Calling all creative writers and artists! The deadline for submitting materials for the next issue of the Lincoln Chipmunk (now part of the Lincoln Squirrel) is Monday, September 21. Click here for details on how to submit, and call editor Alice Waugh if you have any questions. We look forward to helping you share your creative work.
Police log for September 4–10, 2020
September 4
Old Concord Road (12:39 a.m.) — Berkshire Sheriff’s Department requested a well-being check, as a Lincoln resident’s car was found parked out in Lee. Officers checked; house is under construction and no one was home. Sheriff’s Department notified.
Aspen Circle (9:30 a.m.) — Caller wanted to speak with the dog officer regarding a dog that charged her. Dog officer was asked to call the reporting party. The person called again at 3:59 p.m. The dog officer had tried to call earlier but no one answered; she’ll call them back.
Old Concord Road (3:19 p.m.) — Caller complained about cars parked on Old Concord Road. Officers found that road was passable.
Hemlock Circle (4:1 p.m.) — Caller reported an aggressive dog she encountered. Animal Control is already speaking with the owner regarding the other complaint.
September 5
Bypass Road (2:01 a.m.) — Jason Gillis, 32, of16 Phillip Rd. in Burlington was arrested for OUI–second offense and negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:43 p.m.) — 911 call about a two-car crash on Rte. 2 at Bedford Road. No injuries; state police are handling the crash report with Lincoln officers assisting.
Weston Road (3:26 p.m.) — Resident reported a brush fire hat they can’t control. Fire Department responded; Weston Fire Department also requested to assist.
South Great Road (4:32 p.m.) — Caller reported that earlier in the day, they witnessed a male party come up to their door of their residence on their surveillance camera. The party had a mask covering their face and was possibly driving a motorcycle. Click here for details.
September 6
Old Concord Road (5:42 a.m.) — Caller reports an odor of smoke in the area. Smoke was coming from a cooking fire.
September 7
Lincoln School (4:36 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking at the school who appeared to be intoxicated, throwing rocks and mumbling. Police were unable to locate the party at the school but an officer then located a person on Weston Road who fit the description. The officer spoke to the person who was coming from the school and all appears to be fine.
Standish Circle, Wellesley — A Fire Department member responded to Wellesley for a dive team activation for a water incident.
September 8
Virginia Road (10:25 a.m.) — Caller reported an issue with his smoke detector. Fire Department responded and found the detector’s batteries were low.
Trapelo Road (2:41 p.m.) — Party came to the station reporting that her Black Lives Matter sign is missing from her front lawn. Officer took a report.
North Great Road (6:00 p.m.) — Caller reported seeing two bicyclists down on the side of the road near the National Park. Officer spoke to the parties who were waiting for a ride; they declined any medical attention.
Old Cambridge Turnpike (8:06 p.m.) — Caller reported that her dog ran off into the woods and her husband went to find it and hadn’t come back either. An officer responded and located the husband on the roadway. The dog soon returned to the house.
September 9
Lexington Road (11:19 a.m.) — Caller reported that a dog just ran out onto Rte. 2 but subsequently reported that the owner located the dog and is bringing it home.
Page Road (1:25 p.m.) — Court paperwork was delivered to a resident.
Greenridge Lane (1:26 p.m.) — Party reported that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name.
Farrar Road (4:41 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas in the area. Fire Department responding and reported that a gas company crew was working just over the town line in Wayland.
South Great Road (5:49 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of natural gas in the area. Tennessee Gas is working in the area and said the odor should dissipate soon.
September 10
National Park, Hartwell lot 2:04 a.m.) — A group was parked in the parking lot. The parties were spoken to and sent on their way.
Concord Road (8:19 a.m.) — Caller reported a deceased animal on the side of the roadway. DPW notified to handle.
Boston Post Road, Weston (10:16 a.m.) — Motorcycle officer assisted Weston police at the funeral of a Weston Fire Department member.
Concord Road (8:19 p.m.) — 911 calls reported two parties yelling at each another on the side of the road in a dispute between the driver and a passenger in a vehicle. Parties were separated and passenger agreed to take an Uber home.
Obituaries
Edna Hankey
Dorothy Jensen
Dorothy Marion (Johansen) Marchant, 92, formerly of Waltham and Lincoln, died on August 29. Click here for full obituary.
Dorothy Patricia Jensen died peacefully in her home in Lincoln on August 6 at the age of 99. Click here for full obituary.
Edna J. (Barry) Hankey, 94, of Boca Raton, Fla. and formerly on Lincoln, passed away peacefully on July 25. Click here for full obituary.
No town meeting this fall; State of the Town meetings planned instead
Town officials have decided that it won’t be possible to hold a Special Town Meeting this fall to take up matters that were postponed from the stripped-down meeting in June. Instead, there will be three State of the Town meetings (SOTTs) held on consecutive nights in November via Zoom.
Given the ongoing pandemic and need for social distancing, “there’s nothing pressing enough to bring people together in person,” Selectman Jennifer Glass said. Chilly fall weather will prelude another outdoor gathering such as the June 13 town meeting that was held under a tent on the Hartwell school parking lot.
The State of the Town meetings with their agendas are listed below.
- November 17 — An overview of town finances, the response to Covid-19, an update on the school building project, and a preview of the March 2021 Annual Town Meeting.
- November 18 — A follow-up discussion to a series of roundtables on diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism that will kick off later this month (see below).
- November 19 — South Lincoln planning, an issue that has been stalled since a controversial rezoning proposal met with resistance from residents and dissension on the Planning Board.
Regarding diversity and inclusion, “we appreciate that not all community members experience life in Lincoln in the same way. We need to listen carefully to those who have been alienated in some manner and be willing to be truly reflective about changes that may be required to make all residents feel welcome and valued,” the Board of Selectmen wrote in a newsletter soon to be mailed to Lincoln residents.
The three roundtables will feature panelists who will guide discussion by participating Lincolnites. Click here for details and registration links (registration closes 48 hours before each event). To submit questions in advance, email selectmen@lincolntown.org before the deadlines listed.
September 22: “Policing in Lincoln and the State”
The discussion will seek to understand local and state policing policies and training, understand how the town budget supports public safety and other social services, and discuss status of current legislation. Panelists will be Kevin Kennedy, Lincoln Chief of Police; Marian Ryan, Middlesex District Attorney; and Tim Higgins, Town Administrator. Advance question deadline: September 15.
October 7: “What is the Role of Town Government?”
Members of town boards, committees and departments will lead a discussion of the jurisdictions and roles of town government officials and Town Meeting who could authorize funding or other significant actions. Advance question deadline: September 30.
October 21: “What is the Role of Community Groups?
Panelists will include members of community organizations, cultural institutions and nonprofits to help everyone learn how town organizations are addressing diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism. Advance question deadline: October 14.
Warrant articles that were postponed from the 2020 Annual Town Meeting may resurface at the ATM in March 2021. They included citizens’ petitions to ask voters if they would:
- Hear reports from town boards on the status of the community center project
- Change the name of the Board of Selectmen to the Select Board
- Support the proposal of the eighth-grade Warrant Article Group to support the Parkland School students’ organization, March for Our Lives, to end school shootings and shootings all over the country
- Adopt a resolution in support of various federal, state and local actions to combat climate change
- Adopt a new section in the town’s General Bylaws called the Polystyrene Reduction By-Law
- Require Lincoln retail establishments to charge a fee for non-reusable check-out bags
- Prohibit food establishments in Lincoln from using and distributing disposable plastic straws, stirrers, and splash sticks
Facebook photo of unidentified man sparks alarm
A photo of the unidentified man captured by a resident’s doorbell camera.
A photo of an unidentified man ringing the doorbell of a house has caused apprehension as well as warnings not to jump to conclusions after the photo was posted to Facebook by the Lincoln Police Department.
The image was captured by the doorbell camera of a South Great Road resident who wasn’t home at the time — Saturday, Sept. 5 at about 12:30 p.m., according to police. The man was wearing a hoodie, heavy gloves, and a military-style mask that obscured most of his face.
In a discussion of the photo on LincolnTalk, some wondered why someone would be dressed on a hot summer day in what one resident characterized as “deliberately scary, identity-obfuscating gear” while other noted that face masks are common in this Covid-19 era. Another resident reluctantly raised the possibility that the man was Black while also adding, “Are we in a situation where we have assumed something because the color of someone’s skin by definition made him ‘other’ and ‘suspicious’?”
Police noted in their Facebook post that the man was operating a small motorcycle or scooter. In the photo he was holding what could be a helmet with his left arm.
“Someone could say that [clothing] is consistent” with motorcycle-riding attire, but “other people could say he’s overly dressed based on the weather,” Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said in an interview Thursday afternoon.
The sister of the resident whose house was involved wrote that the home is on a busy road but well off the street. When the homeowner reported the incident to police, the officer mentioned that there had been a few break-ins in Concord and Weston, the homeowner’s sister added.
Potential burglars sometimes ring a doorbell first to see if anyone is home; if someone answers the door, they can then make an excuse such as having gotten lost or being there to perform repairs at the home, Kennedy noted. There were no signs of a break-in, though “there could be other things going on” that might have forestalled an attempt, he added.
“You have to go into this with an open mind, and it doesn’t appear at this point that a crime was committed,” Kennedy said. “I don’t want anyone to think that this person is associated with any crime at this point.
“This is not a case of someone innocently driving through town and being unfairly profiled” by Lincoln police, a resident wrote on LincolnTalk.
“There are plenty of red flags here that don’t involve [skin] color,” another resident wrote. “They put the picture out to see if others saw this person and witnessed any suspicious behavior. Just diligent police work.”
“It’s not for us to judge. At the same time, [it’s] not wrong to ask respectful questions in these weird times,” another resident wrote.
Anyone who recognizes the man in the photo is urged to call Detective Ian Spencer at 781-259-8113.
My Turn: More kudos for Mostue
(Editor’s note: see also this appreciation of Mostue by Lincoln’s Nancy Marshall.)
By Radha Raman Gargeya
You all know Patty Mostue. Around here, service in cause of public education has another name: it is Patty Mostue. She was a Lincoln Public Schools School Committee member for six years. Now, she is completing 15 years as a Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee member. As a former L-S School Committee member, this is what I know of Patty.
At School Committee meetings, her comments and questions are incisive, offer information, and are effortlessly yet precisely crafted. Everyone leaves the discussion well-informed and full of thought. She has a deft sense of humor. When I grow up, I want to be Patty Mostue.
Patty led the committee at L-S as chair and vice chair over many years. She led us and taught us by the power of example. Most of the time, she let her work speak. She prepared the most thorough L-S performance report. It is unrivaled and still the only one of its kind at L-S. She studied, with the help of various administrators, the incoming students from Sudbury and Lincoln, how they performed at L-S, and how they were placed upon high school graduation.
She was on the Negotiations Subcommittee several times. She gathered the contracts of comparable school districts, researched them, analyzed them, and presented her findings to the rest of the subcommittee. Her work was invaluable. She served on the Policy Subcommittee, Evaluation Subcommittee, and Safety Review Subcommittee amongst many others.
No document ever written by any one for the school escaped Patty’s insistence on clarity of thought, expression, and, of course, grammar. Some of us have the scars to show. It made us better the next time we wrote or spoke.
Patty is a strong supporter of the METCO educational program for students from Boston. She is a great champion of students with special needs. She is respected in Sudbury, Boston, and of course, in Lincoln and at Lincoln-Sudbury High School.
These are but a few examples of many such efforts by Patty — the hallmarks being hard work, thorough preparation, and excellent presentation. Through her example, she trained many other School Committee members — not in a formal way, but by kindling the desire to be better at what one does.
So, the question to ask is why? Why does Patty work so hard and so effectively? The answer is simple: her love and care that our children learn at great public schools that are a bit better tomorrow than they are today.
For her gift of love for education, I am very thankful. I trust the communities of Boston, Sudbury, and Lincoln are grateful. Patty would say that the students need not thank her — just be good students, good people, and good citizens.
Radha Raman Gargeya of Sudbury was a member of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee from 2007–2019.
”My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their views on any subject of interest to 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 Aug. 27–Sept. 3, 2020
August 27
3 Robbins Road, Bedford (1:45 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called requesting assistance with a 5-year-old child missing from their residence. Within a couple of minutes, Security Forces called back to cancel as the child was located.
South Great Road (2:25 p.m.) — Single-car crash on Rte. 117 at Mt. Misery (car vs. telephone pole). No injuries; vehicle was towed from the scene.
August 28
Trapelo Road (10:41 a.m.) — Caller reported cows in the roadway on Trapelo Road. Officer checked; Codman Community Farms staff have the cows and they’re returning them to their pen.
Wells Road (4:09 p.m.) — Caller reported that a man was looking inside an apartment and then lying down on the ground outside. The man then suddenly left in a white van. Officers spoke to the involved party, who was looking at the apartment as he’s going to be moving into the unit.
Birchwood Lane (6:41 p.m.) — Caller reported that their propane tank was on fire in the rear of the house. Officers arrive on scene and extinguished the fire. Fire Department reported that the propane tank is still leaking gas and remained on scene to handle.
August 29
Carroll School, Baker Bridge Road (11:02 a.m.) — Caller reported landscapers were using leaf blowers at the Carroll School. Officer arrived and advised them of the bylaw.
Sandy Pond Road (6:24 p.m.) — Two parties were parked along Sandy Pond Road. Officer advised them to move along.
August 30
Mayflower Road (3:02 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported a missing juvenile on base. Officer responded, found the boy, and brought him back to his residence.
Page Road (4:38 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing gunshots in the area of Fridolin Hill Road. Gunshots were coming from a Page Road residence where the family was target shooting; they have proper backstop and proper space.
August 31
Page Road (10:53 a.m.) — Officer assisted two parties with a civil matter.
Laurel Street, Concord (9:45 p.m.) — Concord police requested assistance for a reported burglary in progress. Lincoln officers assisted and later cleared; investigation ongoing by Concord police.
September 1
Concord Road (11:21 a.m.) — Caller reported that a beaver was struck across from Old Concord Road. Mass. Division of Fisheries and Wildlife contacted.
South Great Road (4:00 p.m.) — Caller reported that his employer said he filed an unemployment claim, which he did not.
September 2
Brooks Road (1:31 p.m.) — Caller reported a stove fire. Fire Department responded and reported that the fire is out upon their arrival. They remained on scene to get smoke out of the house.
Scott Circle (3:50 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported being a victim of identity fraud dating back to 2016. Report taken and is being investigated.
September 3
Juniper Ridge Road (12:08 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone filed an unemployment claim in his name. Report taken.
Concord Road (2:33 p.m.) — Caller reported having a package stolen. Officers responded to take a report.
Donelan’s, Lincoln mall (4:19 p.m.) — Caller reported two juveniles causing problems in front of the store. Officer responded and spoke to the parties involved as well as the parents on scene.
Route 2/I-95 ramp (4:51 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog on the highway ramp. State Police in Concord and Lexington notified.
Oak Meadow Road (5:49 p.m.) — Fraudulent unemployment claim filed in caller’s name.
Virginia Road, Concord (7:19 p.m.) — Concord police reported three cars parked in the roadway on Virginia Road but later called back to report they’re doing a photo shoot.
My Turn: Praise for Mostue’s years of school committee work
By Nancy Marshall
It is with joy mixed with a little sadness that I write to honor the accomplishments of one Patricia M. Mostue, PhD, on the conclusion of a long and worthy tenure as a member of both the Lincoln School Committee and, for the last 15 years, the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee. Her extended final term on the LSSC will conclude at the end of the Sudbury Annual Town Meeting, which begins on September 12.
Patty brought a significant combination of talents to her service. Her doctorate in math and statistics was a complement to the diverse array of talents on each school committee. Her willingness to dig deeply into the details, whether procedural, analytical, mathematical, or grammatical, was of great benefit to all of us. Her compassion for and commitment to children was always obvious and deep.
In her various tenures, she has demonstrated an unwavering investment in excellent teaching, public education and in our children. Through her work in the Worcester Public Schools administration and her kind persistence and encouragement in tutoring and college counseling many local teens over the years, she put her talents to work and guided her students to successful outcomes.
Patty was firm in her convictions. She was calm and direct as chair in both great and painful times for L-S. Her deft leadership on the two school committees, her many tireless hours (sometimes deep in data analysis to simply and compellingly reassure parents that their children could find success with an L-S education), her genuine smile and quick wit — these are but a few of many reasons to be grateful.
Patty honored good educators. She supported and ably defended the hard work of the administration and staff at L-S. Patty was also a great colleague. She shared a ride with my predecessor Eric Harris and then with me to my nine years of meetings at LSRHS, crossing Sherman’s Bridge in beautiful sunsets, snow, rain and almost always home in the dark. I learned so much and am grateful for her mentoring as I onboarded the LSSC for her support, companionship, frank opinions, and willingness to listen.
Patty and her husband Brooks can now map their plans and opportunities for easier mornings and uninterrupted weeknights, of time with their growing family, opera, meals, travel, and spontaneity. Thank you, Patty, for your time, your endurance, and personally, for your continued friendship. Our towns and schools are all the better because of you. And happy birthday!
”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents 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: Lincoln Historical Society reaches out
By the Lincoln Historical Society
Hello Lincoln!
The Lincoln Historical Society, like everyone else, has been figuring out this new world of Covid-19. We are regrouping and seeing this as an opportunity to find new ways to reach out to you and bring you things of historical interest both from our beginnings, but also more recent developments in our town.
In order to do this, we will be making more use of web and social media platforms. That will include regular pieces in LincolnTalk, The Lincoln Squirrel, The Lincoln Chipmunk, and The Lincoln/Concord Journal.
Many pieces will concern national events and Lincoln’s role and/or response. Recent articles were published about the ratification of the 19th Amendment and Lincoln’s response to suffrage, as seen at the voting booth, and the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II.
A new regular entry is called “Did you know…” It will offer tidbits and snippets of Lincoln lore and legend… and, of course, facts. If there’s anything you have wondered about, let us know. And if you have anything to add to our “to do” list, please let us know. We look forward to hearing from you and we hope you look forward to hearing from us!
Members of the Lincoln Historical Society are Gus Brown, Jim Cunningham, Craig Donaldson, Palmer Faran, Andrew Glass, Don Hafner, Sara Mattes (chair), Harold McAleer, BJ Scheff, Chris Taylor, and Rick Wiggin.
”My Turn” is a forum for Lincoln residents 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.
Submit your creative work for Chipmunk #2
The Lincoln Chipmunk, Lincoln’s online art/literary/history journal and the successor to the Lincoln Review, is accepting submissions for the next issue. The deadline is Monday, September 21 at 5 p.m. with publication tentatively scheduled for October 1, 2020.
The Chipmunk accepts original work (stories, poems, essays, photos, artwork, etc.) by Lincoln residents and their immediate family members, town employees, or others with a direct connection to the town. It’s free for Lincoln Squirrel subscribers, but like the Squirrel, it allows nonsubscribers to access three articles per month for free. Have a look at the last issue and get more information here:
You can address questions and send your submissions via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com or call editor Alice Waugh at 617-710-5542. I look forward to sharing your work!
Alice Waugh
Editor, The Lincoln Squirrel and The Lincoln Chipmunk
lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com
617-710-5542 (mobile)