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

My Turn: Reminder that Lincoln is a “right to farm” town

By Corey Nimmer

There are almost 500 acres of farmland in Lincoln, about 5% of its total area. About half this space has been preserved by the town and is leased to 13 farmers who provide high-quality local foods, fibers, flowers, and educational opportunities.

There is a rich agricultural history tied to this land that predates European settlement, and a legacy of land stewardship that constitutes an essential piece of Lincoln’s identity. Lincoln is fortunate in that its residents have decided, through laws and conservation acts, to continue the town’s centuries-long commitment to agriculture indefinitely so that future generations may continue to enjoy its benefits. While visitors and residents have likely noticed and appreciated the unique rural character of Lincoln, some may not know that Lincoln is a “right to farm” town, or if they’ve heard this, they might not know what this means.

The town’s Agricultural Commission wanted to share this official language from Lincoln’s bylaw, which was adopted during Town Meeting in 2011 to align with the Massachusetts’ Right to Farm laws passed in 2003:

“It is the policy of the Town of Lincoln to conserve, protect and encourage the maintenance and improvement of agricultural land for the production of food and agricultural products, and also for its natural and ecological value. This disclosure notification is to inform buyers and occupants that the property they are about to acquire or occupy lies within a town where farming activities occur. Such farming activities may include, but are not limited to, activities that cause noise, dust, and odors. Buyers or occupants are also informed that the location of property within the Town may be impacted by commercial agricultural operations including the ability to access water services for agricultural use under certain circumstances.”

Basically, anyone visiting, living in, or considering moving to Lincoln should be aware that farming is and always will be a way of life here. While that might mean getting stuck behind a slow-moving tractor or experiencing the smell of livestock from time to time, it is the town’s policy to maintain and improve upon this critical piece of our heritage. The Agricultural Commission hopes that all residents and visitors of Lincoln will find ways to enjoy the benefits that our town’s farmers provide, whether through eating fresh produce, learning something new, or taking in the beauty of an open field at sunrise.

For more information on how to support your local farmers, click here.

Nimmer is a member of the Lincoln Agricultural Commission.

”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.

News acorns

Holy Week at St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church

Palm Sunday (March 28)

  • 8 a.m. — In-person Holy Eucharist (click here to register)
  • 10 a.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist
  • 5 p.m. — Outdoor firepit service (click here to register)

Maundy Thursday, April 1

  • 7:30 p.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist

Good Friday, April 2

  • 12 p.m. — Live-streamed Service
  • 5 p.m. — Outdoor service (click here to register)

Holy Saturday, April 3

  • 10 a.m. — Live-streamed morning prayer
  • 10 p.m. — Live-streamed Service of Light

Easter Sunday, April 4

  • 9 a.m. — Live-streamed Holy Eucharist
  • 11 a.m. — Holy Eucharist with choir in the parking lot
 

Farrington offers nature-themed programs

Join Farrington Nature Linc and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on Thursday, April 22 from 2–­3 p.m. via Zoom for “Owls Up Close,” a virtual version of “Eyes on Owls.” Naturalists Marcia and Mark Wilson will introduce everyone to six live owls up close and personal, followed by some owl call practice with a hooting lesson. They’ll highlight the owls’ unique adaptations, habitats, and behaviors in the wild, while sharing tips on how you can look for owls yourself. All are welcome at this family friendly program. Register here to receive the Zoom link. This is a free program, but donations are encouraged and help us bring this program to the community. Viewers may purchase copies of Mark’s book, Owling (signed and personalized by the author) by emailing eyesonowls@earthlink.net.

Join award-winning producer, film composer, and author Ruth Mendelson of Lincoln to discuss her new book, The Water Tree Way, on Thursday, April 22 from 7–8:15 p.m. The main character Jai (pronounced “Jay”), filled with spunk, stealth, and courage, leaves everything she’s known to embark on a hair-raising journey. A 240-page children’s book intended for readers of all ages, the story exalts the triumph of the human spirit as experienced by a girl who can be none other than her unabashed self. Register here.

Upcoming talks in “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces” series

Artist Evelyn Rydz will speak on “Close Attention: Exploring a Creative Practice Inside and Outside the Studio” on Wednesday, April 14 at 7 p.m. Exploring the vulnerability and the resiliency of natural and cultural ecosystems, Rydz invites viewers and participants of her projects to imagine a different future — one shaped by our connections and care for local and global communities. Her talk is part of “On Belonging in Outdoors Spaces,” a free virtual speaker series featuring prominent speakers whose are advancing efforts to strengthen belonging and connection between communities of color and the benefits of time in nature.

Also in the series:

  • Monica White, author of Freedom Farmers: Agricultural Resistance and the Black Freedom Movement, on Wednesday, May 12 at 7 p.m.
  • J. Drew Lanham, Alumni Distinguished Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Master Teacher at Clemson University, on “Coloring the Conservation Conversation” on Wednesday, June 2 at 7 p.m. Dr. Lanham will highlight what it means to embrace the full breadth of his African-American heritage and his deep kinship to nature and adoration of birds. He will discuss how conservation must be a rigorous science and evocative art, inviting diversity and race to play active roles in celebrating our natural world.

Register here and get more information about the presentations and speakers. The series is organized by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, Farrington Nature Linc, The Food Project, Mass Audubon, and The Walden Woods Project. Additional support is provided by the Ogden Codman Trust, the Lincoln Garden Club, and the Bemis Free Lecture Series.

My Turn: Work continues on creating a more just and equitable society

By Tara Mitchell
Lincoln School Committee chair

As we mark the anniversary of moving to remote learning one year ago this month, it is difficult to process all that we have been through as a school district, as a community, and as a country. We can all be grateful and proud of the ingenuity, perseverance, and dedication that the Lincoln School District administration, faculty, staff, and students have shown this past year.

While there certainly are bright spots on the horizon with more vaccines coming, violent events continue to shed light on the hate and injustice that exists in our country, the most recent of which was the killings in Atlanta and the mass shooting in Boulder. We stand in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Island communities and acknowledge the fear, anger, and anxiety that these crimes of hate produce.

The Lincoln School Committee has made a commitment to honor and respect human differences and to work toward being an anti-racist district. Hate has no place in school, in our community, or in our country and we will continue to support the work being done in the school district that we hope will lead to a more just and equitable society.

”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.

My Turn: Glass asks for votes as she runs for reelection

By Jennifer Glass

I write to announce my candidacy for re-election to the Board of Selectmen for a three-year term, and I ask for the support of Lincoln’s residents and voters.

When I first ran in 2017, I made a commitment to pursue holistic planning and decision-making given the breadth of topics that fall under the purview of the board. That commitment continues energize me in assisting us to achieve our collective goals and is what motivates me to seek election to serve the town for another term.

Town residents and our town government working together have begun and accomplished many important objectives during the past four years:

  • We approved the Lincoln School revitalization project, and construction is well underway
  • The development of Oriole Landing allowed the town to continue its commitment to more affordable housing options
  • We launched the Lincoln Green Energy Choice program, which meaningfully reduces our collective carbon footprint
  • We entered into an agreement with the deCordova Museum and the Trustees of Reservations to ensure a vital future for the arts in Lincoln
  • We started community discussions about racism and racial equity following the brutal murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor
  • The global pandemic forced us to entirely rethink how we run our town government and care for our residents.

Much of this work is ongoing. Last fall the board hosted a series of roundtables that brought together community members, our police chief, town boards, and community groups and institutions to talk about inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism. This laid the groundwork for the IDEA Initiative, a new committee that we will appoint in April and that is expected to examine how the town can specifically and intentionally address equity and justice.

The work of the South Lincoln Planning & Advisory Committee (SLPAC) forms another major focus of the town. The Planning Board has been studying potential zoning changes in the area around the train station for a number of years, and SLPAC is continuing that examination with an eye toward making recommendations to the town in 2022. The town is now considering the potential changes in the context of the Massachusetts Housing Choice Act that the legislature passed in January that has specific provisions for towns with an MBTA station.

The legislature also recently passed a landmark act to combat climate change, which will have profound implications for us as individuals and a community for many decades to come. We will engage with town residents to assist us all in meeting our commitments under the act.

Now that the school project is nearly halfway completed, it is time for the town to restart the conversation about a community center that would house both the Parks & Recreation Department and the Council on Aging (or “the Council on Aging and Human Services” if we approve the name change at Town Meeting!). In doing so, we will continue discussions about the town’s provision of social services and about town finances and property taxes.

All of these issues are interrelated, and we must consider them together if we are to shape the future of the town in innovative and positive ways. Most fortunately, we have a skilled and knowledgeable professional team and dedicated volunteers on our town boards and committees to engage in this effort. With your vote of support, I look forward to continuing to contribute to the work of this team. Again, I ask for your vote at the town election on Monday, March 29.

Respectfully,

Jennifer Glass
11 Stonehedge Road

”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.

Police log for March 7–18, 2021

March 7

Middle Street, Lexington (3:37 p.m.) — Lexington Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical emergency.

Lincoln Road (3:52 p.m.) — Officer assisted a party to their residence over the town line into Weston.

Mary’s Way (4:23 p.m.) — San Diego, Calif., police requested assistance in locating a person whose phone pinged near Mary’s Way. Concord police were dealing with the person’s family member (the person was in Concord).

March 8

Drumlin Farm (4:20 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious vehicle by the shop. Officer checked on the vehicle, which belonged to an employee.

March 9

South Great Road (7:54 a.m.) — Caller reported a bag and shoes on the side of Rte. 117 at Farrar Pond. Officer found they belonged to two individuals who were skating on the pond.

Lincoln Road (4:47 p.m.) — Report of vandalism caused by the caller’s ex-girlfriend jumping on the hood of his car and breaking the car’s window in the Donelan’s lot. Officers responded but the suspect had left the scene. The victim did not wish to move forward with charges.

March 10

Huckleberry Hill (1:58 p.m.) — Caller reported an unknown male rang their doorbell on video. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

North Great Road (8:53 p.m.) — Officer checked on a pedestrian walking along the roadway and gave them a ride to their residence nearby.

Old Town Hall Exchange (9:39 p.m.) — Officer checking on a party in the parking lot. They were using their cell phone.

Deer Run Road (10:30 p.m.) — Caller reported their dog was missing.

March 11

Bedford Road (8:11 a.m.) — Caller reported that a child was standing at the end of the driveway at the Birches School. Officer arrived and no one was there (kids are being dropped off).

Old Bedford Road (8:55 a.m.) — Officers off assisting at the Covid-19 vaccination clinic.
Todd Pond Road (2:40 p.m.) — Fire Department responded to report of a wire down that was arcing. Eversource notified.

Baker Bridge Road (4:14 p.m.) — Caller reported a tractor trailer was blocking the road near Lovelane. Upon officer’s arrival, the truck was pulling away.

March 12

Trapelo Road (11:22 a.m.) — Caller reported a sick raccoon on her property. Officers located the animal but were unable to get to it due to the location on the property.

Concord Road (1:36 p.m.) — Wire down across the roadway. Route 126 had to be detoured due to the height of the wire until Verizon arrived.

Lincoln Road (5:15 p.m.) — Caller reported that a Lowe’s delivery truck damaged his driveway while making a delivery. Report taken.

Old Sudbury Road (11:02 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing what looks like a small light or bonfire on the Drumlin Farm property. Officers on scene with a staff member checked the property but were unable to locate anything.

March 13

Drumlin Farm (12:09 a.m.) — Drumlin Farm staff member found a small bonfire that he put out with a fire extinguisher. Fire Department responded.
Bypass Road (11:39 a.m.) — Report of a deceased animal on the side of the roadway. MassDOT was notified to remove it.

Harvest Circle (12:04 p.m.) — Staff reported a car alarm was going off and they didn’t know who it belongs to. Officer responded and assisted in identifying the owner.

South Great Road (1:04 p.m.) — A party at the station wanted to speak with an officer about a civil matter regarding Lincoln Gas & Auto. Officer assisted them with information.

Hanscom Air Force Base Vandenberg Gate (2:01 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called regarding a person with an arrest warrant out of New Mexico. The warrant was non-extraditable from outside New Mexico.

Marshal Terrace, Wayland (2:02 p.m.) — Wayland Fire Department requested an engine to respond for a person who fell out of a tree.

Lincoln Road (3:51 p.m.) — Officer stopped a party for a crosswalk violation and gave them a verbal warning.

Central Street, Concord (4:27 p.m.) — Concord Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical situation. The person was transported to Emerson Hospital.

Wells Road (5:27 p.m.) — Caller reported that a person unloaded a motorcycle from a pickup truck in the back parking lot and was driving the motorcycle around at a high rate of speed. Officer responded but they were gone on arrival.

Police station (6:12 p.m.) — A person turned in a credit card that was dropped in front of Doherty’s. The officer took it to the owner at his residence in Waltham.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:06 p.m.) — Concord police asked Lincoln police to assist a Lincoln resident who was in Concord and needed a ride home. Officer met up with Concord police and brought the resident to their home.

Mackintosh Lane (9:46 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone was walking up and down the street looking in yards with a flashlight. Officer made contact with the party, who was looking for a lost dog collar with a GPS tag that fell off the dog.

Bemis Hall (9:56 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the lot. Driver was adjusting the baby seat in the car.

March 14

Cochituate Road, Wayland — Wayland Fire Department requested an engine to cover their headquarters due to a fire in their town.

Winter Street (7:51 p.m.) and Sandy Pond Road (8:43 p.m.) — Callers reported receiving odd calls asking if they were interested in selling their home.

Garland Road (8:24 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone was ringing their doorbell repeatedly but then found that their wind chimes were hitting the doorbell.

March 15

Baker Bridge Road (8:22 p.m.) — Concord police requested a check on a party who reportedly was in need of assistance. The person was located and brought to Emerson Hospital.

March 16

Tower Road (6:19 a.m.) — Police received an automated alarm from the Water Department. Alarm was due to disruption in the radio communication system between the Tower Road well and the treatment plant.

Bemis Hall (10:50 a.m.) — Officer assisted the Council on Aging with traffic.

Trapelo Road (4:21 p.m.) — Report of a two-car motor vehicle crash. One person was transported to Emerson Hospital and both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Bedford Road (7:28 p.m.) — A resident reported that their stove was sparking. Fire Department responded and assisted the resident.

Concord Road (8:51 p.m.) — A resident called to see if police had had contact with a family member of theirs (they hadn’t). They did not request any further assistance.

March 17

South Great Road (4:44 p.m.) — An officer met with a resident at the request of the Council on Aging regarding a possible scam.

March 18

Old Town Hall Exchange (12:40 a.m.) — Officer checked on a car parked in the lot. the driver was playing Pokemon Go.

Ridge Road (4:50 p.m.) — Caller requesting a well-being check on a resident who hadn’t been heard from. An officer spoke to the resident, who was fine, and advised them to call the reporting party.

Silver Hill Road (8:16 p.m.) — Caller reported two vehicles driving slowly back and forth in front of his house and backing up. Officer checked but was unable to locate.

Clarification

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.