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

My Turn: Residents with late tax bills are being contacted

To the Lincoln community:

We have recently become aware of an issue with several residents failing to receive their second-half 2022 real estate tax bill. We know Lincoln residents are diligent and timely taxpayers, and so when an unprecedented number of residents notified us via phone calls and emails, we began researching the matter. We were able to determine that 191 residents did not receive an original fiscal year 2022 second-half real estate tax bill.

We are taking steps to notify the affected residents and intend to waive all demand fees and interest charges accrued to date for these specific accounts.

Please be assured that this issue was not a result of a failure in our software; however, we have put additional checks and balances in place to reduce the risk of this occurring in the future.

We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this has caused and truly appreciate your patience and understanding.

Sincerely,

Krystal Elder, Treasurer/Collector
Colleen Wilkins, Finance Director/Town Accountant

Police log for May 11–18, 2022

May 11

Mount Misery parking lot (11:17 a.m.) — Caller reported a dog loose at Mt. Misery and they put a leash on it. Animal Control was contacted to handle.

Baker Bridge Road (4:06 p.m.) — The Water Department given a message regarding marking a pipe at the property.

Baker Bridge Road (4:46 p.m.) — Caller reported a party asleep in the front seat of a car. Officers checked the area but the vehicle was gone on arrival.

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (5:13 p.m.) — Hanscom Air Force Base called reported a party attempting to get onto base with a warrant. An officer responded but the warrant had been taken care of.

Wheeler Road (6:50 p.m.) — Caller reported their water meter was leaking. Water Department was notified to handle.

Todd Pond Road (8:51 p.m.) — New Hampshire police requested a well-being on a resident. They called back as they had made contact with the resident.

May 12

Lincoln Cemetery (9:40 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station wanted to speak to an officer regarding an incident involving a dog in the cemetery. An officer took a report and spoke to both involved parties, and the Animal Control officer was notified.

Concord Turnpike (4:47 p.m.) — An officer was flagged down regarding an animal control issue in Concord. Concord police were notified.

Thoreau Street, Concord (5:43 p.m.) — Concord Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical. The Lincoln Fire Department transported a party to Emerson Hospital.

Silver Birch Lane (7:52 p.m.) — Caller complaining of a barking dog. Officer responded but all was quiet.

May 13

Concord Road (7:20 a.m.) — Walden Pond staff reported a party sleeping in a car at the side of the roadway. Officers checked on the party, who did not have an active license. The vehicle was towed and the party was brought to the station to make arrangements for a ride.

Lewis Street (8:02 a.m.) — A party came to the station reporting that counterfeit checks were written in their business’ name. Report taken, investigation ongoing.

Fox Run Road (5:35 p.m.) — A party came into the station reported that their computer had been hacked. An officer took a report and advised them of ways to protect their identity.

Codman Community Farms (8:30 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station dropped off a found item. The owner was contacted and will pick up in the morning.

May 14

Lincoln Road (1:11 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious vehicle parked in the lot with a party inside. Officers checked and the party was on their way.

Harvest Circle (10:16 p.m.) — Party called the station reporting that a resident of the facility keeps calling their number looking for the front desk. An officer spoke to the staff and they’re speaking with the resident.

May 15

North Great Road (2:15 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked along the side of the roadway. The party was waiting to meet up with a family member who was getting dropped off.

Pine Ridge Road (5:07 p.m.) — Caller reported taking custody of a dog wandering in the area. Animal Control was notified. Meanwhile, the owner called the station looking for the dog and the two were reunited.

Oak Meadow Road (6:20 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing what sounds like gunshots in the area of the cemetery. Officers checked the area but found nothing.

May 16

Wells Road (5:30 p.m.) — Complex management spoke to an officer regarding juveniles causing a disturbance around the property.

Pine Ridge Road (8:14 p.m.) — The caller from the previous day reported that the same dog was back. The owner was contacted to pick up the dog.

May 17

Bedford Road (4:08 p.m.) — Caller reported someone going door to door soliciting. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the party.

Mill Street (7:10 p.m.) — Caller reported a piece of furniture was moved from their property. Report taken.

Beaver Pond Road (9:43 p.m.) — Caller reported an outside odor of gas. The Fire Department checked the area but found no gas readings.

May 18

Main Street, Concord (12:13 a.m.) — Fire Department responded to Concord to cover one of their stations as they have a fire in town.

Old County Road (9:08 a.m.) — Caller reported a dog wandering in the area. Officers were unable to locate it.

Huckleberry Hill (10:41 a.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious vehicle on the property. Response subsequently canceled; caller said it’s a family member.

Old County Road (1:43 a.m.) — Caller reported finding a dog along the road. An officer responded and contacted Animal Control, who took custody of the dog.

Lincoln Road (2:13 p.m.) — Railroad gates were stuck down. MBTA notified; safety protocols were in place.

Drumlin Farm (7:24 p.m.) — Officer checked on a car in the lot with two people inside. They were all set and on their way.

News acorns

Outdoor watering restrictions now in effect

As of May 1, the Water Department has imposed mandatory Stage 2 restrictions on residential and commercial outdoor watering as required by the Mass Department of Environmental Protection. Agricultural water use is considered “essential” — customers who meet the definition of “farmer” according to Lincoln’s Right to Farm bylaw and Mass. General Laws c.40A § 3 are exempt from water use restrictions.)

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
Hand-held wateringAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9am
Above-ground/
in-ground sprinklers		Allowed 7pm–7amAllowed 2 days a week, 6pm–9am by street address:

• Even house #s:
Tues & Sat

• Odd house #s
Wed & Sun		Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am by street address:

• Even house #s:
Sat only

• Odd house #s:
Sun only		Not allowed
Soaker hosesAllowed any timeAllowed twice a week, 6pm–9am on specified days (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)Not allowed
Drip irrigationAllowed any timeAllowed twice a week, 6pm–9am on specified days (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)
New lawnsAllowed any timeJune & Sept. only: 20 days of daily watering, then 2 days a week, 7pm–7am on specified daysJune & Sept. only: once a week, 7pm–7am on specified dayNot allowed
Washing vehiclesAllowed any timeCommercial services onlyCommercial services onlyCommercial services only
Washing buildings, pavementAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, JacuzzisAllowed any timeOne fill per season for new or repaired equipmentTopping off only (3" per month)Topping off or refill not allowed
Car wash fundraisersAllowed any timeAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowed
Games or toys with continuous waterAllowed any timeAllowed 30 mins/day twice a week on specified days (see row #12)Allowed 30 mins/day once a week on specified day (see row #12)Not allowed

Summer reading challenge gets under way

The library will host a Summer Reading Program kickoff party on Wednesday, June 15 from 3:30–5:30 p.m. There will be ice cream, crafts, tattoos, balloon sculpting, Ed the magician, and more. Summer Reading Challenges and book lists will be available. The event will take place on the library lawn (we will move indoors if the weather is uncooperative). All ages welcome! Call the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4 for more information.

Juneteenth celebrations

On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war was over and the enslaved were finally free. The news was delivered almost three years after the Emancipation Proclamation and the passing of the 13th Amendment.

  • On Thursday, June 16 at 7 p.m. via Zoom, Dr. Kellie Carter Jackson, Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Wellesley College, will offer an overview of the history of the holiday and an exploration of the various ways Black communities have created traditions and cultivated the joy of emancipation and freedom. The program is free and open to all but advance registration is required. Sponsored by Belmont Public Library, Belmont Against Racism, Belmont Council on Aging, and the public libraries of Chelmsford, Lexington, Lincoln, Maynard, Newton, Sherborn, and Wayland. The Lincoln Public Library’s portion of the program is sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.
  • The Lincoln METCO Parent Board will host Lincoln’s first annual Juneteenth celebration on Sunday, June 12 from 1-3 p.m. at Codman Field behind the Lincoln School grade 5-8 building. The event, whose theme is “Freedom, Resistance, Power, Strength,” will feature a live DJ and dancing, a bouncy house, face painting, poetry reading, lawn games, face painting, food trucks, vendor tables, and a performance by the Lincoln Public Schools step team. For more information, email lincolnmetcoparentboard@gmail.com.

5K run to benefit Lovelane

Sign up for the annual Susan McDaniel 5K Run for Love sponsored by the Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding program in Lincoln on Sunday, June 12 at 11 a.m. at Weston Town Hall. There will be a “diaper dash” and a kids’ run as well. There will be horses, balloons, games and items for sale.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month events

The Lincoln Public Library will host a virtual LGBTQ+ author panel on Wednesday, June 1 at 7 p.m. via Zoom with Emery Lee, Timothy Janovsky, Katee Robert, and Olivia Waite. Join us for an inside look into the writing process and how the authors connect with the LGBTQ+ community with their  words and stories. Free and open to all but advance registration is required. There will be a second Zoom conversation on “The Impact of Local Authors Writing for the LGBTQ+ Community” with Bren Bataclan, Anna Burke, Federico Erebia, and Jane C. Esther on Thursday, June 30 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Free and open to all but advance registration is required.

See also the community-wide Pride celebration on Wednesday, June 8 from 1:30–4 p.m. in Pierce Park.

Property sales in April 2022

31 Old Concord Rd. — James Dwyer to 31 Old Concord Rd. LLC for $675,000 (April 15).

16 Todd Pond Rd. — Gabriela Traynor to the Jeannie T. Lee Trust and the 16 Todd Pond Road Realty Trust for $2,875,000 (April 22).

News acorns

Trail use forum on May 18

There will be a Lincoln trail-use public forum held on Zoom on Wednesday, May 18 from 7–8:30 p.m. sponsored by the Lincoln Conservation Commission and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. The two organizations have completed a comprehensive review of the multiple uses of Lincoln’s trails and how best to manage them for the protection of open space and overall public benefit. Over the last year, they’ve sought public comments and feedback regarding ways people use and enjoy our open spaces and trails.

At the forum, the Conservation Commission will review the process we used to evaluate changes in allowed trail uses, present draft trail use regulations, and discuss proposed changes to our trail biking map and dog walking rules. Additional comments will be sought during and after this meeting. Afterwards, the commission will post the draft trail-use regulations on the Conservation Department website. Submit any comments to the Conservation Department (conservation@lincolntown.org or 781-259-2612) by Tuesday, May 25. Click here for the May 18 Zoom link.

The new phone books are here!

The long-awaited 2022 Lincoln directory produced by the Friends of the Lincoln Library will be delivered to all households in Lincoln this week. If you do not want a printed phone book, please bring your copy to either the main post office or the library.

Police log for May 1–10, 2022

May 1

Concord Road (4:30 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas outside. Fire Department responded and found no odor.

Weston Road (4:49 p.m.) — Resident called reported being locked out of their house. Fire Department responded and assisted the resident.

May 2

Conant Road (10:22 a.m.) — A resident came into the station to speak to an officer regarding a civil matter. An officer spoke to them and advised them of their legal options.

Mount Misery parking lot (4:07 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle on fire. The vehicle was in the lot and was overheating but not on fire.

Concord Road (5:44 p.m.) — Wayland police advised that their police units are all busy with a certain matter and request that Lincoln police remain near the town line to respond to any emergencies in Wayland.

South Great Road (6:55 p.m.) — Report of a dog walking in the area with no tags. Animal Control was advised.

Lincoln Police Department (11:44 p.m.) — Concord Police requested a courtesy booking for an arrest they had made.

May 3

Waltham Street, Lexington (1:20 p.m.) — Lexington Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical issue in their town. Lincoln Fire Department responded and transported a party to the Lahey Clinic.

May 4

National Park Visitor Center (1:07 a.m.) — Officer checked on an unoccupied vehicle parked in the lot.

Trapelo Road (7:59 a.m.) — Two-car crash Trapelo Road at Old County Road. No injuries; one vehicle was towed.

North Commons (8:36 a.m.) — Caller reported their dog went missing the previous night and asked to speak to Animal Control. Animal Control was notified to contact the resident.

Lincoln Road (2:20 p.m.) — A shop owner asked to speak to an officer regarding kids misbehaving at their store and causing a problem. An officer responded and spoke to the shop owner and will be following up with the parties involved.

Donelan’s Supermarket (4:20 p.m.) — Two parties came to the station to report that they just got into a verbal exchange with a party outside Donelan’s and they wanted to make the police aware. An officer took a report; no crime had occurred.

May 5

Hanscom Field (9:24 a.m.) — Massport Fire asked the Fire Department to respond for a plane en route with an emergency. Call was cancelled while en route.

Harvest Circle (3:26 p.m.) — Officer responded to a minor motor vehicle crash in a parking lot involving a pedestrian. An officer took a report and the party refused medical treatment on scene.

Wells Road (6:22 p.m.) — Caller complained about racoons in their backyard. The animals were on private property and the management company was advised that they need to handle the matter with a wildlife/pest company.

May 6

Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington (1:29 p.m.) — Detective Ian Spencer assisted Lexington police with a forensic sketch regarding an investigation of theirs.

Concord Road (2:19 p.m.) — A family member requested a well-being check on the resident. An officer responded and everything was fine. The officer assisted the party with locating the GPS function on their new phone to get to an appointment.

Acorn Lane (8:50 p.m.) — Caller complaining about a vehicle parked on the street. The owner of the vehicle lives nearby and is moving the vehicle into their driveway.

May 7

Donelan’s Supermarket (1:13 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot. The vehicle belongs to the cleaners working at Donelan’s.

Trapelo Road (1:24 a.m.) — Officer found a couple bags of trash on the side of the roadway near Tabor Hill Road. The DPW was notified.

Rockwood Lane (3:47 a.m.) — Sudbury police requested a well-being check on an individual who was overdue in meeting someone in Sudbury. Sudbury police then called back to report the party has been located and everything was fine.

Smith Hill Road (6:35 p.m.) — An officer responded to the residence to give notification of the passing of a family member.

Lincoln Police Department (8:50 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station was looking to a place to stay. The party was traveling from New York City and thought they were close to Concord, N.H. An officer assisted the party with a ride to Alewife to get into Boston.

May 8

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (11:14 a.m.) — Caller reported two dead animals in the breakdown lane. State Police Concord notified.

Wells Road (6:09 p.m.) — A party came to the station and reported being the vehicle of a scam via the internet. Report taken.

May 9

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (6:26 a.m.) — Report of a one-car crash into the woods near Bedford Road. No injuries; officers assisted State Police, who handled the crash report.

South Great Road (9:53 a.m.) — Car-vs.-deer crash. Minor damage to the vehicle. DPW was notified to remove the deceased deer from the side of the roadway

Baker Bridge Road (8:20 p.m.) — Officer checking on a party parked in the Food Project lot. They had pulled over to use their phone.

Mill Street (3:05 a.m.) — Officer checked on a construction vehicle with its lights on. It appeared to be neglect; the officer was able to turn the lights off.

May 10

Indian Hill Road, Weston (8:08 a.m.) — Weston Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical issue. Lincoln Fire Department responded and transported a party to a local hospital.

South Avenue, Weston (8:35 a.m.) — Weston Fire Department requested an engine to cover their station as they have a fire in town.

Codman Road (10:51 a.m.) — A party came to the station reporting being the victim of check fraud. Report taken, investigation ongoing.

Trapelo Road (12:22 p.m.) — Caller reported a party came to their door and identified themselves as a federal law enforcement officer and they thought it was suspicious. Officers responded and made contact with the party; they were in fact who they said they were.

Wells Road (6:53 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of gas. Fire Department responded and checked and found no readings; everything appeared to be fine.

Addendum

The YouTube video of the May 5 “election integrity” event in Bemis Hall (see the May  11 Lincoln Squirrel story headlined “Bemis Hall speakers push claims of 2020 election fraud”) has been restored after it was taken down for several days for violating the platform’s community guidelines. The video is also available on Groton resident John Abrahamsen’s Facebook page, which contains links to other far-right conspiracy sites and commentators. The May 11 Squirrel story has been updated.

Among the categories of material prohibited by YouTube are misinformation about election integrity, specifically “content that advances false claims that widespread fraud, errors, or glitches changed the outcome of select past national elections, after final election results are officially certified.” By clicking on the three dots under the right-hand side of the video frame, users can report videos that violate YouTube standards.

Service for Lincoln’s Jerry Rappaport draws hundreds

Jerry Rappaport (undated family photo)

A memorial service was on May 11 for Lincoln resident Jerome “Jerry” Rappaport, one of the most storied figures in modern Boston history. Jerry was a famed developer, philanthropist, and civic leader who helped transform the Boston skyline and is sometimes known as the man who rebuilt Boston.

Rappaport, who passed away in December 2021 at age 94, was honored with a celebration of life held at Harvard University. Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government is home to the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston, which has helped educate many top government leaders in Boston and throughout the country and helped shape enduring public policy. Rappaport helped shape Boston’s current political scene by mentoring some of the best and brightest who are now top elected officials, including Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Rachael Rollins, both of whom are Rappaport Fellows and spoke at the service.

Rappaport first came to prominence after graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School when he helped John B. Hynes defeat Boston Mayor James Michael Curley in the historic 1949 mayoral election. He quickly moved on to reshape Boston’s neighborhoods and skyline as a developer, most famously for the West End renewal project, which brought many residents back to the city and led to a housing renaissance.

While Rappaport’s legacy is evident in our current landscape, he is also credited with shaping our politics and creating a generation of government leaders who take a thoughtful approach to policy and governance. He founded the Harvard Law School Forum and New Boston Committee, which promoted and supported Boston City Council and School Committee candidates in a very successful venture. He also founded the Rappaport Institute for Law and Public Policy, which is now at Boston College Law School. With his beloved wife Phyllis, Rappaport also contributed more than $30 million to public policy, health, and arts initiatives through the Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation. 

The celebration of Jerry’s life was attended by a veritable “who’s who” of top government and education leaders. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker told the crowd of hundreds that Rappaport “found ways to truly make a difference and the legacy of much of his work will live on long after many have joined him in the great beyond.”

“Someone like me, who never would have imagined any of this was possible — I am only here because Jerry believed it was possible,” Wu said. 

Harvard University President Lawrence Bacow said Rappaport “believed in us, he created spaces for us, he made us all better than we might have been, stronger than we might have been, wiser than we might have been without him.”

A long list of dignitaries spoke at the Memorial Hall service honoring Jerry’s life, including others whose lives and career have been enhanced through participation at the Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston. Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons, the Cornelius Vanderbilt Endowed Chair of Fine Arts at Vanderbilt University and Rappaport Art Prize Winner, gave an emotional tribute in honor of her mentor. 

Phyllis and Jerry Rappaport at Harvard Law School’s inaugural Rappaport Forum, launched in 2020 to promote discussions on current affairs. (Photo by Tom Fitzsimmons)

Others who spoke included Jerry Rappaport, Jr.; longtime former Rappaport Institute Director Ed Glaeser; former Massachusetts Rep. Jeffrey Sanchez; Dr. Jacob Hooker, professor of radiology at Harvard Medical School; and Chestnut Hill Realty CEO Edward Zuker. 

The service concluded with a beautiful tribute to Jerry by his wife and true love, Phyllis Rappaport, who said, “Jerry was a life force with a twinkle in his eye — sharp, warm, incisive, mischievous, determined, brilliant, loving and loved.”

The Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston strives to improve the governance of greater Boston by strengthening connections among the region’s scholars, students, and civic leaders. The institute pursues this mission by promoting emerging leaders, producing new ideas, and stimulating informed discussion. It was founded and funded by the Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Charitable Foundation, which promotes emerging leaders in greater Boston.

In 2000, the foundation also funded the deCordova’s Sculpture Park and Museum’s annual $35,000 Rappaport Prize.

Rappaport is buried in Lincoln Cemetery. Donations in his memory may be made to the Rappaport Institute of Greater Boston.

Editor’s note: this is a lightly edited version of a piece provided to the Lincoln Squirrel by Regan Communications Group.

My Turn: Donate to high schoolers’ food drive

Dear Lincoln Squirrel readers,

My name is Andrew Craig and I am a junior at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. I have had the pleasure of volunteering with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, our amazing local food bank at St. Joseph’s Church, that serves the residents of Lincoln and Weston. SVdP does incredible work for our community, providing vital emergency food and monetary assistance for those in need. The recent (and ongoing) Covid pandemic and challenging economic times many are experiencing only highlights the continued need to support organizations like SVdP whenever possible.

I am organizing a spring food drive with several friends to benefit SVdP on Saturday, May 21. Please consider donating any extra nonperishable food items you may have. We will happily stop by your home that morning to pick up and collect as many bags as you are willing to donate and will deliver them to the food bank that day. Our goal is collect food items from at least 50 households if possible.

Please email me directly at andrewcraig1210@gmail.com if you are able to contribute in any way. In order to continue to follow proper social distancing/safety measures, please leave your items in a bag for us to collect in a visible location near your front door, driveway, or mailbox. We would ask that you place your items outside by 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21.

Thanks for reading and I hope to hear from you!

Sincerely,
Andrew Craig
10 Farrar Rd.

“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.

Clarification

The headline for the May 15 News Acorns item “Bench honoring Beaver Pond land donor is dedicated” was misleading. The stone seat given by the Garden Club was to honor all people who have been active in conservation in Lincoln over the years, not just land donor Jean Preston. The original headline has been updated.