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

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FinCom shares property tax information

Finance Committee chair Andy Payne gathered the following information about current property tax bills. He adds this disclaimer: “The state Department of Revenue is not providing the ‘average single-family tax bill’ for towns with senior exemption programs, notably Sudbury and Concord. The values for those towns were imputed from the tax rate.” Click any image to enlarge.

The official 2020 Town Meeting web page includes the financial section and warrant, the FinCom’s presentation of the proposed FY21 budget, and a memo on what changed in the proposed budget after Town Meeting was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

My Turn: Many are disenfranchised at Town Meeting

By Carol DiGianni

Since the pandemic is still clearly a hazard for those of us who are seniors, or otherwise incapacitated, it seems like an oversight not to have options for some form of remote voting on Town Meeting warrant articles.  There is remote voting in the upcoming election — why not for those of us whose economic life in impacted by the recent substantial hike in property taxes here in Lincoln? Seniors are a substantial demographic here and deserve the right to vote in their own behalf.

I for one feel it unfair to be penalized for staying safely at home while others who are more able-bodied can vote to impact (once again) my economic life. Given these extremely extenuating circumstances, I propose an immediate change in the law regarding in-person quorum for Town Meeting, in time for this town meeting, to allow absentee/early voting by mail or some form of real-time online voting. Thank you.

Carol DiGianni
140 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents 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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Hanscom students compete for national history award

Seven students at Hanscom Middle School will represent Massachusetts in this year’s National History Day, a rigorous academic contest that engages 500,000 middle and high school students in historical research.

The Hanscom student projects — all based on this year’s “Breaking Barriers” theme — include exhibits, research papers, and documentary films. The projects were selected for the national contest at Mass History Day, overseen by the Massachusetts Historical Society.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for such a small school,” said Erich Ledebuhr, principal of Hanscom Middle School, which has 266 students on Hanscom Air Force Base in grades 4–8. “I’m extremely proud of all our students and teachers.”

This is the fourth year HMS students have entered the contest under guidance of teacher Jay Peledge. “Our ‘Bessie Coleman’ group just finished the final touches on their documentary, including working in a last-minute interview with Bessie’s grandniece, Gigi Coleman, whom we’ve been trying to get in touch with since October,” he said.

The Coleman film about a pioneering black woman aviator was created by seventh-graders Malinda Jenkins and Morgan Gibson. Other contestants are seventh-grader Madison Yablonski for a research paper on women anthropologists, “The Trimates;” eighth-graders Talla C. Graham and Kirsten D. for “Ted Geisel’s War on Illiteracy;” eighth-grader Emily Doucette for an exhibit on Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor; and eight-grader Andrea A-R for a documentary titled “Stonewall: The Riots that Sparked a Gay Revolution.”

Typically there would be a week-long program for contestants at the University of Maryland, but this year the ceremonies will be held virtually from June 14–20, and a virtual awards ceremony will take place on June 20 from 3–4:30 p.m.

 

 

Candlelight gathering for Black Lives Matter draws hundreds

A candlelight gathering organized on the fly by a Lincoln high school student drew hundreds of Lincolnites to Pierce Park on Friday evening for reflection and solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. It was one of hundreds of protests and vigils that have spontaneously taken place all over the country since the death of George Floyd at the hands of white Minneapolis police officers on May 25.

“It was an amazing experience, pulled together between Wednesday evening and Thursday noon when we were fortunate to meet with the town’s leadership and welcome their help,” said Diane Auger, whose daughter Emilie had the idea for the gathering. “We are so grateful to be living in Lincoln and hoping to effect change in this time, and we believe based on the tremendous turnout, so many others feel that as well.”

“Take your power, hold your ground, and speak out,” Emilie Auger exhorted the crowd.

Quoting author Toni Morrison, Selectman Jennifer Glass noted that “the function of freedom is to free someone else… We will not do nothing.”

Emilie’s sister Erika Auger also spoke, asking the audience to “be a better ally” by signing petitions, donating, supporting black-owned businesses and contacting legislators.

“It’s not the role of people of color to teach us about injustice and history,” she said. “Understand and recognize your white privilege, and normalize changing your mind when you get new information. Start the dialogue with your children, parents, grandparents and coworkers, and never stop educating yourself.”

The First Parish Church bell tolled at the start and end of an eight-minute period of silence as the mask-wearing crowd, many of them holding candles or lights, stood quietly or knelt. The only sound came from birds chirping and frogs rumbling in the twilight.

Click on images to see larger versions and captions:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”139″ gal_title=”Candlelight gathering – June 2020″]

Correction

The June 2 story headlined “The Commons has fewest Covid-19 deaths among area facilities,” contained on incorrect figure for the number of Covid-19 cases reported at the Sunrise in Weston assisted living facility. The correct number is less than 10, not 10–30.

The article has been corrected and also updated with a list of facilities in neighboring towns that did not appear on either of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health lists in its May 27 report (Long-Term Care Facilities With 2+ Known COVID Cases and Facility-Reported Deaths, and Assisted Living Residences With 2+ Known COVID Cases): 

[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]

Concord Health Care Center
Artis Senior Living
Brookhaven/Gardenview
Lexington Health Care Center
Wingate at Sudbury
Merriam Village
[/lgc_column]

Concord
Lexington
Lexington
Lexington
Sudbury
Weston

My Turn: Rundell touts importance and accomplishments of Planning Board

Editor’s note: Rundell previously wrote a letter to the editor in February announcing that he was running for reelection, and he was included in a roundup of Planning Board candidates published on March 5.)

By Rick Rundell

Dear Lincoln neighbors,

I’m running for re-election to the Planning Board, which I have been serving on since 2013. I’m joined for the only contested seats in this year’s election by my friends and colleagues, incumbent Lynn DeLisi and former member Bob Domnitz. I have nothing but admiration and deep respect for each.

The Lincoln Squirrel invited each of us to share some thoughts with their readers before the election was postponed back in March. Since then, a lot of things have changed, and I’d like to introduce my candidacy for the June 15 election now.

As I am the only architecture professional on the board or among the candidates, your vote for me brings a uniquely effective and meaningful voice to the important work of that body.

I have four decades of experience in the building industry. I am a member of the American Institute of Architects and hold credentials from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program of the US Green Building Council. I presently lead innovation programs focused on the architecture, engineering, and construction for a global design software company.

I’m proud of contributing to many important things the Planning Board has accomplished during my tenure. I am most proud, however, of advancing the professionalization of the board and streamlining its operations. Today’s board no longer keeps applicants, abutters and stakeholders into the late hours of the night as we debate minutiae and then ask for return visits to cover simple administrative measures. By empowering our capable professional planning staff, we respect the time and resources of our applicants and the commitment of our volunteer board members. At Town Meeting in 2018, we eliminated the burdensome and procedurally questionable “pre-meeting” requirement which obliged every applicant to attend at least two board meetings and often more before getting anything done.

At that same 2018 Town Meeting, we also limited with a five-year sunset provision the creeping expansion of Site Plan Review. Prior to this, property after property had become permanently encumbered with the obligation to bring even the most trivial improvements before the board. Changes that many residents could make as of right were closed off to properties once they had fallen under Site Plan Review. I am proud to have successfully advocated for the Planning Board to rein back its own authority, which threatened fair processes and a level playing field for citizens of the town.

I am least proud of the number of in-person meetings I had to miss during my last term due to professional obligations. Struggles with attendance are inevitable if the town hopes to attract active, engaged industry professionals to serve on town boards and committees. I am committed to doing a better job of over my next term. Sadly, circumstances related to the pandemic over the coming year will likely make this easier.

These are extraordinary times. We are isolating ourselves and wearing protective gear to engage in the most routine tasks of community life. Our cities are burning with rage and fear. A generation is losing confidence in the shared values on which our democracy has been built. We question what one citizen, one local board, or one small town can do to make a difference.

When we started campaigning in March, the most important question in the world seemed to be what authority our open Town Meeting might be willing to entrust to a group of elected board members. While I do support Town Meeting as a venue for important town planning and development changes, today that seems a discussion for another day. Today the most important questions in the world are overwhelming and seem to change every day. Today, more than ever before, it is important for our town to be led by creative, active, and engaged citizens bringing a broad, professional, and experienced perspective to our local challenges and opportunities.

If you value, as do I, the broad engagement of our citizens and community in public process; objective, respectful and fair treatment of all stakeholders; and the appropriate role of town government in our lives and property, then  I ask for your vote this coming June 15 or whenever you complete your absentee ballot.

With gratitude for your consideration,

Rick Rundell
76 Todd Pond Rd., Lincoln
rick.rundell@gmail.com
rickrundell.com

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents 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.

My Turn: Minneapolis police conduct is offensive to the values of our department

(Editor’s note: This statement was published on the Lincoln Police Department’s Facebook page on May 29, 2020 and is reprinted here with permission.)

By Kevin Kennedy

To the Lincoln community:

Today, I join my fellow Massachusetts Police Chiefs and law enforcement across the country in condemning the actions and inactions of the four Minneapolis police officers involved in the death of Mr. George Floyd on May 25, 2020.  Our thoughts and sympathy are with the Floyd family. 

As a police department, we have embraced the six pillars of the President’s Task Force on 21st-Century Policing. We are committed to our standards of professional conduct, community policing, procedural justice, constitutional policing, and treating everyone with respect, dignity, empathy, and compassion.

The conduct of the officers involved was offensive to the values of our department and our  community. 

Sincerely, 

A. Kevin Kennedy
Lincoln Chief of Police

”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents 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.

Police log for May 19–24, 2020

May 18

Codman Road (8:06 p.m.) — Resident reported that a friend in Wayland may be the victim of a crime in Wayland. Wayland police were advised of the report.

Morningside Lane (9:11 p.m.) — Party reported being harassed by a party known to them. Report taken; party advised of their legal options.

May 19

Trapelo Road (2:25 p.m.) — Resident reported there is someone on their property that they want removed. Officer spoke to the individual and they were sent on their way.

Woods End Road (3:47 p.m.) — Resident turned in old firearm and ammunition to be destroyed.

May 20

First Parish in Lincoln (stone church) (1:28 p.m.) — Report that a power line to the building is down on the ground. Eversource was notified to respond.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (3:34 p.m.) — Caller reported their car was on fire on Rte. 2 west near Lexington town line. Officer arrived and put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. Fire Department arrived a short time later to handle.

Tower Road (3:54 p.m.) — Family member requested a well-being check on a resident. Officer checked and everything was OK; family member was on scene.

Old County Road (7:20 p.m.) — People who were fishing were moved along.

Lincoln Road (9:55 p.m.) — A business owner reported finding a disheveled male inside his vehicle while parked in the mall parking lot. The party was last seen walking on Lincoln Road. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate him.

May 21

Sandy Pond Road (3:28 p.m.) — Officers with Concord police at the town line investigated a report of someone finding bones in the woods. They were determined to be animal bones.

Concord Road (4:20 p.m.) — Party reported that a bicyclist wasn’t wearing a mask while on trails between Walden Pond and Flint’s Pond.

Walden Pond boat ramp (4:32 p.m.) — Report of a male party exposed himself near the boat ramp. State Police handled the incident

Old County Road (6:48 p.m.) — Report of people fishing. Officer moved them along.

Sandy Pond Road (7:44 p.m.) — Caller reported a brush fire. Fire Department arrived as the homeowner was putting out the fire.

May 22

Lincoln Road (9:28 a.m.) — Report of possible identity fraud. Investigation is ongoing.

Trapelo Road at Old County Road (9:46 a.m.) — Two-car crash. No injuries; report taken.

The Food Project, Concord Road — Manager complained of cars parking in the Food Project lot and going to Walden Pond.

Morningside Lane (3:49 p.m.) — Legal document relating to previous harassment given to a party, with a copy held at Lincoln Police Department.

Trapelo Road (4:39 p.m.) — Report of people fishing. Officer moved them along.

Wells Road (10:01 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing an alarm going off. Officer found it to be a septic system alarm. Management was notified.

Page Farm Road (3:48 a.m.) — Caller reported seeing a male party via their security system on the porch; packages possibly stolen. Officers were unable to locate the party and reported that there were packages on the porch.

May 23

Trapelo Road (12:54 p.m.) — Report of people fishing. Officer moved them along.

Wells Road (1:03 p.m.) — Elderly confused party believed someone was in the house. Officers responded and everything was fine.

Lincoln North office building, Old Bedford Road (2:34 p.m.) — Caller reported a small fire in the mulch. Fire Department handled.

Lincoln Police Department (3:14 p.m.) — Party stated that her son was bitten a while ago by an animal and was looking for information about medical care. Party refused Fire Department medical assistance.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (3:14 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing a mattress in the roadway. The information was passed along to State Police in Concord.

Kelly Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (7:10 p.m.) — Officers assisting Hanscom security with a report of a missing juvenile. The party was later located.

Kelly Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (8:52 p.m.) — Caller was looking for information on the missing juvenile. They were advised to contact Hanscom security.

May 24

Concord Road (12:58 a.m.) — Report of an outside fire at Walden Pond. The incident was found to be in Concord; officers assisted Concord police.

Sandy Pond Road (10:07 a.m.) — Caller complained of cars parking along Sandy Pond Road in front of his house and requested additional No Parking signs. No cars were found parked on the road. The officer spoke to the resident and left a message with the DPW requesting additional signage.

North Great Road, Paul Revere lot (2:41 p.m.) — Officer assisted the National Park ranger with a report of people using a metal detector and digging.

Trapelo Road (4:08 p.m.) — Report of people fishing. Officer moved them along.

Tower Road (4:49 p.m.) — Party found a dog in their yard. A short time later, it was returned to the owner.

North Great Road (6:49 p.m.) — Caller couldn’t find their car after walking in the National Park. Officer assisted the party.

Mt. Misery parking lot (7:47 p.m.) — Caller requested a check on someone sleeping in a vehicle. The party was fine, just taking a nap.