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

Get creative — submit your stuff to the Lincoln Review!

Now that the Lincoln Squirrel website is back in action, it’s time to add Lincoln arts to your day. The deadline for submitting stories, poetry artwork, photos, and other creative work for the next issue of the Lincoln Review is April 4, 2025. Anyone who has a Lincoln connection (current or former residents, extended family, employees, etc.) is eligible. Share your work and have it preserved online in the Lincoln Review!

See the most recent issue here. For more information on submitting your work, click here or just email it to lincolnmareview@gmail.com or lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. We’e shooting for a publication date of May 5, 2025. Don’t be shy — show us your creative chops!

Barb Rhines, editor
Alice Waugh, publisher (also editor of the Lincoln Squirrel)

Water rates to rise by 10%; bonding sought for water main project

A screenshot from the March 4 hearing showing water rates in Lincoln and other towns (click to enlarge).

Lincoln water rates are expected to rise by 10% in each of the next four years as the town embarks on a project to replace aging water mains. Voters will also be asked to approve an additional $6.79 million in capital spending in fiscal 2026.

This summer, the town will start a multi-year project to replace the water main that runs from the top of the hill on Bedford Road just south of Hilliard Road down to Five Corners and then under Lincoln Road to Route 117, although water flow rates south of Codman Road are currently acceptable, Water Superintendent Darin LaFalam said in the March 4 public hearing on water rates (video here; passcode is s+=p.5&u).

The existing cast-iron main under Lincoln Road dating from 1927 has significant mineral deposits inside it, with the result that water flow through the center of town is “greatly reduced,” and booster pumps had to be installed as part of the Lincoln School renovation project to achieve acceptable fire protection, he said. The new pipes will be made of cement-lined ductile iron, which will not accumulate deposits.

Most of the $6.79 million will have to come from bonding, assuming that two-thirds of residents approve at Town Meeting on March 29. The town recently learned it will get $430,000 for the project through a state Catalyst Communities grant for which Lincoln qualified by rezoning last year to comply with the Housing Choice Act. The town will apply for another grant in FY2026.

A year ago, voters approved $2.2 million in borrowing for the first pipe segment down to Five Corners, which is out to bid now. The original plan was to spread the work over four years, but the Water Department reconsidered and now hopes to do all the work in the summers of 2025 and 2026 (the least disruptive time of year since school is out and traffic is lighter overall).

“We were going to break down the project into what I guess at the time I found were emotionally tolerable bite-size pieces of $2.2 million, but we realized we would continue to interfere with the towns’ traffic right up Lincoln Road for four summers in a row,” LaFalam said.

The public hearing will conclude at the next Water Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 11 at 8:00am. Click here to join via Zoom.

While the annual rate increases will undoubtedly make many customers unhappy, LaFalam noted that other towns in the area have it even worse. Rates are also going up this year by 10% in Bedford and Maynard, 10.6% in Littleton, and 12.5% in Concord. Lincoln was required by the state DEP to raise rates by 3% last year, but rates did not go up in the three years before that.

A fairer comparison would be to towns that are the same size as Lincoln, since the larger the town, the greater the economy of scale, he said. By that measure, a Lincoln household water bill for using 70,000 gallons per year ($676 now vs. $744 proposed) is on the lower end of the list, whereas it’s $1,058 in Dover and a whopping $1,536 in Topsfield.

Water costs are rising everywhere due to “ever-tightening regulations,” especially with the recent issue of PFAS in drinking water, as well as “the challenge of unaddressed or deferred maintenance,” he said.

Almost 14% of Lincoln’s water distribution system is past its expected useful life; in 10 years that figure will be 36%, according to LaFalam. “We really need to get started,” he said. “It might be 10 years before can afford another water main project. If we do 2.5 miles every 10 years, we’re looking at over 200 years to replace all the water mains in town.”

High winds create havoc on town roads

Crews work to clear tree debris on Lincoln Road Friday morning. Police Chief Sean Kennedy is directing traffic at far right. (Photo by Alice Waugh — click to enlarge)

High winds sent dozens of tree limbs crashing to the ground on Friday, March 7, causing a busy day for police, the DPW, and Eversource.

The first of more than 20 calls to police about downed trees and/or power lines came Friday morning at 6:46am. Crews with chainsaws and a wood chipper leaped into action, but by 10:00am, Lincoln Road next to Pierce Park was still partially obstructed. Page Road was also completely blocked its intersection with Trapelo Road with downed power lines as well as a tree.

Reports also came in for Deerhaven Road, Old Sudbury Road, Beaver Pond Road, Giles Road, Old County Road, Boyce Farm Road, Concord Road, Weston Road, Baker Bridge Road, Old Farm Road, Davison Drive, and Sandy Pond Road.

“It was all kind of happening at once,” Lincoln Police Sgt. Matthew Armata said about Friday’s problems, which happened mostly without warning.

A National Weather Service wind advisory early Friday morning for most of Massachusetts warned of winds gusting up to 50-60mph. Another advisory for winds 15-30 mph with gusts of 40-50 mph was issued for Saturday.

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My Turn: Susan Hall Mygatt makes her case for Planning Board

By Susan Hall Mygatt

I am running for one of the two open positions on Lincoln’s Planning Board. As a resident of Lincoln since 1977, I care deeply about the town and hope you will consider voting for me.

My experience and why I am running

I have been thinking about taking this step for more than a year. For the past 18 months, I have attended a majority of the Planning Board meetings. I am very familiar with Lincoln’s zoning bylaw, the Planning Board’s regulations, and the issues and requests which the board addresses, particularly those which have come before the Board since the Fall of 2023. I served on Lincoln’s Zoning Board of Appeal for eight years, and since 2019 have served on Lincoln’s Conservation Commission, of which I am currently co-chair.

As a retired real estate lawyer, I understand the limits and opportunities inherent in Massachusetts’ zoning statute, which establishes the powers of Lincoln’s Planning Board. This professional experience allows me to interpret state and municipal legal requirements quickly and accurately.

Susan Hall Mygatt

I am a keen seeker of the facts and am comfortable asking uncomfortable questions, always with respect. This approach leads to better decisions. I believe that my presence on the board will have a positive impact on the town.

My values

I value Lincoln’s rural character while recognizing the statewide need for more housing. We need to arrive at a comfortable balance between nature and the built environment, a balance which protects the aspects of Lincoln that the town values and at the same time carefully plans for inevitable change.

I value meaningful community input on important local decisions and will strive to create a welcome atmosphere for the opinions of our engaged residents. I may not always agree with you, but I will always listen to you!

I value a clear and open public process, where decisions are made in full view of the public, and important information is shared with the public on a timely basis. If you have questions or suggestions, please contact me at susanhallmygatt@comcast.net. I would like to know your position on the local issues which concern you.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Planning Board candidate Rob Ahlert to host virtual meet and greet

Editor’s note: Planning Board member Ephraim Flint is not running for another term on the board. Three candidates — incumbent chair Margaret Olson, Ahlert, and Susan Hall Mygatt — are running for two open seats. Suzanne Parker also filed papers to run but has decided to drop out.

By Rob Ahlert

My name is Rob Ahlert, and I will be hosting a virtual meet and greet to discuss my background, why I think I’m a good candidate for Planning Board and to have a discussion on key planning and development issues with those who join. This first virtual meet and greet will be on Thursday, March 13 at noon (optional registration here; Google Meet link here).

I am a 10+ year resident of Lincoln and live in the Lincoln Station area. My goal is to bring a new energy and perspective to the Planning Board along with my leadership, analysis and engineering skills. I very much appreciate the support already given to me by Eph Flint and his suggestion that I would be a good candidate for this role. I am starting the process of learning what is important to folks in town and will look forward to continuing that journey should I be elected. I believe it is important to move forward with collaboration, compromise, and fact-based decision making, and to leave the “us vs. them” mentality in the past.

Rob Ahlert

Please join this virtual meet and greet to:

  • Get to know me as a person
  • Understand my background, skills, and ideas for Lincoln
  • Ask questions and make comments
  • Discuss your concerns for future town planning and development

I’ll do a ~10-minute introduction and then spend the rest of the time in Q&A and discussion I particularly encourage people to attend who may not agree with me on planning and development topics so I can learn about different perspectives before potentially taking on this role for the town. If this format seems to be useful, I’ll set up follow-up sessions.

Please mark your calendars, store this Google Meet link, and join the meeting on March 13. Also, please visit my website at www.lincolnforward.org to learn more about me and my positions ahead of time, or to provide your written thoughts on the challenges facing Lincoln as it relates to planning and development. The Google Meet link is also on my website, and I will forward to LincolnTalk as well. Once you join via the link, I will admit you to the meeting. Please plan to include your full name when you join.

Also, if you see me around at Donelan’s or the transfer station or elsewhere, please say hi.

Rob Ahlert, 185 Lincoln Rd.
www.lincolnforward.org 

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

My Turn: Olson touts experience on Planning Board

By Margaret Olson

I am Margaret Olson, and I am asking for your vote in the upcoming town elections for Planning Board. I have lived in our beautiful town for 27 years and have served on the Planning Board for over ten years, working to make everything we love about this town even better. During my tenure on the board, we have:

  • Instituted Lincoln’s first Dark Sky lighting regulations
  • Worked with town staff to streamline and formalize the site plan review process
  • Incrementally relaxed the accessory apartment unit zoning
  • Passed the Housing Choice Act zoning, securing our state funding and enabling the town to qualify for a $430,000 grant through the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to replace the water main on Lincoln Road.

I believe in an open and collaborative approach to solving problems. I also encourage incremental changes. When I joined the board, the zoning requirements for accessory apartments made it difficult and, in some cases, impossible for residents to create an apartment that was usually needed immediately for a family member or caregiver. When an application complied with the zoning, it was never denied. We were overregulating to the detriment of the town. The board relaxed the requirements in 2021. When those changes created no issues, the board further relaxed the requirements in 2023. When the state mandated that towns permit accessory apartments (or accessory dwelling units, to use the state’s term) under 900 square feet this past summer, we were ready. We are currently crafting a bylaw that complies with state law and works for Lincoln.

This is a small town — overregulation costs everyone money. From staff time to individual’s costs to get projects through permitting, I do my best to make good use of those dollars. If we are adding regulations, we need to be clear on what problem we are solving and that we do so efficiently. Planning Board reviews should focus on being thorough, fair, consistent, and predictable.

The state is continuing to create pressure on single-family zoning. Until the housing crisis significantly abates, I expect we will see continuing regulatory pressure from the state. I believe it is the Planning Board’s job to craft zoning that implements the requirements of state legislation while ensuring protections are in place to safeguard our community.

Along with many other Lincolnites, I deeply value Lincoln’s open spaces, our tree-dominated landscapes, and our roadsides. We will need to continue to work together to preserve our landscape while doing our part to ease the housing crisis.

As the Planning Board’s member of Lincoln’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, the Roadside and Traffic Committee, and the Transportation Coalition, I continue my commitment to policies that promote sustainability, mobility, and safety. Join me in making Lincoln safe for everyone and all modes of transportation: for our health, for our enjoyment, and for the environment. You can learn more about me at margaretolson.com.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Legal notice: Planning Board public hearing

TOWN OF LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD — SPECIAL PERMIT PUBLIC HEARING 

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7:10pm on Tuesday, March 25, 2025 via Zoom and in person at the Donaldson Room at Town Offices at 16 Lincoln Road to review an application for a Special Permit under Section 12.4 of the Zoning Bylaw governing Aquifer Protection And Watershed Protection Overlay Districts.

The applicant, the Town of Lincoln, proposes to remove three existing buildings and replace them with a new Community Center building and associated parking and landscaping at 6 Ballfield Road, Parcel 143-15-0. Plans are available for review by e-mailing Jennifer Curtin at curtinj@lincolntown.org. The agenda with the Zoom information and meeting location will be posted to the Town website at www.lincolntown.org/calendar at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Anyone wishing to be heard may be present at the designated time and place, written comments will also be accepted.

Margaret Olson, Chair
Lincoln Planning Board

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

News acorns

Town election candidate forum on March 24

The Lincoln PTO will host a candidate form for the two contested races in the March 31 town election (Planning Board and L-S School Committee) on Monday, March 24 from 7:00-9:00pm in the Lincoln School Learning Commons. The forum, which will be moderated by Rob Stringer and Town Moderator Sara Cannon Holden, will allow voters to get acquainted with candidates’ views and stances via introductions followed by a Q&A where moderators will ask questions from cards filled out by audience members that address all candidates in a given race. The forum is not intended as a debate, and candidates will be asked to refrain from addressing or referring to fellow candidates on the panel. The event will be recorded and made available on the town video website.

COA&HS activities in March

Here are some of this month’s activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Human Services. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For a full list — including clinics, exercise classes, regular meetings of interest groups, and online chats with town officials — see the COA&HS’s newsletter page. Call 781-259-8811 or email gagnea@lincolntown.org for Zoom links and other information.

Sherpa stories
Friday, March 7 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Lincoln resident and author Peter Von Mertens shares stories and photos of his time in the Peace Corps in Nepal from 1966-1968.

Info session with aide to Rep. Katherine Clarke
Tuesday, March 11 at 10:00am, Bemis Hall
A Q&A and informational session with Jay Higgins, outreach manager for U.S. Rep. and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark.

Celtic program with bagpipes
Friday, March 14 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
With bagpiper Nate Silva. Sponsored by Friends of COA & Friends of the Library.

Should I stay or should I go? Exploring the options
Friday, March 21 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Part 2 of the popular program on home care, resources for staying at home, and options for independent, assisted living, and memory care.

Green burial: the earth-friendly option
Friday, March 28 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Candace Currie, clerk for Green Burial Massachusetts, shares information about green burial.

Women in the American Revolution

“Women in the American Revolution with Audrey Stuck-Girard,” part of the Lincoln250 Series, takes place on Thursday, March 13 from 7:00-8:00pm in the Tarbell Room. More information. Sponsored by the Friends of Lincoln Library.

Lincoln School presents “Rock of Ages”

The Lincoln School will perform “Rock of Ages, Youth Edition” (a 60-minute version of the original musical) on Wednesday, March 19 at 3:00pm and Thursday through Saturday, March 20-22 at 7:00pm. It features a dedicated cast and crew of 75 middle school students, along with dozens of community volunteers. Tickets are $10 (or $5 for students, seniors, and LPS employees) and sold at the door — cash or check only.

Rep. Gentile to speak in Lincoln

State Rep. Carmine Gentile (D) will speak on important local issues including clean energy and climate plan, housing, and transportation followed by a Q&A session on Saturday, March 22 at 10:00am in Bemis Hall. Sponsored by Lincoln Dems (follow them on Instagram).

Affordable housing lottery for town-owned rental unit

The Lincoln Housing Commission is holding a lottery to select a resident for a one bedroom/one bath town-owned affordable rental unit. Households with one or two persons and meeting income eligibility requirements are eligible to apply for the lottery. Applications will be accepted until Monday, March 24, with the drawing held on April 3.

Note that submitting an application is the first step in the lottery process and does not assure you an apartment. The applicant selected by the lottery will be notified following the drawing. Application packets for the lottery — which includes additional information about the unit, income eligibility thresholds, and other application requirements — are available online at this Regional Housing Services Office web page, in Lincoln Town Hall, or at the RHSO at 37 Knox Trail in Acton. Paper copies will also be available at an open house on March 15 from 12:00-1:00pm.

Any additional questions about the unit and the application process should be directed to the RHSO at 978-287-1092 or jenp@rhsohousing.org. If you would like to be notified about future lotteries for town-owned rental units, please contact Peggy Elder at 781-259-2601 or elderp@lincolntown.org to be placed on our contact list.

What to know about Patriots’ Day weekend

The 250th anniversary of the first days of the American Revolution is being celebrated in Lincoln and neighboring communities this April, and there is a full slate of celebrations beginning on Saturday, April 19 and running through Monday, April 21. Click here to see a list of the celebratory events happening in the Battle Road communities of Arlington, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, and the Minute Man National Historical Park. 

  • Parking will be limited so public transportation is highly recommended. The MBTA is offering special event train and bus schedules for our communities — click here to learn more.
  • If you would like to attend events in Concord on Saturday, April 19, please consider taking the train from Lincoln Station. Nine trains have been added to the schedule, and there will be no vehicular access to Concord center on April 19. 
  • Mark your calendars for the Patriots’ Day events run by our Lincoln Minute Men — click here for dates, times and locations.
To stay up-to-date on 250th events, logistics, etc. follow Lincoln250 on Facebook and lincolnma_250 on Instagram. Also, the town’s Lincoln250 page includes current information on road closures in Lincoln, Concord, and Lexington, as well as credentialing and parking information. Updates will be posted regularly.

Questions or concerns? Email Lincoln250@lincolntown.org.  

Legal notice: Water Main Replacement – Phase 1 (notice #1 of 2)

The Town of Lincoln, MA (owner) invites sealed bids for Bedford Road and Lincoln Road Water Main Replacement – Phase 1 for replacement of approximately 5,050 linear feet of 12-inch water main to replace the existing 10-inch and 12-inch mains. Substantial completion: November 14, 2025. Final completion: May 29, 2026.

Bidding is per MGL Chapter 30 s39M. Prevailing wage rates per MGL c149 s26 to 27D inclusive issued by Dept. of Labor Standards.

Request electronic bidding documents (no cost) starting 10:00am on March 5, 2025 by email to MunicipalBids@woodardcurran.com with complete contact information and subject line “Lincoln MA – Bedford Road and Lincoln Road Water Main Replacement – Phase 1.” Official bidding documents will be available once registered. Documents from third parties are not considered official bidding documents.

Non-mandatory pre-bid conference: 11:00am local time on March 18, 2025 at Lincoln Town Hall, 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln MA 01773. 

Receipt of bids: 11:00am on March 27, 2025. Submit to: Flints Pond Water Treatment Plant, 77 Sandy Pond Road, Lincoln MA 01773, Attention: Darin LaFalam, Water Superintendent with bid security at 5% of total bid.

Also published on www.commbuys.com and on the MNPA website at masspublicnotices.org. 

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.