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

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Final election results show Lincoln voted ‘yes’ on Question 2

A more complete (though still unofficial) tally of Lincoln’s election results shows that Lincolnites voted in favor of expanding charter schools—and was one of very few Massachusetts cities and towns to do so.

Preliminary results that were sent to the Squirrel on Tuesday night contained a typographical error in the results for Question 2 that seemed to indicate Lincolnites voted against raising the cap on charter schools. In fact, Lincoln voted by a margin of 1,988–1,768 to raise the cap, and was one of only 15 towns to vote yes. The others were Weston, Wellesley, Dover, Sherborn, Manchester, Mt. Washington, Cohasset, Chatham, Orleans, Nantucket, and four of the five towns on Martha’s Vineyard.

The next-closest margin for a ballot question in Lincoln was the vote of 2,018–1,765 in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.

The tables below show results by voting precinct, excluding blanks and write-ins. Click here to see a map showing the two Lincoln precincts.

CandidatesPrecinct 1Precinct 2Total
PRESIDENT and VP
Clinton and Kaine1,8201,0862,906
Trump and Pence328285613
Johnson and Weld9778175
Stein and Baraka242347
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
Katherine Clark1,8481,1663,014
COUNCILLOR
Marilyn Devaney1,6811,0652,746
STATE SENATOR
Michael Barrett1,7221,0972,819
STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Thomas Stanley1,3327832,115
Stacey Gallagher Tully6435331,176
SHERIFF
Peter Koutoujian1,7331,0922,825
BALLOT QUESTIONSPrecinct 1Precinct 2Total
QUESTION 1: Additional slot parlor license?
Yes392334726
No1,8321,1282,960
QUESTION 2: Allow up to 12 new charter schools per year?
Yes1,1868021,988
No1,0896791,768
QUESTION 3: Prohibit confinement of farm animals?
Yes1,8411,1803,021
No443304747
QUESTION 4: Legalize recreational marijuana?
Yes1,1868322,018
No1,1066591,765

Lincoln DTC endorses Clark, Stanley, Barrett

letterTo the editor:

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee endorses Katherine Clark for U.S. Congress, Tom Stanley for State Representative, and Michael Barrett for State Senator.

Massachusetts and Lincoln have been well served by Congresswoman Katherine Clark. She distinguished herself in leading a protest on the House floor with Representative John Lewis to chastise the Republican led Congress for its refusal to pass two responsible and common sense gun safety bills.

Most recently, she successfully collaborated with Republican Congressman Glenn Thompson to pass her bill for Strengthening Career and Technical Education—a cause that has been advocated actively by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee in the hope that workers in declining industries can learn and succeed in the 21st-century century economy.

Representative Tom Stanley speaks softly and doesn’t always advertise his accomplishments, but he has represented Lincoln well, particularly in support of the town’s application to pursue funding requests for school facility improvements, and representing Lincoln’s interests in funding requests to offset Lincoln’s costs of providing services to the Hanscom Air Force Base residents, all of whom live within the town of Lincoln.

Senator Barrett has been a leader in climate change and clean energy and has continued his fight to pass bills aimed at combating climate change, create energy diversity, and achieve energy sector compliance with the Global Warming Solutions Act. He has also introduced bills to change the current fixed rate income tax to a more equitable graduated income tax, and to repeal the sales tax exemption for jet fuel. He has been named Legislator of the Year three times and has been honored as one of the 10 best legislators in Massachusetts.

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee is proud to have such a strong cadre of elected legislative officials. We encourage Lincoln voters to re-elect them.

Sincerely,

Barbara Slayter (co-chair, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee)
7 Trapelo Rd.

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.

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Complete Streets survey input sought

Residents are invited to participate in a survey about the upcoming Complete Streets study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. Click here for more information or see the Lincoln Squirrel (September 14, 2016). The topic will also be discussed at the State of the Town on Saturday, Nov. 12. Click here to take the survey.

Early voting now going on

Early voting, introduced in Massachusetts with this election, will be available in the Town Clerk’s Office (16 Lincoln Rd.) through Friday, Nov. 4 at 4:30 p.m. Hours for voting are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (and until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays) and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 29.

Forum on agriculture and conservation projects

“New Projects: The Lincoln Way” on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall will feature presentations by Pete Lowy of Codman Community Farm; J. Harrison of The Food Project; and Jane Gruba-Chevalier, Robin Wilkerson and Anna Wilkins of People for Pollinators. Co-sponsored by the Lincoln Garden Club and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT).

Job fair for Hanscom civilian positions

Come learn about opportunities to work as a civilian for Hanscom Air Force Base at a combination information session and job fair on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from 3-7 p.m. at Minuteman High School (758 Marrett Rd., Lexington). Meet Hanscom’s top management to discuss their  opportunities relative to your skills and experience. There will be Information sessions at 4 p.m., 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the event hosted by the state Department of Career Services and Employment and Training Resources in partnership with Minuteman High School. Military personnel will also be available to discuss opportunities including Officer Candidate School, the National Guard and enlisted service. Preregistration required; call 508-478-4300 ext. 113 or or  508-766-5720.

‘The Sweet Hereafter’ to be shown

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen The Sweet Hereafter (1997, 112 minutes, rated R) on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. The movie tells the story of a small community torn apart by a tragic accident which kills most of the town’s children. A lawyer visits the victims’ parents in order to profit from the tragedy by stirring up the their anger and launching a class-action suit against anyone they can blame. One young girl, left in a wheelchair after the accident, who finds the courage to lead the way toward healing.

Rutter’s ‘Requiem,’ prayer vigil at St. Anne’s

stanneschoir_requiem

Members of St. Anne’s Choir sing a requiem to honor those who have passed away.

St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church will celebrate All Saints’ Day on Sunday, Nov. 6 with John Rutter’s ethereal and moving Requiem, accompanied by harp, flute, oboe, percussion and organ, together with special anthems for the day by Bullock, Harris and Lassus. This service of remembrance will be led by guest preacher Brother Nicolas Bartoli, SSJE, a member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, an Episcopal monastic community in Cambridge. All are welcome.

Starting immediately after that service, St. Anne’s will host a 48-hour prayer vigil leading up to the presidential election on November 8 in conjunction with other Episcopal services throughout the state. Click here for the schedule from November 6-8.

Letters to the editor on both sides of charter school question

letter

Vote “yes” on Question 2

To the editor:

As an educator, parent and student, I do not approve of decisions regarding education that are based entirely on (at times erroneously understood) monetary reasons. I would ask that citizens not blindly follow the “no” vote recommended by school committee.

For those educators whose mission in life is that there be a place for every child to learn and succeed, we have seen charter schools save the intellectual and emotional lives of many learners, as well as raise the standard of education in existing public schools.

It has been my experience as a parent and teacher in three states that charter schools can vastly increase chances of a superior education for all kinds of learners. The only detriment to the existing public school that I have seen over the course of 23 years is, at times, that the best and the brightest students often leave their existing public school for what can often be a more diverse and rigorous academic life in a charter, once parents realize the astonishing breadth, depth, and range of knowledge to which a charter school is committing its students.

Charter schools are different from each other and not easy to compare, just as a current public school in an affluent community is quite different from an urban school in a financially poor area. For this reason, rather than make generalizations about all schools, I would urge voters to educate themselves thoroughly on this issue as Ted Charrette has suggested. Please take the time to fully understand why an award winning teacher like Ted is bringing this to your attention.

I cannot say I have ever won an award for teaching, but the well-being and integrity of our American school system and the future of your children is a subject about which I am passionate. Vote “yes” to ensure we put the academic and personal growth of every student in Massachusetts ahead of any other concern. And because it is time to begin making decisions from a place of courage rather than fear.

Sincerely,

Isabella Nebel
1 Millstone Lane

Vote “no” on Question 2

To the editor:

I am no fan of the “Common Core” curriculum, and feel that we have yet to develop adequate reforms to ensure our schools remain competitive and beneficial, especially for students who are less privileged (by virtue of economics, race, native language, etc).

That being said, I agree with the School Committee’s letter to the editor in the Lincoln Squirrel: Question #2, if passed, would pull money away from our public schools and there would be a worrisome lack of accountability for the use of that money. This is deeply concerning.

As I see it, Question #2, even though well-intended, is not a recipe for reform but an abandonment of our responsibility to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity for a good education—so I will be voting “no” on Question #2.

Sincerely,

Allen Vander Meulen III
30 Beaver Pond Rd.

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.

Letter to the editor: School Committee urges ‘no’ vote on Question 2

letter

Dear Lincoln residents,

At our October 6th meeting, the Lincoln School Committee voted unanimously to recommend a “no” vote on Ballot Question 2 (you can read our resolution here). Ballot Question 2 would lift the current charter school cap and allow up to twelve new publicly-funded charter schools each year. Also, each year it would allow charter school enrollment to expand by 1% of total statewide public school enrollment. We believe that there are two main reasons for rejecting this proposal and keeping the current limits:

  • Additional loss of town/city revenue—“Chapter 70” is the Commonwealth’s law that governs state funding for public education, and it provides a significant portion of the local aid package that cities and towns receive from the Commonwealth to support schools and other municipal services. When a child is enrolled in a charter school, the municipality in which the child lives is charged a per-pupil cost that is determined through a three-part formula. The resulting amount is then paid to the charter school, and is subtracted from a city’s or town’s local aid. Currently there is no impact on the town of Lincoln’s local aid, but many cities and towns, including our neighbors Bedford, Concord, Sudbury and Waltham are already experiencing a loss in local aid due to charter school tuition.
  • Lack of local accountability—Although cities and towns pay for each student that attends a charter school, there is no local oversight. Despite receiving public funds, charter schools have no accountability to locally elected officials such as school committees or selectmen. In town such as ours, where we govern through Town Meeting, the charter school accountability and funding structures represent a distinct departure from the direct oversight we, as Lincoln voters, currently have over public education and municipal finance.

For these reasons, we, the members of the Lincoln School Committee, voted to join the Massachusetts Association of School Committees and over 180 school districts in urging a “no” vote on Ballot Question 2.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass, Chair
Tim Christenfeld, Vice-Chair
Peter Borden
Jena Salon
Al Schmertzler

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.

Medicare 2017 open enrollment session on Friday

CaduceusAnyone who’s now on Medicare as well as their family members and other caregivers should plan to attend the Medicare 2017 Open Enrollment Insurance Update Session on Friday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. This session offers an opportunity to find out changes in Medicare’s benefits and costs and get information directly from supplemental insurance companies and the town’s Veterans Services Officer.

The program will be presented by Don Milan and Anne Meade, Lincoln’s SHINE counselors, along with staff from the Minuteman SHINE Program, a Medicare health benefits counseling program. It is co-sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging (COA) and Minuteman SHINE.

This year’s Medicare Open Enrollment period, which is your opportunity to change plans, is October 15 to December 7. After that time, people with Medicare Advantage plans (HMO and PPO), and people with Part D prescription coverage may only change plans under special circumstances such as if you move, lose your employer’s coverage, etc.

The program will begin with a general presentation about changes in Medicare, including what’ss covered and what isn’t, and how much you will pay. After that,Milan and Meade will be available to answer your questions. Attendees will also have the chance to visit tables with representatives from the major supplemental health insurance plans serving Lincoln (Harvard Pilgrim, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tufts,  Fallon, and AARP/United Health Care) who will give 2017 information. Also present will be Priscilla Leach (Lincoln’s Veterans Service Officer) and a representative of Brookhaven Hospice’s We Honor Veterans program.

The October 28 program is designed to go over 2017 changes in basic Medicare, Medigap and Medicare Advantage insurance plans.  On Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m., SHINE will present an in-depth “Medicare 101” to go over the basics of Medicare and the different types  of  insurance plans (Medigap and Advantage) available to supplement coverage.

Milan and Meade also provide one-to-one counseling for Lincoln residents who need assistance in signing up for Medicare, choosing among plans, applying for Medicaid/MassHealth, deciding about whether long term care insurance is appropriate, resolving problems related to Medicare, and more. To arrange for an appointment, call the COA at 781-259-8811.

SHINE (a federal program administered through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs) provides accurate, unbiased information regarding health insurance and prescription drug options through community education and free, confidential counseling. Minuteman Senior Services provides a variety of services that help seniors and people with disabilities live in the setting of their choice. For more information, call 888-222-6171.

Car accident sends two to hospital

The October 18 accident scene (Photo: Lincoln Police Facebook page)

The October 18 accident scene on Route 117 looking north (Photo: Lincoln Police Facebook page)

A major traffic jam on Route 117 late Tuesday afternoon was caused by a two-car accident that resulted in the arrest of a Waltham man on multiple charges including OUI.

A section of Route 117 around the accident site between Codman and Old Sudbury Roads was closed for several hours after the accident occurred shortly after 3 p.m. The driver of one of the cars was a 48-year-old woman from Greenfield. Both she and the other driver were taken to the hospital.

Later on Tuesday night, police arrested the other driver, 36-year-old Christopher Ackles of Waltham, on charges of operating under the influence (second offense) causing serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driving to endanger, resisting arrest and failure to keep left.

According to Lincoln Police Chief Kevin Kennedy, Ackles tried to leave the scene on foot but was apprehended a short distance away. He was arraigned on Wednesday in his hospital bed and is due in court on October 31. His bail was set at $10,000.

The accident is being investigated by Lincoln Police, Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis Reconstruction Section and the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office.

 

 

 

 

 

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Dr. Timothy Johnson to speak at St. Anne’s

tim2Join Dr. Timothy Johnson at St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 9 a.m. for the first of a two-part forum series on his book, Finding God in the Questions: A Personal Journey. Ranked #8 on The New York Times Hardcover Advice Bestseller List, Finding God urges us to ask the probing questions of whether God is real, if religion is relevant to our lives, and whether faith is possible for each of us. All are welcome at St. Anne’s, located at 147 Concord Road in Lincoln.

L-S teacher/staff/student variety show on tap

Want a good laugh? Come to the 12th annual Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Faculty, Staff and Student Variety Show on Friday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kirschner Auditorium at L-S. The event is a benefit for FELS (Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury) and the LSTA Scholarship Fund. Acts include live music, dance, film, comedy and more. Advance tickets are $6 for students and senior citizens, $8 general admission, and will be sold from 11-12:30 p.m. outside the L-S cafeteria from October 24-28. Tickets at the door are $8 for students and senior citizens and $10 general admission. For more information, please contact Paul Sarapas at paul_sarapas@lsrhs.net.

Halloween lantern walk at Minute Man NHP

hartwell-autumn-cms_1The Friends of Minute Man National Park (FMMNP) will host its annual Halloween Lantern Walk on Saturday, Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Hartwell Tavern (136 North Great Road in Lincoln). Come in costume or just as you are to enjoy an autumn evening accompanied by special colonial guests on a lantern walk along the Battle Road. The walk will be followed by spooky Halloween stories in Hartwell Barn performed by the Guild of Historic Interpreters (appropriate for children age 7 and up). FMMNP, a nonprofit that supports park initiatives and engages the community in educational events, will provide lanterns and glow in the dark bracelets to all for a suggested donation of $5 per person or $10 per family. All funds received will support programs and services of Minute Man National Historical Park. For more information or to become a member of FMMNP, call 978-318-7822 or visit www.friendsofminuteman.org.

Piano recital by Rhapsody

Rhapsody will stage its annual piano recital on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The performance is free and open to the public. Rhapsody was formed in 2003 by amateur pianists who sought a venue in which to perform for each other, both to grow musically and to share their musical journey with others. It has since grown to 18 people from the Boston metropolitan area, and members have met continuously for 13 years. Now an annual event, this will be their seventh public performance on the beautifully restored Steinway at Bemis Hall in Lincoln. The program will feature selections from Bach, Beethoven, Celentano, Chopin, Delej, Dvorak, Gliere, Saint-Saens and Tchaikovsky.

Help out at deCordova Fall Work Day

workday

DeCordova volunteers, trustees, and staff take a break during Work Day in June (click to enlarge).

Bring friends, a water bottle and work gloves to deCordova Fall Work Day on Sunday, Oct. 30 from 2–4 p.m. Pruners and rakes are also helpful (make sure they’re labeled). The Fall Work Day is a fun way to help deCordova get ready for winter with a little help from its friends. Kids who are old enough and inclined to follow directions are welcome, too. All participants will receive a Friends of the Park T-shirt. Meet in front of the deCordova STore; RSVP to rsvp@decordova.org.

Learn about energy efficiency for your house

Interested in learning the ins and outs of home energy efficiency, solar options and financing, or purchasing electricity from renewable sources? Want to know about cost savings, loans and rebates, or share your own experiences? Come to the Residential Energy Workshop at the Pierce House, on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. Experts from the Lincoln Green Energy Committee, Co-op Power, and HomeWorks Energy will provide answers and refreshments. House and condo owners and renters are all welcome. For more information, contact Sue Klem at Susan.M.Klem@gmail.com or go to LincolnEnergyChallenge.org.