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

My Turn: DeLisi aims for another Planning Board term

By Lynn DeLisi

Dear Lincoln residents,

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Lincoln Planning Board, a position I have cherished for the past decade, and I ask for your continued support.

Lincoln is not just where I live; it is a community I truly care about. From the moment we moved here 15 years ago, I have felt a strong responsibility to protect the neighborhoods, open spaces, and sense of safety that make this town so special.

My work on the Planning Board has always centered on one goal: to represent all residents thoughtfully and with sensitivity to their needs, and ensure that no project or policy coming before the Planning Board negatively impacts neighbors or their property. I listen carefully, research thoroughly, and speak up when development threatens the character or stability of a neighborhood.

If re-elected, I will continue to:

  • Safeguard residents’ properties and quality of life.
  • Ensure responsible, transparent development.
  • Update our long-range plan to reflect both growth and preservation.
  • Protect Lincoln’s trees, farmlands, and natural beauty.
  • Facilitate strong open communication between residents and the Board

I am dedicated to keeping Lincoln the community we all chose for its peace, integrity, and shared respect for one another. I would be honored to continue representing you.

With gratitude and commitment,

Lynn E. DeLisi, South Great Road
delisi76@aol.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 Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Police log for Dec. 31, 2025–Jan. 6, 2026

Lincoln police are seeking the public’s help in identifying this person. The images are from Lincoln and Sgt. Ian Spencer said the person was “involved in an incident in town” but was not wanted by police. “This request is just for identification purposes,” he said.

December 31

Oak Knoll Road (12:35pm) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas in the area. The fire department responded and metered the area. No measurable amounts were detected.

Oak Knoll Road (3:49pm) — A caller reported a branch was resting on wires. Utility crews were notified.

Farrar Road (4:29pm) — An officer responded to a residence after a squirrel became trapped in a bird feeder. The officer was able to free the trapped animal.

Mayflower Road, Hanscom AFB (3:26pm) — An officer assisted a person with some motor vehicle paperwork.

Lincoln Woods (10:52pm) — A caller requested assistance in gaining entry to a building. The caller was advised to contact maintenance.

Sunnyside Lane (10:19pm) — Officers responded to a residence regarding a noise complaint. Officers spoke to several individuals who would keep the noise to a minimum.

Old Bedford Road (5:34pm) — A motorist reported seeing someone walking near the roadway that might need assistance. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the person.

January 1

South Great Road (1:49pm) — Officers checked the length of Route 117 for a vehicle involved in an incident that occurred in another community.

Baker Bridge Road (9:00pm) — Eversource called to request assistance due to road conditions. The DPW was notified.

January 2

South Great Road (12:26pm) — Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection with Route 126. There were no reported injuries and one of the vehicles was towed from the scene. The operator responsible for the crash was cited for failure to yield.

North Commons (6:41am) — An officer responded for a noise complaint.

January 3

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (10:31am) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

Twin Pond Lane (11:02am) — An officer assisted a caller with an issue inside their residence.

January 4

Old Bedford Road (12:41pm) — An officer checked the area after a vehicle was reportedly parked in close proximity to the Air Force gate. The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

Mount Misery parking lot (7:52am) — A caller reported a possibly disabled motor vehicle in the Mt. Misery lot. The driver had stopped for directions.

Minuteman Technical High School (1:52pm) — A person reported that they were locked in the Minuteman campus. An officer was able to open the gate and let them out.

January 5

Moccasin Hill (6:11pm) — An officer assisted a person with a civil matter.

Bank of America (8:38am) — Police and fire personnel responded to a report of an odor of natural gas. The Fire Department located and addressed the source. The building was vented and normal business resumed.

Bedford Road (5:35pm) — A vehicle crossed the center line and struck a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. There were no reported injuries. One of the vehicles was towed from the scene and the operator responsible for the crash was cited for a marked lanes violation.

January 6

Lincoln Road (11:11am) — A person advised police that a vehicle had been towed from private property.

My Turn: Madrick seeks reelection to Lincoln School Committee

By Matina Madrick

Hello, I’m Matina Madrick, the current chair of the Lincoln School Committee, and I’m excited to share that I am running for re-election.

Over the past two and a half years, I’ve had the privilege of serving on the School Committee. Early in my first year, my colleagues entrusted me with the role of chair. The work has been demanding and deeply rewarding, giving me a firsthand appreciation for the complexity of public education — balancing strong academics with fiscal responsibility, supporting our dedicated teachers and staff, and ensuring that every Lincoln student has access to high-quality learning opportunities.

I’ve also learned how critical it is to stay connected with the community. I regularly meet with parents, educators, and other residents to listen, answer questions, and understand the perspectives that should inform our decisions. Those conversations shape how I approach my work on the Committee.

I am proud of what we’ve accomplished together:

  • Strengthening financial oversight and transparency by establishing a Finance Subcommittee, improving budget consistency, and closely tracking timelines.
  • Maintaining educational quality while respecting taxpayer constraints—passing two level-service budgets within the town’s 2.5% guideline and supporting the administration through collective bargaining and the successful renewal of the Hanscom contract.
  • Championing the selection and rollout of a new English Language Arts curriculum, which earned strong support from families and faculty and represents a long-term investment in teaching quality.
  • Improving School Committee processes to make meetings and materials more accessible, reduce meeting length, and encourage clearer, more data-driven reporting.

As chair during a period of significant administrative transition, I’ve focused on maintaining continuity and building strong, respectful relationships across the district and town — helping ensure smooth planning and stable support for our schools.

If re-elected, my priorities include:

  • Strengthening our shared campus vision. As the community center moves forward, we must collaborate to balance the needs of students, families, and the broader community.
  • Right-sizing resources. As Lincoln’s demographics shift, we need to track enrollment trends carefully and adjust budgets responsibly while maintaining the high educational standards families expect.
  • Consistently reporting on student achievement. We’ve made progress, and I plan to continue improving how we track student growth and clearly identify areas where additional support is needed.
  • Making equity concrete. Lincoln values equity and inclusion, and the School Committee must translate those values into tangible decisions — from curriculum to resource allocation — so every student has the opportunity to succeed.

I’ll be hosting several meet-and-greets and would love to connect. Please feel free to reach out to me anytime at mmadrick@gmail.com. Thank you for your consideration. I would be honored to continue serving the Lincoln community. As a reminder, Election Day in Lincoln is March 30, 2026!

“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.

News acorns

Public forum on Dark Skies Initiative

The Dark Skies Committee, a subcommittee of the Lincoln Planning Board, will hold a public information forum on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30pm in the Donaldson Room in the Town Hall and via Zoom. The discussion will center on the effects of nocturnal lighting on wildlife, insects, and humans, and on what can be done to mitigate its negative effects while promoting safe lighting practices. The committee will also address possible bylaw changes that could move the town towards compliance with guidelines in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Dark Skies Initiative.

Library happenings

The Lincoln Quilt Group members (Nancy Constable, Anne Crosby, Tricia Deck, Linda MacNeil, Victoria Mielke, Margaret Olson, Lucy Sachs, Kathleen Sacknoff, Jane Solar, and Dilla Tingley) are showing their quilts in the Lincoln Library gallery for the month of January. The quilts will be offered for sale in a silent auction, and proceeds will go to the successful bidder’s charity of choice. Bids will close on Thursday, Jan. 29 and winners will be announced at the closing reception to be held on Friday, Jan. 30 from 3:00–5:00pm. Instructions for bidding are on the table just inside the entryway. Questions? Call Tricia Deck at 781-223-8983.

Also coming up:

Superspy Science: Science, Death & Tech in the World of James Bond
Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2:00-3:00pm (Zoom)
Author Dr. Kathryn Harkup, writer, science communicator and vampirologist, will discuss the science behind James Bond’s exploits, including armaments, tactics, plots and enemy tech, outlined in her book. Register here.

Wildlife Out Your Window
Saturday, Jan. 17, 1:30–2:30pm, Tarbell Room
Join us for an author event with Brad Timm on his book, Wildlife Out Your Window: Fascinating Facts About 100 Animals Commonly Seen in the Northeastern U.S. Did you know that blue jay feathers aren’t actually blue, or that some foxes can climb trees? Brad, a wildlife ecologist and the founder and executive director of the Northeast Wildlife Team, will share some of his favorite facts from the book, discuss simple actions each of us can take to help wildlife around us, and answer your wildlife questions.

How Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II
Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7:00–8:00pm, Zoom
Author Elyse Graham will discuss her new book, Book and Dagger: How Scholars and Librarians Became the Unlikely Spies of World War II, the true untold story of the academics who became OSS spies, invented modern spycraft, and helped turn the tide of the war to defeat the Nazis. Register here.

Drop-in Craft: Make a Vision Board
Saturday, Jan. 24, 12:00–3:00pm
Stop by the Reference Room and create your own vision board. This is a drop-in craft and all materials will be provided — just bring your goals and dreams for the year! Ages 10 and up. 

Pop-Up Art School: Night Sky with Trees
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 5:30–7:00pm
Paint a star-filled night sky with silhouettes of a hillside and trees. Ages 13+. Register here.

Hospice volunteer training

Care Dimensions is offering training for this interested in becoming hospice volunteers and offering companionship and support to patients and families, usually in their homes or at the hospice house in Lincoln. Training is on Monday and Wednesday mornings from Feb. 23 to March 11 via Zoom. Click here to register by February 13 or email volunteerinfo@caredimensions.org to learn more.

Movie: “A Squirrel’s Guide to Success”

Come to the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust office above the Tack Room on Thursday, Jan. 29 to see a Nature/PBS production about squirrels’ problem-solving skills, acrobatic maneuvers, and more. Free; all ages welcome. RSVP here.

Book discussion with Minute Men

All are invited to join the Lincoln Minute Men for their next book group event, a discussion of Alfred Young’s The Shoemaker and the Tea Party: Memory and the American Revolution on Sunday, Feb. 8 at 2:30 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The book examines the role of George Robert Twelves Hewes, who participated in key events of the American Revolution. Purchase a copy or order one to borrow from the Minuteman Library Network.

My Turn: Ravi Simon running for reelection to L-S School Committee

By Ravi Simon

Dear Lincoln,

Thank you for the honor of electing me to serve on the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee. I am excited to declare my candidacy for a second term and ask for your support once again.

I ran for the L-S School Committee in 2023 to bring my perspective as a former student to the committee’s work and to help ensure that today’s students receive an education as strong as the one I received as a member of the Class of 2015.

Over the past three years, I have been proud to take on a leadership role on the committee. Anyone who knows me knows that I hold strong views grounded in my values. At the same time, I firmly believe that good leadership begins with listening respectfully to all perspectives and working toward consensus. In that spirit, I have focused on strengthening the committee’s collegiality and our working relationships with the L-S Administration, our teachers, and both towns. This approach has earned the confidence of my colleagues, who elected me vice chair in 2023 and chair in 2024, and unanimously re-elected me as chair in May 2025.

During my first term, I played a key role in successfully negotiating a fair contract with our teachers, helped launch the process that resulted in a ban on cell phones in classrooms, and ensured greater transparency by releasing documents to the community in advance of our meetings. Most of all, I am proud to have played a part in ensuring that L-S remains on stable financial and academic footing, while preserving the unique character and culture that make our high school special.

Serving Lincoln at both the local and state levels has been a privilege. For close to five years, I have also worked as the sole staff member for State Rep. Carmine Gentile, who represents constituents in both Sudbury and Lincoln in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. This role has provided me the opportunity to meet many of my neighbors in both towns and to listen closely to their priorities and concerns, which helps me better serve students and families on the School Committee.

Although work and friendships already connected me to Lincoln, one of the most enjoyable parts of serving on the committee has been getting to know the town even better. We may have crossed paths at the Winter Carnival Coffee House, Girl Scout pancake breakfast, Council on Aging holiday lunch, Town Meeting, IDEA newcomers party, the PTO back-to-school picnic, or other community gatherings. I look forward to continuing to be a familiar face around town — although you’ll have to forgive me for remaining a Sudbury resident.

My current objectives on the committee include:

  • Completing a long-overdue legal and technical update to the regional agreement between Lincoln and Sudbury, which has not been revised since the 1980s;
  • Ensuring that the School Committee and administration are able to successfully repair or replace our aging roof
  • Helping foster an environment where all students feel welcome by including a nonvoting METCO representative in the committee’s discussions, evaluating our ADA compliance, and advancing efforts to educate students about issues of inclusion and respect for human differences.

And, of course, I will continue to bring my distinct perspective as an alumnus to discussions as the committee works to meet the academic and social-emotional needs of students.

I will be working to earn your vote on Monday, March 30. If you’re interested in learning more, I hope you will visit my campaign website (ravisimon.com), and please reach out (raviforlincolnsudbury@gmail.com) if you have any questions, or would like to talk.

Warmly,

Ravi Simon
437 Cold Brook Drive, Sudbury

“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: Payne running to succeed Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden

(Editor’s note: Longtime Tow Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden announced in December that she would not be seeking another term.)

By Andy Payne

Fellow residents,

I’m running for Town Moderator.

Some of my background and principles: I was on the Finance Committee for several years, chairing it for five. I have experience with and appreciation for the Town Meeting process, working with residents and town staff, finding agreement, and respectfully disagreeing.

Our little town depends heavily on volunteers. I’ve lived in Lincoln nearly all of my adult life and raised three children here. I know it’s a cliche, but I feel an obligation to continue to “give back.”

My LincolnTalk posts and Town Meeting podium time demonstrate my approach to ensuring that residents are informed about (sometimes) complex topics, the implications of their votes, and essential trade-offs. If voters support it, I’d be honored to continue that work as Moderator.

On Town Meeting itself:

Town Meeting starts long before the actual meeting. I would strongly encourage groups to host sessions and post materials (FAQs, videos, slides, etc.) in advance so residents can come fully informed. For especially contentious topics, it might be possible for the moderator to serve as a pre-meeting facilitator between opposing groups.

Long meetings are burdensome for some, and the Town Meeting Study Committee has done excellent work identifying accessibility issues.

I believe that clickers, front-loading the schedule with the expected contentious topics, pre-published information, and moving even more items onto the consent calendar will go a long way toward keeping things manageable. Also, chyrons on the video feed clearly indicating the current and next warrant articles, along with (possibly) a simple text alert system for agenda items, will support those who need to “cherry-pick” their attendance.

With that said, I believe it’s worth spending some extra meeting time to ensure the process is as fair as possible and people feel heard, even when the vote goes against them. Also, it’s important for us all to understand the mechanics of Town Meeting and town government.

The election is on Monday, March 30.

Sarah Cannon Holden will leave some very big shoes to fill after our upcoming Town Meeting on March 28, and I’m humbled to have a chance to try. If anyone has questions, comments, feedback, concerns, and/or suggested dad jokes, please email me at andy@payne.org.

Respectfully,

Andrew Payne, Tower Road

“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.

Police log for Dec. 20 – 30, 2025

December 20

Winter Street (9:01am) — A tree was reported to be down across Winter Street. Wires had also come down with the tree. The area was blocked off and utility crews were notified.

Lincoln Road (12:55pm) — A person reported finding a dog on Lincoln Road. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Granville Road (2:20pm) — Verizon was notified of a utility wire across a resident’s driveway.

Winter Street (3:00pm) — Several residents called 911 after seeing utility crews were seen leaving their street during a power outage. Eversource was contacted and they advised that they would be back to restore power.

Hillside Road (3:16pm) — Officers performed a check on residents in a house with no power.

Cerulean Way (5:58pm) — Officers performed a check of a residence. Everything was OK.

Concord Road (7:22pm) — A rollover crash was reported on Route 126 by Walden Pond when a vehicle left the roadway and struck multiple bollards and a tree before coming to rest on its side. The operator was transported to the hospital and cited for a marked lanes violation.

Hillside Road (9:17pm) — Officers performed another check of the house without power.

December 21

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (10:38pm) — Officers assisted Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

December 22

Lincoln Road (2:49pm) — A caller reported that their cat was missing. The feline was located moments later hiding in the residence.

Granville Road (6:06pm) — A caller reported that a utility wire was lying across their driveway. Verizon was notified.

South Great Road (4:28pm) — A caller reported seeing three youths ice skating on Farrar Pond. An officer performed a visual check and utilized a drone but saw no traces of anyone on the ice.

December 23

Wells Road (1:36pm) — A caller reported a strong odor of natural gas. The Fire Department responded and assisted in ventilating the residence.

Sandy Pond Road (2:33pm) — An officer corresponded with a person regarding a civil matter.

Harvest Circle (5:40pm) — Fire and police units responded to a vehicle fire that was knocked down prior to arrival, but firefighters provided additional suppressive measures. The vehicle was towed.

Weston Road (7:14pm) — Police and fire units responded for a single-car crash. The operator was not injured and the vehicle was towed.

Concord Road (10:55pm) — A motorist drove off the road and struck a portion of guardrail. The driver was uninjured and the vehicle was towed.

December 24

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:38am) — Lincoln Police assisted Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

Concord Road (6:52am) — A motorist drove off the roadway and got stuck on a boulder. They were cited for driving at a speed greater than reasonable. The vehicle was towed.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:00am) — Lincoln Police assisted Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

December 25

Lincoln Public Schools (11:54am) — Police, in coordination with mutual aid partners and the Lincoln Public Schools administration, responded to the Ballfield Road and Hanscom Air Force Base campuses for a reported bomb threat. All campuses were searched and nothing out of the ordinary was discovered. Click here for more information.

December 26

Wells Road (6:25pm) — A caller spoke with an officer regarding a past interaction.

Concord Road (8:13pm) — An officer checked on a vehicle that had been parked on the side of the road.

December 27

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (11:49am) — An officer stood by with several occupants of a vehicle that required a tow. The occupants were able to secure their own transportation.

Minebrook Road (2:26pm) — An officer spoke with a person about two items they wished to turn in to the police station.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:24pm) — Lincoln Police assisted Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

December 28

Winter Street (8:30am) — Police and fire units responded for a single-vehicle crash that happened when the vehicle suffered a flat tire before to striking a utility pole. The operator was not injured and the vehicle was towed.

Bypass Road (1:39pm) — The fire department responded to the area of Bypass Road and Lexington Road for the report of an odor of natural gas. National Grid was notified.

December 29

North Great Road (10:10pm) — A caller reported that a large tree was blocking the roadway. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the obstruction.

December 30

Bedford Road (4:02am) — Officers responded for a large tree blocking Bedford Road. The DPW and utility companies were notified.

Old Winter Street (10:38am) — A caller reported that a large truck blocking the road. An officer checked the area but there were nothing obstructing the road.

Christmas bomb threat to Lincoln, Hanscom Schools

The Lincoln School (photo from Lincoln Public Schools website)

On Christmas morning, there was a bomb threat to the Lincoln Public Schools, resulting in a thorough search of both the Lincoln and Hanscom campuses.

According to a Dec. 25 letter to staff and parents from Superintendent of Schools Parry Graham, after a faculty member received the bomb threat visa email and reported it to police, Lincoln police immediately began an investigation, conducted exterior sweeps of the buildings, and activated a regional response through the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (NEMLEC), the Massachusetts State Police, and the Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces.

“The threat was non-specific and from a sender with no known connection to our schools,” Graham wrote.

“Given the non-specific nature of the threat, a lack of connection to our schools, and other indicators, our law enforcement partners have assessed that there is no immediate safety threat,” Graham wrote to staff and parents in a Dec. 28 follow-up email. “Out of an abundance of caution, Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces and the Massachusetts State Police conducted K-9 inspections of both the Hanscom School and the Lincoln School, as well as the Hartwell Building, including Magic Garden. Nothing of concern was found and the schools and buildings have been cleared for staff and students to return.”

The Lincoln Police Department and school administration are “actively investigating the incident,” according to police.

LincolnTalk changes its address, offers searchable archives

The LincolnTalk email listserv has changed service providers, meaning anyone who wants to post email messages for other Lincolnites on the list to read should now send it to lincoln@groups.io rather than lincoln@lincolntalk.org.

Everyone who was subscribed to LincolnTalk has been automatically subscribed to the new service and received an automated email about this on Dec. 29, 2025. The LincolnTalk.org website — which has instructions on how to subscribe as well as FAQs and Rules and Policies governing what may and may not be posted — has also been updated.

A few months ago, the LincolnTalk volunteer moderators (Jonathan Feinberg, Margit Griffith, and Jena Salon) learned that Pair Networks, the service provider that LincolnTalk has used since its inception in 2013, would be discontinuing its PairList service, which provided the Mailman software system. In late December, Feinberg migrated members to the new service, though the old email address will also continue working for a while.

Members can log on to the new website at groups.io/g/lincoln to change their settings such as how often they get LincolnTalk emails and to search the new lincoln@groups.io archives (messages posted starting Dec. 29, 2025). Everyone was issued a password when they first joined LincolnTalk, but anyone who’s forgotten theirs can click on the “Forgot your password” link directly under the password box. The old Mailman system allowed only browsing by date and sender. List members can still browse the old LincolnTalk archives by clicking here, and an indexed list of service providers recommended by LincolnTalk members over the years is available here.

Under subscription settings (groups.io/g/lincoln/editsub), users can specify daily batches of emails, an email with the last 12 posts, only special notices sent by the moderators, or no mail at all, in which case they can still use the website to browse and search previously posted messages. There are other optional new features as well. Go to groups.io/settings/prefs to add a profile picture or pre-specified email signature to outgoing LincolnTalk messages.

As before, posts will appear without moderation unless a specific user is put on moderation, meaning the user has violated the rules of use (for example, policies on civility and personal attacks) and will be barred from posting for a period of time determined by the moderators, who can be reached directly at lincoln+owner@groups.io.

While emails sent to the old lincoln@lincolntalk.org email address will still go to list members during the transition period, the old service will soon be shut off (exact date to be determined), so list members should update their email address books to lincoln@groups.io now, Feinberg said.

The Mailman service cost about $100 a year — an expense that was borne by the moderators — but the new service is charging about $2,000 a year. The moderators will be setting up a donation link and noted that if all 2,021 LincolnTalk members contributed just $1, it would cover costs.