will be newly hired assistant director Amy Gagne. She is already well known to the COA, having worked with Bottum, Butt, and public health nurse Tricia McGean to create the New Connections Cafe at The Commons for memory-impaired residents. From 2007 to 2019, Gagne was the community relations manager/care coordinator at Right At Home of Bedford. Since 2019, she was community outreach director for RiverCourt Residences Senior Living Community in Groton.

“I’ve been helping to serve the most vulnerable population for over 12 years, and it’s been an honor to be trusted by these local families. Programming is something I enjoy and look forward to brainstorming with the team to bring some new events to the community,” Gagne said. “Lincoln has such wonderful programming, and I’ll work hard to continue that and have my door open for any new ideas they may be interested in for the future.”

Bottum cited the significant growth of Lincoln’s human services system and working with residents on the community center project. “Having adequate, accessible, and attractive space is so essential to achieving the COA’s mission,” she said. “And Mary Ann Thompson’s design, if that’s what the town chooses, would be a beautiful, ecologically sustainable, and very functional home for the COA, Parks and Rec, and the other organizations that will use the building.”

The staff, volunteers and residents who use the COA’s programs and services will be very much missed, Bottum said. “Even before I started, I was told that Karen Santucci, who was director before me, had always said that being the COA director was the best job in town, and I have to agree wholeheartedly. The COA is where so many people with such a rich array of life experiences gather to share the best of themselves and expand their horizons together. I’ve always found Lincoln residents of all ages to be kind, thoughtful, and truly wanting to make a meaningful difference. Every day I would come to work knowing that, sometime during the day, people would come into my office and tell me a story about some fascinating life experience, or share a great idea, or just let me into some aspect of their lives.”

Police log for June 8–17, 2020

June 8

Wells Road (10:26 a.m.) — Fire alarm went off due to food cooking on the stove.

Hemlock Circle (12:35 p.m.) — Fire alarm went off due to contractors working in the residence.

Bedford Road (2:29 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.

Lincoln Cemetery, Lexington Road (3:45 pm.) — Caller reported losing a purse while in the cemetery. Caller later reported she found it in her residence.

Giles Road (6:03 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.

94 Liberty Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (7:02 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported that a possible missing juvenile over age 12 from Florida is on the base. Officers assisted Hanscom with locating the juvenile and made contact with the parent in Florida. Investigation is ongoing.

June 9

Old Sudbury Road (12:06 a.m.) — Caller reported hearing people near her house and seeing them with flashlights. Officers located the party, who was looking at the rocking horses. They were sent on their way; caller updated.

Codman Community Farms (1:01 a.m.) — Officer came across a vehicle parked at the entrance of the farm. Party checked out OK.

94 Liberty Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (9:43 p.m.) — Parent from Florida called regarding the missing juvenile, who never returned on a planned flight. The child is safe, and the parent was referred to Massachusetts State Police at Logan Airport, who are handling.

June 10

Lincoln Road (1:51 a.m.) — Report of a tree down on the sidewalk of Lincoln Rd near the Masonic Lodge.

Concord Road (1:04 p.m.) — Report of a small brush fire at the Concord town line on Pine Hill. Fire Department responded.

Kettle Hole Drive (1:30 p.m.) — Caller reported an aggressive dog that she encountered Animal Control will handle.

Lincoln Road (3:07 p.m.) — Caller complained about workers on the sidewalk along Lincoln Road. They were referred to speak with the DPW.

Old County Road (3:48 p.m.) — Report of a large stove that was left on the side of the roadway. DPW was notified to remove.

Tower Road — MBTA tower reports a brush fire along the tracks near Tower Road and Old Sudbury Road. Fire Department handled.

Willarch Road (5:38 p.m.) — Caller requested information in regard to a civil matter.

Bedford Road (10:38 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing a gunshot near his residence towards Juniper Ridge Road. Area checked; unable to locate.

June 11

Winter Street (12:18 p.m.) — Report of a fall alert from an Apple watch at the location. Officers checked and everything was fine.

June 12

Lincoln Police Department (2:08 a.m.) — State Police in Concord requested assistance looking for a party who left Emerson Hospital and may be walking back to a residence in Lincoln. They called back to say they had located the party.

Indian Hill Road (1:51 p.m.) — Officer working a detail in Lincoln dealing with a civil matter.

Sunnyside Lane (3:07 p.m.) — A party using MBTA’s “The Ride” vehicle complaining about something with the vehicle. Caller was advised to contact “The Ride” dispatch.

Farrar Road (5:01 p.m.) — Caller complained about bats outside the residence. They were advised to contact a pest control company.

Acorn Lane (5:20 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.

Conant Road (7:44 p.m.) — Caller reported there was a tree limb on the wires and they’re arcing. Eversource notified.

Lexington Road (9:51 p.m.) — Caller reported two kids who were trespassing on their property have since left in two vehicle traveling towards Rte. 2 Officers were unable to locate.

June 13

Sandy Pond Road (10:29 a.m.) — Company accidentally damaged some shrubs on the property. A company representative spoke with the homeowner and agreed to pay for the damage.

Lincoln School — Caller reported some type of animal was stuck in a soccer net. Officer arrived but the animal was gone.

South Great Road (1:58 p.m.) — Bicyclist fell while riding near Tower Road. Minor injuries; transported to the Massachusetts General Hospital.

Granville Road (2:46 p.m.) — Caller reported a man walking in the wood who appeared to be sick and needed assistance in getting to his car. Officer arrived and drove man to his car on Sandy Pond Road.

Old Bedford Road (11:40 p.m.) — Hospital faxed a report of a cat bite. Animal Control notified.

June 14

Forester Road (2:39 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone put fireworks on top of the community mailboxes the previous night and set them off.

June 15

Ballfield Road (12:26 p.m.) — Officer assisted a party at the school to their residence.

Minuteman Technical High School, Marrett Road, Lexington (1:41 p.m.) — A group was seen on video surveillance at the high school. One individual later identified as Brandon Raymond, 19, from Everett spray-painted the rear of the school. He will be summonsed into court at a later date to answer to the charge of malicious destruction of property.

Chestnut Circle (7:11 p.m.) — Resident called the station looking for the local election results.

Page Road (10:28 p.m.) — Officer located a party at the Lincoln School who looking for his brother (juvenile over age 12) who hadn’t returned home. Officers assisting in located the boy, who was later found to be in Waltham, and the parents picked him up.

June 16

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:43 a.m.) — Caller reported striking an animal on Rte. 2. A deceased opossum was found off to the side of the road. Mass DOT was notified to pick up the animal.

Deer Run Road (10:12 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim. Report taken.

Walden Pond boat ramp (12:22 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance as he locked his keys in his car. Dispatch contacted a Waltham Auto tow truck to assist him.

Woods End Road (2:36 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak with an officer regarding people coming onto his property. Officer responded and spoke to the party.

Lincoln Police Department (4:07 p.m.) — Social worker called to the station looking to arrange a non-emergency transport for a patient. They were advised to contact a private ambulance company.

Canoe landing lot, South Great Road (5:34 p.m.) — Concord police requested a check of the parking lots along Rte. 117 for an overdue party. Lincoln police checked but were unable to locate the party. Concord police later called back and the party returned home.

Minuteman Technical High School (7:45 p.m.) — A party ran out of gas near the high school. An officer assisted them to the gas station to get gas and then and back to the vehicle.

June 17

Lexington Road (11:09 a.m.) — Caller reported a cow in the roadway. Flint’s farm contacted and they’ll take care of getting the cow back into the fenced field.

Stonehedge Road (3:39 p.m.) — Resident called looking for assistance with information for legal options for a family member in regard to a civil matter.

Gerard’s Farm Stand, Middlesex Turnpike eastbound — Caller reported that a truck took down some wires in the parking lot. Verizon notified.

Huntley Lane (6:28 p.m.) — Resident called regarding an issue with their fire alarm panel. Fire Department will assist them.

Jet Aviation, Hanscom Field (8:15 p.m.) — Caller reported losing his iPad, which GPS indicates is at Jet Aviation. Caller was given contact information for state police at Hanscom to assist him.

News acorns

Curbside pickup for library materials starts Thursday

The Lincoln Public Library will begin offering contactless curbside pickup for items on hold starting Thursday, June 25 at 3 p.m. and will take place thereafter on Mondays and Thursdays from 3–7 p.m. Only staff will be allowed inside the building during this phase. Hours are subject to change due to weather; any changes will be posted on the library’s website at www.lincolnpl.org.

The library can offer only materials that are already on the shelves in Lincoln (books, DVDs, etc. — no Library of Things). The delivery service used by the Minuteman Library Network is working its way through the backlog of undelivered materials, so there’s no estimated date yet for when the interlibrary loan service will resume.

To request an item, place a hold using the Minuteman Library Network’s website, but choose only items that are listed as being available at the Lincoln location. Requests for materials from libraries other than Lincoln will be saved in the system and will be filled once the delivery system is up and running. You can also call the Reference Department at 781-259-8465 ext. 204 and the staff will place your hold for you. The deadline for requesting items will be Friday at 3 p.m. for Monday pickup, and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. for Thursday pickup. Items will not be available on the same day the request is made.

Once your item has been pulled, you will be notified either by email or by telephone depending on your MLN account preferences. We will ask you to select a Monday or a Thursday to pick up your items (you will have a choice among three dates). Due to a lack of storage space and the limited number of materials available for patrons, items must be picked up on the scheduled date; if not, they will be returned to the stacks, though you may re-request items.

Pickup
  • Each borrower will be limited to five items per pickup.
  • Items can be picked up only between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the Monday or Thursday that you selected.
  • All items will be checked out to you and placed in a bag with the due date slip inside and your name or MLN alias on the outside. Items will be placed on tables under our new tent in the handicapped parking spaces on Library Lane (the handicapped spaces have been moved across the lane.
  • Items cannot be switched out from bags. To request a different title, please follow the procedures listed above.
  • If you’re unsure of what items you’d like, you can fill out an adult or children’s book match forms and we will “match” you with your perfect book.
Returns
  • All library materials can be returned using the library’s outdoor book drop.
  • Items will still appear on your card after you return them, but the library has extended its grace period for fines from one day to four days to allow for items to be quarantined before staff checks them in.
Safety precautions
  • All library materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before they are pulled by staff. Proper sanitization will be done before and after the process of pulling books. Although not required by the Lincoln Board of Health for an extra measure of caution, you may wish to leave these library items untouched in your home for three days before enjoying them.
  • Patrons must adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear face masks. We will be marking the walkway on Library Lane to assist people.
  • Patrons are asked to not linger in front of the library after picking up their materials. Questions? Please email lincoln@minlib.net or call the library at 781-259- 8465.Staff will learn as they go and make changes as needed.

Virtual bingo night at the library

The whole family can participate in the Lincoln Public Library’s bingo night as caller extraordinaire Sally Kindleberger reads off the numbers on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Registrants will receive a printable bingo card. For children of all ages. Limited to 20 families; email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive a Zoom invitation ink.

Transfer station closed on Saturday

The Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, July 4 due to the Fourth of July holiday.

COA posts July and August events

The Council on Aging’s newsletter and calendar of events for July and August are now available online.

 

 

School project gets donations for trees, walkways, benches

Last week marked the official start of the school project, and the SBC Outreach Team organized a socially distanced groundbreaking photo on the ballfield immediately after the Town Meeting. The picture (a drone photo taken by Lincoln resident Tyler Ory) photo will become part of a virtual groundbreaking ceremony that will try to capture the community’s involvement in the project. One of the people in the photo is SBC member Peter Sugar, who sported the shovel and hard hat he wore at the last Lincoln School project groundbreaking almost exactly 26 years ago. (Click image to enlarge.)

Donations from eighth-graders, a Lincoln couple, and the estate of Harriet Todd will allow the School Building Committee to add back some of the items that were cut earlier this spring but not restored by the recent Town Meeting vote.

Robert and Jacquelin Apsler have donated $32,328 to pay for concrete walkways behind the refurbished school’s learning commons as well as interior benches in the Reed/Brooks connector and the dining commons. Those features didn’t make the list of items that voters restored with an $828,945 appropriation on June 13. However, they were part of an earlier list for which that the SBC was planning to request $2.02 million back in March (itself a subset of the $3.5 million in cuts that the committee made in February after bids came in over budget).

“I want to publicly thank the Apslers for their incredible generosity, SBC chair Chris Fasciano said at the June 17 SBC meeting. “It was a very pleasant surprise when we heard that news and it’s very much appreciated.”

As its class gift to the Lincoln School, the graduating eighth-grade class of 2020 created a school project tree fund and started it off with a $500 donation. That amount got a boost of $20,000 from the estate of Harriet Todd, a former Selectman who died in 2018 and left the town $500,000 in her will. Her family agreed that $275,000 of that bequest could be spent on auditorium seating, carpeting, and stage paneling (the rest will endow a scholarship for Lincoln students). However, the auditorium work will cost only about $255,000, so the Todds agreed that the $20,000 balance could go into the tree fund.

An amount of $56,084 was originally budgeted for 52 new trees but was one of the items cut in February. After the School Committee votes to establish the gift fund, residents will be able to make additional donations for trees.

“It’s just lovely on their part, and it obviously gives a big boost,” Fasciano said of the Todds.