The June 29 article headlined “My Turn: Girl Scouts are a big help to food pantry” was inadvertently published without an accompanying photo of Ariana Shokrollahi and her mother Elaine Papoulias as they were about to deliver cookies for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul food pantry of Lincoln and Weston. The original post has been updated.
My Turn: Girl Scouts are a big help to food pantry
By Tomasina Lucchese
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston would like to thank the Lincoln Girl Scouts for organizing a very successful July Fourth-themed drive!
Rising seventh-grader Ariana Shokrollahi and her mother Elaine Papoulias organized a service project and invited Girl Scouts of all ages to join them in supplying fun treats for the families of the food pantry. And what better thing for the Girl Scouts to generously give than cookies? They gifted cookies in Fourth of July-themed bags, decorated with American flags and other patriotic treats, to more than 90 families. And as a result, there were many smiles of appreciation as the families were warmly welcomed into summer.
Rising seventh-grader Ariana Shokrollahi and her mother Elaine Papoulias get ready to deliver bags of cookies.
The generosity and support of groups like the Girl Scouts enables SVdP to do our work. Twice a month, we serve a wonderful array of healthy foods to 275 members at the SVdP Food Pantry of Lincoln and Weston. There’s a growing need for food in our community these days, and because of increased demand statewide, we cannot rely on the Greater Boston Food Bank to the extent we could in the past. SVdP also offers emergency financial assistance throughout the year to many neighbors in crisis. SVdP truly appreciates everyone’s support — we wouldn’t be able to do our work without it.
If you or somebody you know is in need of food or emergency financial help, please reach out at 781-899-2611 ext. 4 or svdplincolnweston@gmail.com. This is a challenging time for many and although it can be difficult to ask for help, we are here to support. All communication remains completely confidential.
With much gratitude,
Tomasina Lucchese
Vice President of SVdP of Lincoln and Weston
”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.
News acorns
Socially distanced Fourth of July activities announced
Lincoln’s usual July 4 Firecracker Road Race and parade can’t go on as usual because of the pandemic, but the Parks and Recreation Department has planned some alternatives.
On Independence Day, get out on the town and exercise, and then post a comment and picture that represents your workout on Facebook using this link. Feel free to be creative. The Lincoln Squirrel hopes to publish some of the entries for readers who don’t do Facebook.
This is a free event, but participants re encouraged to donate to the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund, which provides small grants or loans to residents in extreme financial difficulty to enable them to stay safely in our community, or the Lincoln Small Necessities Project, which provides smaller amounts for basic needs like food, medication, and lodging that do not meet the guidelines of the fund program.
To make a donation, please send a check made out to “Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund/Small Necessities Project, Town of Lincoln” to Lincoln Emergency Assistance Committee, c/o Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. You may designate your donation to go to either the Emergency Assistance Fund or the Small Necessities Project, or to be divided between them.
The traditional parade will take the form of a “reverse parade” on July 4 starting at about 10:30 a.m., with the usual spectators becoming the motorized participants. Register your vehicle online at www.lincolnrec.com. Then decorate your vehicle and arrive at Ballfield Road by 10:15 a.m. ready to roll.
The route will be as follows: Ballfield Road to Lincoln Road to Old Sudbury Road to Route 117 to Tower Road to Lincoln Road to Sandy Pond Road to Cider Lane (The Commons), under Route 2 to Route 2A to Sunnyside Lane to Morningside Lane to Bedford Road to Lincoln Road to Ballfield Road.
- Participants must stay inside their vehicles; they cannot be on trailers, truck beds, or roofs.
- Participants cannot throw anything from their vehicle (candy, toys, handouts, etc.)
- Only registered vehicles may join the parade
- No golf carts, ATVs, horses, bicycles, etc.
- Vehicle decorations must be less than 10 feet tall and must be securely affixed to the vehicle so as not to fall off while traveling at 15 m.p.h.
If you just want to watch, find a socially distant space along the parade route, decorate yourself and your space, and cheer back! Some of you live on the route, others can find plenty of space along roadside paths or public land. Enjoy a different and equally memorable way to get together.
As with the morning workout, this is a free event, but consider donating to the Lincoln Food Pantry at stjulia.org/svdp in place of an activity fee. They provide meal and financial assistance to many community members in need and have been a lifesaving service during this pandemic. Donations in any amount are very much appreciated.
Drumlin Farm open on weekends
Drumlin Farm is now open on weekends during the summer and plans to open its farm stand for public sales on Saturdays beginning on July 4. The farm will be closed to the public on weekdays during July and August while summer camp is in session.
As required under state Covid-19 guidelines, the farm is now using an online entry and parking reservation system. This means all visitors (including Audubon members and Lincoln residents) must reserve a visit time prior to arriving; you cannot reserve a spot in person. This will help limit the number of people at the sanctuary at any given time and ensure the safety of our visitors and staff. More details and the link for reservations can be found at massaudubon.org/reservations.
Kuol Acuek, former “Lost Boy” and Lincoln resident, passes away
Kuol graduating from L-S.
Kuol Acuek, a former “Lost Boy” from Sudan who lived at Codman Community Farms in Lincoln for a time, died on June 15 after a three-year battle with cancer. At the time of his death, he was at a refugee camp in Uganda with his father and brother by his side.
Born in Bor, Sudan, Kuol was among 20,000 boys who were displaced or orphaned seeking refuge from the civil war in that country. In 1989, at the age of 7, Kuol was separated from his family and travelled over a month by foot from his village to Ethiopia. He lived in a refugee camp in Ethiopia for two years when in 1991, the war forced the Lost Boys to flee once again to Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. Kuol described living in the refugee camp as “very very hard.” There was little food and the camp was extremely violent.
He lived there for almost ten years before coming to the United States. first to Roxbury and then to Lincoln. He lived at Codman Farm and attended Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (LSRHS). While at L-S, he was a soccer star and helped bring the soccer team to the state championship. Kuol was loved by his peers and teachers alike. He graduated in 2005 and attended Lasell University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in sports management in 2009. He lived in Chelsea after college and worked at the Langham Hotel.
Kuol with his wife and daughter.
Kuol was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2017. He was very grateful to the medical professionals at Dana Farber, Boston Medical Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and various rehabilitation centers that cared for him during his illness. In March 2020, he went to Uganda to be with his wife’s family and his father and brother. Although he had every intention of returning home to Boston, he became gravely ill and died on June 15.
Kuol is survived by his wife of three years, Achol Tavisa, and his one-year-old daughter Aliee. Donations in his memory may be made to the preschool and education scholarship fund for his daughter. Donations can be sent to the South Sudanese Enrichment for Families, PO Box 492, Lincoln, MA 01773.
There will be a virtual funeral on Sunday, June 28, 2020 at 5p.m. on Zoom. If you would like to attend, please send an email to davidchristenfeld05@gmail.com and you will be sent the link.
News acorns
Water use restrictions in effect; drought possible
Lincoln’s normal summer water use restrictions are now in effect, and restrictions may tighten if the state enters a drought, as now seems possible.
The usual May 1 to September 30 restrictions are required by the state Department of Environmental Protection because Lincoln annually exceeds the withdrawal permit and the daily per-person water use guideline of 65 gallons. Water Department Superintendent MaryBeth Wiser told the Water Commission this week that Massachusetts Drought Task Force is meeting this week to assess possible drought conditions and may vote to impose more stringent restrictions than those required by Lincoln’s official drought plan, which was developed after the 2017 drought. Wiser will report back to the commission on the results of that meeting on July 8.
Virtual bingo hosted by LLCT
Join the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust on Tuesday, June 30 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of virtual bingo. We’ll be highlighting some of Lincoln’s bees and butterflies, but no naturalist knowledge is required to win.This is a free event, but registration is required; click here to register. Once you’re registered, you’ll receive the Zoom meeting link and a bingo card. There will also be prizes from local businesses and LLCT swag.
Grief groups for children and teens
Children and teens (rising first-graders to recent high school graduates) who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life are invited to join a virtual group hosted by Care Dimensions to connect with grieving peers and learn some coping tools to navigate this difficult time. Group will be held via Zoom starting on Tuesday, June 30 the following times:
- 10 a.m. – Elementary school students
- 11 a.m. – Middle school students
- 12 p.m. – High school students
Advanced registration is required; rolling enrollment. For more information or to register, contact Kelia Bergin, children’s program coordinator, at KBergin@CareDimensions.org or 781-373-6570.
Changes afoot in several town employee positions
While Lincoln is transitioning to a new Council on Aging director, several other personnel moves are occurring as well.
Parks and Recreation Department Director Dan Pereira is expected to move into the assistant town administrator’s job once a new PRD director is in place. “I’m really excited about the possibility of a partnership and having Dan join the leadership of the town,” said Town Administrator Tim Higgins, who said he had met with Pereira several times. “To a person, [the PRD] are thrilled for the opportunity for Dan to progress and for us to keep him in the fold.”
Pereira replaces Mary Day, who left at the end of May. Her departure was sudden but was a “voluntary resignation,” said Higgins, adding that he could not comment further on personnel matters.
Day was appointed in 2013 after working for several years as the town treasurer/collector. The role involves supporting Higgins in day-to-day administration and oversight of town services as well as overseeing the town’s human resources, risk management, and purchasing functions.
Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie, administrative assistant in the Planning Department, is the acting director of planning while Director of Planning and Land Use Jennifer Burney takes a leave of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act. She’s expected to return on September 1, Higgins said.
Finally, Brian Young has been named deputy fire chief after serving in an acting capacity for about a year. “The last four months have really kind of sealed the deal for me, seeing him taking on responsibility after responsibility” since the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic, Higgins said. “In short order, he has really grown into the role and embraced the role.”
Bottum retires as Council on Aging director
After a decade as director of Lincoln’s Council on Aging, Carolyn Bottum is retiring next week and will be succeeded by former assistant director Abigail Butt.
“I decided this would be a good time to retire about a year ago,” Bottom said. “I knew that Abby would be fantastic [as director], and we anticipate it will be a seamless transition.”
Butt, who was hired almost three years ago, has been instrumental in expanding the town’s human services network, including establishing the social worker position and mental health clinics, outreach campaigns such as the holiday gift bags, helping start the Rental Assistance Program and other housing initiatives. Bottum also credited her with computerizing the COA and creating a single intake form for residents of all ages who need services.
When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, “we were able to immediately generate lists of at-risk residents and reach out to offer assistance via telehealth and housing assistance when needed. Without Abby, we would have had none of these,” Bottum said.
Amy Gagne
Taking Butt’s place will be newly hired assistant director Amy Gagne. She is already well known to the COA, having worked with Bottum, Butt, and public health nurse Tricia McGean to create the New Connections Cafe at The Commons for memory-impaired residents. From 2007 to 2019, Gagne was the community relations manager/care coordinator at Right At Home of Bedford. Since 2019, she was community outreach director for RiverCourt Residences Senior Living Community in Groton.
“I’ve been helping to serve the most vulnerable population for over 12 years, and it’s been an honor to be trusted by these local families. Programming is something I enjoy and look forward to brainstorming with the team to bring some new events to the community,” Gagne said. “Lincoln has such wonderful programming, and I’ll work hard to continue that and have my door open for any new ideas they may be interested in for the future.”
Bottum cited the significant growth of Lincoln’s human services system and working with residents on the community center project. “Having adequate, accessible, and attractive space is so essential to achieving the COA’s mission,” she said. “And Mary Ann Thompson’s design, if that’s what the town chooses, would be a beautiful, ecologically sustainable, and very functional home for the COA, Parks and Rec, and the other organizations that will use the building.”
The staff, volunteers and residents who use the COA’s programs and services will be very much missed, Bottum said. “Even before I started, I was told that Karen Santucci, who was director before me, had always said that being the COA director was the best job in town, and I have to agree wholeheartedly. The COA is where so many people with such a rich array of life experiences gather to share the best of themselves and expand their horizons together. I’ve always found Lincoln residents of all ages to be kind, thoughtful, and truly wanting to make a meaningful difference. Every day I would come to work knowing that, sometime during the day, people would come into my office and tell me a story about some fascinating life experience, or share a great idea, or just let me into some aspect of their lives.”
Police log for June 8–17, 2020
June 8
Wells Road (10:26 a.m.) — Fire alarm went off due to food cooking on the stove.
Hemlock Circle (12:35 p.m.) — Fire alarm went off due to contractors working in the residence.
Bedford Road (2:29 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.
Lincoln Cemetery, Lexington Road (3:45 pm.) — Caller reported losing a purse while in the cemetery. Caller later reported she found it in her residence.
Giles Road (6:03 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.
94 Liberty Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (7:02 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported that a possible missing juvenile over age 12 from Florida is on the base. Officers assisted Hanscom with locating the juvenile and made contact with the parent in Florida. Investigation is ongoing.
June 9
Old Sudbury Road (12:06 a.m.) — Caller reported hearing people near her house and seeing them with flashlights. Officers located the party, who was looking at the rocking horses. They were sent on their way; caller updated.
Codman Community Farms (1:01 a.m.) — Officer came across a vehicle parked at the entrance of the farm. Party checked out OK.
94 Liberty Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (9:43 p.m.) — Parent from Florida called regarding the missing juvenile, who never returned on a planned flight. The child is safe, and the parent was referred to Massachusetts State Police at Logan Airport, who are handling.
June 10
Lincoln Road (1:51 a.m.) — Report of a tree down on the sidewalk of Lincoln Rd near the Masonic Lodge.
Concord Road (1:04 p.m.) — Report of a small brush fire at the Concord town line on Pine Hill. Fire Department responded.
Kettle Hole Drive (1:30 p.m.) — Caller reported an aggressive dog that she encountered Animal Control will handle.
Lincoln Road (3:07 p.m.) — Caller complained about workers on the sidewalk along Lincoln Road. They were referred to speak with the DPW.
Old County Road (3:48 p.m.) — Report of a large stove that was left on the side of the roadway. DPW was notified to remove.
Tower Road — MBTA tower reports a brush fire along the tracks near Tower Road and Old Sudbury Road. Fire Department handled.
Willarch Road (5:38 p.m.) — Caller requested information in regard to a civil matter.
Bedford Road (10:38 p.m.) — Caller reported hearing a gunshot near his residence towards Juniper Ridge Road. Area checked; unable to locate.
June 11
Winter Street (12:18 p.m.) — Report of a fall alert from an Apple watch at the location. Officers checked and everything was fine.
June 12
Lincoln Police Department (2:08 a.m.) — State Police in Concord requested assistance looking for a party who left Emerson Hospital and may be walking back to a residence in Lincoln. They called back to say they had located the party.
Indian Hill Road (1:51 p.m.) — Officer working a detail in Lincoln dealing with a civil matter.
Sunnyside Lane (3:07 p.m.) — A party using MBTA’s “The Ride” vehicle complaining about something with the vehicle. Caller was advised to contact “The Ride” dispatch.
Farrar Road (5:01 p.m.) — Caller complained about bats outside the residence. They were advised to contact a pest control company.
Acorn Lane (5:20 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim in their name. Report taken.
Conant Road (7:44 p.m.) — Caller reported there was a tree limb on the wires and they’re arcing. Eversource notified.
Lexington Road (9:51 p.m.) — Caller reported two kids who were trespassing on their property have since left in two vehicle traveling towards Rte. 2 Officers were unable to locate.
June 13
Sandy Pond Road (10:29 a.m.) — Company accidentally damaged some shrubs on the property. A company representative spoke with the homeowner and agreed to pay for the damage.
Lincoln School — Caller reported some type of animal was stuck in a soccer net. Officer arrived but the animal was gone.
South Great Road (1:58 p.m.) — Bicyclist fell while riding near Tower Road. Minor injuries; transported to the Massachusetts General Hospital.
Granville Road (2:46 p.m.) — Caller reported a man walking in the wood who appeared to be sick and needed assistance in getting to his car. Officer arrived and drove man to his car on Sandy Pond Road.
Old Bedford Road (11:40 p.m.) — Hospital faxed a report of a cat bite. Animal Control notified.
June 14
Forester Road (2:39 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone put fireworks on top of the community mailboxes the previous night and set them off.
June 15
Ballfield Road (12:26 p.m.) — Officer assisted a party at the school to their residence.
Minuteman Technical High School, Marrett Road, Lexington (1:41 p.m.) — A group was seen on video surveillance at the high school. One individual later identified as Brandon Raymond, 19, from Everett spray-painted the rear of the school. He will be summonsed into court at a later date to answer to the charge of malicious destruction of property.
Chestnut Circle (7:11 p.m.) — Resident called the station looking for the local election results.
Page Road (10:28 p.m.) — Officer located a party at the Lincoln School who looking for his brother (juvenile over age 12) who hadn’t returned home. Officers assisting in located the boy, who was later found to be in Waltham, and the parents picked him up.
June 16
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:43 a.m.) — Caller reported striking an animal on Rte. 2. A deceased opossum was found off to the side of the road. Mass DOT was notified to pick up the animal.
Deer Run Road (10:12 p.m.) — Caller reported someone filed a fraudulent unemployment claim. Report taken.
Walden Pond boat ramp (12:22 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance as he locked his keys in his car. Dispatch contacted a Waltham Auto tow truck to assist him.
Woods End Road (2:36 p.m.) — Caller asked to speak with an officer regarding people coming onto his property. Officer responded and spoke to the party.
Lincoln Police Department (4:07 p.m.) — Social worker called to the station looking to arrange a non-emergency transport for a patient. They were advised to contact a private ambulance company.
Canoe landing lot, South Great Road (5:34 p.m.) — Concord police requested a check of the parking lots along Rte. 117 for an overdue party. Lincoln police checked but were unable to locate the party. Concord police later called back and the party returned home.
Minuteman Technical High School (7:45 p.m.) — A party ran out of gas near the high school. An officer assisted them to the gas station to get gas and then and back to the vehicle.
June 17
Lexington Road (11:09 a.m.) — Caller reported a cow in the roadway. Flint’s farm contacted and they’ll take care of getting the cow back into the fenced field.
Stonehedge Road (3:39 p.m.) — Resident called looking for assistance with information for legal options for a family member in regard to a civil matter.
Gerard’s Farm Stand, Middlesex Turnpike eastbound — Caller reported that a truck took down some wires in the parking lot. Verizon notified.
Huntley Lane (6:28 p.m.) — Resident called regarding an issue with their fire alarm panel. Fire Department will assist them.
Jet Aviation, Hanscom Field (8:15 p.m.) — Caller reported losing his iPad, which GPS indicates is at Jet Aviation. Caller was given contact information for state police at Hanscom to assist him.
Property sales in March and April 2020
10 Stratford Way — Zovag Guldalian to Hong Tan and Shuihuang Hua for $2,550,000 (April 17)
242 Aspen Circle — Jean P. Gosselin to Laura Sher for $535,000 (April 17)
9 Oakdale Lane — Scott Lovering to Adam Jaskievic and Andrew Morton for $1,340,000 (April 10)
72 Winter St. — Edward Babrich to Harrison R. and Emma S. Shulman for $1,455,000 (April 2)
78 Codman Rd. — James Fleming to Amy B. Finkelstein and John Nolan for $1,320,000 (March 31)
144 Trapelo Rd. — Leonard Darling to Amy B. Naughton Trust for $1,949,000 (March 25)
136 Weston Rd. — Robert H. Mason to Jude T. and Francine McColgan for $1,925,000 (March 25)
38 Old Winter St. — David L. Forbes to Justin and Kristin Hopson for $1,638,000 (March 5)
19 Bedford Rd. — Laura Pontin to Eric and Joseph Webster for $1,787,500 (March 3)
News acorns
Curbside pickup for library materials starts Thursday
The Lincoln Public Library will begin offering contactless curbside pickup for items on hold starting Thursday, June 25 at 3 p.m. and will take place thereafter on Mondays and Thursdays from 3–7 p.m. Only staff will be allowed inside the building during this phase. Hours are subject to change due to weather; any changes will be posted on the library’s website at www.lincolnpl.org.
The library can offer only materials that are already on the shelves in Lincoln (books, DVDs, etc. — no Library of Things). The delivery service used by the Minuteman Library Network is working its way through the backlog of undelivered materials, so there’s no estimated date yet for when the interlibrary loan service will resume.
To request an item, place a hold using the Minuteman Library Network’s website, but choose only items that are listed as being available at the Lincoln location. Requests for materials from libraries other than Lincoln will be saved in the system and will be filled once the delivery system is up and running. You can also call the Reference Department at 781-259-8465 ext. 204 and the staff will place your hold for you. The deadline for requesting items will be Friday at 3 p.m. for Monday pickup, and Wednesdays at 3 p.m. for Thursday pickup. Items will not be available on the same day the request is made.
Once your item has been pulled, you will be notified either by email or by telephone depending on your MLN account preferences. We will ask you to select a Monday or a Thursday to pick up your items (you will have a choice among three dates). Due to a lack of storage space and the limited number of materials available for patrons, items must be picked up on the scheduled date; if not, they will be returned to the stacks, though you may re-request items.
Pickup
- Each borrower will be limited to five items per pickup.
- Items can be picked up only between the hours of 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the Monday or Thursday that you selected.
- All items will be checked out to you and placed in a bag with the due date slip inside and your name or MLN alias on the outside. Items will be placed on tables under our new tent in the handicapped parking spaces on Library Lane (the handicapped spaces have been moved across the lane.
- Items cannot be switched out from bags. To request a different title, please follow the procedures listed above.
- If you’re unsure of what items you’d like, you can fill out an adult or children’s book match forms and we will “match” you with your perfect book.
Returns
- All library materials can be returned using the library’s outdoor book drop.
- Items will still appear on your card after you return them, but the library has extended its grace period for fines from one day to four days to allow for items to be quarantined before staff checks them in.
Safety precautions
- All library materials will be quarantined for at least 72 hours before they are pulled by staff. Proper sanitization will be done before and after the process of pulling books. Although not required by the Lincoln Board of Health for an extra measure of caution, you may wish to leave these library items untouched in your home for three days before enjoying them.
- Patrons must adhere to social distancing guidelines and wear face masks. We will be marking the walkway on Library Lane to assist people.
- Patrons are asked to not linger in front of the library after picking up their materials. Questions? Please email lincoln@minlib.net or call the library at 781-259- 8465.Staff will learn as they go and make changes as needed.
Virtual bingo night at the library
The whole family can participate in the Lincoln Public Library’s bingo night as caller extraordinaire Sally Kindleberger reads off the numbers on Wednesday, June 24 at 6 p.m. Registrants will receive a printable bingo card. For children of all ages. Limited to 20 families; email dleopold@minlib.net to register and receive a Zoom invitation ink.
Transfer station closed on Saturday
The Transfer Station will be closed on Saturday, July 4 due to the Fourth of July holiday.
COA posts July and August events
The Council on Aging’s newsletter and calendar of events for July and August are now available online.