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

Police log for January 8 – February 5, 2021

(Editor’s note: This is a compilation of police logs that were previously published but then lost due to a technical issue with the Lincoln Squirrel website.)

January 8

Town Hall (10:30 p.m.) — Caller reported that a recreational vehicle was parked at town hall. Officers checked on the party, who had planned on sleeping there. Officers suggested the rest area on Rte. 128 and gave directions.

January 9

Hartwell Lot, North Great Road (6:56 p.m.) — Officer checked on two vehicles parked in the lot. Vehicles were on their way.

North Great Road (7:10 p.m.) — Party flagged down an officer looking for assistance with directions.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound — Officer checking on a state trooper who was stopped with a disabled vehicle on Rte. 2. Officer transported the owner to Crosby’s Mobil to make arrangements for a ride home.

January 10

Emerson Hospital (12:21 a.m.) — Concord police requested assistance with a possible unruly party at the hospital. Officer arrived on scene and everything was calm.

Paul Revere Lot, North Great Road (9:10 a.m.) — Caller reported that a party in his vehicle was hassling people. Officers responded and spoke to the party, who was waiting to meet friends to go on the trails. No issue found.

The Commons (3:43 p.m.) — The manager reported finding what appears to be drugs near the dumpster. Officer responded and took possession of the package to be properly disposed of.

Barretts Mill Road, Concord — Fire Department assisting Concord firefighters with a report of a dryer fire at the Northeast Correctional Facility.

January 12

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My Turn: Lincoln Green Energy Choice will help me reduce carbon emissions 

(Editor’s note: This story was originally published on or about Jan. 18, 2021 but was lost after a website outage and later recovered.)

By Lynne Smith

I have been working for years to reduce the carbon footprint at our house. We have reduced our consumption by simple measures — LED lights, temperature control, turning off electronics, etc. — and we have had home energy assessments that helped us improve energy efficiency.  Still, we need electricity, most of which is powered by nonrenewable fuel sources.

Now, with the new Lincoln Green Energy Choice program, I am pleased to choose 100% renewable electricity delivered by Eversource. Thanks to the bulk purchasing power contracted by the Town, we can increase the renewable fuels used to provide our electricity supply with minimal or no increase in cost relative to the Eversource winter 2021 price.

While many companies have been offering contracts for renewable electricity, most of these do not enhance the development of local projects. Instead, they are based on already-developed sources such as Texas wind power. In addition, these contracts often have escalating prices over time. Lincoln Green Energy Choice supports local projects and offers a stable price for 22 months. 

Lincoln Green Energy Choice will take effect this spring and will allow everyone in town to reduce their carbon emissions by adding more renewables to their electricity supply. You can learn more about the program by going to the website www.LincolnGreenEnergyChoice.com or by attending one of the many Zoom sessions offered by the Lincoln Green Energy Committee.

Lynne Smith is a resident of Tabor Hill Road and can be reached at Lynne@Smith.net.

”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.

New state law requires towns to allow multifamily zoning near train stations

Editor’s note: This story was originally published on or about February 13 but was lost after a website malfunction and later recovered.

A new state law will require rezoning part of the South Lincoln area to encourage multifamily housing around the commuter rail station — something the Planning Board has been wrestling with for years but has not been able to accomplish.

The Act Enabling Partnerships for Growth, signed into law by Gov. Baker on January 14, is intended to encourage multifamily development close to transportation stops to promote greater use of public transportation. It imposes new multifamily zoning requirements for “MBTA communities” that are within a half-mile of commuter rail stops and other transit locations in eastern Massachusetts. Those communities must now have at least one zoning district in which multifamily housing is allowed by right with no age restrictions, and that district must allow at least 15 units per acre.

The law also reduces the voting approval threshold for approving certain zoning bylaw amendments and special permits from a two-thirds majority to a simple majority. These amendments include those that allow (by right or by special permit) multifamily or mixed-use developments at “eligible locations” (which would include the South Lincoln area), accessory dwelling units, and open space residential developments.

The new law is a “comprehensive economic relief and stimulus bill that will affect a multitude of industries across the Commonwealth” and includes “provisions intended to spur housing development and economic growth,” according to this analysis by JD Supra, a company that provides commentary and analysis from lawyers and law firms.

Affected towns that do not amend their zoning bylaw as required will face penalties including loss of access to state grants.

In 2019, a subset of the South Lincoln Planning and Advisory Committee (SLPAC) presented a rezoning proposal that would have created a new South Lincoln Village District with subdistricts (commercial or mixed use, and residential), with buildings up to three and a half stories allowed if they were farther back from Lincoln Road. The measure would have also given the Planning Board the authority to approve special permits for some developments rather than requiring Town Meeting approval.

The goal was to create a more vibrant “village center” with housing options that would allow for housing that’s smaller and more affordable than single-family homes for smaller households and older residents who are downsizing but want to stay in Lincoln. However, the proposal was tabled after objections from residents who worried that the apartments and condos on Ridge Road could be squeezed out and were also uncomfortable with ceding too much authority to the Planning Board.

Lincoln officials are organizing a public multiboard meeting hosted by the town’s legal counsel, KP Law, to review the new legislation and its implications for Lincoln. “After that, the Planning Board will map the way forward with directions to SLPAC as to objectives and public process,” said Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie.

Lincoln set to launch green energy program for buying electricity

(Editor’s note: This story was originally published on late January 2021 but was lost after a website outage and later recovered.)

Starting in March, residents will have the option of getting 100% of their electricity from renewable sources under the new Lincoln Green Energy Choice (LGEC) program.

LGEC does not replace Eversource, which will still transmit the electricity (a service that account for about half of customers’ monthly bill). Instead, the program changes Lincoln’s electricity supplier and each customer’s electricity supply price. The town has signed a contract with First Point Power to be the program’s electricity supplier. Eversource Basic Service customers in Lincoln will be automatically enrolled in the Lincoln Standard Green option unless they opt out, which they can do at any time.

Lincoln Green Energy Choice includes three options:

  • Lincoln Standard Green (default): Provides 27% additional renewable electricity from New England (MA Class I RECs) above the 18% minimum required by state law for 11.725¢/kWh
  • Lincoln Total Green provides 100% renewable electricity from New England for 14.043¢/kWh
  • Lincoln Basic: provides 2% additional renewable electricity from New England for 10.651¢/kWh for a total of 20% renewable-source electricity.

LGEC prices are fixed until January 2023. However, the program cannot guarantee savings when compared with Eversource’s Basic Service prices.

Those who are eligible for automatic enrollment received a letter in the mail with program information and instructions for choosing one of the program options or opting out. The letter and envelope carried the town logo but the return address is c/o First Point Power because enrollment options will be handled by that company. Customers who have already signed their own an agreement with an electricity supplier will not receive a letter and will not be automatically enrolled but are welcome to enroll at any time before or after the program launches.

Enrollment will start with March 2021 meter reads and will be seamless, with no interruption in electricity service. Participants can expect to see the LGEC price on their electricity bill beginning in April 2021. Participants will see just two changes on their bills: (1) Eversource will use the Lincoln Green Energy Choice price to calculate the supply charge portion of their bill instead of the current Basic Service price, and (2) First Point Power will be listed as their electricity supplier. Otherwise, nearly everything else remains the same: Eversource remains responsible for delivering electricity and addressing power outages in Lincoln. LGEC participants will continue to receive and pay just one electricity bill from Eversource, and this will be the only electricity bill they receive.

Anyone eligible for a low-income discount will continue to receive that discount as a participant in Lincoln Green Energy Choice. Tax-exempt accounts will need to submit tax exemption documentation to First Point Power to retain tax-exempt status.

“Our town has established an ambitious set of environmental sustainability objectives,” Town Administrator Timothy S. Higgins said. “The electricity aggregation contract recently executed by the Board of Selectmen is an essential element of the town’s plan for meeting these goals.”

“Fully 22% of Lincoln’s CO2 emissions come from generating our electricity, so this program has a direct impact on our contributions to climate change,” said LGEC member C.J. Volpone. “In addition, the increase in renewably generated electricity multiplies the impact of our electric vehicles, efficient electric appliances and heating systems, insuring these equipment choices are powered by low-CO2-emitting electricity generation.”

Public information sessions to provide an opportunity for the community to ask questions about the program will be held on the following dates:

  • Lincoln Green Energy Committee — Thursday, Feb. 4 at 1:00 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link (meeting ID: 942 3538 8880, Passcode: 460113).
  • Council on Aging’s Lincoln Academy — Monday, Feb. 8 at noon. Visit the Council on Aging webpage for information on how to attend.
  • Board of Selects meeting — Monday, Feb. 8 at 6:30 p.m. Click here for the Zoom link (meeting ID: 918 3237 5325, Passcode: 378902).

Residents may also contact First Point Power customer support by calling (844) 651-8919, using the customer support form on the LGEC website, or sending an email to support@LincolnGreenEnergyChoice.com. To request an ASL interpreter, contact one of the sources above one week before the event.

Lincoln’s affordable accessory apartment program OK’d by state

(Editor’s note: This story was originally published on or about Feb. 13, 2021 but was lost after a website outage and later recovered. The paragraph on loan terms was updated on March 1, 2021.)

Lincoln’s plan to offer tax rebates and loans to residents who create affordable accessory apartments on their property has finally won approval from the state, though the local Housing Commission must now review details of the program, which was formulated four years ago.

Residents voted to approve the Affordable Accessory Apartment program (AAA) in 2017 pending eventual state authorization. The legislature passed H.2645 in January and Gov. Baker signed it into law shortly thereafter. At the time, the goal of the program was threefold:

  • To ensure Lincoln’s SHI (subsidized housing inventory) remained above the state-required ratio of 10% of the town’s entire housing stock so as to avoid a 40B housing development
  • To encourage the development of scattered affordable housing units throughout the town, as opposed to concentrating them in one or two large projects
  • To provide a way for those with unused living space in their homes to earn income from that space, and to reduce their property tax burden

The recent opening of Oriole Landing has obviated the first need, “but the other two are still relevant, and are of even greater importance now than when the program was first developed,” Housing Commission Chair Allen Vander Meulen said. The state’s official SHI for Lincoln is 14% since the opening of Oriole Landing and is expected to be about 12.5% once the 2020 census figures and other variables are factored in, he added.

As approved in 2017, the AAA program also offers an unrestricted “loan” of $25,000 from the town. Ten percent of the original balance is forgiven each year, resulting in a zero balance after 10 years. The loan would be secured by a lien on the property but would not be contingent on the homeowner’s income. Any unpaid balance would have to be repaid if and when a homeowner stops participating in the AAA program.

To qualify, each affordable accessory apartment must have a separate entrance and off-street parking, and must not exceed 1,200 square feet or 35 percent of the home’s square footage. After receiving a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals, landlords would have to select tenants from a waiting list of those who applied to the town and have certain income limits.

“Given the four-year gap in time since the town approved it, we need to determine what if anything needs to change for the program to conform to the legal and economic situation we as a town are in today, and to ensure that the program is implemented in a way that is sensitive to the concerns and challenges of those of us who live here in Lincoln,” Vander Meulen said.

“I imagine getting the AAA program up and running will require coordination and perhaps approval from several town governing bodies and offices, so it will likely take some time to ‘get there’.

“I would like to extend our gratitude to State Rep. Tom Stanley, who has diligently worked for years to get this rebate past the various legislative roadblocks it faced until it was finally approved, and to Pam Gallup, who did the lion’s share of the work needed to develop the program and then get it approved at Town Meeting,” he added.

Police log for Feb. 6–12, 2021

February 6

Old Concord Road (2:05 p.m.) — Caller reported vehicles parked on both side of the road causing a traffic hazard. Parking citations issued.

February 7

Weston Road (2:46 p.m.) — Caller reported that their vehicle was struck by a snowplow. Officer responded and cited the snowplow driver. No injuries.

South Great Road (2:51 p.m.) — Car struck wooden pylons on Rte. 117 near Bowles Terrace. No injuries

Weston Road (3:13 p.m.) — Officer conducted a follow up to previous Weston Road crash and found that the snowplow driver’s license was suspended. A criminal citation was issued.

Tower Road (10:29 p.m.) — Two callers reported fireworks going off in the area. Officer checked the area; nothing found.

Trapelo Road (10:56 p.m.) — Report of a two-car crash. Officers located the crash requested 2 vehicles to be towed. No injuries. Report taken

February 8

Harvest Circle (2:24 p.m.) — A person reported parking their car at 2 Harvest Circle and later noticed new damage to the vehicle. Damage is very minor; officer assisted the party and advised them to file report with their insurance company.

Paul Revere lot, North Great Road (7:30 p.m.) — Officer checked on a party parked in the parking lot. They had stopped to get directions.

North Great Road (7:46 p.m.) — Officer stopped a vehicle and found that registration plates were illegally attached. The vehicle was towed and the driver was issued a criminal citation.

February 9

North Great Road (4:25 p.m.) — Concord police requested assistance in looking for a party who ran away from his parents. Officers responded to the National Park area to look for the party and Fire Department assisted with its ATV. The party was located at 5:40 p.m. in Concord at the town line.

South Great Road (4:45 p.m.) — Caller reported he slid into a telephone pole on Rte. 117. Minor damage reported, no injuries. Party was able to drive away from the scene.

February 10

Wells Road (9:12 a.m.) — Property manager reported a vehicle parked on the property by an unknown person who doesn’t reside there. Officer responded; owner of the vehicle removed the car from the property

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (10:11 a.m.) — Caller reported sliding into the snowbank in her driveway; requested an officer to assist because she was concerned she’ll slide onto Rte. 2. Officer assisted the party.

School Street, Acton (6:12 p.m.) — Acton Fire Department requesting an engine to cover as they had a fire in town.

Old Bedford Road (6:58 p.m.) — Caller reported that a person just jumped in front of her car while on Old Bedford Road near Virginia Road. Officers checked the area along with Concord police but were unable to locate anyone.

February 11

Lincoln North office building (3:01 a.m.) — Officer set traffic pattern equipment for the upcoming Covid-19 vaccine clinic.

Concord Road (8:25 a.m.) — Two-car crash near Baker Farm Road. Three people transported to Emerson Hospital with injuries, two vehicles towed.

Minuteman Technical High School (9:16 a.m.) — Construction worker struck a gas line while digging on site. National Grid notified along with Fire Department.

Huckleberry Hill (8:11 p.m.) — Caller reported receiving a call from a scammer. No money or personal information given.

February 12

Concord Road (8:14 a.m.) — A car crashed into the woods. The driver was evaluated by the Fire Department; no injuries. A tow truck pulled the car out of the woods. 

Spruce Hill Road, Weston (11:06 a.m.) — Fir Department ambulance responded for a medical emergency.

Bedford Road (11:06 a.m.) — Crash involving a postal truck and an oil truck. No injuries, minor damage.

News acorns

Library offers Boredom Buster Book Bundles, bingo, upcycling

Are you looking to keep your kids entertained this vacation week? We’ve got you covered! Fill out this quick form and you’ll get a bag of librarian-picked books. Your bag will include a variety of books: craft, cooking, game/activity, science experiment, plus a family movie and a read-aloud book. To help the library accommodate as many families as possible, we’ve packed these bags to have something for all ages. Pickup will be at the library starting Tuesday, Feb. 16. 

On Monday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m., join in an evening of bingo for children of all ages with everybody’s favorite bingo caller, Sally K. The whole family can play at home over Zoom. Registrants will receive a printable bingo card, and there will be prizes awarded. Email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive the Zoom link.

On Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., librarian Sarah will host a virtual combination craft/upcycling program, using old CD cases to make cool CD case gardens. Bryn Gingrich from the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will discuss recycling in Lincoln, and share other upcycling ideas. Intended for ages 5+ — please email sfeather@minlib.net to register. and get the Zoom link. Craft supplies will be available in the library vestibule.

Drive-through ice cream sundaes for seniors and grandkids

The Council on Aging invites seniors, grandparents and grandchildren to an intergenerational drive-up ice cream sundae cup event on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the parking lot of the First Parish Church. Please help stagger arrivals by coming at the time that corresponds to your last name (A–G, arrive from 12-12:45 p.m.; H–R, arrive from 12:45-1:30 p.m.; S–Z, arrive from 1:30-2 p.m.).

Lincoln author event on Feb. 22

Join award-winning producer, film composer, and author Ruth Mendelson of Lincoln to discuss her new book, “The Water Tree Way,” on Monday, Feb. 22 at noon. The main character Jai (pronounced “Jay”), filled with spunk, stealth and blazing courage, leaves everything she’s known to embark on a journey that would be hair-raising for anyone. 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. To learn more and read reviews, including Jane Goodall’s video endorsement, visit www.TheWaterTreeWay.com. Please call the COA 781-259-8811, if you would like to pick up an author’s copy of the book (there are a limited number of copies). Click here for the Zoom link.

Event explores healthy masculinity

Rickie Houston

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable is presenting “A Call to Families: Discussing Healthy Masculinity with Young People” on Tuesday, March 9 from 7–8:30 p.m. The keynote speaker is Rickie Houston, director of training for A Call to Men, an organization that works to transform society by promoting healthy, respectful manhood. Houston, a U.S. Army veteran, is pastor of a church in North Carolina, has worked to end violence against women in West Africa and has also worked with professional athletes. He’ll speak about the importance of boys being able to show their emotions and the significance of teaching them about healthy masculinity at an early age. Breakout sessions will run after his talk.

To register for the event, click here. For more information, call Sue Rushfirth at 978-443-0782, email infodvrt@gmail.com, or visit www.domesticviolenceroundtable.org.

Lincoln’s first Covid-19 vaccination clinic goes swimmingly

By Maureen Belt

A premiere office suite in North Lincoln, empty for months because of Covid-19, was transformed last week into a clinic that distributed not only the Moderna vaccine, but doses of hope and freedom to dozens of Lincoln seniors — many of whom have had their social and personal lives halted because of the virus. 

Nearly 100 senior citizens, the oldest aged 98, and other high-risk residents were injected with the first round of the two-dose vaccine on February 11 at the Lincoln North office building at 55 Old Bedford Rd. Their follow-up shots are scheduled for March 11.

Rob Todd, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, was the first Lincolnite to be vaccinated at the town clinic, which Council on Aging Director Abby Butt (right) and teammates helped organize.

The clinic, which ran with the precision of a Swiss watch, was the result of strategic planning by Lincoln’s public health team: Board of Health member Trish Miller, Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean, Council on Aging Director Abigail Butt, Assistant Town Administrator Dan Pereira, Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Fire Chief Brian Young, and Lt. Sean Kennedy and Det. Ian Spencer of the Lincoln Police Department.

The team handled all logistics — communicating with the DPH, finding a space for the clinic, organizing volunteers, and ensuring all recipients were safely transported from their homes to the clinic. Lincoln resident Larry Smith of Cranberry Hill Associates, Inc., which manages Lincoln North, donated use of the space.

Initially, said Young, Lincoln expected to receive 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine from the state Department of Public Health (DPH), so a weeklong clinic from 8 a.m.–4 p.m. was planned with the hopes of inoculating the same number of residents. Nearly 100 volunteers were on board, clinicians were hired, and several hundred empty square feet of office space with ample parking were secured. 

Then, just after 5 p.m. on February 5, Young learned that the DPH was reducing Lincoln’s number of shots to 100. “They switched courses,” he said. “That’s fine. We said we’ll take what we can get and we will start with the most at-risk residents.”

Miller said Lincoln was fortunate to receive even a reduced number, as many surrounding communities did not get any. The goal, she said, “was to get as many shots into as many arms as we could.”

Mission accomplished.

Longtime COA volunteer Harold McAleer gets his Covid-19 shot.

The atmosphere was convivial — more like a neighborhood block party than a medical clinic —with residents cheerfully greeting their masked, socially distanced friends and commenting on how nice it was to see each other after nearly a year of not being out and about.

“It’s been a terrific team effort, and it’s had its challenges with the laws and the regulations changing,” said Mr. Higgins. “I’m thrilled that the team was able to put the clinic on for the town.”

Having a local clinic, Mr. Higgins said, is especially crucial to Lincoln’s vulnerable residents who would have a hard time getting to and from clinics in “mega-sites” such as Gillette Stadium and Fenway Park — not just once, but twice. 

“Here, they’re familiar with the people in the clinic,” he said. “They have good relationships. It has a nice, small-town feel to it.”

The group unanimously decided residents 85 years old and over would get first dibs. A call center was organized so residents could book appointments without needing to use a computer.

“Abby was very helpful. She has great relationships with the older folks,” Miller said, adding Butt also identified the seniors who needed to be inoculated in their homes and rounded up volunteers to transport seniors to and from the clinic.

Holding clinics routinely is the goal, but this will depend on the weekly supply of vaccine from the state. A clinic was temporarily planned for Thursday, Feb. 18 for residents 75 and older, but Pereira said on February 13 that the town would not be getting its expected 100 doses for that clinic. The team will keep the town informed about future clinics and volunteer opportunities as well as any other changes.

Obituaries

David McKnight

David McKnight passed away on January 2 at age 57. He worked for DPW and at Stonegate Gardens. Click here for full obituary.

John R. Hester passed away at age 67. He was a 1971 graduate of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional high School. Click here for full obituary.

Police log for Jan. 1–7, 2021

January 1

Carroll School, Baker Bridge Road (10:25 a.m.) — Officer found a door was open and secured it.

Concord-Carlisle High School, Concord (3:19 p.m.) — Concord police requested assistance in looking for a party in the area of the high school who was involved in a burglary.

Beaver Pond Road (3:46 p.m.) — Fire Department responded for a report of a water main break.

Battle Road Farm (8:29 p.m.) — Resident reported their neighbor was causing a disturbance by banging on the common wall between residences. Police contacted the neighbor and asked them to stop banging.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (10:19 p.m.) — Concord police requested assistance in locating a green pickup truck that was involved in a hit-and-run crash on Route 2 near Emerson Hospital. Officers responded to the area but were unable to locate.

January 2

Conant Road (2:00 p.m.) — A family member requested a well-being check on the resident. Contact was made and everything is fine; they will follow up with the caller.

Hanscom Drive (5:23 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported a motorcycle crash. A Lincoln officer located the party who dropped the motorcycle. No injuries, minor damage to the motorcycle.

January 3

Concord Road (9:55 a.m.) — Caller reported a party walking on the railroad tracks. MBTA tower notified; officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Birchwood Lane (12:11 p.m.) — Resident turned in a box of ammunition they found and would like to have destroyed.

Concord Road (4:36 p.m.) — Complaint of car illegally parked near Walden Pond. Parking ticket issued.

Blackburnian Road (4:38 p.m.) — Caller reported a suspicious package along the side of the road. Officer responded and found it to be a cement casing, which was removed.

North Great Road (8:37 p.m.) — MassDOT reported a person walking on the roadway and were concerned about them being struck. Officer located the party and brought him to the train station.

Beaver Pond Road 10:00 p.m.) — Caller reported a party over age 12 walked out of the house after being upset. Officer located the party walking back to the residence; everything was fine.

January 4

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (12:00 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle pulled to the side of the roadway with someone on their hands and knees outside the car. Officer checked the area but the car was gone on arrival.

January 5

Lincoln Road (1:40 p.m.) — A Town Hall employee requested a well-being check on a man outside. Officers checked on the party, who was found to have been missing from Watertown for several days. State police had issued a Silver Alert on man. Watertown police were contacted and the officer brought the individual back to his residence in Watertown.

Lincoln Road (2:01 p.m.) — Party reported finding a golden retriever with tags with illegible numbers. The Animal Control Officer came to take the dog.

Old Concord Road (3:58 p.m.) — The owner of the golden retriever called to report it missing. Animal Control contacted the owner and returned the dog.

Bedford Road (4:05 p.m.) — Fire Department assisted a party with a vehicle lockout.

January 6

South Great Road (1:58 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked in the parking lot. The party had pulled over to rest and said they will be on their way shortly.

Moccasin Hill (11:23 a.m.) — Caller reported an outside odor of natural gas. Fire Department reported a slight odor; National Grid was contacted to respond.

January 7

Tabor Hill Road (4:36 p.m.) — Caller reported a chimney fire. Fire Department responded along with Concord firefighters. The fire was extinguished shortly after arrival.

Farrar Road (4:44 p.m.) — Caller reported driving by a house on Farrar Road with fire coming from the second floor. Wayland and Concord Fire Department also responded but found no fire; it was the reflection from a lantern.