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

My Turn: McCLure is running for L-S School Committee

By Jason McClure

I want to announce that I’m running for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee to succeed Lucy Maulsby, who is stepping down after three years of thoughtful and dedicated service to the school and our community.

For those who don’t know me, I’ll share a bit of my background. My wife Tessa and I moved to Lincoln in 2022 from St. Louis and have two children at L-S. The high school was a major factor in our decision to live in the area, and I am heavily invested in its success.

While here, I’ve been involved in Lincoln Youth Soccer, First Parish Teen Service Committee, L-S Graduation Late Night and the Lincoln School promotion committee, which helped restore the D.C. trip for Lincoln’s eighth-graders.

You might have also seen me marching in the Lincoln Fourth of July parade with the Lincoln Minutemen, flipping burgers at L-S football games, or chasing fly balls in the Lincoln Co-ed Softball League.

Professionally, I’m a journalist for a nonprofit investigative news outlet that covers global health. Previously, I worked for Bloomberg News, Reuters and a number of other media organizations. I also taught journalism for six years at the University of Missouri.

I believe that L-S is an amazing school, and I want to help sustain its momentum. If elected, my priorities would be to:

  • Support L-S’s diverse course offerings that allow our teachers to teach classes they’re passionate about and give our students course options that rival those at many colleges.
  • Bolster initiatives that foster community at L-S among students of different grades and backgrounds.
  • Aid the school committee’s commitment to transparency and open communication with staff, parents, students and the community.
  • Work to keep the L-S Regional School District on a sound financial footing.

The district faces challenges that will require careful planning. The school’s roof requires a major repair or replacement that will likely necessitate a new bond issue. Federal funding for our special education programs is uncertain due to changes in Washington, D.C. Like many public schools, L-S’s enrollment has been gradually declining, necessitating spending and staffing adjustments.

If elected, I’m committed to addressing such issues with the long-term health of our high school in mind ­– while remaining mindful of the growth of property taxes.

I’ll work to continue the current committee’s record of collaboration, respect for differing viewpoints and reasoned debate. Finally, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on how we can improve our school and how the committee can better serve the community.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at  jmclure@yahoo.com. I would be grateful for your support at the polls on Monday, March 30.

Jason McClure
191 Concord Road, Lincoln

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. 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: Historic District Commission (several)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to consider the following applications. Anyone wishing to be heard on these matters should be present at the designated time and place.

  • Jane O’Rourke, 29 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-4-0, to replace the existing roof and build a new shed in the backyard.
  • Codman Community Farms, 58 Codman Rd., M/P 161-23-0, to make alterations to Barn B to support converting the store to this location, adding a timber canopy, new storefront, loading dock and new windows.
  • Historic New England, Gropius House, 68 Baker Bridge Rd., M/P 141-1-0, to replace the thirty year old roof with a EPDM rubber roof on the main house and Ati’s porch, and repairs to the porch decking.
  • Elinor Hardigg, 99 Tower Rd., M/P 170-27-0, to remove an existing shed.
  • Donald and Regina Halsted, 145 Tower Rd., M/P 180-21-0, to add a garage, restore front entrance, add a connector to the garage, window bump out and remediate and preserve the barn.

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

Legal notice: ZBA (141 South Great, 29 Lincoln)

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7:00 P.M to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Almut Werminghausen, 141 South Great Rd., M/P 173-12-0 for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.

Jane O’Rourke, 29 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-4-0 for a special permit to build a 8’ x 12” shed and roof canopy over front door. 

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

Police log for Jan. 7–20, 2026

January 7

Nothing of note.

January 8

Moccasin Hill (7:28pm) — A officer spoke with a person regarding an ongoing civil matter.

South Great Road (5:54pm) — Officers assisted a person in reporting several missing items.

Baker Bridge Road (3:37pm) — A caller reported a utility wire down in the road. The Fire Department moved the wire and notified the utility company.

Hanscom Drive (2:00pm) — An officer responded to Hanscom Air Force Base to assist Hanscom Security Forces.

January 9

Sweet Bay Lane (6:18am) — Officers checked the area at the request of an outside agency for a possible missing person. The person was not at the address provided.

Donelan’s Supermarket (3:22pm) — An officer checked the area for a person who was approaching customers and asking to do body work on their vehicles. An officer was unable to locate the person.

Marrett Street (2:40pm) — A person spoke to an officer regarding a missing/destroyed item.

Stratford Way (4:27pm) — Officers responded to a residence at the request of the homeowner who reported suspicious activity.

Fox Run Road (5:17pm) — An officer spoke to a person about a missing item.

January 10

Concord Road (7:19am) — A motorist reported slick roads in the area. The DPW was notified.

Stratford Way (1:52pm) — An officer followed up with a resident regarding a past call for service to the area.

January 11

Mill Street (11:21am) — A caller asked an officer to stand by while they retrieved some items from a work site.

Silver Birch Lane (1:25pm) — The police received two reports of a dog running loose in the area. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Mill Street (4:47pm) — A caller requested that an officer respond to a work site due to an ongoing civil matter.

January 12

Hanscom Drive (8:11am) — Hanscom Security Forces called requesting assistance with a person who had taken a vehicle without the owner’s permission. Officers followed up with the owner of the vehicle and the police department where the vehicle was taken.

Round Hill Road (3:52pm) — A caller reported that a possibly fraudulent check had been cashed. An investigation is ongoing.

South Commons (7:38pm) — A caller spoke with an officer about a missing item from their home.

January 13

Nothing of note.

January 14

Scott Circle, Hanscom AFB (8:55am) — A person spoke to an officer regarding possible credit card fraud.

Old County Road (2:16pm) — An officer found a package that was apparently discarded. The package was brought to the appropriate address.

Davison Drive (4:15pm) — An officer attempted to serve court paperwork but was unsuccessful.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:33pm) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a two-vehicle crash.

January 15

Davison Drive (9:46am) — An officer attempted to serve court paperwork but was unsuccessful.

Donelan’s Supermarket (3:06pm) — An officer spoke to the drivers of two vehicles that were involved in a hit-and-run.

Weston Road (3:52pm) — An officer checked the area for a runner who had an encounter with a motorist.

January 16

Mary’s Way (11:03am) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person. The person was not there but was eventually located, and everything was fine.

Andrews Circle, Hanscom AFB (9:08pm) — Officers assisted Hanscom Security Forces in searching for a missing person who had left the base. Lexington Police were able to locate the individual a short time later.

January 17

Fridolin Hill (2:25am) — A caller requested a well-being check on an overdue motorist. An officer found the vehicle and its occupant, Aidan Needleman, 23, of Halifax, MA. He was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor and was bailed a short time later and ordered to appear at Concord District Court on Jan. 20.

Lincoln Road (8:30am) — The MBTA called to notify that a disabled train was stuck at the Lincoln Road crossing. MBTA and an officer remained on scene until the train could be moved.

Weston Road (10:25am) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a stolen check/check-washing incident. An investigation is ongoing.

Concord Road (11:24am) — An officer spoke to a person about possible identity fraud.

Birchwood Lane (6:30pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person at the request of an outside agency.

Page Road (10:05pm) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas inside of their residence. The Fire Department determined the odor was coming from a boiler and advised the caller to contact a repair service.

January 18

South Great Road (8:47am) — The Lincoln Police and Fire Departments responded to Route 117 for a crash that occurred when a vehicle crossed the roadway and struck a tree. The operator, who was injured and transported to the hospital, was issued a citation for operating a motor vehicle without a license, speed, and a marked lanes violation.

January 19

Lincoln Library (1:13am) — The DPW called requesting assistance in moving a vehicle that was hindering snow removal operations.

Lincoln Road (3:02pm) — A caller reported the railroad gates appeared to be malfunctioning. An officer responded to the area and Keolis was called. A short time later, Keolis addressed the malfunctions at the Lincoln Road and Old Sudbury Road crossings.

Lincoln Road (6:05pm) — A person reported an observation related to an ongoing civil matter.

January 20

Hanscom Drive (8:56am) — Officers assisted Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces with a person suffering from a mental health crisis.

Davison Drive (1:32pm) — An officer was able to serve court paperwork.

South Great Road (6:26pm) — A caller reported a suspicious motor vehicle in the driveway. The vehicle was a delivery vehicle that was stuck in the snow, and the driver had made their own arrangements to free it.

Legal notice: Conservation Commission (infrastructure)

LEGAL NOTICE — CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will be seeking public comments on January 28, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. regarding two infrastructure projects: (1) replacing the Lincoln Road/Stony Brook culvert to improve roadway safety, restore aquatic connectivity, and increase climate resilience and (2) constructing a boardwalk to improve a section of the Bay Circuit trail between the Lincoln Canoe Landing and main Mt. Misery parking lot along Route 117 (Parcel 159-20-0). Information on how to log onto the virtual public meeting will be included in the LCC Agenda posted on the town’s website at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.

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

Legal notice: Planning Board public hearing (wetlands)

LEGAL NOTICE — PLANNING BOARD

In accordance with the provisions of MGL, Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00pm to review the following proposed changes to the Lincoln Zoning Bylaw:

  • Amend the town’s Zoning Bylaw, Section 12.2, W-Wetland and Watershed Protection District, by deleting the section in its entirety.

The section is proposed to be deleted because it has been superseded by current wetlands permitting and is therefore obsolete.

Details of the proposed changes are also available in the Planning Department, Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts, between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Copies will be provided upon request.

This meeting of the Planning Board will be held in a hybrid manner pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025 which extends through June 30, 2027 the ability of public bodies to meet in a fully remote or hybrid manner. This meeting will be converted to a fully remote meeting if the weather so dictates and appropriate notice will be provided. The agenda with the Zoom information will be posted to the town website at lincolntown.org/calendar two days prior to the hearing date.

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

My Turn: Kudos to Lincoln Witness vigil participants

By Kim Jalet

Thank you to the 55-60 people who came out for some or all of Sunday night’s Lincoln Witness vigil. We shined the light of liberty on a cold and snowy evening full of community building and learning.

For those who were unable to attend but who were with us in spirit, you can learn more about actions you can take at our website at lincolnwitness.org, where you’ll find information about the De-ICE Hanscom movement, vigils at the Burlington ICE field office where people have been kept for days in poor conditions, and legislation we support.

Please save the date for the upcoming Benefit Concert for Emergency Immigrant Support featuring music by the Honey Steelers on Sunday, Feb. 8. Lincoln Witness and St. Anne’s in the Field’s Social Justice Commission are co-sponsoring the event, with support from the First Parish Lincoln Racial Justice Committee and other generous contributors. We hope you’ll join us!

A special thank you to the Selects, Tim Higgins, and Rod McDonald at the town offices for making the lobby available in case anyone needed to warm up.

Let’s keep shining our lights, Lincoln!

Warmly,

Kim Jalet
Brooks Road

The January 18 vigil at Town Hall. (Photo by Brian Jalet)

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. 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.

Nicholson won’t run again for Planning Board

Editor’s note: On January 19, a sentence was added to make clear that there are two openings on the Planning Board in the upcoming election. 

Incumbent Craig Nicholson has said he will not run for reelection, so unless another candidate files, Margaret Olson will regain the seat she lost in 2025.

“Between family commitments, work responsibilities, and my desire to focus my attention on ensuring a successful relocation of the Codman Community Farm store, the year ahead is shaping up to be a very full one. Given that, I don’t feel I would be able to dedicate the time and energy that effective service on the Planning Board requires,” said Nicholson, who was elected as a newcomer in 2023.

“That said, I do hope to remain involved in planning-related efforts in Lincoln. I plan to continue my work with the Dark Skies Committee and other planning and policy initiatives in town, and I would not rule out the possibility of serving another term on the Planning Board in the future, should circumstances allow and the town sees fit,” Nicholson added.

As it now stands, the Planning Board candidates for the March 30 town election are incumbent Lynn DeLisi and Olson for the two openings on the ballot, so both will win seats if no one else decides to run. Olson was chair of the board in 2025, having served on the panel since 2013, but lost her bid for reelection last year when newcomers Susan Hall Mygatt and Rob Ahlert won seats in the wake of the Housing Choice Act controversy.

The last day to take out nomination papers is Thursday, Feb. 5, and the deadline to return the papers to the Town Clerk’s office is Monday, Feb. 9. Available seats:

  • Board of Assessors – one seat for three years
  • Board of Health – one seat for three years
  • Cemetery Commission – one seat for three years
  • Commissioners of Trust Funds – one seat for three years
  • Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee – two seats for three years
  • Moderator – one seat for three years
  • Parks and Recreation Committee – one seat for three years
  • Planning Board – two seats for three years
  • K-8 School Committee – two seats for three years
  • K-8 School Committee – one seat for one year
  • Select Board – one seat for three years
  • Trustees of Bemis Fund – one seat for three years
  • Water Commissioner – one seat for three years

To learn more, see the Town Meeting/election schedule or contact Town Clerk Valerie Fox at 781-259-2607 or email foxv@lincolntown.org.

Firefighters get PFAS-free gear

By Brian Young, Lincoln Fire Chief

Lincoln firefighter Kevin Gates models the new PFAS-free turnout gear.

The Lincoln Fire Department is proud to share that we have purchased our first set of PFAS-free turnout gear. This initiative reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to reducing occupational health risks while maintaining the highest standards of fire protection.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) were commonly used in firefighting gear for waterproofing and durability. However, recent research has linked PFAS exposure to increased cancer risk and other long-term health concerns, prompting fire departments seek alternatives. The state has passed legislation to allow only PFAS-free gear sold after 2027.  Gear companies have been coming to market with new products in the past year, but want to make sure the gear holds up to the demands of the job.

Firefighter Kevin Gates, a newly hired member of the Lincoln Fire Department, will be the first to wear and evaluate the PFAS-free turnout gear during regular operations. This trial period will allow the department to assess the gear’s performance, durability, and comfort before moving forward with the potential purchase of PFAS-free turnout gear for the entire department.

This proactive approach ensures that Lincoln firefighters are protected not only from the immediate dangers of firefighting, but also from long-term health risks associated with their equipment.