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

seniors

Businesses close due to Covid-19, but town services carry on

Businesses
Town government
Social services
Police and fire
Schools
(Editor’s note: This story was posted Tuesday evening and updated at 11 p.m. to include more information from the schools.)

By Alice C. Waugh

All nonessential businesses are closed in Massachusetts until April 7 as ordered by Gov. Baker on March 23, but the town’s vital services are operational, officials reported at a Board of Selectmen meeting conducted online via Zoom on March 23.

Public safety/law enforcement, health care and public health, water and sewer services, and public works are all exempt from the order. “For many of these offices, emergency operations are second nature,” with protocols already in place in case of natural disaster or national emergencies like 9/11, Town Administrator Tim Higgins said.

Here are some of the brick-and-mortar business categories particularly relevant to the Lincoln area that are closed:

  • Landscaping services (except emergency tree work)
  • Gift and antique shops
  • Dry cleaners (laundromats and laundry services may operate)
  • Barbershops, hair and nail salons
  • Professional offices (law, real estate, architecture, accounting, etc.) Exceptions: legally mandated activities and critical sector services, or those where failure to provide such services would result in “significant prejudice”
  • Gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools
  • Indoor arts and recreation (video arcades, bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.). The outdoor deCordova Sculpture Park is open and free, but no restrooms are available.

Public-facing businesses and employment categories that are exempt from the lockdown include the following (click here for a detailed list):

  • Restaurants (takeout and delivery only; no dining in)
  • Health care, including physicians, home health aides, social workers, dentists, veterinarians, medical lab personnel, assisted living facilities, and residential facilities for psychiatric and disabled patients
  • Pharmacies
  • Convenience stores
  • Farms and grocery stores (anyone involved in food production, inspection, distribution, and sales)
  • Stores that sell pet supplies, auto supplies, hardware and home improvement items, home appliances
  • Gas stations and auto repair shops
  • Liquor stores
  • Hotels
  • Bank ATMs (maintenance, armored cars)
  • Sanitation/garbage removal
  • Maintenance and construction for both public and private customers (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, exterminators, inspectors, etc.)
  • Funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries
  • Workers in medical and public health records, cybersecurity, and other information technology functions that can’t be carried out remotely
  • Providers of food, shelter, social services, and other necessities for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  • Medical marijuana dispensaries
    • No recreational sales, but the state Cannabis Control Commission is allowing health care providers to certify medical marijuana patients through a telehealth waiver, rather than requiring in-person visits

Police have been fielding questions this week about where people are allowed to go during the lockdown. The governor’s order does not forbid Massachusetts residents from leaving home or traveling, but the Department of Public Health has issued an advisory for those 70 and older or with underlying health conditions to stay at home except for “essential trips for food, medicine, and focused time for exercise and fresh air.”

As far as enforcing the business lockdown and other restrictions on public gatherings, “we’re relying more on education and cooperation rather than enforcement,” Higgins said.

Town government

Although Town Hall and Bemis Hall are closed, the town’s social services and Council on Aging (see below) are functioning via phone and email, as are the town’s financial operations and vital records management in the Town Clerk’s office. Except for the selectmen, Board of Health, Finance Committee, and School Committee, town boards and commissions have suspended their work.

As previously announced, the March 28 Town Meetings have been postponed until April 25. The Special Town Meeting was scheduled to vote on supplemental funding for the school project, and the Board of Selectmen will take a formal position on the issue before that vote.

“Once we know whether Town Meeting is moving forward on April 25, the appropriate meetings will be rescheduled. As events unfold, we will make sure that all decision points are transparent,” Selectman Jennifer Glass said. The School Building Committee is scheduled to meet virtually on March 25 to get an update on where the project stands, and to approve any necessary expenditures.

The town is keeping track of expenditures it’s making as a result of the epidemic, and those expenses can be amortized over several years, Selectman James Dwyer said. Higgins said that there will be federal and state money available in the future for reimbursements. The town’s reserve fund is somewhat larger than usual for this time of year because there has been so little money needed for snow removal this winter, he added. 

Social services

As they’ve done in the past during major storms and power outages, police and Council on Aging staff are keeping tabs on specific residents who are “considered vulnerable” with regular check-ins. The COA (which aims to change its name to the Council on Aging and Human Services) is handling calls from people of all ages who need help obtaining food or medicine because of Covid-related loss of income, COA Director Carolyn Bottum reported.

More than two dozen people have volunteered to make deliveries or reassurance calls to Lincolnites in need, and the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry “is literally working night and day” delivering food to cars and homes, as are local churches, and Minuteman Senior Services is still visiting homes when necessary, she said.

Police and fire

The police and fire departments are fully staffed around the clock in the usual eight-hour shifts, though they’ve worked out plans for going to 12-hour shifts to cover absences due to quarantine or illness if necessary, Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy said.

Lincoln and surrounding towns also have mutual-aid provisions in place when extra help is needed. Police departments in the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (comprising more than 60 cities and towns in Middlesex and Essex Counties) can also pool resources to provide extra manpower and specialized units.

Some police departments in the U.S have started to tread lightly when it comes to minor infractions, and Lincoln is no exception. For example, Lincoln police stopped issuing most traffic citations after March 15.

“What we’re trying to do is limit our contact with members of the public that we don’t necessarily need to have to have contact with,” Kennedy told the Squirrel on March 24. “They’re definitely out on patrol and vigilant, but it’s really a discretion thing. Obviously we’ll make a traffic stop or an arrest that needs to be made. I don’t want to say that police aren’t going to do X, Y, or Z.”

Police officers continue to respond along with EMT firefighters to all medical calls in Lincoln, but in non-life-threatening situations, they’re now waiting on scene for the Fire Department to let them know if their help is needed. The Fire Department is also waiving the fee for outdoor burning permits, which residents can obtain in advance by phone. 

Residents shouldn’t let virus fears prevent them from calling for medical help, said Deputy Fire Chief Brian Young. EMTs wear masks on all calls, and the ambulances are regularly sanitized. “We’re fearful that people might sit at home and wait and wait and wait,” he said. “We don’t want to overwhelm hospitals, but people who need care can still call. It’s kind of a delicate balancing right now.”

The Police Department’s mental health and domestic violence staff are still at work, Kennedy said. Although court schedules have been adjusted since the Covid-19 outbreak, residents can still obtain restraining orders and harassment prevention orders, he added.

“The response as a community has been outstanding. People have been very cooperative and supportive and have been staying home,” Kennedy said. He also thanked Minuteman High School for its recent donation of personal protective equipment to police. Many of those supplies are on backorder even for first responders, “and I can’t thank them enough.”

Testing kits for Covid-19 are in short supply, but public safety and medical personnel with official ID can get drive-through testing at the CVS in Shrewsbury, he noted.

Schools

The decision to close the schools as of March 13 was made late in the evening of March 12, so there was almost no time to plan ahead, but since then the district has been working on three core areas: access to food, technology, and learning resources.

As of March 23, Lincoln Public Schools are providing free lunch deliveries twice a week for 52 students in 31 families in Lincoln, Boston and Hanscom Air Force Base who indicated their need in a survey, “and I’m expecting those numbers will rise as we move forward,” said Superintendent of Schools Rebecca McFall, adding that Donelan’s had donated 400 paper grocery bags for packing and delivering the food. The schools are also bringing loaned laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads to families who need them for educational purposes.

McFall told parents in a March 24 email that the schools are launching BrainPop, Dreambox, Lexia, and Newsela to additional grade levels. General-education classroom teachers have also been asked to offer one session via Google Meet (a videoconferencing app) for their students this week and two sessions per week moving forward. Instructions for parents on connecting with these resources will be forthcoming.

“The purpose of these Google Meets is to connect teachers to students and students to each other, to say hello, to talk about what students are doing, to practice mindfulness or other coping strategies, etc. Think of it as a morning meeting or advisory,” McFall wrote. Administrators and faculty are developing more structured methods that may include live and/or pre-recorded learning sessions with the goal of helping parents create a daily educational plan for children.

“This is new for all of us and we are building the plane as we fly it, continuing to make child-centered decisions about next steps,” McFall wrote. “While our beginning steps may not seem adequate at this time for long-term learning and I understand you may have a desire or an expectation for more, please know that we are working with faculty to continue to develop and define learning opportunities for students that are responsive to their needs.”

Selectmen to meet next week; playgrounds closed

Here’s the latest news about Lincoln’s response to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Zoom meeting open to all

Lincoln resident Andy Payne has set up another online meeting for any interested Lincolnites to learn more about using the popular free meeting app Zoom and chat about whatever is on their minds on Friday, March 20 at 1 p.m. Just go to https://zoom.us/j/494878673 to join the meeting. Anyone needing help in getting Zoom set up before the meeting can email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Board of Selectmen to meet online

The Board of Selectmen will meet online on Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Though most of Lincoln’s boards and commissions are no longer meeting due to the epidemic, selectmen and some other officials will meet online since Gov. Baker last week relaxed aspects of the Open Meeting Law to allow this, as long as the public can see and hear the meetings in real time.

Residents who want to watch the meeting can do so by going to https://zoom.us/j/437201565 and entering this meeting ID: 437 201 565. If there are insoluble technical issues that prevent public access during the meeting, selectmen will post an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the Town of Lincoln website.

The meeting will cover updates on the public health emergency response and potential votes to clarify or confer certain emergency authorities. Click here for the agenda.

Playgrounds closed

As part of the ongoing efforts to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, Lincoln’s playgrounds and play structures will be closed until further notice. Athletic fields are closed to group gatherings and sporting activities/events. Town parks will remain open and residents are encouraged to continue using public, open spaces while practicing the CDC guidelines for social distancing and hygiene.

Council on Aging offers volunteer updates

The COA is providing periodic updates to the groups who are organizing volunteers to let everyone know what everyone else is providing, assist in sharing resources, give information about best practices, pass on news about benefits available to residents in need, offer links to potential sources of funding, and more. If you or your organization would like to be on the list to receive these updates, please contact Carolyn Bottum, COA director, at bottumc@lincolntown.org.

For those making deliveries to residents, the COA and Tricia McGean, Lincoln’s public health nurse, have developed a protocol to help ensure the safety of both the volunteer and the person receiving the items. This is based on CDC guidelines as well as other protocols in use by area organizations.

  1. Have disposable gloves, disinfectant wipes and a plastic trash bag with you.
  2. Call the person in advance to tell them when you will arrive, and arrange for a place where you can leave the items.
  3. Wipe down the items you will be delivering (if applicable) and use gloves to handle them. You do not want to contaminate the items with the virus before you give it to the person.
  4. When you arrive, call the person to let them know you will be leaving the items in the pre-arranged place.
  5. Leave the items in the pre-arranged place and leave. Do not enter the person’s house, have an in-person conversation, etc. Again, you are risking infecting both yourself and the person you are serving.
  6. Throw away your gloves in the plastic trash bag after delivery, use hand sanitizer if available, and dispose of the bag.  

As a reminder, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council on Aging is still providing:

  • Social work and other social services, including information and referral, case management, crisis intervention, and phone check-ins with residents who are at special risk due to COVID-19.
  • Telephone reassurance with volunteers by phone.
  • Coordination of delivery of food, medication, and supplies to residents in need.
  • Emergency financial assistance to residents who have received eviction or utility shut-off notices.

By next week they hope to have online fitness classes, but this is still a work in progress.

Some activities canceled as town girds for coronavirus

Some activities for seniors in Lincoln have been canceled, and town officials are beginning to make contingency plans in case the threat of the Covid-19 coronavirus makes it necessary to postpone the town meetings and election later this month.

In consultation with town public health nurse Tricia McGean, the Council on Aging canceled several non-health-related group events during the next few weeks, including Lincoln Academy talks and special educational presentations, senior dining, and foreign language conversation groups.

As of March 9, the COA’s Matter of Balance, Stretch and Flex, Active Aging, tai chi, and line dancing classes will continue, as will tax counseling, the wellness clinics for all ages, the senior legal clinic, and office hours with Jay Higgins of Rep. Katherine Clark’s office. All social services provided by the COA are still in place. To check on specific activities or for more information, call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 or consult their online calendar.

The town has convened a group of senior department staff and health officials including McGean and the Board of Health to plan local prevention and response measures during the epidemic.

“It’s not completely out of the realm of possibility” that the town would need to postpone the special and annual town meetings on March 28 and the town election on March 30, Town Administrator Tim Higgins told the Board of Selectmen on Monday. The virus seems to make older people the sickest, “and they turn out in big numbers for both.”

Postponing town-wide votes could have logistical repercussions, especially for the school project. At the Special Town Meeting that will start at 9:30 a.m. on March 28 immediately before the Annual Town Meeting, residents will be asked to vote on whether to fund some of the $3.5 million recently cut from the project. Bids have been received and contracts must be signed as soon as those decisions are made. 

Higgins told the selectmen he had asked construction managers how long they could postpone the Town Meeting vote and heard that “June 1 is an important deadline for them,” and they would have to have a final decision on the cuts at least a week or two before that. If the town election is postponed, Llincoln would also have to coordinate with Sudbury, which holds its election on the same day to have simultaneous votes of members of the Lincoln-Sudbury regional School Committee.

By state law, town boards and commissions must hold meetings in person and in public. Asked if that rule would be relaxed if meetings need to be held remotely, “the state has resisted that to this point, but a public health emergency might change their thinking,” Higgins said on Monday. 

Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts today, which gives the governor some extra powers including ordering cancellation of large-scale events, but it was not immediately clear how this would affect requirements normally imposed on local governments.

Town Clerk Valerie Fox considered not ordering ballots for the town election but went ahead and did so this week, Higgins said. If Town Meeting were to be postponed, it would technically have to be convened and then adjourned, though a quorum of residents probably would not be required for that vote. Plans are being made for sanitation precautions regarding microphones at Town Meeting and pens at the election, but “there is no backup plan yet” if the town moderator or town clerk were unable to preside at the meetings, Higgins said.

“These are the practical things we’re having to think through” as the situation changes rapidly, Higgins added. Health officials “tell us it’s just a matter of time until everyone in the community experiences this on some level.” 

As of March 10, there are 92 confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts, according to the state’s Department of Public Health. Of those, 70 are employees or their contacts from Biogen, which held a conference from Feb. 24–27 at the Marriott Long Wharf in Boston. Forty-one of the 92 patients are from Middlesex County, and six have been hospitalized thus far.

The Centers for Disease Control have issued guidelines for older people and others at higher risk of serious illness should they become infected. Those measures include stocking up on prescription and over-the-counter medications, groceries, and other household items in case they need to stay at home for an extended period. Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough, and/or shortness of breath that appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.

More information:

Council on Aging activities for March 2020

Lincoln Academy with James J. Noble, PhD: Glacier National Park and Lewis & Clark
March 2 at 12:30 p.m.
Join Noble and 200 fellow riders as they embark on the American Lung Association Transamerica Bicycle Trek from to Atlantic City. You will experience the grandeur of the Glacier National Park in Montana as well as 660 miles of the Lewis and Clark Trail. This video and PowerPoint presentation will have two connected takeaways. The first regards the natural beauty of Glacier NP, the nearby Canadian Rockies, and a global geographical anomaly unique to Glacier. The second focuses on some intriguing political and historical questions regarding President Jefferson, Merriweather Lewis, the Louisiana Purchase, and the 49th parallel. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Relax on a noticing walk with John Calabria
March 3 at 1 p.m.
Place: TBD
Come for a gently paced walk through nature guided by John Calabria on March 3 from 1 to 2:30 at a location posted at lincolnconservation.org. Bring walking sticks or walking poles if you like. If the weather is bad, call 781-259-9251 after 10 a.m. the morning of the walk for an update. Co-sponsored by the COA and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust.

[Read more…] about Council on Aging activities for March 2020

Council on Aging activities in February

The many faces of loss: a new group
February 3 at 10 a.m.
As we age we confront loss in many forms. It may be the death of loved ones or physical or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends, or ourselves. It may include regrets about lost opportunities or the recognition of our own mortality. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, a social worker with many years of experience helping people navigate the losses of later life, will facilitate a group which will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The six-week group will run on Mondays from 10–11 a.m. beginning on February 3 at Bemis Hall. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up.

Lincoln Academy with Ariane Liazos: Reforming the city — the contested origins of urban government, 1890–1930
February 3 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Feb. 3 at 12:30 p.m. when Ariane Liazos discusses “Reforming the City: The Contested Origins of Urban Government, 1890–1930.” Most American cities are now administered by appointed city managers and governed by councils chosen in nonpartisan, at-large elections. In the early twentieth century, many urban reformers claimed these structures would make city government more responsive to the popular will. But on the whole, the effects of these reforms have been to make citizens less likely to vote in local elections and local governments less representative of their constituents. How and why did this happen? Lincoln resident and author Ariane Liazos will examine the urban reform movement that swept through the country in the early twentieth century and its unintended consequences. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome

Musical jazz lunch
February 7 at noon
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert.

Lincoln Academy with Matt Burne — Exploring the natural history of Walden Woods
February 10 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, Feb. 10 at 12:30 p.m. when Matt Burne discusses “Exploring the Natural History of Walden Woods.” Henry Thoreau famously walked the forests and fields of the historic Walden Woods for hours every day, collecting the grist for his important mill. Walden Woods, in Lincoln and Concord, today are largely protected and open to the public for recreation, connection, and inspiration. Discover what makes Walden Woods unique and distinct, and some of the natural treasures to be found here. Matt Burne is Conservation Director with the Walden Woods Project. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Free wellness clinics for all ages
February 11 at 10 a.m.
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Road in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon or Bemis Hall on Tuesday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Services provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care. The Bemis Hall clinic is supported by the Pierce House.

Oriole Landing information session
February 13 at 10 a.m.
Join Christopher Fernandez of the Oriole Landing management team on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall for coffee, snacks, and an informational session about Oriole Landing, the new housing development that will open in Lincoln this spring. Find out about the affordable housing units that are still available as well as the market rate apartments, what the community has to offer and other amenities, floor plans, and more.

What you need to know: Municipal energy aggregation
February 14 at 10 a.m.
Join C.J. Volpone and Paul Shorb of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee on Friday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall to learn more about their municipal energy aggregation program before the Annual Town Meeting update. Also called community aggregation, municipal aggregation is an exclusive agreement with an electricity broker to provide energy to all residents. Our residential and commercial electricity supply is negotiated using our bulk purchasing power, which enables a community’s residents to receive energy from local sustainable sources. Specifying these local green sources of electricity in turn increases aggregate demand for renewables in the electricity market.

Art, movement, and fun for winter relaxation
February 14 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. when Catherine Collins, RN, MS, QTTT (Qualified Therapeutic Touch Teacher), leads a fun afternoon of using art, movement, and other playful techniques to de-stress, loosen up, and get ready to truly savor all the joys of the season. Winter weather doesn’t have to make you crazy. Whether you feel stressed or not, you’ll have a great time and learn some techniques you can use any time of the year. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Valentine singalong with Magic Garden
February 18 at 10:30 a.m.
Join the young children of Lincoln’s own Magic Garden for a singalong on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the Hartwell building on Ballfield Road. First each of the Magic Garden classes will sing a song or two, and then the audience will join for a couple of sing-along songs. Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up so Magic Garden knows how many people to expect.

Lunch with town administrator Timothy Higgins
February 18 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet lunch with friends new and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at St. Anne’s Church. Our special guest will be Lincoln’s town administrator, Tim Higgins. Come meet him, ask him your questions and give your ideas. Tricia McGean, Lincoln’s Public Health Nurse, will offer free blood pressure readings. The cost of lunch is $5 per person. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let us know if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club.

Coffee with Sheila Beenhouwer: Russian art and my own work
February 18 at 2:30 p.m.
Join artist Sheila Beenhouwer at a Coffee with the Artist on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 2:30 at Bemis Hall as she shares with you art from her traveling life in Russia and a bit of her own work. The exhibit will be up in the Bemis Hall Gallery through the end of February.

Free beginning meditation
February 19 at 10 a.m.
Come to a free beginners’ meditation session Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. for a half-hour at Bemis Hall. Meditation opens the channels of our natural states of peace, joy, and health, and aids in decreasing the negative effects of aging. Experienced meditation teacher Lynne LaSpina will begin the session with a few minutes of stretching muscles to relax, and breathing exercises to help focus before meditating for about 10 minutes. Lynne will offer walking meditation for those who find it difficult to sit quietly for 10 minutes. For information, contact Lynne at 908-892-2408 or llas902551@aol.com.

Cash benefit for families of some deceased veterans
February 20 at 10:15 a.m.
Surviving spouses of veterans who died from their service-connected disabilities may be eligible for the Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), a tax-free monetary benefit, and many other Massachusetts benefits. Come find out more at a presentation by Lincoln’s Veterans Services Officer, Peter Harvell, on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 10:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall. Parents who were financially dependent on a service member or veteran who died from a service-related cause may also be eligible for the Parents’ DIC.

Breakfast with Carolyn: Caregiving 101
February 21 at 8:30 a.m.
Are you new to caregiving and would like to be pointed in the right direction? Come have breakfast with Carolyn Bottum, the COA Director, on Friday, Feb. 21 at 8:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall. You’ll learn what services can be provided in your home or in the community, who can help you evaluate and monitor services, and tips and strategies for reducing your stress while being a caregiver.

Empowering you to thrive at home
February 21 at noon
You are invited to join Tori Taylor, PT, executive director of Deaconess Abundant Life Services, on Friday, Feb. 21 at noon when she reviews safety and balance tips to keep you active and thriving in your homes. She will also discuss how home care may be brought in to help you remain independent, whether temporarily if you are not well, or for a more extended period of time.

Lincoln Academy with Judith Ann Foster, PhD — The obesity epidemic: why we must get the science right
February 24 at 12:30 p.m.
Currently, more than a third of the country is now obese, making the U.S. one of the fattest countries in an increasingly fat world. Mounting research suggests that U.S. life expectancy may be starting to decline for the first time since 1993. Most now believe that the increase in obesity is due to the increase in average caloric consumption, increased consumption of refined carbohydrates high in simple sugars, and a sedentary lifestyle with little exercise. Unfortunately, the U.S. Low-Fat Diet Recommendations of 1977 may have contributed to the increase in weight gain. Dr. Foster is Emeritus Professor of Biochemistry, Boston University School of Medicine. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Memory Café
February 27 at 10:30 a.m.
The Commons in Lincoln, Right-at-Home In Home Care and Assistance, and the Lincoln Council on Aging invite those with dementia and their family, friends, and caregivers to the free Lincoln Memory Café on Thursday, Feb. 27 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the main building of The Commons in Lincoln. Enjoy refreshments and the entertainment of “Ragtime” Jack Radcliffe, a fiddle, guitar, and piano performer, in a fun, informal, social atmosphere. The Memory Café is held each fourth Thursday of the month from 10:30 a.m. to noon at The Commons in Lincoln. Call Elizabeth Kaupp of Right at Home at 781-275-1400 or the COA at 781-259-8811 for more information.

Meet other independent scholars for ideas and feedback
February 28 at 10 a.m.
Independent scholars who do research in history, science, the social sciences and more without being formally employed by an academic or research institution are publishing distinguished books and making important contributions to their fields. Sometimes only after you stop working full-time can you pursue that passion you have been quietly studying for decades but never had the time to fully explore. Independent scholars and those interested in learning more are invited to join us on Friday, Feb. 28 at 10 a.m. for the first meeting of the Independent Scholars Gathering. If there is interest, the group will meet monthly to share resources and ideas, give feedback, and be a scholarly conclave.

Annual Town Meeting preview
February 28 at 1 p.m.
Annual Town Meeting is Saturday, March 28, but you can get a preview on Friday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Town Administrator Tim Higgins. You’ll hear about the budget and other issues that are on the agenda for the Annual Town Meeting such as the recommendations of the Property Tax Study Committee, new zoning regulations related to South Lincoln, and more, and you can ask questions and give ideas. This is your opportunity to become informed about and discuss issues of importance to the town in an informal setting.

Save the date:

Museum of Fine Arts in March
Join the Council on Aging on Thursday, March 19 for a trip to the Museum of Fine Arts. The group will have a one-hour guided tour, “Highlights of the Art of the Americas,” featuring masterpieces from the Art of the Americas collection. Then you are free to wander the museum and grab lunch (not included in the fee) in one of their four restaurants and visit the gift shop. The bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9 a.m. and leave the MFA at 2 p.m. to return to Lincoln by 3 p.m. This trip requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods of time. The cost is $30 and is non-refundable. To make a reservation send a check payable to FLCOA/Trips to Ginny O’Brien, 4 Linway Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. Include your telephone number and email. Your reservation is complete when your check has been received. Questions? Contact Ginny at 781-259-1291 or vobrien39@yahoo.com.

COA, Selectmen seek to change their names

By Alice Waugh

Two town government organizations — the Board of Selectmen and the Council on Aging — are hoping to change their names to keep up with changing times.

The Council on Aging (COA) wants to change its name to the Council on Aging and Human Services to reflect how its mission has expanded to serve Lincoln residents of all ages. A group of residents is proposing an update from Board of Selectmen (BOS) to Select Board to promote gender inclusivity and equality, in the same spirit as other title changes such as chairman to chair, fireman to firefighter and mailman to postal carrier. Both changes require Town Meeting approval in March.

Residents including Ellen Meyer Shorb, Stuart Rose, Kim Bodnar, Emily Haslett, and current Selectman Jennifer Glass organized a citizen’s petition to change the name of the BOS. The board itself is also sponsoring a warrant article that, if approved, aims to ensure that all language in the town by-laws is gender-neutral. Selectmen will discuss the issue at their next meeting on January 27.

According to the measure’s background document (which is based on similar measures enacted in 30 other Massachusetts towns including Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Sudbury, and Weston), the term “selectman” traces its history back to the early days of America. In the new open town meeting form of government, every citizen could voice opinions and vote on town matters — but “every citizen” referred to every land-owning male citizen. Soon, the notion of calling every man in town together to decide daily matters proved too cumbersome, and a group of men were selected to manage the details of town governance.

Lincoln elected Beth Ries as its first female Selectman in 1977; nine other women have since held that office.

“My personal thinking on ‘why do this and why now’ is that language matters and how we speak reflects who is included, and I’m glad that our town and towns around us are finally formalizing language that reflects this,” Shorb said.

Council on Aging

When the COA was first established, its mission was to serve seniors exclusively, but more recently, it’s been administering the Emergency Assistance Fund and the fuel assistance program, which are both open to all residents. In the past two years, the COA and other town officials have seen “a significant increase in the number of residents of all ages in various kinds of crisis,” and many of them were coming to the Council on Aging for help, COA Director Carolyn Bottum said.

in response, the town funded a community nursing position starting in 2018, and last year, with the help of grants, the COA began administering two more services for all ages: a town social worker and mental health clinics. Then in October, the Rental Assistance Program was launched in collaboration with the Housing Commission to provide help to residents of all ages who need assistance with rent. 

“The current name no longer reflects the fact that a considerable portion of our services are human services provided to residents of all ages. It also doesn’t reflect the fact that the town nurse, town social worker, AARP tax aide, SHINE [a program that helps Medicare recipients with health insurance], and veterans agent, all of whom serve residents of all ages, are all housed in the COA building and organized by the COA,” Bottum said.

“In addition, we do find that younger residents, especially, are confused and sometimes reluctant to work with us because they think we only serve older adults. Finally, we do think it may help when we go to apply for grants that are for services for younger people, since gran-tmakers might be confused as to why a Council on Aging is asking for funds for a program for younger people,” she added.

The name change must be approved at Town Meeting in March. In December, the Board of Selectmen were supportive of the plan.

“It’s a signal to people of where to turn if they don’t fall into that [senior] category but need some help, so it’s a benefit to the community in that way,” Selectman Jennifer Glass said.

“It’s more comprehensive and more transparent,” Selectman Jonathan Dwyer said.

Several other Massachusetts towns including Littleton, Taunton, Foxboro, Seekonk, Norton have also updated the name of their Council on Aging “simply because there is no other human services department in town,” Bottum said.

Regardless of the change, “it’s extremely essential to note that adding Human Services to our name does not denote that we are in any way no longer focused on seniors.  We are here to be the second home, voice, and advocate for Lincoln seniors just as much as we always were. Our focus is still on seniors; we have just added a service component for other ages and the name change reflects that. But we will always be a Council on Aging first,” Bottum said.

Lincoln getting ready for Winter Carnival

Lincoln’s annual Winter Carnival sponsored by the Parks and Recreation Department kicks off on Thursday, Jan. 30. The weekend is designed to foster a sense of community throughout the Town of Lincoln. All events are sponsored by local organizations.

Ongoing

Build your snow sculpture when snow arrives, then snap a photo with you in it and send it to David Sequeira at Parks & Rec at dsequeira@lincnet.org. Submit as many sculptures as you like. Submissions accepted until 5 p.m. on Sunday, Feb 2. Winners will be announced on Friday, Feb. 7.

Thursday, January 30

FoMA Film: “Visual Acoustics”
6:30–9 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln is pleased to present this documentary about the charming and productive life of Julius Shulman, widely regarded as the greatest architectural photographer of the 20th century who played a significant role in bringing to light the architectural Modernist movement. Beautifully crafted by director Eric Bricker (2009). Film begins at 7.

Friday, January 31

Intergenerational sing-along
3:45–5:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
The LEAP after-school program, the Council on Aging, and the Magic Garden Children’s Center invite residents of all ages to enjoy a multigenerational sing-along. Groups from each of the three organizations will sing favorite folk songs, children songs, and more.

LPTO 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 bingo board, plus raffle prizes. Pizza sales start at 5:30 p.m., with additional snacks and drinks available for purchase. Free admission. Bingo cards $5 (15 game multipack); raffle tickets 1/$1; 6/$5; 15/$10 suggested donation.

Saturday, February 1

Girl Scout community pancake breakfast
8–11 a.m., First Parish Church
Start the Saturday slate of Winter Carnival activities with delicious pancakes and real maple syrup! Plain, blueberry, chocolate chip, and gluten-free pancakes along with coffee, tea, orange juice, and fruit. This event is great for everyone from the very young to the young at heart. Meet friends, catch up with neighbors, and enjoy crafts for kids. Girl Scout cookies will be on sale. Tickets: $5 for children under 12, $10 for those 12 and older ($30 family maximum)

Farrington Nature Linc family animal tracking
10 a.m.–noon, Farrington Nature Linc (291 Cambridge Turnpike)
Join us for a family-friendly morning of animal tracking activities on our trails and in our barn! We will head outdoors to look for signs of local wildlife–using snow, mud, dirt, trees, scat, and more–then return inside for tracking-themed craft-making and movement, plus hot chocolate. Free but registration required; click here.

Winter fun at Magic Garden
11 a.m.–1 p.m., Ballfield Road
Come visit with friends and neighbors at Magic Garden. Enjoy carnival games, arts and crafts, story time, and indoor “ice skating” in your socks. This event is best suited for children ages 5 months to 5 years. Free.

4th Annual Lincoln Holistic Wellness Fair
11 a.m.–4 p.m., Pierce House
Join local area Holistic Wellness professionals for the 4th Annual Holistic Wellness Fair as they bring their healing skills and talents to share with the community. The Fair is a rare opportunity for all to experience a varied representation of wellness services from A (acupuncture) to Z (zero Balancing), and many modalities in between. Meet the practitioners who help fill a gap in health care today and find effective solutions to chronic and acute health concerns. Hot beverages and delicious, healthy snacks round out the offerings ensuring a rejuvenating oasis for the senses. Free.

Community skating and bonfire
1–3 p.m., Cemetery Pond
Enjoy skating, hot chocolate, and toasted marshmallows by the campfire. Bring your own skates and stay tuned to www.LincolnRec.com for weather updates.

LFA energy blaster
3–5 p.m., Brooks Gym
Jump in a bounce house, run through an obstacle course, climb, and slide. The gym will be filled with fun ways to let out some energy! Free for 2020 LFA members (join or renew on the spot at www.lincfam.org for $50/year); $10 per child for non-members.

Acoustic Coffeehouse 2020
7–10:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Our annual night to showcase local musicians and performers! We have a diverse roster of performers — some returning, some new — ready to play for you, and there’s a good chance you know some of them! Coffee/tea and desserts will be served. Doors open at 7pm. General Admission is $10. Table of 8 is $160. Online registration is recommended at www.LincolnRec.com. General admission seats also sold at the door on a space available basis.

Sunday, February 2

Make your own elf/fairy garden
10:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Lincoln Nursery School (deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum)
Create your own garden using natural materials such as moss, acorns, and pine cones. Feel free to bring along anything you would like to add to your garden. Hot chocolate will be served. Free.

Puppy Bowl
12–1:30 p.m., First Parish Church
Let the tailgating and tail wagging begin! Everyone is invited to join First Parish for lunch and the screening of Animal Planet’s 2019 Puppy Bowl. Bring your own lunch or enjoy hot dogs, macaroni and cheese, drink, and cookie $5 for lunch (admission is free). Meet and greet actual tail-waggers. Optional: please bring a pet supply to donate to Buddy Dog.

Awesome Robb magic show
2–3 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
Celebrate Winter Carnival with Awesome Robb and his interactive comedy/magic show. Best for ages 4 and up, but all are welcome.

Family life In Lincoln at the time of the Revolution
2–4 p.m., Bemis Hall
Experience life for parents and children in 18th-century Lincoln. Every man had to have a soldier’s equipment and skills. Every woman had to feed, clothe, and cure the illnesses of her family. Children learned school lessons with quill pens and still had time for games. We debated the important issues of the day and made our own music for entertainment. Come join the Minute Men to talk about life in 1775 Lincoln and try your hand at the tasks, skills, and amusements of the time. Hands- on activities for all. Patriots preferred; redcoats and loyalists welcome. Free.

Girl Scouts lend a hand with holiday projects

Council on Aging Assistant Directors Abigail Butt and Joan Ingersoll with items collected by Girl Scouts for gift bags for seniors.

For the second year in a row, Lincoln’s Girl Scouts is reaching across the generations with three projects to help seniors in town.

After handing out lists of needed items to fellow students and shoppers, Scouts put collection boxes in Donelan’s and the Lincoln School. The donated items — necessities such as toiletries, paper towels and toilet paper, kitchen sponges, toothbrushes and toothpaste, laundry soap, socks, coffee and tea, postage stamps and more — arrived in three overflowing vans at Bemis Hall, where Council on Aging (COA) staff made up over 30 holiday gift bags that were hand-delivered to seniors. The bags also included holiday craft items made by Scouts from the first-, fourth-, and sixth-grade troops.

The sixth-grade troop also consulted with the Fire Department and Parks and Recreation Department to get a list of items that seniors need during winter storms. They then held a successful drive to collect things including flashlights, manual can openers, gloves, and folding shovels that were gathered into kits by Parks and Rec, placed in bags donated by the Lincoln Police Department, and distributed by the COA to seniors who would not have been able to afford them otherwise. 

In an ongoing project, the sixth-grade troop is delivering buckets of sand and salt to make walkways and driveways safer to walk on after snow and ice storms to any Lincoln senior who requests it to. This important project will help prevent falls among seniors, help home health services get safely into homes to provide care, and ensure that seniors can get Meals on Wheels. Seniors may call the Council on Aging at 781-259-8811 to sign up to receive a bucket.

The Council on Aging has received many expressions of gratitude such as “I can’t believe the town does this for us!” and “this is such a nice gesture!” from seniors who’ve received these donations. After the success of this year’s efforts and those in 2018, the Girl Scouts and many others in town look forward to continuing this helpful new holiday collaboration in 2020.

News acorns

Event looks at adult children and aging parents

Share dinner and discussion during “A Conversation Between Adult Children and Aging Parents” on Wednesday, Jan. 8 from 5:30–7 p.m. in the First Parish in Lincoln’s parish house auditorium. This exploration of how parents and adult children address the challenges of aging while respecting independence and privacy is part of the church’s “Food for Thought” monthly community dinner and conversation. Led by Lincoln therapist Jane O’Rourke, a panel of elders and mid-life children will start off the discussion. Over dessert and coffee, there will be time for you to exchange your thoughts and ideas with your table companions. All are welcome. The First Parish provides child care and supper (including gluten-free and child-friendly options). Suggested donation: $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Ceramics class, snowshoe tours at deCordova

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is offering “Expressive Vessels, Forms and Environments,” a ceramics workshop on five Thursdays starting January 9 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Techniques for building with clay and thematic analysis of decoration will be explored, drawing inspiration from deCordova’s current exhibition, All the Marvelous Surfaces. No experience necessary. All materials provided, and optional studio time is included. Click here for more information and registration.

Looking for a fun new way to explore the sculpture park this winter? Make a day out of a trip to the park with snowshoe tours, lunch in the cafe, and a visit to the museum. Offered every Saturday from January 11 to March 7. Tickets include a guided tour with a deCordova guide and a trained EMS instructor. Rentals are available if needed. For ages 8+. Click here for more information and registration.

Climate Sunday offers workshops on environmental topics

Join the First Parish in Lincoln and the Conservation Law Foundation (CLF) for Climate Sunday on Sunday, Jan. 12 starting at 10 a.m. Climate Sunday is a gathering for those interested in learning more about how to take action on environmental justice, clean transportation, zero-waste initiatives, and more. Interactive workshops on issues such as environmental justice, transportation, and zero waste will focus on the current state of environmental advocacy in Massachusetts from experts working on the ground.

Participants are welcome to come for the entire day or just the lunch and afternoon workshops. Below is the schedule of events. Space is limited; please click here to RSVP.

  • 10 a.m. — The First Parish in Lincoln morning service with sermon by Rev. Jenny Rankin and reflections by Peter Shelley, CLF’s senior counsel.
  • 11:15 a.m. — Check-in opens at the Stone Church.
  • 11:15 a.m.–12 p.m. — Environmental fair featuring booths and informal presentations by CLF, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, HomeWorks Energy, and others. Learn what you can do to combat climate change.
  • 12 p.m. — “How to Stay Optimistic in a Warming World,” a lunchtime presentation by CLF President Brad Campbell.
  • 1 p.m. — Workshop #1: Staci Rubin, CLF’s senior attorney, will discuss her work around environmental justice and clean transportation, as well as how you can get involved.
  • 1:45 p.m. — Workshop #2: Kirstie Pecci, CLF’s Zero Waste Project director and senior fellow, will discuss her work on plastics and zero-waste initiatives and how you can take action.

Anyone with questions may contact Katie Ardrey at 617-850-1729 or kardrey@clf.org.

Schools ask residents to create “portrait of a learner”

The Lincoln Public Schools are asking themselves what skills, traits, and knowledge will our students need in order to thrive in and transform the 21st century. Can we create a “portrait of a learner” to ground the curriculum and assessments as we refine what and how we teach, and how to gauge the district’s success? School and community members gathered several times in 2019 to generate ideas and priorities. To contribute your thoughts, please respond by Monday, Jan. 13 to this quick online survey that asks you to think about the purpose of school and the current and future challenges and needs in the country and the world to help the schools create a first draft of a portrait of a learner.

Borrello headlines next LOMA

Matt Borrello

Matt Borrello is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Jan. 13 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Borrello will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. He is a Bob Dylan acolyte, regularly performing at Dylan tribute shows, and plays venues like Passim, Lizard Lounge, Toad and the Rose Garden, and further afield through the Mid-Atlantic to the Carolinas. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

Panel explores sexual exploitation in the community

Massage parlors in the area and all over the country have been the focus of police raids targeting sexual exploitation. Do you wonder if people choose this life are are being forced into it? Would legalizing prostitution make things better for all involved? How is the issue of prostitution being addressed locally and within the state of Massachusetts? Join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable for a panel presentation and discussion on “Sexual Exploitation: It’s Happening In Our Communities” on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. in the Wayland Public Safety Building (38 Cochituate Rd., Wayland).

Panelists will include Peter Qualliotine, co-founder of the Seattle-based Organization for Prostitution Survivors (OPS), and an advocate from RIA House, a local program that supports women with experience in the commercial sex trade and its associated exploitation, trafficking and prostitution. The remaining panelists will be community members who knew something wasn’t right and explored ways to deal with what was happening in their community.

Council on Aging activities in January

Musical jazz lunch
January 3 at noon
Celebrate the end of the week by grabbing a table at Bemis Hall while the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band serenades you with familiar good old tunes. Bring a bag lunch and, if you like, food purchased already prepared at the store to share. The COA provides beverages and dessert.

Explore the poetry of Robert Frost
January 4 at 2 p.m.
Join Stephen Collins for a free four-session interactive seminar on the poetry of Robert Frost at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Jan. 4, 11, and 25 at the Lincoln Public Library, and on January 18 at Bemis Hall. Sponsored by the Council on Aging and the library. Stephen performs one-man shows and teaches courses on historical figures like Melville, Walt Whitman, James MacNeill Whistler, and William Shakespeare.

What new discussion groups would you like?
January 6 at 10 a.m.
The COA loves to offer discussion groups for people who would like to discuss their experiences in a supportive group environment where they can share with others their concerns and challenges and get and give tips and strategies. We want to make sure that they are providing the groups you are most interested in. In the past, they have held groups about coping with losses, change, and difficult family issues. Which of these topics would you like to see offered again or what new topics would you like to talk about? Come to Bemis Hall at 10 a.m. on January 6 to brainstorm with the COA, or call Carolyn at 781-259-8811 with your ideas. [Read more…] about Council on Aging activities in January