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

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Clarification and correction

The January 15 article headlined “Developer seeks 60 units of mixed-income housing” was unclear as to the financial qualifications for affordable units in the proposed Oriole Landing development. It should have said that for prospective tenants to qualify, their household income may be no more than 80 percent of area median income adjusted for family size. The original article has been updated.

Correction

Dates for two events were listed incorrectly in the January 16 story headlined “Five days of events coming up for Lincoln Winter Carnival.” The Adult Cooking Class and LPTO Family Bingo Night are on Friday, Jan. 26. The calendar and original article have been corrected.

Five days of events coming up for Lincoln Winter Carnival

Weekend-long activities

Online snow sculpture contest
Build your snow sculpture, then snap a photo with you in it and send it to smulroy@lincnet.org. Submit as many sculptures as you like! We will accept submissions until 5 p.m. on Sat, Jan 27, then post them online for voting. Winners will be chosen on Friday, Feb. 2.

Discover Drumlin Farm in winter
See our animals in their winter homes, look for wildlife tracks or other signs of animals in the snow, or check out our feeders at our Wildlife Blind. Drop-in naturalist programs take place on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m. Free admission for Lincoln residents. Call 781-259-2200 for more information.

Wednesday, Jan. 24

Lincoln School Student Council: American Red Cross blood drive
1–6 p.m., Brooks Gym
If you’re healthy and eligible to donate blood, please come on out. Ages 17+ can donate blood, and 16-year-olds may donate with parental permission. Learn more and schedule to donate at: www.lincolnschoolbloodrive.org. Questions? Contact Advisors Jaime Moody (jmoody@lincnet.org) or Keith Johnson (kjohnson@lincnet.org).

Thursday, Jan. 25

FOMA movie night: Columbus, Indiana: Different by Design 
7–9 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Please join us for a film about the architectural odyssey of industrialist J. Irwin Miller of Cummins Engine Co., who re-imagined the architecture in Columbus, Ind. By offering to pay for talented engineers and designers from all over the world, he fostered an architectural environment that would have a positive effect on the lives of people. Peter Sugar, who designed the Grace Lutheran Church in Columbus in 1966, will introduce the film.

Friday, Jan. 26

Intergenerational sing-along
3:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
The LEAP After-School Program, the Council on Aging and Magic Garden Children’s Center invite residents of all ages to enjoy a free Multigenerational Sing-Along including performances from the organizations singing favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

LPTO Family Bingo Night
5:30–7:30 p.m., Brooks Gym
Come celebrate Family Bingo Night with even more chances to win! Prizes awarded for each winning board as well as awesome raffle prizes. Pizza dinner starts at 5:30 p.m. with snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free entry. Bingo cards are $5 (15-game multi-pack); raffle tickets are $1 for one, $5 for six, and $10 for 15.

Adult cooking class and dinner
7–9 p.m., Pierce House
Ring in the New Year in culinary style as we enjoy an evening of good food and festive flair. Learn the techniques to preparing a mouth-watering dinner with a renowned Boston chef. The evening will include a full meal. Details are available at www.piercehouse.com. Cost is $95 and the class is limited to 10 people.

Saturday, Jan. 27

Girl Scout pancake breakfast
8–11 a.m., Stone Church
Start the weekend off with pancakes with real maple syrup! Plain, blueberry, choc- chip, and gluten-free pancakes with maple syrup along with coffee, tea, OJ, and fruit. Enjoy face painting and crafts! Girl Scout Cookies will be sold. $5 under 12, $10 everyone else ($30 family max).

Snowshoe tours
10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
Enjoy nature and art in winter. Discover a fun and active way to explore the Sculpture Park. Tours are led by a museum guide and an EMS instructor. Click here to purchase tickets. Rent snowshoes or bring your own.

Magic Garden preschool fun
11 a.m.–1 p.m., Magic Garden Preschool
Come and visit with friends and neighbors at Magic Garden Children’s Center. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts activities and indoor “ice skating” in your socks! This event is suited for children ages 2-5.

Lincoln holistic wellness fair
Noon–3 p.m., Bemis Hall
Come learn about complementary medicine, including therapeutic touch, essential oils, energy work, reiki, quick energy balance, food as medicine, sound healing with crystal bowls, shamanic healing, gentle Hatha yoga , family yoga, Kundalini yoga, gong meditation and more! Contact Jai Kaur Annamaria at asanajai@verizon.net with questions.

Community skating and bonfire
1–3 p.m., Cemetery Pond (Lexington Road)
Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows by the campfire. Bring your own skates. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we will be hosting a capture-the-flag event instead, so stay tuned to www.lincolnrec.com for updates.

LFA energy blaster
3–5 p.m., Brooks Gym
Jump in a bounce house, run through an obstacle course, climb, slide, and joust. The gym will be filled with ways to let out some energy. Free for LFA 2018 members; nonmembers are $10 per child. A new 2018 LFA membership on the spot includes admission. Renew now at www.lincfam.org to bypass the lines.

Lincoln Acoustic Coffeehouse
7–10 p.m., Bemis Hall
Our annual night to showcase local musicians and performers! We have over 12 acts—some returning, some new—ready to perform, and there’s a good chance you know some of them! Coffee and desserts will be served. Tickets are available online at www.lincolnrec.com. General Admission is $10. Table of 8 is $160. Doors open at 7 p.m. sharp,

Sunday, Jan. 28

Make you own snow globe
10:30–noon, deCordova Carriage House
Join Lincoln Nursery School in partnership with deCordova to craft your own Winter Wonderland Snow Globe. Choose from a variety of materials to create your own wintery scene. Appropriate for all ages.

Let the games begin!
12:45–1:45 p.m., Stone Church
An old-fashioned battery-free family event. Join us for an hour of games including from Candyland, charades, Jenga and Twister. There will be lots of prizes for all ages! Laughter guaranteed. Cocoa and community. Visit fplincoln.org for info.

Karen K & the Jitterbugs
2–3 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Known for their high-energy show packed with humor and amazingly catchy, well-crafted tunes, Karen K & the Jitterbugs has become one of the most buzzed about “kiddie” bands on the East Coast. Described as “power pop sheen that makes them fun for the whole family,” the Jitterbugs have quickly become a favorite among families. Drop in.

Historical Society event: “Lincoln’s Schools and Who was Joseph Brooks, Anyway?”
2 p.m., Bemis Hall
How did our school campus develop, and what schoolhouses came before it? From the 18th century to the Little Red School House to the Joseph Brooks School, learn how schools and education in Lincoln have changed. Then hear graduates tell tales from their school days.

L-S parents protest proposed cuts to music program

letterTo the editor:

The Lincoln-Sudbury Friends of Music (LSFOM), a committed group of parent volunteers, would like to express our strong objection to proposed cuts to the L-S music program and our unwavering support for Michael Bunting, the L-S choral director.

The L-S administration is proposing a cut to the L-S music program that is far more than a reduction in the availability of choral blocks. These short-sighted changes would devastate the music program and make it difficult to rebuild. We respectfully ask you to take a minute to familiarize yourself with the far-reaching impacts of what the L-S administration is positioning as a mere “scheduling” issue.

The proposed cuts are as follows:

  • Elimination of an entire block of choral instruction. As a practical matter, this cut would make it impossible for many students to fit Chorus or Chamber Singers into their schedules.
  • Elimination of two music electives (Guitar and Songwriting).
  • Reduction of Mr. Bunting’s position to a part-time position, which is untenable for him financially, and may cause LS to lose this treasured and irreplaceable faculty member.
  • In the bigger picture, this cut threatens to destroy L-S’s well-nurtured arts program.

On our website, www.lsfom.org, we have summarized some of the contributions that Mr. Bunting offers to our school and community, from directing the vocals for the L-S musicals, to running the L-S Chamber Singers, to supporting L-S’s five a cappella groups, to organizing school and community concerts, to supporting students in elite singing competitions. Please see our website for a more detailed list.

Mr. Bunting also contributes to our community in many intangible ways through his joyful pursuit of music. Many students have found a home at L-S in the music program through his and Mr. Tom Grandprey’s infectious love for music.

Ten years ago, the music program suffered cuts similar to those now proposed, and it took almost five years under Mr. Bunting’s leadership to bring the program back to life. In fact, one could argue that even today, our music offerings pale in comparison to what is available in other comparably excellent MetroWest public high schools. On our website, we offer a chart that shows the contrast.

While choral enrollment numbers may dip occasionally, it would be a mistake for L-S to overreact to any short-term dip in enrollment with devastating cuts in offerings. Only a robust choral program can continue to attract and retain students and deliver excellence, and cutting core courses and electives will only depress enrollment in this essential element of arts education.

LS should be looking at how to enhance its current music offerings — commensurate with those other excellent local high schools — under Mr. Bunting’s leadership, rather than cutting its program and risking losing this exceptional educator. Even the best part-time Choral Director would not have the time or capacity to provide anywhere near the offerings and support — not to mention dedication and vision — that Mr. Bunting now provides our students in his full-time position.

Our community has successfully fought against such cuts before. Just last year, the Sudbury community protested cuts to the Curtis Middle School music program, and was able to save that program. We know that protecting the arts is a treasured value for our students, parents and the community.

It is gratifying that over 1,200 people have signed a student petition against the cuts. This is more people than voted in the last town election concerning the proposed new fire station. We encourage you to sign and share the petition. Mr. Bunting’s current and former students, on their own initiative, also organized a student concert to celebrate his contributions on January 10.

We encourage anyone concerned about these cuts to take further action. It is urgent that you please take the time to express your support for the preservation of our L-S music and arts program, and for Mr. Bunting retaining his full-time choral director position, directly to L-S Superintendent and Principal Bella Wong at bella_wong@lsrhs.net and to the L-S School Committee at lsschoolcomm@town.sudbury.ma.us.

Sincerely,

The L-S Friends of Music
lsfriendsofmusic@gmail.com

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

News acorns

Concert to benefit town conservation activities

The Bob Davoli Band

A concert on Saturday, Jan. 6 from 5:30–8 p.m. at Bemis Hall featuring the Bob Davoli Band will raise funds for the conservation, stewardship and educational activities of the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT). The event is being hosted by Bob Davoli and Eileen McDonagh of Lincoln, who are covering all expenses and matching all proceeds. Bob and Eileen are also matching all membership contributions and general donations given to the LLCT in December and January.

Eileen McDonagh and Bob Davoli

The evening concert will include an open bar, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and live music with the band: Bob Davoli on guitar and vocals, Kevin Barry on lead guitar, Dave Clark on bass, Gabriela Martina on vocals, Maureen McMullan on vocals, and Billy Novick on clarinet. There will be information about the work of the LLCT on display, as well as a conservation quiz and a mystery box raffle.

Advance tickets are $25 for LLCT members and $35 for nonmembers and can be purchased at lincolnconservation.org. Tickets purchased at the door go up by $10.

Christmas tree pickup offered by Lincoln Fire Association

Looking for an easy, beneficial way to have your Christmas tree removed? For a $20 donation, the Lincoln Fire Association will dispose of your bare (as in no ornaments; no need to pick the needles off), curbside Christmas tree. Pickup will begin at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6. To schedule, call 781-259-2675.

“Dangerous Pools” movies this month

The Lincoln Library Film Society’s January theme is “Dangerous Pools” and will include the following movies, all on Mondays at 3 p.m. in the Tarbell Room.

  • January 8 –Sexy Beast (2000), directed by Jonathan Glazer, starring Ray Winestone and Ben Kinglsey. Rated R.  Brutal gangster Don Logan recruits “retired” safecracker Gal for one last job, but it goes badly for both of them.
  • January 22 – Swimming Pool (2003), directed by Francois Ozon, starring Charlotte Rampling and Charles Dance. Rated R. A British mystery author visits her publisher’s home in the south of France, where her interaction with his unusual daughter sets off some touchy dynamics.
  • January 29 – La Piscine (1969), directed by Jacques Deray. Lovers Marianne and Jean-Paul spend their vacation in a villa on the French Riviera near St. Tropez. Marianne invites her former lover Harry and his teenage daughter to stay. Tension rises between them, especially when Jean-Paul seduces Penelope.

Georgia O’Keeffe lecture and museum trip

Georgia O’Keeffe

Georgia O’Keeffe has been described as one of the most important figures in American Art of the 20th century. Dr. Nancy Scott, author of Critical Lives: Georgia O’Keeffe, will discuss O’Keeffe’s influence on art and her unique style on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library. Scott, a professor of fine arts at Brandeis University, will also offer her perspective on the upcoming “Georgia O’Keeffe: Art, Image, Style” exhibit at the Peabody Essex Museum, the focus of a library field trip on Saturday, Feb. 10. Copies of Dr. Scott’s book will be available for purchase and signing. The lecture and book-signing are free and open to all. The field trip is limited to 25 people. The cost will be $20 for a private tour of the exhibit. We will be leaving the library at 10 a.m. and returning by 5 p.m. For information on registering for the trip, please email Lisa Rothenberg at lrothenberg@minlib.net  or call 781-259-8465 ext. 202. Both programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Open house service at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will hold an open house service on Sunday, Jan. 21 at 10 a.m. at the church (4 Bedford Rd.). Newcomers are encouraged and welcome to attend. Refreshments and hospitality will be provided following the service, and there will be an opportunity to learn about the First Parish and the religious education program.

Free memory test available 

Everyone misplaces their car keys or forgets an appointment or a name from time to time. Most people even have times when they have trouble thinking something through clearly. But these occurrences can be worrisome if they make you wonder whether you are suffering from memory loss. The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is a short test that can help you determine if you should see your doctor about your cognitive concerns. If you’d like to have a test at the Council on Aging, please call Abby at 781-259-8811. She can give you the exam and advise you if follow-up is needed.

First Day social gathering draws Lincoln celebrants

The Kelly Sisters perform.

Mr. Twister creates balloon animals for appreciative kids and their parents. (Photos by Nancy Beach)

The First Day gathering as seen from the stairwell.

First Day at the Pierce House attracted dozens of Lincolnites of all ages on January 1, overcoming an earlier danger of cancellation.

Residents stepped up to help out and town organizations made donations to pull off the event, which was threatened by a shortage of funds due to renovation expenses. The Celebrations Committee, Rural Land Foundation, Police & Fire Association, Lincoln Family Association, private donors and town officials chipped in time and funding.

“It was heartwarming to see all who turned out to volunteer,” Pierce House Event Manager Nancy Beach wrote in a post on LincolnTalk. “I can’t thank you enough for all your hard work during all phases of the event. I made some new friends and enjoyed working side by side with you as we prepared for the party.

A variety of music was provided by the Ancient Mariners (Dixieland), the Kelly Sisters (Irish tunes) and clarinetist Craig Ball (swing), and kids got a kick out of balloon animals created by “Mr. Twister.” The day ended with the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne.

The Pierce House Committee will assemble a group in the spring to start planning the 2019 First Day event. Anyone interested in helping should email Beach at nancy@piercehouse.com.

Two Lincoln organizations receive grants

Two Lincoln nonprofits received grants totaling $11,000 from the Foundation for MetroWest, which doled out a total of $269,000 at a ceremony on December 11.

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum ($5,000) and the Massachusetts Audubon Society ($6,000) were among the 40 nonprofits in33 cities and towns to receive funding, bringing the foundation’s total 2017 grant distribution to $1.5 million. The funds distributed through the Regional Competitive Grant Program focus on family support, arts and culture initiatives, and the environment. More than 95 grant applications were considered.

Grants to organizations in towns bordering Lincoln included $5,000 to 51 Walden, Inc., and $6,000 to OARS (both in Concord), $5,000 to Hope and Comfort and $6,000 to the Charles River Watershed Association (both in Weston), and $9,000 to Minuteman Senior Services in Bedford.

Nonprofit recipients will use the funding to strengthen local communities by supporting a wide range of programs and projects, including immigrant services, historic preservation projects, mental health counseling, workforce development, resources for the elderly and victims of domestic abuse, language and literacy programs, visual and performing arts, and clean waterway initiatives.

Earlier this year, Lincoln School students involved in the foundation’s Youth in Philanthropy program studied charitable organizations and chose two (Save a Dog and Lucy’s Love Bus) to receive grants from the Lincoln’s Ogden Codman Trust, which funded a three-year program for students who live and/or learn in Lincoln.

“Our grant-making is a significant source of funding for the MetroWest community, thanks to the generosity of our donors,” said Judith G. Salerno, the foundation’s executive director. “This year, we are honored to support a range of programs from immigrant services to music performances. As your community foundation, we continually strive to make the biggest impact as possible here at home.”

Established in 1995, the Foundation for MetroWest promotes philanthropy in the region, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, and serves as a resource for local nonprofits. Since inception, the foundation has granted more than $14 million to charitable organizations and currently stewards more than $18 million in charitable assets for current needs and future impact.

Pierce House New Years’ Day gala rises again

The 2004 New Year’s Day gala at the Pierce House kicked off Lincoln’s 250th birthday celebration in 2004. And yes, there were 250 candles on the birthday cake. (Photo courtesy of Sara Mattes)

The annual New Year’s Day gala at the Pierce House was a Lincoln tradition that seemed to be a no-go this time around—but it’s back by popular demand.

The Pierce Property Committee announced last week that it was canceling the open house scheduled for Jan. 1, 2018 due to unforeseen budget constraints. For the previous 23 years, Richard and Susan Silver, the house’s former caretakers, organized the event and started making and freezing home-made soups for weeks in advance to serve hundreds of Lincolnites who gathered to mark the first day of each new year.

During the Silvers’ long tenure, there were very few improvements in the caretaker’s upstairs living quarters, so the committee spent $35,000 on work to renovate that area and bring it up to code for new caretaker Nancy Beach, who arrived last winter. They also had to pay the Silvers $11,000 for accrued vacation time, said committee chair Terry Green.

But this year’s announced cancellation caused a wave of consternation among residents who expressed dismay on the LincolnTalk email list and offered to pitch in with food and labor to make it happen. “Lincoln is stepping up to the plate and wants the party,” said Green, who talked to Town Administrator Tim Higgins ask about possible alternative funding sources.

On Monday evening, Green reported that “town officials are on board for the celebration” and funding was “a work in progress.” The Ogden Codman Trust is expected to contribute, and the Lincoln Family Association has also offered to help. The fallback plan is to do the entire event as a potluck; though this would probably be permitted in some fashion by the Board of Health, the logistics would be formidable, Green noted.

Green warned that the event will be different than in the past, with catered food rather than home-made soup and alcohol still a question mark. However, organizers are not considering charing admission to defray expenses. “We think it’s important to have a celebration that everyone can come to without regard to cost,” she said.

Previous New Year’s events at the Pierce House cost about $7,000 in addition to the Silvers’ donated labor to make the soups. Soup and labor provided by entirely a caterer would cost about $10,000, so the menu will probably be a departure from tradition as well, Green said.

GearTicks students help create prosthetic hands for kids

The GearTicks robotics team. Back row, left to right: Trevor Tsang, Anna Sander, Evan Lee, Jack Hutchinson, Wesley Lo, Ben Morris, Kevin Ji, Alex Payne, and Andreas Muzila. Middle/front row, left to right: Emily Appleby, Olivia Crisafi, Amelia Pilar, Howie Tsang, Irene Terpstra, Audrey Gammack, Ken Hawkey,  and Prerna Karmacharya. All are Lincoln residents; Lee, Terpstra, and the Tsangs are L-S students, Hutchinson and Sander attend Concord Academy, and the others are Lincoln School students (click image to enlarge).

By Anna Sander, Prerna Karmacharya, and Evan Lee

A group of middle- and high school students from Lincoln has partnered with the Maker Club at the Perkins School for the Blind to make prosthetic hands using the Lincoln GearTicks’ 3D printer.

The GearTicks—the robotics team of students from the Lincoln School, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School and other schools—used their 3D printing, puzzle solving, and mechanical assembly skills to create low-cost prosthetic hands for children who aren’t able to afford more expensive prosthetics as they grow.

e-NABLE, which provides the designs for the hands, had its beginnings five years ago when founder Ivan Owen collaborated with a South African carpenter who had lost a finger in a woodworking accident. He ultimately developed a set of 3D-printable prosthetic hands and put the designs for them in the public domain so they can be printed and assembled by anyone with access to a 3D printer.

The GearTicks participate in FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC), an annual robotics competition whose mission to encourage students to enter robotics and other STEM-related fields. Although the competition involves designing, building, and programming robots, there’s also a focus on community outreach. After hearing about e-NABLE’s project, the team knew they wanted to become part of the global e-NABLE community of hand-builders that’s sprung up to help those who were born without fingers or lost them to due to injuries or disease.

The GearTicks got their first 3D printer, a Flashforge Creator, four years ago, and they were able to print most of the parts for their robot for the 2016-17 season. The machine uses plastic filaments to create a precise layered object based on a CAD (computer-aided design) file. The team now has a new Prusa i3 MK2 3D printer and is in the process of designing and printing for this season’s robot. With the help of GearTicks coach Anne Hutchinson, they even made this video starring and written by team members Anna Sander and Jack Hutchinson explaining how the team uses 3D printing.

This fall, the GearTicks printed several sets of the e-NABLE hands. They used a plethora of colors, mixing and matching fingers, thumbs and various other joints to create colorful and unique hands to ship around the world. Eventually, they expanded the project to other outreach events, such as Boston Scientific’s Bring Your Child to Work Day and the Girl Scouts’ “Geek is Glam” Expo, where they worked with students on assembling the hands. At this year’s Boston Scientific event (which the GearTicks have been involved with every summer since 2015) they hosted about 300 kids over the course of six hours and worked with them to assemble hands, build Bristlebots, and teach them how to drive the GearTicks robot.

Most recently, the GearTicks partnered with the Perkins School’s Maker Club, which began as a group for visually impaired students interested in STEM-related opportunities beyond the classroom. The Lincoln students attended several of the club’s meetings, getting to know the Perkins students by working alongside them on their current projects. Later, the students split into mixed teams with each group receiving a kit of parts for one hand and all the necessary instructions to assemble it. Everyone got to work deciphering the assembly guide, and the sighted students helped the Perkins kids feel how the parts were supposed to fit together. Subsequent visits focused on creating the hands in these groups.

Natalie, a 21-year-old Perkins student, worked in a group with GearTicks members Evan Lee of L-S and Lincoln School eighth-grader Alex Payne. Pushing in the assembly pins for the hands was initially a challenge for her, but she and her group mates completed one full hand and half of a second. The kids also found that they had many common interests beyond engineering—everyone loved Spanish and music. By the third meeting, Natalie had learned the words for different colors and hand parts in Spanish.

Another Perkins student, CJ, worked with Jack Hutchinson, a student at Concord Academy. CJ, who really enjoys puzzles, immediately dove into the project. Despite not being able to see, he had a natural grasp of the project and required little instruction or help. “CJ was a really cool kid to work with. He was really talented with his hands, and I’m looking forward to seeing what he does in the future,” Hutchinson said.

Together, the groups assembled over 20 prosthetic hands. Despite coming from different backgrounds and abilities, all the students found a common passion for using their engineering skills for the benefit of their community. They’re hoping to meet one more time to package the hands and send them to kids who need them.

Other community service projects

In addition to the hands project, the GearTicks have been working on a Deer DeFence project for Minuteman National Historic Park. A landscape architect for the National Park Service contacted them last spring to see if they could design a fastener to support an enclosure to protect trees in the park’s orchards from hungry deer and goats. Over the summer and fall, they designed several iterations of the part and, after a few rounds of testing, recently installed these fasteners on about ten trees at Minuteman NHP.

The team also helped the Solarize Mass group of Lincoln, Sudbury, and Wayland by creating a sandwich board sign to promote awareness of solar power that required them to design a number of 3D printed parts.

“These projects have been a blast, and we’re always looking for more ways to get involved,” Sander said.

Old Winter Street closed to afternoon rush-hour traffic

The new sign at the souther intersection of Winter Street and Old Winter Street.

Old Winter Street northbound is now closed to traffic on weekdays from 4–7 p.m. after the Board of Selectmen acceded to requests from residents concerned about backed-up rush hour traffic.

Several homeowners on the road appeared at the September 25 selectmen’s meeting to support the recommendation of the Roadway and Traffic Committee to put the restriction in place on a six-month trial basis. But board members were reluctant to overturn the decision of their predecessors, who voted in 2015 not to restrict access to the road.

“If nothing has changed and we’re getting the same request again, it’s almost akin to judge-shopping or forum-shopping,” Selectman James Craig said when the board first heard the renewed request in June.

Nonetheless, the board agreed in September to a one-month delay on a decision on the new request while the town gathered new data on late-afternoon traffic volume on Old Winter Street, which commuters coming from Waltham sometimes use to “jump the queue” of cars stopped on Winter Street as it approaches Trapelo Road.

Traffic engineer John Vancor monitored traffic at the intersection and reported queues of anywhere from four to 35 cars backed up on Old Winter Street. Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy said the heaviest traffic on Old Winter Street northbound occurred on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with a high of 174 cars from 5–6 p.m. on October 3 (the same afternoon as the 35-car queue was seen).

“When you have that significant a backup with the landscape of the road, it’s going to make it difficult for emergency vehicles to go down the road,” Kennedy said.

There are “significant impediments” to widening Old Winter Street, said Chris Bibbo, superintendent of the Department of Public Works. “As a whole, it would be very difficult.”

“Widening it would really change the character of that road for the sake of commuter traffic,” observed Town Administrator Tim Higgins.

Vancor was also asked to look at similar situations in town, such as the workaround from Peirce Hill Road to Towne Road to Lincoln Road, or westbound traffic heading up Trapelo Road toward the library using Old Lexington Road a sa shortcut to Bedford Road. As to the first example, “we didn’t consider it to be analogous,” Vancor said. The Old Lexington Road maneuver “is actually providing a traffic efficiency overall, or a transportation link,” since more than half the cars turn right onto Bedford Road northbound rather than turning left to Five Corners as a way of cutting the line on Trapeolo Road, he added.

But former Selectmen Peter Braun objected to the idea of restricting access even on a trial basis, noting that when he was on the board, “the town agreed in a general sense that we shouldn’t be doing this except under extraordinary circumstances… this is a public road, and I just find it really difficult to say we’re going to shut it off for some people.”

Commuter traffic has increased noticeably all over town in the past few years, Braun noted. “If you squeeze the balloon one place, you end up with a problem someplace else,” such as Winter Street itself, he added.

Braun also expressed concern about drawing more attention from Waltham and state officials to traffic bottlenecks near the Lincoln/Waltham line. Waltham has sought to have Lincoln put a police officer or traffic light at the intersection of Old County and Trapelo Roads, thus far without success, he said. Also, Old County Road (formerly a Middlesex County road) is classified as a state road running from Route 2 south across Trapelo Road and Winter Street, with the state retaining a right of way on the footpath portion to what is now Old Conant Road all the way to Conant Road. The state could theoretically take another look at the status of that road, or the one-way portion of Winter Street.

“I’m really concerned about the optics of this. Old County Road to me is a third rail,” Braun said.

“Inconvenience is not the main reason to do this — there’s a lot of traffic everywhere,” Selectman James Craig said. “But when it crosses the line from inconvenience to a legitimate matter of public safety, we’re obligated to examine this… I would be in favor of the six-month trial with the understanding that this is not the end of the discussion, but merely another step in the process and evaluating the impact this has on Winter Street and other neighborhoods.”

Between now and April, Vancor and Lincoln police will monitor traffic in Winter Street/Old Winter Street area and report their findings at a public hearing.