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

Survey shows mixed feelings about boosting development in South Lincoln

(Image by upklyak – freepik.com)

Lincoln residents want to keep the post office, restaurants, and some retail offerings in South Lincoln, but they also want to retain the town’s rural character, according to results of a survey released last week.

The Planning Board, which launched the survey in May, will host a discussion of the results on Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. The agenda and Zoom information will be available on the town calendar and the board’s web page prior to the meeting.

For the last two-plus years, the Planning Board has been considering changes to the zoning in the area around the Mall at Lincoln Station and the commuter rail station. The goal is to encourage more diversity in housing in that area as well as commercial activity, services, and amenities in and around the mall.

One of the drivers is a measure passed by the state in 2020 that, among other things, requires towns with a commuter rail station or other public transit (“MBTA communities”) to allow multifamily housing by right within half a mile of the station or lose access to various state grants. The specific implications for Lincoln are unclear because details still being worked out at the state level, but all towns are considered to be in compliance for now.

Among the survey data points:

  • 47% of respondents wanted to see changes in South Lincoln, while 17% did not and 36% weren’t sure.
  • The most important goals for respondents were retaining a village center with commercial businesses (80%) and supporting their economic viability (76%), followed by maintaining the town’s rural character (72%), minimizing environmental impact (70%), and ensuring accessibility for all ages and abilities (68%).
  • The features that garnered the most support were a post office (91%), retail offerings such as a grocery store (88%), and restaurants and entertainment (76%). The only feature that had more opponents than supporters was additional parking (29% to 19%, with 51% neutral).
  • 24% wanted no additional housing in the village center, while 27% preferred 50-100 units and 26% weren’t sure.
  • In a post-pandemic environment, 47% said they planned to use the commuter rail one to five times a year, while 7% said they would take the train three to five times a week and 31% said they never would.
  • The biggest factors influencing the responses were concerns about the environment and an increased focus on climate change and sustainability, followed by the increased cost of housing in the region.

The number of people who filled out the survey isn’t clear, but 91% said they own their own home, and about the same proportion are in their 40s to 70s.

Many respondents included long and thoughtful comments with their responses (the compilation is more than 80 pages long). Those comments skewed heavily toward not wanting additional development and wanting to maintain the town’s rural character. Some accused the survey writers of being pro-development and not recognizing the quality of commercial and pedestrian/bike-friendly amenities already in place. Several also called for a restaurant with a more family-friendly atmosphere and menu.

A sampling of comments:

  • “I am not sure higher-density housing near commuter rail will support persons with modest incomes to live in Lincoln as commuter rail schedules/fees are not aligned with all needs/income levels of workers.”
  • “I don’t shop at Donelan’s: limited variety, low quality, high price. Retail is struggling everywhere as people have shifted to shop on line. Only personal services (P.O., salon, dry cleaner) and fresh items will draw shoppers.”
  • “Need a family-friendly moderately-priced restaurant that serves lunch and dinner and is long term!”
  • “Don’t spend any taxpayer money on changing the town center. Leave it alone. We just spent $93 million on schools.”
  • “I want to discourage further growth in Lincoln. I’m perfectly happy to travel to other towns to keep Lincoln small and rural. If I wanted a town with more development, I would move to one.”
  • “Changing the town, in which homeowners have chosen to buy property based on the rural, undeveloped character, in order to promote the political goals of a few, is problematic.”
  • “It is essential that Lincoln broaden its population by including affordable one- or two-bedroom apartments in a dense and sustainably constructed housing development that is within walking distance of the MBTA and the mall. The DPW should move to the current site of the transfer station.”
  • “Turn the village into community/town use.”
  • “Really am not sure why a small group of development-minded people keep pushing for these changes… as with so much planning in Lincoln, it seems completely ill advised and a project that the next generation will regret for years to come.”
  • “One of my worries is that increased density will require municipal sewer and/or force us to join the MWRA for water. Lincoln’s rural character is maintained in part by the need for sufficient acreage per dwelling so that the land can support the burden we put on it. Municipal sewers would make out current zoning no longer justifiable and could threaten the rural. character of the town.”
  • “If we don’t change something, we will keep losing businesses and the town center will be a shell of itself.”
  • “The Town of Lincoln must develop a larger commercial base for the town. The taxes charged for residential homes are becoming unsustainable.”
  • “I’m strongly in favor of changes to the center to increase housing density and shopping options even if it means more vehicle traffic — and I live on Lincoln Rd.”
  • “It is not clear that residents in any new housing near Lincoln Station would drive less than other residents. It seems reasonable to assume that increased density will come with an increase in cars, especially in a town like Lincoln that simply cannot provide enough resources within walking distance to anyone.”
  • “We need to fill the vacant properties we have in South Lincoln before we begin to expand commercial/multi-use development. In expanding available housing units, is there a proven, commensurate uptick in local commercial patronization? ”
  • “I want the rural town I bought into. Just because someone got their MS in town planning doesn’t mean we have to change out the town to stroke their edifice complex. Biased questions — should have a column for ‘leave what we bought into alone’.”
  • “Lincoln is long overdue to add business and cultural opportunities and help reduce the tax burden on its residents. Soon only the ultra-rich will be able to afford living in Lincoln.”
  • “Too many apartments and condos already.”

Police log for July 27–August 2, 2021

July 27

Weston Road (3:22 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station was looking for advice/information after receiving a suspicious email from someone. An officer spoke to the party and assisted them.

Tower Road (4:25 p.m.) — Paperwork from the RMV delivered to the resident.

Woodcock Lane (7:34 p.m.) — Officer on patrol noticed a street sign was missing. DPW notified.

Ridge Road (7:37 p.m.) — Caller reported a tree was on fire. Fire Department responded and saw that a wire was causing the fire. They remained while Eversource was contacted to handle the incident.

Tower Road (7:46 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on the resident. Everything was fine.

Conant Road (9:19 p.m.) — Caller reported a tree on fire. Fire Department responded and saw that a wire was causing the fire. Eversource notified.

July 28

Wells Road (1:58 a.m.) — Resident reported hearing what sounded like an animal in the closet. Officer went to assist but was unable to locate anything; advised resident to contact maintenance in the morning.

Conant Road (8:40 a.m.) — Eversource asked for assistance with blocking a road while they handled wires on a tree.

Lincoln Road (12:00 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a scam call that a virus had been placed on their computer and asking for money to fix the issue. No money was exchanged. Party was advised to check their credit with credit bureaus.

Wheeler Road (1:20 p.m.) — Fire Department responded to assist a party into their vehicle (they helped the resident again at 6:11 p.m.).

July 29

Concord Road (10:46 a.m.) — Caller reported their dog got out of their fenced area. They later called back to say the dog had returned home.

Lincoln Road (11:17 am.) — Detail officer asked the Fire Department to respond after a tree crew vehicle had a hydraulic line break and a small amount of fluid leaked onto the ground.

July 30

Mill Street (1:25 a.m.) — Officer found illegal dumping of landscaping materials on the side of the road. DPW notified.

Lincoln School (3:15 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the school lot. A juvenile was found and a parent was notified and picked up the teen.

Tower Road (8:03 p.m.) — A well-being check was requested but the resident was not home.

Lincoln Road (6:38 p.m.) — Resident called to speak to an officer about receiving a call from a blocked phone number. The officer spoke to the party and the call appeared to be a solicitation.

Sandy Pond Road (11:56 p.m.) — Officers responded to a report of people fishing in the area. They found two people and sent them on their way.

July 31

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:44 a.m.) — Luis Rodrigues, 30, of Saugus, was arrested for operating after suspension and speeding. He also had two non-bailable felony warrants out of Lawrence District Court. He was brought to the Billerica House of Correction.

Trapelo Road (5:33 p.m.) — Officer made contact with people fishing and asked that they move along.

Trapelo Road (8:38 p.m.) — Cambridge Water Department’s “No Trespassing” signs were spray-painted. Report taken, CWD notified.

Wells Road (11:57 p.m.) — Waltham police were looking to speak to a resident. Lincoln police delivered the message.

August 1

Hillside Road (10:18 a.m.) — Caller reported that an elderly party was looking in mailboxes in the area. Officer located the party, who lives in the area, and followed up with the family.

Winter Street (2:09 a.m.) — Caller reported that a pool company was pumping water into the reservoir. Officer located the truck, which was pumping water into the Care Dimensions hospice house.

Todd Pond Road (3:20 p.m.) — Caller reported door-to-door solicitors. Officers located a seal-coating work crew, who were advised that they cannot solicit door to door without a permit.

Concord Road (4:30 p.m.) — A neighbor called complaining about loud music. Officer responded but the music was not loud. The officer spoke to the party involved to make them aware of the complaint.

August 2

Huckleberry Hill (11:57 a.m.) — Caller reported that a man was sitting in a car off to the side of the road. Officers checked the area and found the vehicle unoccupied.

Wells Road (1:12 p.m., 3:12 p.m., and 6:54 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to the resident after several attempts.

Heritage Road, Hanscom Air Force Base (2:13 p.m.) — A party turned in a firearm and ammunition and asked that they be destroyed.

Tower Road (2:23 p.m., 4:46 p.m., 6:58 p.m., and 12:54 a.m. on August 3) — Paperwork from Framingham police was delivered to the resident after several attempts.

Lincoln Road (9:05 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled to the side of the road. The operator was lost and the officer assisted them.

News acorns

Splash-Mash-Dash Triathlon for kids is coming up

Kids age 5–14 are invited to register for the 17th annual Lincoln Kids Triathlon on Saturday, Aug. 14 starting at 8:30 a.m. at the Codman Pool. Race distances range from 25m swim, ¼-mile run and no bike ride (ages 5-6) to 150m swim, 4-mile bike and 1-mile run (ages 13-14). Register on the Lincoln Parks & Rec website for $30 and get a T-shirt, a finisher’s medal and lots of memories. Packet pickup is Friday, Aug. 13 from 12:30–7 p.m. at Hartwell Pod A. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out during the race; if you have a few hours to give, please email ginger.reiner@gmail.com.

School Committee seeks new member

The Lincoln School Committee thanks Trintje Gnazzo for serving on the Lincoln School Committee after she filled a vacancy and then was elected to a three-year term. To fill the remainder of her term, which runs until the town election in March 2022, the committee encourages any resident who is registered to vote in Lincoln with an interest in helping the Lincoln Public Schools achieve their strategic priorities to submit a short statement of interest. The statement of interest should be submitted by Monday, Aug. 9 to schoolcomm@lincnet.org. All interested candidates will be interviewed in an open meeting of the School Committee and Select Board (tentatively scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The boards will vote at that meeting to select one of the candidates to serve on the School Committee as an interim member. The person may then choose to run for the open three-year term starting next March. Questions? Contact School Committee chair Tara Mitchell at taramitchell365@gmail.com.

COAHS offers tech help, ukulele, transportation

  • Anyone interested in learning to play the ukulele or just sing some songs outside is invited to ukulele gathering sponsored by the Council on Aging and Human Services (COAHS) on Thursday, Aug. 12 and Aug. 26 from 3­–4 p.m. Weather permitting, the group meets outside on the Bemis Hall lawn.
  • Looking for help with your laptop, smart phone, tablet, or iPad? Come to the COAHS tech tutoring office hours on Thursday afternoons (August 19 and 26 this month) from 1:30–3 p.m. If you have a laptop, tablet, notebook, etc., please bring it. Please call 781-259-8811 to make an appointment.
  • The COAHS’s LINC transportation program is running again. Rides are for residents aged 60+ to doctors appointments and local stops, including food shopping, COAHS activities and more. Volunteer drivers are following CDC guidelines and riders are required to wear a mask unless medically unable to do so. In order to maintain social distancing, only one rider per trip will be allowed at this time. To request a ride, please call or email Carlee Castetter, Transportation Coordinator, three business days in advance at 781-259-8811 or castetterc@lincolntown.org. The program is looking for more volunteer drivers to help transport seniors—please call Abigail at the COAHS at 781-259-8811 to learn more.
  • The COAHS has also resumed in-person free mental health, wellness, and podiatry clinics, as well as SHINE Medicare benefits counseling sessions via Zoom or in person. Call 781-259-8811 with questions or see the COAHS August newsletter.

Obituaries

“Buz” Brannen

Robert “Buz” Brannen, 90

Brannen, who died on July 29, was co-founder of Jung/Brannen Associates, Inc., the largest architectural firm in Boston in the 1980s. Obituary and guest book.

Emma Tavolieri

Emma Tavolieri, 101

Tavolieri was the mother of Elaine Jarvis of Lincoln and co-founding member of the BelAirs, a senior singing group in Belmont. She died on July 15. Obituary and guest book.

Paula Whelan

The wife and 40-year co-worker of Bernard Maloney of Lincoln died on June 27. Obituary and guest book.

Police log for July 20–26, 2021

July 20

Cambridge Turnpike (11:19 a.m.) — Two-car crash near Tracey’s Service Station; no injuries.

Lincoln Police Department (12:51 p.m.) — Resident dropped off a credit card that was found near the Codman House. Attempts were made to locate the owner.

Wells Road (8:31 p.m.) — Resident called asking to speak to an officer about a custody issue. Officer spoke to the party and explained their legal options.

July 21

Offutt Road, Hanscom Air Fore Base (5:02 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to a party.

Bedford Road (5:49 p.m.) — Caller reported being involved in a road rage incident. Officers spoke to both parties regarding the encounter.

Care Dimensions Hospice House (11:21 p.m.) — Staff at the facility asked a party leave the premises and he didn’t. Officers responded and assisted the party off the property and brought him to the Route 128 northbound rest area to meet his ride.

July 22

Tower Road (5:04 p.m.) — Paperwork from Framingham Police Department delivered to the resident.

July 23

Wells Road (12:33 a.m.) — Resident reported that someone was playing loud music. Officers responded and asked the party to turn down the music.

Hillside Road (9:40 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway. The party had pulled over to wait for a friend.

Tower Road (10:37 p.m.) — Resident requested that an officer check the house after he came home and a door to the house was wide open. House checked out OK.

July 24

Ballfield Road (9:00 a.m.) — Party reported that his landscaping vehicle was damaged. Report taken.

Robbins Road, Hanscom Air Force Base (1:50 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported that Judy Mars, 40, of Boston was at the gate with a warrant. An officer arrested Mars and brought her back to the station; she was later bailed to appear in Boston Municipal Court.

Middle Road, Tuftonboro, N.H. (4:15 p.m.) — Tuftonboro police reported that a resident hadn’t arrived at a camp to pick up his child. Officers assisted them with getting in touch with the family.

Minute Man NHP visitor center (5:24 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking around the National Park visitor center who appeared lost. Officers spoke to the party, who was waiting for family to pick him up.

Tower Road (9:51 p.m.) — A resident requested a well-being check. Officers spoke to the party and everything was fine.

July 25

Tower Road (2:17 p.m.) — A resident requested a well-being check on his son. Officers spoke to the mother, who reported that her son was fine.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:57 p.m.) — Caller reported a deceased deer on the side of the road. MassDOT was notified.

Birches School, Bedford Road (6:49 p.m.) — Officer checked on a car parked at the school. Everything appeared to be fine.

Lexington Road (9:23 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing girls screaming. Officers checked the area but found nothing.

July 26

Twin Pond Lane (8:15 a.m.) — Officer responded to assist a worker who was involved in a civil matter with a resident. The resident was looking for the workers to leave the area. Officers spoke to all parties involved and the workers left.

Tabor Hill Road (2:42 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a scam call looking for banking information. No personal/banking information was given. Report taken.

Mill Street (6:23 p.m.) — Resident reported seeing what looked like construction workers on her property on her security camera. Officers checked the residence and everything was fine. There were workers trimming trees on the roadway earlier in the day

Lincoln Police Department (7:34 p.m.) — Everett police wanted to speak to an officer regarding a resident who rented a room and never checked out. Officer spoke to the detective to assist.

News acorns

CCF offers film screening, “Barn Buddies”

Codman Community Farms presents a screening of “The Biggest Little Farm” in the barn on Thursday, July 29 from 7-9 p.m. The documentary chronicles the eight-year quest of John and Molly Chester as they trade city living for 200 acres of barren farmland and a dream to harvest in harmony with nature. Through dogged perseverance and embracing the opportunity provided by nature’s conflicts, they unlock and uncover a biodiverse design for living that exists far beyond their farm and its seasons (view trailer). Tickets are $10 (includes unlimited popcorn and lemonade) and free for children under 5. Click here to buy tickets.

CCF is also starting “Barn Buddies,” a four-session hands-on introduction to the farm for kids age 5–7, on Wednesday, Aug. 4 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. The three other sessions are at the same time on August 11, 18 and 25. Click here for more information and online registration.

Free therapy for adolescents

Finding a local, available counselor for your child is challenging, but the Council on Aging and Human Services (COAHS) can help. Book a free therapy session on August 10 or 24 in the Hartwell building on the school campus with Sara Hickey, MSW, LCSW of Eliot Community Human Services. To book your appointment, please call the COAHS at 781-259-8811 and ask to speak to Abigail or Amy.

Property sales in June 2021

54 Baker Bridge Rd. — Carroll School to David Mauch for $1,721,000 (June 30)

10 Silver Birch Lane — Benjamin Whittaker to Ryan and Elizabeth Bouldin for $1,400,000 (June 21)

0 Twin Pond Lane (parcel 118-10-0) — Jeffrey C. Birchby Trust to Susan Allen and Michelle Barnes for $625,000 (June 18)

0 Twin Pond Lane (parcel 118-13-0) — Jena Salon-Birchby to Susan Allen and Michelle Barnes for $175,000 (June 18)

11 Huckleberry Hill — Shih Ying Lee to Philip Eliopoulos Trust for $997,300 (June 22)

32B Indian Camp Lane unit B — Patrick McCusker to Oleksandr Dziuba and Yulia Zozulia for $449,000 (June 15)

38 Longmeadow Rd. — John Donahue to Arvind Grover and Carolyn Crandall for $1,695,000 (June 15)

26 Old Winter St. — Aire Maija Schwann Trust to Matt and Jon Anderson-Miller for $1,000,000 (June 9)

207 Tower Rd. — Lincoln LLC to Gabriel Palaez for $1,288,000 (June 4)

2 Giles Rd. — Leslie Kaufmann to Nicole Bensen and Galen Missig for $1,450,000 (June 1)

Police log for July 13–19, 2021

July 13

Trapelo Road (2:58 p.m.) — Two-car crash, no injuries.

Lincoln Road (3:58 p.m.) — Resident called reporting a fire in their stove. Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire.

Wells Road (6:43 p.m.) — Caller wanted to speak to an officer about some suspicious circumstances; they believed someone may have damaged their car. Minor scrapes were seen on the vehicle. A report was filed.

July 14

Goose Pond Road (1:22 p.m.) — Officer posted No Parking signs on Goose Pond Road as authorized by the Select Board.

Winter Street (3:56 p.m.) — Caller reported an electrical odor after a power surge. Fire Department responded and Eversource was summoned.

Sandy Pond Road (5:51 p.m.) — People fishing at the Flint’s Pond pump station were asked to move along.
July 15

Lincoln School (2:36 a.m.) — Officer found a gate left open at the construction site. Everything appeared to be secure.

July 16

Concord Road (12:32 p.m.) — Caller reported an injured deer in the roadway. Officer responded but the deer had run off into the woods.

Police Department — Caller found a dog with no tags and brought it to the station. Animal Control took the dog and reunited it with the owner.

July 16

Harvest Circle (1:08 p.m.) — Staff at The Commons reported that a vehicle was struck in the parking lot and had minor damage. An officer responded and spoke to one of the parties involved and facilitated exchange of information for insurance purposes.

Mary’s Way (8:32 p.m.) — Caller requesting a well-being check on a resident. Officers responded and spoke to the party.

July 17

Lincoln Road (12:50 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported he got separated from his father while riding bikes on the trails. Officers contacted the father and they were reunited.

Bypass Road (1:42 p.m.) — Caller reported his dog was missing. At the time of the call police had received no reported of a found dog.

Old County Road (5:50 p.m.) — Caller complained about ongoing construction at a neighbor’s house. Officers spoke to the homeowner who said he was done working for the day.

July 18

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:08 a.m.) — Samantha Wojsnis, 35, of Maynard, was stopped on Route 2 and later arrested for OUI–liquor and speeding. She was bailed to appear in Concord District Court.

Police Department (4:00 a.m.) — A caller from Florida wanted to speak to an officer about an incident that had occurred in town in the past. An officer spoke to the party & incident did not occur in Lincoln, Mass.

Mary’s Way (9:37 a.m.) — Caller requesting a well-being check on a resident. Officers responded and spoke to the party. Officers responded and checked on the party.

Huckleberry Hill (1:49 p.m.) — Caller complained about ongoing construction. Officers made the homeowner aware of the complaint; no police action taken.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (3:25 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled into the breakdown lane. Driver was OK and went on their way.

South Great Road (5:25 p.m.) — Caller reported a party hitch-hiking on Route 117. Police were unable to locate the person.

Wells Road (8:23 p.m.) — A man stopped an officer looking for information regarding a civil matter. Officer spoke to the party and advised him of his legal options.

July 19

South Commons (11:19 a.m.) — Management called reporting a gas leak. Fire Department responded and metered the area with negative findings. A contractor on scene shut off the gas line.

Wells Road (11:25 a.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. Officers spoke to the party, who said he would follow up with the caller.

Lincoln’s first inhabitants arrived millennia ago

(Editor’s note: the Wikipedia links in this article were added by the editor for explanatory purposes and were not provided by the author or the Lincoln Historical Society.)

By Sara Mattes

About 1,000 years ago, the inhabitants of what would become Lincoln were the Algonkin people. The paths created for trade between tribes, in some instances, became the routes of roads in use today. But contact with Europeans in the 17th century brought diseases that killed a significant portion these original inhabitants.

Algonkin tribal territories in 17th-century New England.

A settlement that survived in the Concord area, led by Squaw Sachem and sagamore Tahattawan, was known as Musketaquid, their name for the Concord-Sudbury River. (Sachems and sagamores were paramount chiefs among the Algonkins and other Native American tribes of the northeast.) In 1635, the Great and General Court granted a six-mile square tract at Musketaquid to English settlers, to be called Concord. The following year, Squaw Sachem, Tahattawan, and others consented to the sale of this land to the English settlers.

Some of the original Massachusetts tribe remained on the land, but by the end of King Philip’s War in 1678, the few remaining original habitants had been driven from their homes or had died from disease brought by the Europeans. By the time Lincoln was formed in 1754, all of its portion of Musketaquid was owned and settled by Europeans.

None of this tells of the conditions of the relationships between the First Peoples and the Europeans in Lincoln, and especially under what terms the sale of land was made. That is a topic for another day.

    *     *     *

This article is indebted to A Rich Harvest by Lincoln’s town historian, Jack MacLean. A Rich Harvest is available at the Lincoln Public Library and for purchase from the Lincoln Historical Society. For a more in-depth study, see The First People of the Northeast by Lincoln authors Esther K. Braun and David P. Braun, also available at the Lincoln Public Library.

“Lincoln’s History” is an occasional column by members of the Lincoln Historical Society.