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

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George Floyd commemoration on Tuesday

Lincoln School fifth-grader Olin Teksten is organizing a “Layers of Love” commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the death of George Floyd on Tuesday, May 25 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. in Pierce Park. Students, families and the community will form a big heart holding cards that will be handed out. The formation will be captured via aerial photo with the help of the Lincoln Fire and Police Departments. There will also be a brief vigil with speakers including children, and nine minutes and 30 seconds of silence to reflect. Anyone who would like to volunteer or has more ideas may email layersoflovelincoln@gmail.com.

Farmer’s market seeks vendors

The Lincoln farmer’s market operated for 30 years by Lindentree Farm will now take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at Lincoln Station (the grassy area in front of the restaurant) starting Saturday, June 5. Bill Huss and Tom Flint of the Lincoln Lands Farmer’s Market hope to open up the event to more people to get people outdoors after a challenging year and are recruiting vendors. They will help set up your stand at no charge and welcome vendors selling food but also antiques, arts and crafts, books, clothing, or anything creative. Earnings can be kept or given to a local charity, as many opt to do. For more information, email Huss at billhuss53@gmail.com or Flint at the_flint@hotmail.com.

Session on PFAS and drinking water

On Thursday, June 3 at 7 p.m., MetroWest Climate Solutions will host a discussion on PFAS, a class of toxic chemicals found in everyday products and drinking water. For more information and to register for the webinar, visit metrowestclimatesolutions.org.

Speakers will include Dr. Laurel Schaider, senior scientist at the Silent Spring Institute, and Laura Spark, senior policy advocate for Clean Water Action. The session will be moderated by Elizabeth Saunders, Massachusetts State Director at Clean Water. They will discuss the health problems that PFAS can cause, the products they are typically used in, how they get into drinking water, and how people in MetroWest can try to reduce their exposure. The session will also explore legislation pending in Massachusetts to eliminate PFAS from consumer products such as food packaging.

MetroWest Climate Solutions is a partnership between First Parish in Wayland, First Parish Church in Weston, First Parish in Lincoln, the Congregational Church of Weston, and other communities and individuals. Its mission is to share strategies for moving towards a low- and no-carbon-based society and economy and to suggest activities that enable individuals to help bring about solutions.

DeCordova hopes to add tent for special events

An aerial view of the current employee parking area (red arrow in top image) and a drawing of how the deCordova plans to reconfigure the area (click image to enlarge).

The deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is proposing to reconfigure part of its parking area and walkway to create a new open space for special events.

What is now a two-way driveway between the lower visitor parking lot and the horseshoe-shaped upper employee parking area will become a one-way vehicle-only roadway to be used mainly for deliveries, said Kord Jablonski, the deCordova’s business director. The existing boardwalk will be replaced by a sidewalk and a handicapped-accessible ramp.

Staff will park in the visitors lot and the current staff lot will be “reimagined and reconceived” as an area with crushed stone or pavers in the  idle to accommodate a tent for special events in warm weather, Jablonski told the Select Board at their May 10 meeting. There will also be two new seating areas to take in views of Flint’s Pond. Those views have been enhanced by removal of some of the brush, in cooperation with the Conservation and Water Commissions, he noted.

Depending on the outcome of grant applications and town approvals, the work should begin in late September or early October, Jablonski said.

As with similar public-facing organizations, visitation dropped significantly as a result of the pandemic but has bounced back more recently, he told the board. Using timed ticketing, capacity limits and Covid-19 protocols, the sculpture park grounds reopened last May after a fairly brief shutdown, and the indoor museum galleries reopened in October. 

In the 12 months ending March 31, 2021, admissions were up by 86% over the previous year. The rise was even more striking for younger visitors; children’s admissions rose by 237% to 28,163, compared to 76,121 for adults (a 60% increase).

The integration of the deCordova with The Trustees of Reservations was completed in November 2019.

Police log for May 8–14, 2021

On May 8 and May 9, police stopped bicyclists who ran a stop sign at Five Corners (Weston Road/Sandy Pond Road) and issued verbal warnings. Police also asked people on Trapelo Road who were fishing illegally in the Cambridge Reservoir to move along on May 8, twice on May 9, and May 14.

May 8

Old Winter Street (1:11 a.m.) — Sudbury police requested a well-being check on a Sudbury resident who may be at the Lincoln residence. Officers located the party and followed up with Sudbury police.

Wells Road (10:52 a.m.) — Elderly caller reporting that someone may have been in her house some time the previous night. Officer spoke to the caller and family; the caller is confused.

The Commons (8:37 p.m.) — Caller reported that two people were expected back at 6 p.m. and were overdue. Area police departments were advised. Bedford police located the people a short time later; everything was fine.

May 9

North Commons (12:06 p.m.) — Caller reported a neighbor was trespassing on their property and being menacing. Officer went to speak to all parties. The neighbor was uncooperative. Incident documented.

Winter Street (5:52 p.m.) — Caller reported a baby carriage was left alone near the Waltham line, possibly with a baby inside. Officers checked the area but found no sign of the carriage. Officers later located a party walking a baby; they had left the stroller on the side of the road to look at the reservoir while holding the baby.

May 10

Harvest Circle (2:07 p.m.) — Paperwork from the RMV was delivered to a resident.

Lincoln Road (4:36 p.m.) — Two-car crash on Lincoln Road at Route 117. No injuries, one vehicle towed.

May 11

Lincoln Road (2:15 p.m.) — Officers assisted a party with a civil matter.

North Great Road (5:20 p.m.) — Lexington police reported a person running on Route 2A and appeared to be in some distress is now hitchhiking. Officer checked the area but was unable to locate.

Juniper Ridge Road (9:49p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle was parked on the grass near Bedford Road. Officers checked on the parties but they had left the area.

May 12

Concord Road (10:53 a.m.) — A DPW crew was working on Route 126 south of Route 117 off the roadway and a vehicle sideswiped the truck. No injuries.

Wells Road (12:35 p.m.) — A delivery driver turned in a wallet they found. Police contacted the owner.

Donelan’s Supermarket (2:22 p.m.) — Minor two-car crash in the parking lot. No injuries, officer assisted parties with exchanging information.

Baker Bridge Road (4:10 p.m.) — Caller reported a man walking on the trail with a hunting rifle. Officers checked the area along with Concord police and spoke to several parties who did not see anyone matching the description received.

Lexington Road (6:19 p.m.) — A walk-in at the station reported he was being harassed by his neighbors. Report taken.

May 13

North Commons (9:11 p.m.) — Caller reported that their neighbor was banging on their wall. Officers report the banging had stopped, and they took a report.

May 14

Trapelo Road (8:21 am.) — Caller reported hitting a gas line while clearing brush. Fire Department and National Grid responded.

Conant Road (12:23 p.m.) — Caller reported finding a bullet in her garden while she was weeding. Officer responded and found it was a tip to a bow and arrow. The tip was discarded.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:41 p.m.) — Officer on a detail received a report of a person riding their bicycle on Route 2 at the Concord line. Concord and State Police notified. Officer checked the Lincoln side but couldn’t locate the cyclist.

Codman Road (2:30 p.m.) — Party reported an uncomfortable interaction with a party known to them. Officers spoke to the parties involved; no criminal activity.

Care Dimensions Hospice House (11:15 p.m.) — Officer assisted Concord police with an investigation involving a patient for something that occurred in Concord.

Obituaries

Jean “Max” Brizard, 58

A visitation and service will be held in Brockton on May 20 for Brizard, a longtime METCO bus driver for the Lincoln School who died on May 9. Full obituary and guestbook.

Susan Burt, 80

Burt died on May 4 after a long battle with cancer. Full obituary and guest book.

Priscilla Hunt, 91

Hunt was active in the civil rights movement in the 1960s as well as the League of Women Voters. Full obituary and guest book.

Max Brizard

Susan Burt

Priscilla Hunt

Correction

In the May 16 article headlined “2021 Town Meeting roundup,” the section on the property tax circuit breaker program has been updated to reflect clarifications and  corrections, including the length of time residents must live in Lincoln to be eligible and the number of households that would initially qualify. 

News acorns

Covid-19 vaccination clinic for kids age 12-18

The Lincoln Public Schools and the Town of Lincoln are offering a Covid-19 vaccination clinic for teens in the Hartwell multipurpose room on the Lincoln School campus on Friday, May 21 from 2–5 p.m. Students must be registered for an appointment in advance and must provide a signed consent form on the day of the clinic. Children age 12-18 who attend the Lincoln Public Schools in person or remotely, their teenage siblings, Lincoln residents attending private school, and children of town and school employees are eligible.

Click here to register for an appointment. This requires you to choose a time, upload health insurance information, and complete and print a consent form that includes screening questions to be answered on Friday morning. Students must bring the signed consent form or they cannot be vaccinated. Boston students who attend the Lincoln School and ride the bus will be scheduled for vaccination prior to school dismissal from 1–1:45 p.m. A signed consent form must be received before Friday. On the day of the clinic, parents will be called by school personnel to answer medical screening questions in order to clear children for vaccination that afternoon. Click here for more information about Covid-19 vaccines for children under 18.

Lovelane wins $100,000 grant

The Lincoln-based Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding Program will receive a grant of $25,000 a year for four years through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program. Lovelane is one of 140 Metro West nonprofits chosen from a total of 590 applicants. The grant will allow Lovelane to continue to provide high-quality, safe, mounted and unmounted programs for children with a wide variety of special needs with over 4,500 personalized sessions per year, as well as maintain and train a diverse herd of 12 horses.

L-S music group sets annual meeting in June

The Lincoln-Sudbury Friends of Music will hold its virtual annual meeting on Tuesday, June 15 at 7 p.m. All community members, especially parents of music students, are invited. Meet fellow music program supporters, get questions answered, and learn about opportunities to get involved. To attend the meeting email receive the Zoom link and password, email lsfriendsofmusic@gmail.com.

New survey seeks input on the future of South Lincoln

The current zoning in South Lincoln (left) and the changes that were proposed in 2019. Click image for larger version.

Residents are invited to fill out a new survey asking for thoughts on development at Lincoln Station.

For the last two years, the Planning Board has been considering changes to the zoning in South Lincoln 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 (especially with the advent of the Housing Choice Act) as well as commercial activity, services, and amenities in and around the mall. Some residents have expressed concern about the size of the area proposed for rezoning, the density and scale of permitted buildings, and the impact of development on traffic and Lincoln’s finances.

To give officials a clearer sense of public sentiment on these topics, please take the survey at tinyurl.com/villagecentersurvey. To request a paper survey, call 781-259-2610. The deadline to participate is June 30.

Background in the Lincoln Squirrel:

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Eighth-grade car wash on Saturday

To benefit their upcoming graduation, the Lincoln School’s eighth-graders will host a car wash on Saturday, May 22 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. at Town Hall (rain date: May 23). Since the class can’t have dances or bake sales, this is an important end-of-year activity for them. Click here to prepay for a car wash ($20) and/or make a donation. You  may also pay in case on the day of the car wash. Names of those who preregister will be on a list that the students can check off when cars arrive.

“Kibbles and Nibbles” online cooking class

Lincoln-based nonprofit Phinney’s is launching “Kibbles and Nibbles,” an online cooking class, hosted by Cordon Bleu pastry chef Mika McDonald, on Sunday, May 23 from 7–8 p.m. on Google Meet. She will guide attendees in creating oat cake and Parmesan cheese crisps that can be both enjoyed by pets and people so those watching can follow and cook alongside her. A minimum donation of $10 secures a spot in the class, which has limited space and is designed for all ages and experience levels. To register, go to phinneys.org/kibbles-nibbles, where the ingredients and kitchen tools for the class are also listed. 

Diversity performance next week

Lincoln’s METCO Coordinating Committee presents “Living the Legacy of METCO” on Tuesday, May 25 at 6:30 p.m. This live performance on Zoom by Dialogues On Diversity, a social justice theater company, is aimed at Lincoln School students in grades 5-8 as well as their family members, as well as the broader community. The 45-minute performance gives the history and context for the country’s oldest racial educational integration program and examines the social activism of urban and suburban Boston families in the 1960s. Contains sensitive images and language that may not be suitable for younger audiences. Made possible by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council. Click here for the Zoom link (passcode: 050455).

Outdoor classes and events for seniors

The Council on Aging and Human Services is starting to host in-person events again. There are a host of outdoor exercise classes in the Pierce House tent in addition to those offered on Zoom, and the Knitter’s Group is on Tuesday, June 1 at 9:30 a.m. on the Bemis Hall lawn. See page 9 of the May COAHS newsletter for details, or call 781-259-8811 x102 to sign up.

Talk on philosophical basis for Modernist architecture

The Lincoln Historical Society, in collaboration with Friends of Modern Architecture, will host a presentation of “As the Twig Is Bent, So Goes the Tree… A Shared Philosophy: New England Transcendentalism and European Modernism” by Lincoln resident and FoMA President Dana Robbat. The meeting and talk are on Saturday, June 12 from 4:30–5:30 p.m. The Lincoln Historical Society will hold its brief annual meeting in advance of the presentation, which will highlight the age-old social ideals of New England’s Puritan and Transcendental philosophical heritage that provided fertile ground for the arrival of the philosophically aligned European Modernists who arrived at Harvard and MIT in the late 1930s and subsequently had a profound effect on Lincoln’s built and natural environments. Click here to register and get the Zoom link. For more information, email lincolnmahistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Mandatory outdoor watering restrictions now in effect

Details of the Stage 2 watering restrictions now in effect (click image to enlarge).

Because Lincoln continues to draw more water from the Charles River Watershed than allowed by permit and continues to exceed the mandated residential use of 65 gallons per person per day, the Water Department is required to enforce Stage 2 outdoor water use restrictions from May 1 through September 30. Drought declarations by the state supersede the Lincoln restrictions. Higher restrictions may be imposed in response to state drought declarations.

During Stage 2 and above, Water Department staff will be monitoring all sprinkler use in town and will stop to remind residents of the new restriction policy. A first offense will result in a $100 fine, and subsequent violations will result in a $200 fine. Anyone with questions may contact the Water Department at 781-259-2669 or bolanda@lincolntown.org. For more information on water conservation and what residents and communities can do, visit the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs drought page and water conservation toolkit.

Correction

The May 16 article headlined “Accessory apartment issue results in razor-thin votes” incorrectly stated that the proposed accessory apartment bylaw changes included a requirement that “renters under the AAA program [must] occupy either the primary dwelling or the accessory apartment for at least 30 days.” The change under discussion at Town Meeting concerned accessory apartments in general and was not about the town’s Affordable Accessory Apartment program. Also, the word “proposition” in the third-to-last paragraph should have been “proportion.” The original article has been corrected.