The March 18 story headlined “Uncertainties surround new state multifamily housing law” stated that a new state law requires Lincoln and certain other towns to allow multifamily housing by right near MBTA stations. Towns that do not change their zoning bylaw are not subject to a penalty but they stand to lose access to certain state grants, which may or may not be fiscally feasible for the towns. The wording at the start of the article was thus changed to read “effectively requires.”
News acorns
First Parish invites everyone to Easter egg hunt, Passover seder
The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) invites all Lincoln residents to join in two upcoming events: an easter egg hunt on the town’s conservation trails, and a community Passover seder.
- The Community Woodland Egg Hunt runs from 8 a.m. on Saturday, March 27 until 8 p.m. on Sunday, April 4. Participants may choose to begin at the Parish House playground or use the QR link to this FPL web page, which has a map giving the general locations of eggs, though you’ll still have some looking to do.
- Musician, storyteller, and educator Anna Adler will lead the FPL Passover Seder again this year using an adaptation of the 10-minute Haggadah starting at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 30. Participate in the seder traditions for Passover, then “stay for dinner” — all via Zoom. See this FPL web page for the Zoom link, as well as tips on how to create a Passover Seder plate and some menu ideas and things you might like to have for your table – also, some menu ideas).
Virtual cat yoga on tap
Several camera-ready feline “yogis” will participate in “MeowMaste: Do Yoga with Cats!” on Sunday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Phinney’s — a nonprofit that provides financial assistance and caregiving support to low-income people so they can keep their pets — “is committed to working with people who experience loneliness and isolation, which the current pandemic has exacerbated for some clients, and the class is a way for us to honor that commitment by focusing on an experience designed to give people of all ages and experience levels a way to boost their own mood by interacting virtually with a cast of amazing cats and getting expert instruction on how to do some of the most popular yoga poses,” said Daniela Caride, president of Phinney’s. Register on the Meowmaste web page with a $10 donation.
LLCT hosts pollinator workshop, vernal pool presentation
- The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will host a Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan workshop on Thursday, April 1 from 7–8 p.m. On fronts lawns, in back gardens, at woodland edges, in open fields, and along wet meadows, functionally diverse native pollinator habitats serve as building blocks for linking intact natural areas across a fragmented landscape. But what to plant? When to mow? Where to focus? Evan Abramson of Landscape Interactions will break down the science behind native plantings and explore the crucial role of native pollinators with regards to ecosystem health, climate resiliency, and food security. He’ll also explore the recently released Lincoln Pollinator Action Plan, created in collaboration with LLCT — a town-wide blueprint on supporting at-risk bees and butterflies in Lincoln and beyond. There will be time for questions from the audience. Click here to register and get the Zoom link.
- Join the LLCT and Matt Burne, senior ecologist with BSC Group, Inc., and vice president of the Vernal Pool Association, for “Vernal Pool Virtual Exploration” on Thursday, April 8 from 7–8 p.m. In lieu of an in-person walk this year, Matt will be sharing his photos and stories via Zoom and will answer audience questions after his talk. Click here to register and get the Zoom link.
Uncertainties surround new state multifamily housing law
A new state law effectively requires Lincoln and other MBTA communities to allow denser housing around their train stations, but it will be many months before the state clarifies the law and explains exactly what’s required, Town Counsel Joel Bard said at a March 17 Planning Board/SLPAC meeting on the topic.
State zoning law as revised by the Housing Choice Act says MBTA communities must have a least one district of “reasonable size” within a half-mile of the MBTA stop that permits multifamily housing by right. “Multifamily housing” is defined as a minimum of 15 units per acre, “subject to any further limitations” imposed by the Wetlands Protection Act and Title V, which outlines requirements around septic systems.
For the time being, all communities are considered to be in compliance with the Act, Bard said. Eventually, MBTA communities that do not comply will not be eligible for grant funding from the Housing Choice Initiative, the Local Capital Projects Fund, or the MassWorks infrastructure program. Town officials will gather information about how much funding Lincoln has received from these programs in recent years.
In its preliminary guidance about the new law, the state Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) does not define terms such as “reasonable size” of the zoning district, or whether development proposals can be denied if they don’t also meet every wetlands and septic requirement. “There will be a discussion of what is a zone of ‘reasonable size’ in a very small town” that’s more rural than Somerville but more densely populated than Deerfield, for example, said Bard, whose law firm published this update on the legislation last month.
Lincoln Woods has 125 units on 17 acres of land for a density of about 7.5 units per acre. Oriole Landing has about 10 units per acre.
“Lincoln should get credit for allowing density near [the train station] over the years — so ‘reasonable size’ might be smaller for Lincoln than other communities that have done very little,” Bard said.
The existence of Lincoln Woods wouldn’t let Lincoln off the hook in any case. The town would still have to change its zoning to allow future developments of that type by right, rather than by special permit and Town Meeting approval.
Well before the Housing Choice Act was passed, the Planning Board and its South Lincoln Planning and Advisory Committee (SLPAC) were working on rezoning proposals that would encourage more housing and mixed-use development in South Lincoln with the goal of creating a more vibrant village center for residents and businesses. Board chair Margaret Olson wondered how that work could proceed with the new uncertainties.
“I wouldn’t let this slow down your process,” Bard said, adding that it would be several months at least before state authorities give clearer guidance in implementing the new law. He suggested that when the Planning Board was ready, it could send a draft of its proposal to the DHCD for an advisory opinion.
Another unresolved question involves mixed-use development in which a single structure contains both housing and commercial space. “If the residential component is by right, but the commercial component is not, what prevents the town from effectively preventing the development based on aspects of the commercial development?” asked Michelle Barnes, chair of the RLF/Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, which hopes to redevelop the mall.
“Good question,” Bard replied.
Until further state guidance is forthcoming, all communities are considered to be in compliance with the Act, Bard said. Eventually, MBTA communities that do not comply will not be eligible for grant funding from the Housing Choice Initiative, the Local Capital Projects Fund, or the MassWorks infrastructure program. Town officials will gather information about how much funding Lincoln has received from these programs in recent years.
In 2018, the state allocated $500,000 for designing improvements to Lincoln’s MBTA station but never released the money. The fate of that funding is now more uncertain than ever. Meanwhile, the MBTA is cutting service everywhere after taking a financial hit from the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s unclear what the long-term future holds for Lincoln’s train service.
Because many people may continue to work from home even after the pandemic is over, “use of the commuter rail may change dramatically… this whole notion of being an ‘MBTA community’ is kind of up in the air,” observed resident Sara Mattes.
News acorns
Emerson Hospital launches community needs survey
Emerson Hospital is conducting a community health needs survey to get input from residents, health care providers, and social service workers in the cities and towns served by Emerson. Anyone who lives or works in the region can participate. Click here for more information and a link to the survey.
Event spotlights male survivors of sexual assault
While all survivors of sexual assault face barriers, male survivors experience a unique set of challenges when choosing to come forward and seek support. Amplifying the voices of male survivors helps end the stigma and raise awareness surrounding male survivors of sexual assault. In recognition of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, please join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable on Tuesday, April 13 at 3 p.m. for their next Spotlight Series event: Amplifying the Voices of Male Survivors of Sexual Assault. This event will feature male survivors from the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center’s (BARCC) Survivor Speakers Bureau, who will share their stories and what they want the community to know. The conversation will be moderated by a staff member from BARCC and allow time for participants to submit questions via chat. Registration is required, and can be completed through the Roundtable’s website at www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org. For questions, email infodvrt@gmail.com. Recording or taking pictures of this event is prohibited.
Pastel workshop offered
The Lincoln Public Library is offering “Dandelions: A Pastel Workshop with Greg Maichack” on Wednesday, April 21 from 6–8 p.m. via Zoom. In this highly researched two-hour event, participants have fun producing their own original pastel painting of Millet’s “Dandelions,” creating smaller versions from parts of his painting. Registration opens on Friday, April 2 at 9 a.m. The workshop is limited to 24 participants who are age 18+. All art materials will be supplied prior to the workshop. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.
South Sudanese Fund events celebrates 21 years
South Sudanese Enrichment for Families invites everyone to “Resilience 2021: A Celebration of the South Sudanese 21 Years in America” on Thursday, April 22 from 7–8 p.m. Help celebrate and contribute to the ongoing work to build and support the next generation — the children of the “lost boys and girls of Sudan.”
- Register for this free Zoom event
- Silent auction from April 9–26 — view and bid
- Donate online by going to SSEFBoston.org or send a check to SSEF, P.O. Box 492, Lincoln, MA 01773.
Volunteer sought for Board of Assessors
The Board of Selectmen seeks candidates to serve a one-year term as an appointee to the Board of Assessors. The appointee would need to submit nomination papers and stand for election in March 2022 in order to continue on the board. Download and submit this application form to the Selectmen’s Office, c/o Peggy Elder (elderp@lincolntown.org), by April 30 at 5 p.m. Interviews will be conducted in June and the appointment will be effective immediately thereafter. Dorothy Blakely, administrator for the Board of Assessors, is available (blakelyd@lincolntown.org) to answer questions about the duties and role of the board.
Lincoln gets nod from Boston Magazine
Lincoln is one of four Boston suburbs spotlighted in the magazine’s “Top Places to Live 2021” issue. The magazine reports that the median price for a single-family home in town is $1,375,000 and has increased by 15% in the past year. Coldwell Banker’s Susan Law is quoted as saying about Lincoln: “It’s really amazing to me to see how many people are active and involved… to make things work for the town, not just for themselves.”
Recalling Lincoln’s “Fertile Valley” era
By Craig Donaldson, Lincoln Historical Society
(Editor’s note: this piece was first published in LincolnTalk in December 2020 and is republished here as part of the “Lincoln’s History” series.)
Did you know there’s a Lincoln neighborhood known as “Fertile Valley”?
You won’t find Fertile Valley marked on a map, but you can walk its borders on a pleasant afternoon and smile at a bit of Lincoln history. From the Five Corners watering trough, it extends north on Bedford Road to Bemis Hall, northeast along Old Lexington Road and Lexington Road to the Flint farm, east along Trapelo Road to the DeNormandie farm, and down Weston Road to the Pierce House.
Fertile Valley was the site of two dairy farms and productive backyard gardens, but it earned its reputation (with a wink and a smirk) in the late 1940s and 1950s for its crop of kids.
After World War II, many young families moved to the Valley to raise children, joining the older Lincoln families in long-established houses of the Historic District. The Paul Norton family topped the list with seven children, and the families of Jim DeNormandie, Fred Taylor, and Gordon Donaldson had five apiece. Every household had at least one youngster.
A Fourth of July parade entrant from the “Fertile Valley” era. The truck is an old Chevy from Glendale Farm, the dairy that R.D. Donaldson had on Weston Road until the late 1940s. The driver, dressed up to look like a woman, is Ken Bergen. The kids in the back include Nat Taylor (in the corner facing forward with toes hanging out), Nat’s brother Tim Taylor (still in Lincoln), and Doug MacLean (with the red hair), town historian Jack MacLean’s recently deceased older brother. The others almost certainly include a few Nortons and Bergens, plus a Flint and a DeNormandie or two. (Click image to enlarge)
Typical of American neighborhoods in the post-war era, kids of all ages were raised together by parents in cahoots. Mothers were at home, volunteering their talents to town, school, and church, while their husbands commuted to jobs outside of Lincoln. School was an easy walk or bike ride, first to the Center School (now the Town Office Building) and as the kids grew older, to the new Smith School. Every season in Fertile Valley was tailored to family activities—tobogganing and skating, horse riding, Sunday baseball in the back field, and July 4th parades.
The entire Valley was open to free range kids. They romped through fields and over fences, teaching one another how to ride bikes, ski and sled, blow bubble gum, and catch pollywogs. Parents were confident that the big kids would keep the little kids out of trouble and that, sooner or later, everyone would re-emerge for meals, as indeed they did!
Lifelong friendships, values, and lessons endured as Valley kids went forth into the wider world.
Times have changed, and the Valley is now home to only a few children. Yet some of the old gang still live in the Valley, a few in the houses where they grew up — two each of DeNormandies, Donaldsons, and Flints, plus a Bergen, a Browne, a Jevon, and a MacLean.
And of course, with each springtime, there are still pollywogs to be caught.
Do you have stories and photos to share about your neighborhood, or do you know more about the people in this photo? Email lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com and join us in exploring the histories of Lincoln’s neighborhoods.
Obituaries
Bette Hoskins
Dorothy Ann Gagne
Elizabeth “Bette” Grimm Hoskins, 86
Hoskins, who died on March 9, 2021, formerly lived in Japan, Cincinnati and Kansas City. Full obituary.
Dorothy Ann Gagne, 93
Gagne is survived by five children, 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She died on March 8, 2021. Full obituary.
Morris Levy
Ruth Williams
Morris Levy, 91
Levy, a structural engineer, was former chairman of the board of Parsons Brinkerhoff. and principal in charge of the Central Artery/Tunnel project. He died on Feb. 13, 2021. Full obituary.
Ruth D. Williams, 98
Williams, who died on Feb. 10, 2021, was a former member of the First Parish in Lincoln and the Lincoln Garden Club. Full obituary.
Property sales in January 2021
4 Oak Meadow Rd. — Petter Brumme to Michael and Victoria Landers for $1,200,000 (January 29)
14 Moccasin Hill — Christoph Kaufmann to Nancy and Gregory Fincke for $1,220,000 (January 25)
83 Page Road — Michael Kolowich to Jennifer and Joseph Kolchinsky for $3,250,000 (January 19)
134 Chestnut Circle — Zackary Barron to Deborah Page for $535,000 (January 20)
15 Greenridge Lane — Johnny Pho to Lisa Marcaurelle Patterson for $539,000 (January 15)
25 Oak Meadow Road — Joseph Uretsky to Farhana and Javed Riaz for $1,149,000 (January 14)
Police log for Feb. 28—March 6, 2021
February 28
Indian Camp Lane (12:47 a.m.) — Caller reported that their child went out for a walk and hadn’t returned home. Officer located the person and brought them home from Bedford Road.
March 1
Two reports of fuel or chemical spill on Old Concord Road and Farrar Road. A DPW vehicle was leaking hydraulic fluid that causing a sheen on both roads.
Indian Camp Lane (9:28 p.m.) — Caller reported a moving van is blocking traffic. Officer located the van and it’s not a traffic hazard.
Conant Road (10:45 p.m.) — Weston police reported someone reportedly looking inside mailboxes in the area. Area checked; no one on our side of the town line located.
Old County Road (11:55 p.m.) — Pole and wires down, causing a small fire. Eversource was notified and responded.
March 2
Reported of trees and branches down due to wind on the night of March 1 and into the day on March 2 on Farrar Road, Concord Road, Lincoln Rad, Silver Hill Road, Mackintosh Lane, Fox Run Road, Hillside Road, Old Concord Road.
Mary’s Way (12:27 a.m.) — Caller reported a family member was overdue from being out. The person returned home.
Harvest Circle (7:17 a.m.) — Caller reported an odor of gas inside the residence. Maintenance staff were on scene and turned off gas to the apartment.
Sandy Pond Road (5:43 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog in the area with a leash attached with no one around. Police had no reports of missing dogs.
March 3
Wells Road (7:17 p.m.) — A person wished to speak to an officer regarding a civil matter. Officer assisted them.
Sandy Pond Road (9:59 p.m.) — Alarm company reported a flood alarm at the water treatment plant. Water Department contacted.
Sandy Pond Road (11:00 p.m. and 11:12 p.m.) — Unknown alarms at the water treatment plant. Water Department contacted.
March 4
Hanscom Drive (7:26 a.m.) — Gabriel Cruise, 30, of Waltham was stopped entering the base due to an outstanding arrest warrant. He was booked and brought to Concord District Court.
Harvest Circle (11:47 a.m.) — Caller reported their license plate has been missing from their vehicle. Stolen-plate report filed.
Lincoln Town Hall (12:50 p.m.) — Caller reported that a dog scratched their vehicle. Officer documented the minor damage and contacted the dog owner.
March 4
Nothing of note.
March 6
Bedford Road (4:48 p.m.) — Caller reported a minor crash in front of the library. No injuries, minor damage.
Azzure Annacacis chosen as Project 351 Ambassador
Azzure Annacacis
Lincoln School eighth-grader Azzure Annacacis has been selected as Lincoln’s 2021 Project 351 Ambassador. She joins other eighth-graders representing the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts for a transformational year of youth-led service, leadership development, and civic engagement.
Azzure was selected by the Lincoln School to represent Lincoln for an inspiring ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. In her application, she wrote, “Community service is important to me because it helps underprivileged people change their circumstances and allows them to go back and help their community. Also, because it helps privileged people use their privilege to help less fortunate communities. In addition, it helps humanize each group to each other, thereby creating a stronger bond. Lastly, community service is essential because the community is a strong foundation of society it helps everyone.” When the teachers read this, they could not think of a better representative to be present on behalf of the community of Lincoln.
On March 7, Ambassadors celebrated the official start of their service year at a virtual Launch featuring remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker honoring the legacy of civil rights hero and Congressman John Lewis. Launch marks the start of ten months of community-building and transformational service in support of nonprofit partners including Cradles to Crayons, Hope & Comfort, Wonderfund, and hundreds of food pantries across the state.
Ambassadors are now engaged in a four-week Service Leadership Academy to build the knowledge and skills to lead and serve. Highlights include a community meeting with First Lady Lauren Baker and anti-bias, anti-discrimination training through the Playbook Initiative, a partnership with the Boston Celtics.
Through Project 351, which is funded entirely by the private sector and individuals, Ambassadors gain skills for a lifetime of service, strengthen the ethic of civic engagement, and scale service impacts to address the causes and consequences of poverty. More than 4,000 eighth-graders have participated since the program was founded in 2011.
My Turn: “Big Night” for amphibians is nigh
By Michele Grzenda, Conservation Director
Even though it’s still winter, warmer days and increased daylight is upon us. With that brings my favorite event: Big Night!
Big Night is often used to describe the annual ritual of certain frogs and salamanders when they migrate from their upland overwintering habitat towards their spring breeding ground. During Big Night, you have a chance of seeing spotted salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers, and other amphibians heading towards a vernal pool (generally a small pond or wetland which dries up in the summer months and does not support fish populations).
When will Big Night occur? It’s always hard to predict but it generally happens on the first few rainy nights in March and early April when the night temperature is above 40 degrees. Most years, Lincoln does not have one “big night” but rather lots of smaller movements (though “many little nights” doesn’t sound as exciting as “Big Night”). Even though the snow lingers in Lincoln, towns just south of here are already hearing frogs and seeing some salamander migration. With temperatures warming and wet weather on its way, we are only days away from the excitement.
Big Night is bittersweet for many naturalists. It’s fun to see the amphibians on the move, but in a landscape bisected by a network of roads, it often means that these small creatures risk their own lives crossing onto pavement each year. The best we can hope for is that Big Night happens late at night, when most cars are off the roads.
What you can do
Consider visiting a roadway on a rainy night looking for migrating salamanders. The Conservation Department has placed signage at three major salamander crossings — Conant Road, Lexington Road, and Silver Hill Road — warning motorists to drive carefully on rainy nights. There are some common-sense precautions you should take:
- Find a spot to park well before you reach the wetland crossing.
- Wear reflective vests or clothing if possible.
- Have multiple flashlights and be very careful looking where you walk – you don’t want to step on a frog or salamander!
- Keep young children next to you and show them how to look with a flashlight before walking.
- Assume vehicles do not see you and stay off the road when they approach.
- Wear warm, weather resistant clothing and shoes.
- Wash your hands afterwards if you handle the amphibians.
Drivers: be alert for frogs and salamanders on rainy nights this spring! This salamander may look huge in this picture, but they are small and camouflaged as they slowly cross the many roads throughout Lincoln this spring. (Photo by Michele Grzenda)
Amphibians do not like to be handled, so in most cases simply observe them. If vehicle headlights are in the distance and there is a frog or salamander in the road, please move it off the road in the direction it was heading. If possible, moisten hands in a puddle before handling the animal to minimize disturbance to their skin. You’re likely to see (yellow) spotted salamanders (which can be nine inches long), wood frogs, spring peepers, and American toads. And there’s always a possibility of a rarer sighting, such as a blue-spotted salamander.
Once you experience first-hand the activity on these special nights, you’ll certainly understand the concern we have for these small creatures. On all rainy nights in spring and summer, there is considerable animal activity on the roadways, so please keep that in mind as you’re out on any roadway. Be safe but try to give them a chance at survival.
To learn more about amphibians, vernal pools, and Big Night, check out www.Vernalpool.org.
”My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their 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.