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

Town completes second round of bonding for school project

The town has sold bonds worth $8,489,000 in the second portion of borrowing to fund the school project. The sale generated a 2.6% interest rate with annual debt service at roughly $440,000, according to Lincoln Finance Director Colleen Wilkins.

Prior to the sale, the town’s AAA credit rating was affirmed by Standard & Poor, which helped keep interest rates low. “As part of their report, S&P cited strong credit rating factors for the town, including Lincoln’s very strong economy, very strong management with strong financial policies and practices, and the town’s thoughtful practice of building financial reserves,” Wilkins said.

The tax impact on the median tax bill is $215 and will be reflected in real estate tax bills issued in fall 2022.

In the first round of borrowing in early 2019, the town sold bonds worth $80 million at an interest rate of 3.379%. At that time, the Finance Committee was basing property tax impact estimates for the project on an expected interest rate of 4–5%, resulting an estimated tax hike of 18–20%, but officials revised that down to 14–16%.

The combined bond sales plus $4.4 million from the town’s debt stabilization fund and $1 million from free cash in 2019 are funding the $92.9 million project , which is scheduled for completion this summer.  For fiscal year 2023,  the Finance Committee projects in the Annual Town Meeting warrant that debt service for the school project will be $4.29 million, or 9.6% of the $44.52 million town budget.

Police log for Feb. 23–March 3, 2022

February 23

Lincoln Road (3:49 p.m.) — Walk-in to the station couldn’t gain access to their nearby office. Fire Department went down to assist and the building manager arrived to handle the matter.

Lincoln Police Department (4:30 p.m.) — Party turned in a found credit card. Attempts were made to contact the owner.

Millstone Lane (5:59 p.m.) — Party called to report that they lost their license in Minuteman National Park on a trail in case it gets turned in.

Wells Road (8:08 p.m.) — Caller reported smelling a strange odor coming from an apartment. Officers went down but nothing was found.

February 24

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (5:40 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called regarding a person trying to enter the base with an active warrant. Officers arrested Isabelo Guzman-Rodriguez, 47, of Milford on a warrant out of the Lawrence District Court for a violating a restraining order. He was later brought to the Concord District Court

Trapelo Road (7:12 p.m.) — Resident called to report a person on Trapelo Road who was lost and needed assistance in getting to Concord. An officer responded and drove them to Concord.

February 25

Concord Road (6:24 a.m. ) — One-car crash rollover near Baker Farm. Officers and FD responded. No injuries, one vehicle was towed. Report taken.

Minebrook Road (4:05 p.m.) — Caller reported cars parked on the side of the road blocking the plows. An officer responded and found that there were no violations.

Baker Bridge Road (6:13 p.m.) — A vehicle slid into a town plow truck. No injuries; one vehicle was towed from the scene.

February 26

Nothing of note.

February 27

Smith Hill Road (5:03 p.m. and 9:19 p.m.) — Officer attempting to serve paperwork. Party was not home.

Wells Road (7:14 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a party. Officers responded and were unable to locate the party but were able to contact a relative. Everything was fine.

February 28

Nothing of note.

March 1

Smith Hill Road (9:20 a.m.) — Officer delivered paperwork to the party.

Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge (4:00 p.m.) — Detective Ian Spencer assisted Harvard University Police with a forensic sketch regarding an investigation.

March 2

Wells Road (12:54 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas. Fire Department responded; and vented the apartment (the stove was left on).

March 3

Minuteman Technical High School (8:19 p.m.) — School staff found a small packet containing an unknown substance on the school grounds. An officer responded and retrieved the item, which appeared to be an unknown drug. The item was returned to the station to be destroyed.

Conant Road (12:22 p.m.) — Fire Department assisted at a residence with a broken water pipe.

Todd Pond Road (6:14 p.m.) — Caller was having a problem with their fireplace. Fire Department assisted the party. No carbon monoxide readings inside the home.

Virginia Road (6:30 p.m.) — Caller reported an ongoing issue with the fire alarm system. Fire Department responded and found a problem with a smoke detector that was causing the issue.

My Turn: Residents endorse Hutchinson for Select Board

We are writing to endorse Jim Hutchinson for the Select Board. For several years, he has contributed his experience and analytical skills to many town committees. For the past eight years on the Green Energy Committee (GEC), Jim has offered critical thinking and leadership during a time of transition. The climate crisis has brought urgency to the role of the GEC as the town responds to new state guidelines for energy efficiency and reduced emissions.

Jim’s ability to see the problems clearly and articulate the way forward has helped the committee navigate this new path. He is determined to balance costs and benefits, using a “sharp pencil” when needed. He is mindful of the need for residential equity and inclusivity as the town works to implement needed change in our energy practices. Most recently, he has played a key role on the PPA subcommittee, which is working to put solar PV panels on our newly renovated Lincoln School.

Jim has waded into the thorny problems that confront our town organizations during these difficult times. He often brings a light touch of humor to discussions help all of us see the issues more clearly. Lincoln is lucky to have his background, temperament, and commitment to the town.

Sincerely,

Alex Chatfield
Buck Creel
Andy Fallender
Trisha O’Hagan
Roy Harvey
Ed Kern
Chris Klem
Sue Klem
Ed Lang
Paul Shorb
Lynne Smith

“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.

New book offers an inside look at Lincoln METCO sales

The Lincoln METCO Coordinating Committee has published a new book about the hundreds of donations of furniture, antiques, and artwork they sold to help fund activities for students year in and year out.

Downsize for Diversity: How We Raised $122,000 with a Pickup Truck and a Little Help from Our Friends tells the story of how an unexpected donation of 60 porcelain dolls led to the idea of selling them and other donated items to pay for METCO summer camp scholarships. The seed was a fundraising brainstorming session involving the book’s co-authors, MCC fundraising chair Joanna Schmergel and Lincoln METCO Director and AIDE Coordinator Marika Hamilton. (Full disclosure: Lincoln Squirrel Editor Alice Waugh designed and edited Downsize for Diversity but will not earn money from sales of the book; all proceeds benefit the Lincoln MCC.)

“As we pivoted from porcelain dolls to American Girl Dolls to estate sale items, we started to slowly realize the huge opportunity with people who were downsizing for different reasons at different phases of life,” Schmergel said. “We realized we could keep going and get to our goal of $100,000, which would be enough to start a policy-governed investment fund to generate school-year operations funds.”

Over the course of four years, dozens of volunteers learned how to transport, fix up, price, and list items for sale (see photo gallery below). The MCC eventually surpassed their fundraising goal by racking up more than $122,000 in the end. But they haven’t stopped collecting and selling donations; the focus has shifted to artworks only, and the operation is now called “Downsize for Diversity ART” (Anti-Racist Together) and has already raised another $10,000.

The book is packed with photos, tips, and humorous anecdotes about the surprising variety of things that passed from the hands of donors to volunteers to new owners. Those items ran the gamut from American Girl dolls to Southeast Asian furniture, clocks, oil paintings, a computer server cabinet, a canoe, christening gowns — and even a century-old proctoscope complete with case and instructions.

Every item has a history, some of which is included in the book. “People want to give their valuable items to a good cause, but they also want to tell the stories that go along with them,” she said. “We then pass those stories on to the buyers who purchase their treasures and want to hear those stories.”

“We learned that there is passionate support in the greater Boston area for anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Schmergel said. “Almost every single donor and many buyers had a story to tell about how the METCO program touched them as a host parent, close friend to a METCO-enrolled student, coach, or teacher.”

“I have been amazed at the generosity of so many people all over. During times where we were dealing with a dual pandemic, folks were still showing love but wanting to donate dolls, furniture, art, and much more,” Hamilton said, who also had high praise for her co-author. 

“It’s been most rewarding to see Joanna’s passion with Downsize for Diversity. She’s been full throttle since I met her, and our connection and ideas have been magical from the time I met her. Her battery pack never runs low and even if it does, she still has the energy of 100 people. She is one of the most selfless people I know and has unconditionally worked to pull in volunteers and open the doors to her home to keep D for D growing. The benefit has been that students are able to have access to opportunities that they might not otherwise have been afforded.”

For anyone who’s looking to raise money for their local METCO program or any nonprofit, “my advice would be to read our book and let it trigger your own ideas. You can take pieces and fragments from the book and use them to go after the low-hanging fruit,” she said.

Hamilton’s advice? “Your ‘why’ must be very clear because when times feel tough, that’s what will continue to drive your work. I’d also say think big, but it’s OK to start small, even if you start with a goal to raise $1,000. It’s not the dollar amount when you start, but the blueprint and plan you use. And if you’re in need of a plan, purchase our book so you don’t have to grow a second brain! Sharing is caring,” she said with a laugh.

Look inside Downsize for Diversity and buy now from BookBaby.com to maximize MCC’s royalties, or order on Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble.com. All income from sales of the book will go to the Lincoln MCC.

4dolls
baskets1
kimono
truck-rug
armoire
painting
totem
breakfront
proctoscope
shapiro
truck-supplies2
truck-side

My Turn: Article headline was “misleading”

To the editor:

Although the body of the article is accurate, the headline of the Lincoln Squirrel article “Town officials marshal arguments against housing rules” (posted March 3, 2022) is somewhat misleading.

It is important to emphasize that Lincoln is not against the Housing Choice Act, nor is it opposing the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD’s) draft guidelines, which are the focus of this article. The concern is that the DHCD’s proposed rules, as currently written, do not accomplish their intent of providing support and usable guidance on conforming to the Housing Choice Act for smaller towns (like Lincoln). They would have the opposite effect.

Lincoln has a long history of being proactive and diligent in the development and support of affordable housing and still is, as the ongoing support and leadership in this regard from the Planning Board, Board of Selects, SLPAC, COA&HS, Housing Commission, Housing Trust, and many other town bodies and departments demonstrate.

The goal of the town’s response is to encourage the state (and DHCD) to work with Lincoln and other smaller towns to craft a more effective, and comprehensive, approach in support of the Housing Choice Act. We must avoid creating a set of rules that will discourage smaller towns from participating in the effort to address our state’s severe shortage of affordable housing with viable public transit options.

Sincerely,

Allen Vander Meulen
Chair, Lincoln Housing Commission

“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.

PTO to host debate for town candidates

The Lincoln PTO will hold a debate featuring candidates in the March 28 town election on Wednesday, March 16 from 7–9 p.m. The event will take place in the newly renovated Brooks Auditorium and will also be live-streamed and recorded.

Moderating the event will be PTO co-chair Rob Stringer and former PTO president Carol Kasper. All of the candidates for the four contested races (Select Board, Lincoln School Committee, L-S School Committee, and Planning Board) have said they will participate, as have most of those who are running uncontested. “We really want everyone to get to know all the candidates,” Stringer said.

Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves and will then face questions from the moderators. There will also be Q&A opportunities for the audience, probably with questions written down and sent to the moderators as with recent Town Meetings.

National issues have trickled down into local politics in many cities and towns, “but we want to make sure it stays civil and nobody feels attacked from the right or the left. We are still neighbors,” Stringer said.

Details and online links will be announced closer to the event.

News from the Pews

(Editor’s note: Starting today, the Lincoln Squirrel will begin running a periodic roundup of happenings at Lincoln churches compiled by Margit Griffith, Director of Religious Education at the First Parish in Lincoln.)

First Parish in Lincoln (UU/UCC)

4 and 14 Bedford Road, Lincoln

  • Sunday morning worship — Every Sunday at 10 a.m. in person (registration requested; Covid safety required) in the sanctuary at 4 Bedford Road, and via Zoom (see the link on the church’s website). To view previous services, look for the Worship Archive on the website.
  • Religious Exploration —  Every Sunday at 10 a.m. in-person in the Parish House at 14 Bedford Road. This spring’s theme is “Sunday School of Magic and Mystery.” Sunday, March 6: Care of Magical Creatures (what is our responsibility to the creatures of the world?)
  • Ongoing programs (Weekly Meditation, Coffee with the Minister, Quiet Walks, Sacred Texts) — details and links available on the church website.
St. Julia Parish (Catholic)

St. Julia Church, 374 Boston Post Rd., Weston; St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln

  • Weekend Mass —Saturday at 4 p.m., Sunday at  8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.  All Masses continue at St. Julia Church in Weston for now but are live-streamed and posted on Facebook and the church website.  
  • Weekday Mass — Monday through Thursday at 8 a.m. at St. Julia Church, Weston
  • Eucharist Adoration —  Every Friday from noon–1pm in St. Julia Church, weather permitting.
  • Faith Formation — Class on Monday, March 7 for grades 1, 2, 3 and 5 (grade 4 will gather on Sunday). No classes on March 13 or March 14.  
  • Lenten Confession and Mass— Beginning on Wednesday, March 9 and continuing every Wednesday evening through April 6, there will be confessions at 5 p.m. followed by Mass at 5:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Church, Lincoln. 
  • Bible Study— Little Rock Scripture studies will return starting Tuesday, March 1 and run from 9:30–11 a.m. in the Parish Center.  The focus will be on the Book of Revelation. Fr. Bob Braunreuther will lead a study of the four Gospels every Thursday morning in Lent beginning on March 3 from 11 a.m.–noon. Email cmcgarry@stjulia.org for details on either Bible study series.  
  • Small Groups — Returning this Lent. One group will focus on the rich Catholic tradition of prayer forms and will meet on Wednesday evenings in Lent from 7–8:30 p.m. See the bulletin or church website for details.
St. Anne’s in the Fields (Episcopal)

147 Concord Rd., Lincoln

  • Regular 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. in-person services are currently suspended due to damage to the building; we are currently holding a Zoom service on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. (see the link on the church’s website). Other programming as available; please see the website.

Town officials marshal arguments against housing rules

In a response to the state’s new multifamily housing guidelines now being drafted, town officials will argue that the requirements are draconian and impracticable for Lincoln.

Lincoln was one of 42 Massachusetts towns designated by the ​​Housing Choice Act (HCA) as “MBTA communities” that will be required to allow 750 units of multifamily housing within half a mile of an MBTA stop (15 units per acre over 50 acres). Towns have until March 31 to give feedback to the state Department of Housing and Community Development. Those that don’t eventually comply risk losing millions in state grants.

Planning Board and SLPAC members met with the Select Board on February 28 to outline their objections to some of the law’s provisions. The most clear-cut issue is that Lincoln was designated as a “bus” rather than a “commuter rail” town. This wouldn’t change the number of multifamily units required, but towns that fall into the commuter rail category have one more year to implement zoning changes, with a deadline of December 31, 2024 rather than 2023.

The housing density required by the HCA would also have a huge impact. Adding 750 units would increase the town’s total number of housing units (excluding those on Hanscom Air Force Base) by 30%, which is “extremely burdensome” for Lincoln and other small towns when considering the effect on schools, public safety, water usage, and infrastructure, said Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie, Director of Planning and Land Use.

Officials from Lincoln and other towns would like to see more flexibility in the zoning requirements. They suggested that the state let Lincoln split the multifamily zones between two areas (those in proximity to the commuter rail station and the MBTA bus stop near Hanscom Field, for example), or rezone a larger piece of land at a lower density, such as 93 acres with eight units per acre. Basing the number of required units on a percentage rather than units per acre would make more sense, they said.

“No one wants to see a 10-story building in Lincoln center. It’s not a project that would fit within the aesthetics and methods of our town, and we are not alone in that belief,” Vaughn-MacKenzie said.

Meanwhile, the train station itself is not ADA-accessible and does not have a platform, shelters or seating, and the schedule and ticket prices do not encourage commuter use. “We have been asking for upgrades for years,” she said. “If you want all of these towns to build more housing near commuter rail stops, then you have to make the MBTA schedule and fares better serve the users.”

Another problem for Lincoln is that much of the land within the half-mile radius of the commuter rail stop is wetlands or land belonging to the Codman Estate and Mass Audubon, while most of the rest is already zoned for some level of commercial and multifamily housing.

The response letter will be signed by the chairs of the Select Board, the Planning Board, SLPAC and the Housing Commission. Many other towns feel the same way as Lincoln does about the new rules and may collaborate in responding to the DCHD. “I think there will be broad statewide support for advocating something different,” Town Manager Tim Higgins said.

News acorns

Workshop offers an education on soil

Join us for “Uncovering Soil: An Intro to the World Beneath Our Feet,” the first class of the Healthy Soils workshop series, on Tuesday, March 8 from 7–8 p.m. This Zoom session will give an academic overview of soil and how it functions as a carbon sink that can help reverse climate change. Soil ecologist and Lincoln resident Rachel Neurath will share her expertise and enthusiasm for this underappreciated ecosystem. The series continues with in-person classes at Codman Farm every few weeks this spring. Click here to register and get the Zoom link. Healthy Soils is a collaboration among the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, Codman Community Farms, and Mothers Out Front.

Three students chosen for music festival

Lincoln School students Shuman Yuan, Henry Hussey, and Luca Lee.

Lincoln School students Henry Hussey (grade 8, violin), Luca Lee (grade 8, cello), and Shuman Yuan (grade 7, violin) were selected through a vigorous audition process to participate in the Massachusetts Music Educators Eastern District Junior Festival at Nobles and Greenough School in Dedham on March 11 and 12. The program is offered as an enrichment opportunity to brings together the top musicians in our schools. Over 900 outstanding music students in grades 7–9 from 30 school districts auditioned with recorded auditions and less than half were accepted. 

“Given these trying times of COVID, in-person music has been difficult if not impossible. Finally this year, our students will at least be able to rehearse in person for a virtual concert performance,” middle school music teacher Karen Sheppard said.

Drumlin Farm’s Pomponi promoted

Renata Pomponi

Mass Audubon has promoted Renata Pomponi to Senior Regional Director – Metro Boston, a new staff leadership position signaling the organization’s commitment to achieving statewide conservation goals including a focus on access to nature for all. Pomponi previously oversaw Mass Audubon’s Metro West properties in Belmont, Concord, Hopkinton, Natick, and Lincoln, where she served as director of Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary for six years. The region she supervises has expanded to include Metro South wildlife sanctuaries Blue Hills Trailside Museum in Milton, Museum of American Bird Art in Canton, Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary in Sharon and Stony Brook Wildlife Sanctuary in Norfolk. She is also responsible for the development of new Mass Audubon wildlife sanctuaries and urban greenspaces in Cambridge, Lowell, and Concord.   

Prior to joining Mass Audubon in 2007, Pomponi spent 12 years as a management consultant, specializing in strategic planning. She holds multiple degrees from MIT, including a Ph.D. in Technology Management and Policy. Scott McCue is Mass Audubon’s new Metro West Regional Director.

“On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” talk

Kareemah Batts

On Wednesday, April 6 at 7 p.m., Kareemah Batts,  a cancer survivor, paraclimber, a disability advocate, and outdoor enthusiast, will speak about her lived experience and work to co-create a world where diversity is intersectional and accessible. Her talk, “Diversity Is More Than Color,” is part of the “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” speaker series on access, inclusion, and connection in nature. Batts will walk us through her journey and demonstrate what happens when the narrative shifts from “you don’t belong here” to “you belong here, you exist, and you matter.” Click here to register.

News acorns

Talk on end of slavery in Mass.

Elizabeth Freeman

In 1781, Elizabeth Freeman, known as “Mum Bett,” successfully sued for her freedom from the bonds of slavery in a pivotal case argued before the Massachusetts courts. That same year, Quock Walker also sued for his freedom and won. The winning argument in both cases was that slavery was unconstitutional under the Massachusetts Constitution. Lincoln resident Ron Chester, a professor at the New England School of Law, will discuss these cases and their importance on Friday, March 4 at 1 p.m. Email gagnea@lincolntown.org to sign up for this Zoom session.

Get ready for Town Meeting and election

The deadline for registering to vote at the March 24 Annual Town Meeting in the newly renovated Donaldson Auditorium and the March 26 town election is Friday, March 4. Click here to check your current registration status. If you need to update your registration to reflect your current Lincoln address, in most cases it can be done quickly online at this link.

The town election has four contested seats: Lincoln School Committee, Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee, Select Board, and Planning Board. The PTO is planning to hold a candidates’ forum on Wednesday, March 16 (details TBA). Voting will take place in the Reed Gym at the Lincoln School from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents will receive a warrant booklet with a list of all the articles that will be considered and voted on at the Town Meeting as well as the Report of the Finance Committee. If you can’t get to the polls on March 28, you may request an absentee ballot by visiting the Town Clerk’s office clicking here.

T-Ball registration now open

Youth baseball in Lincoln starts with T-ball.  The program is open to boys and girls currently in kindergarten and those starting kindergarten in the fall. Players will meet on various Lincoln fields each Saturday morning from 10–11:30 a.m. The basic mechanics of baseball are taught, and each week features a practice followed by a game. Opening Day is April 30 and the season runs through June 18. Registration and more information can be found at www.sudburybaseball.org, or contact Chris Andrysiak at chris.andrysiak@gmail.com.

Two Lincoln firefighters graduate

Lincoln firefighters James Black and Javier Gonzalez Morales

Lincoln firefighters James Black and Javier Gonzalez Morales are among the 21 newest graduates of the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy’s Call/Volunteer Firefighters Recruit Training Program. After 24 hours of training, they are now qualified as Firefighter I and II and Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations Level by the Massachusetts Fire Training Council.

Students receive classroom and hands-on training during controlled fire conditions in life safety, search and rescue, ladder operations, water supply, pump operation, and fire attack operations ranging from mailbox fires to multiple-floor or multiple-room structural fires. Firefighters also train to respond to a variety of non-fire incidents including chemical, environmental, and medical emergencies, rescue situations ranging from a child who’s fallen through the ice to people trapped in stalled elevators or in vehicle crashes. They also test and maintain equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), hydrants, hoses, power tools, etc.

New library reading challenges underway

Through the generosity of the Friends of the Lincoln Library, the Lincoln Public Library is now offering two reading challenges through Beanstack, a free online reading tracking service. Celebrate Women’s History Month in the Women Changemakers Reading Challenge running though March 31 by reading stories of inspirational creators, brave leaders, and bold changemakers. Choose from titles on our Women’s History Month reading list and log your reading to earn badges. Learn more about the town by reading books about the history of Lincoln and fiction and nonfiction by local authors in the Read Local Challenge runs through November 30 (participants can join any time).

Earn badges for each completed title. There will be a prize drawing at the end of each challenge and one lucky participant will be the winner. The more you read, the more likely it will be you. Register online here or download the Beanstack mobile app to get started.

Friends of Lincoln Library seek volunteers

The Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to support the library by funding items not included in the town budget — special programs, equipment to make library services and programs more accessible to all, and offerings to encourage lifelong learning. FOLL works to stimulate use of the library and encourage broad-based community involvement in library programs and events. 

Each year at this time, FOLL reaches out to the community to find residents interested in volunteering to support its work and being considered for future openings on the board of directors. Self-nominations are welcome. The FOLL board meets monthly from September to June. Volunteers with various skills are welcome to join us in fundraising projects throughout the year. Anyone interested should email the FOLL Nominating Committee at diana.beaudoin@rcn.com.