Stearns Room*

Letter to the editor: First Parish design elements not appropriate

November 12, 2014

Editor’s note: Following is a copy of a letter sent to the Historic District Commission, which is scheduled to discuss the First Parish Church on Thursday, Nov. 13.

To the editor:

I believe that the First Parish Building Committee is working hard to try to show that the present proposed rebuilding of the Stearns Room fits in with the center of Lincoln and the historic district. I hope the Historic District Commission (HDC) will carefully consider the impact this proposed addition will have on the beauty and simplicity of the white church itself. There are alternatives to the present proposed plans that would perhaps fit better with the original building.

Letter to the editor: Uphold First Parish decision

June 18, 2014

(Editor’s note: The First Parish Church will go before the Zoning Board of Appeals on June 19 to appeal the Planning Board’s denial of the its request to extend one side of the Stearns Room—see the Lincoln Squirrel, May 15, 2014.)

To the editor:

Ever since the 1700s, Lincoln residents have been concerned about development pressures and carefully crafted thoughtful mechanisms to preserve their beloved agrarian community. In the 1730s, area farmers led by the Flint family began a lengthy effort to separate and remain agrarian. The first step was to convince the Great and General Court that there was a need to be a distinct, self-governing community. The key lay in establishing that travel to existing parishes was prohibitive during certain seasons. Thus, they should be able to create their own parish, easily accessible to area farmers. Land was donated by the Flint family for both a parish building and for a cemetery.

First Parish Church goes before ZBA tonight

May 15, 2014

By Alice Waugh

The First Parish Church tonight will resume its attempt to win approval for expanding the Stearns Room when it goes before the Zoning Board of Appeals at 7:30 p.m. in the Town Office Building’s Donaldson Room.

Letter to the editor: First Parish vote “a matter of principle and integrity”

February 26, 2014

To the Editor:

On Tuesday, February 10, the Lincoln Planning Board voted to uphold principles that were designed to protect our neighborhoods and community character. This important vote—perhaps a legacy vote—also upheld the integrity of open town meeting governance.

Letter to the editor: Flint responds to First Parish letter

February 10, 2014

To the Editor:

In the spirit of friendly debate, I would like to respond to the letter to the editor from the First Parish Committee. There are some aspects of the new Stearns Room/Office design that are commendable, most notably its improved accessibility. Also, the cramped spaces so troublesome in the existing building have been eliminated. However, the Planning Board decision to grant a waiver from the by-law must be based on need, and I question the need for the office space shown on the latest plan.

Letter to the editor: First Parish expansion

February 6, 2014

To the Editor:

Following another round of meetings with neighbors, and nearly 12 years after the Flint family generously gave land to the church to expand the Stearns room, the First Parish has completed a revised and final plan. We have worked hard to respond to the concerns of neighbors, church members, and state and local authorities. The building design has undergone numerous thoughtful refinements; it will be attractive, meet the church’s needs, and be 535 sq. ft. smaller than the original sketch made in 2002. It merits Planning Board approval.