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

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Freemasons hold open house on Saturday

The Freemasons will host an open house at the Joseph Warren-Soley Masonic Lodge (181 Lincoln Rd.) on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Freemasonry, the world’s oldest and largest philanthropic fraternity, includes 35,000 members and more than 230 lodges in Massachusetts. To learn more, visit askafreemason.massfreemasonry.net.

Diaper drive runs through Oct. 24

Because SNAP and WIC benefits do not cover diapers, the 9th annual Metro-Boston Diaper Drive organized by Lincolnites Kim Jalet and Kerstin Sinkevicius is collecting donation of disposable diapers until Sunday, Oct. 24. This year’s drive will be entirely online — visit mbdiapers.org to make a donation, or click directly on the links to the Amazon and Target registries. All diapers will be donated to the Somerville WIC office, which serves Lincoln as well as Somerville, Cambridge, Arlington, Watertown, Belmont, Bedford, and Lexington. For more information, email Jalet at jaletkl@gmail.com.

South Lincoln treatment plant has capacity for more development

The first phase of an engineering study of the wastewater treatment plant near the mall shows that it’s working well and has additional capacity to handle some commercial or residential development in the area.

The plant in the field about 1,500 feet north of the apartments was built in 1975 to serve the Lincoln Woods apartments and the businesses in the mall. It’s now owned and operated by TCB (The Community Builders), which is paying part of the cost of the Wright-Pierce study. The town needs to know the status of the plant to make informed decisions about rezoning South Lincoln to allow for more types of development.

The plant is “a little long in the tooth” and the building used mainly for records and water testing is in bad shape and needs to be replaced soon, said Kevin Olson, senior project manager at Wright-Pierce, as he presented Phase 1 of the study to the Planning Board meeting on October 5. However, after visiting the plant and looking at maintenance records, the plant is “performing well and is not overloaded,” said his Wright-Pierce colleague Adam Higgins.

The plant’s state permit allows it to handle up to 26,000 gallons per day of wastewater, though its average annual flow is less than half that. “There’s still available treatment capacity and flow capacity,” Higgins said.

Assuming the plant is maintained but not substantially upgraded or replaced, it will cost about $311,000 for work that should be done within the next five years and another $121,000 (in 2021 dollars) for work done in five to 15 years, according to the study.

Phase 2 of the study will look at whether the plant can handle flow above 26,000 gallons per day (gpd) for which it’s permitted, alternative treatment methods with a life-cycle cost analysis, and a recommendation on how to proceed, both with flows and treatment type.

“The increase in flow will likely be cut off at 40,000 gpd, but we’re waiting for input from the Planning Board and SLPAC [the board’s South Lincoln Planning and Advisory Committee] if more is desired based on wanting additional commercial/residential development,” Higgins said in an email. 

The Phase 2 report is due in early December, with a report to the Planning Board expected shortly before Christmas.

Neither the board nor SLPAC has voted on how the cost will be divided between the town and TCB if plant upgrades are desired, “but my expectation is that whoever does the development will pay for any required treatment plant work or expansion,” board Chair Margaret Olson said. “That being said, the town does need to know what can be done and what it would cost before investing large amounts of staff and volunteer time into proposing changes that would require wastewater treatment.”

Register for State of the Town online meetings

Lincolnites can now register to attend the Zoom-based Sate of the Town meeting on November 1-2 from 7–9 p.m. on both nights.

SOTT #1 (Monday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m.)

  • Public Health Update
  • School Building Project Update
  • Finance Committee Update
  • Community Center Discussion
  • Open Forum

Zoom advance registration link (night 1)

SOTT #2 (Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m.)

  • Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Anti-Racism (IDEA) Initiative Update
  • South Lincoln Planning Update
  • Climate Action Planning Committee
  • Open Forum

Zoom advance registration link (night 2)

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. For more information on the issues, see the Selectmen’s Fall 2021 Newsletter.

Police log for Sept. 27–Oct. 3, 2021

September 27

Tabor Hill Road (8:30 a.m.) — Caller reported a fisher cat was stuck in a trap on their property. Animal Control contacted the caller to handle.

Mackintosh Lane (4:25 p.m.) — Caller reported a car was parked on the lawn near his driveway. Officer responded; the Conservation Department was working in the area and was parked on conservation land.

Silver Hill Road (6:21 p.m.) — Caller reported cement trucks blocking the road. Officer responded and the trucks left the area.

Wells Road (9:29 p.m.) — Caller reported that she returned home and her door was open. Officers checked the interior and everything was fine. It appears the door was left open accidentally by the homeowner.

September 28

Nothing of note.

September 29

Tower Road (3:10 p.m.) — Caller reported that a relative took their elderly mother’s car. Officers located the vehicle at the home. It was a civil matter; officers followed up with the owner of the vehicle and the caller.

Conant Road (3:35 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance with a landlord/tenant civil matter. An officer spoke to the caller and gave him his legal options.

Stonehedge Road (4:34 p.m.) — Caller reported a male party was at the end of the road taking videos. Officer responded and found the party was picking wild mushrooms.

Lexington Road (7:00 .m.) — Caller reported hearing gunshots in the area of Flint’s field. Officers checked the area but nothing was found

September 30

Nothing of note.

October 1

Tower Road (1:25 p.m.) — Follow-up on September 29 call about a vehicle: officers spoke to the resident and the caller regarding the civil matter.

October 2

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (12:22 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces reported a possible medical emergency in a vehicle. Officers and Fire Department responded. The party checked out OK and was sent on their way.

Tower Road (11:29 p.m.) — Caller reported an unwanted party at the residence. Officers made contact with the party and sent them on their way.

October 3

Tower Road (4:34 p.m.) — A resident came to the station requesting assistance in obtaining a protective order. Officers assisted the resident.

Tower Road (6:49 p.m.) — Caller reported being harassed by a family member who resides in Weston. Officers went to the house and spoke to the resident as well as the family member from Weston, who denied harassing the resident. No police action taken.

News acorns

Build Scarecrows at Stonegate to benefit PTO

Show fall spirit for your town and your school by build a scarecrow during the annual Scarecrows at Stonegate fundraiser. Bring a pillowcase for your scarecrow’s head, old clothing (pants with belt loops and long-sleeve shirts – teen to small adult sizes are best), and fun accessories (hats, masks, wigs, etc.) or old Halloween costumes. Stonegate Gardens provides hay, twine, stakes, additional craft supplies, and step-by-step instructions. Choose to display your scarecrow in Lincoln or take it home (display scarecrows will not be returned).Dates are as follows:

  • Wednesdays, Oct. 6 and 13 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 9 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 10 from noon–5 p.m.

Scarecrow-building takes place at Stonegate Gardens (33 South Great Rd.), and caretaker supervision is required at all times (no drop-offs). There is a $15 donation fee per scarecrow, which will be donated to the Lincoln School PTO. Social distancing and masks are required. For more information about how Stonegate is modifying this year’s event to prevent COVID spread and to sign up for a slot, please visit this SignUp Genius link.

Film on Mike Wallace at library

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “Mike Wallace is Here” on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room. The documentary offers an unflinching look at the legendary reporter, who interrogated the 20th century’s biggest figures in over 50 years on air, and his aggressive reporting style and showmanship that redefined what America came to expect from broadcasters. Unearthing decades of never-before-seen footage from the 60 Minutes vault, the film explores what drove and plagued Wallace, whose storied career was entwined with the evolution of journalism itself.

LSB Players start season with “The Addams Family”

The LSB Players at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School have announced their schedule of plays for 2021-2022 and invite residents to subscribe for season tickets. The shows will be:

“The Addams Family”
November 17–20 at 7:30 p.m. (Kirschner Auditorium)
Directed and choreographed by Carly Evans, music directed by Michael Bunting. This hilarious and irreverent musical tells the story of the Addams Family, a loving yet macabre family set in their ghoulish ways, as they face the prospect of their daughter/sister marrying someone far too normal for their taste.

8th Annual Winter One-Acts
February 4 at 7:30 p.m., February 5 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Rogers Theater)
Three L-S seniors will direct “That’s Not How I Remember It,” “As It Was,” and “I, Chorus.”

“Sense and Sensibility”
April 8 at 7:30 p.m., April 9 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., April 10 at 2 p.m.
Kate Hamill’s fast-paced adaptation of the Jane Austen novel takes on the gossipy society of late 18th-century England and examines the societal pressures that affect the lives of sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.

9th- and 10th-grade play (title TBA)
May 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.. (Rogers Black Box Theatre)

COLLAGE XXVI, a collection of scenes, one-acts and original pieces selected and directed by students
June 10 and 11 at 7:30 p.m. (Rogers Black Box Theatre)

Tickets for all 2021-2022 shows are $8 for students and senior citizens, and $15 for adults (Collage XXVI is free). Benefactors and season ticket holders receive advance notice before tickets are available to the general public so they can reserve for the evening of their choice. Season tickets are $40 for adults and $20 for students and senior citizens, while Benefactors’ tickets are $60. All Season Ticket holders and Benefactors are named in each program of the year. Click here to order.

Obituaries

Myrna Graf

Myrna Graf, 80

Graf was a former executive secretary, real estate agent, and Spanish interpreter in banking. She died on October 1. Read full obituary.

Anthony “Tony” Thomas, 61

Tony Thomas

Thomas, who passed away on September 30, worked as a jeweler and lapidary, musician, audio engineer, and wildcrafter. He is the son of George and Jane Thomas of Lincoln. Read full obituary.

Robin Isaacs

Robin Frentz Isaacs, 68

Isaacs ran the Massachusetts chapter of the Frontier Nursing Society, which helped bring midwifery to Appalachia and was active with the Friends of the Sudanese. She died on September 6. Read full obituary.

Lincoln Cultural Council announces 2020-21 grants

The following organization received funding from the Lincoln Cultural Council to help pay for projects and activities for the community. The LCC is accepting applications for the next round of grants until October 15; see “News acorns” (Oct. 4, 2021) for more information. Questions? Contact Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

Historic New England — “Three Centuries of Lincoln Topics.” The hybrid in-person and virtual three-part series highlighted Lincoln residents who were pioneers of taste, design, and culture over the course of three centuries from great-grandfather John Codman to Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius.

deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum — A Thursday outdoor concert and performance series. The 2021 summer season was informed by the work of exhibiting artists Jeffrey Gibson and Sonya Clark. The performance series focused on performers who address issues of advocacy, social justice, and indigenous cultures.

Maitreyee Chakraborty — “Songs and Poems of Rabindranath Tagore.” Tagore was an early 20th-century polymath and Nobel laureate whose poems and songs talk about the joy beyond immediate sorrow, the mettle of human spirit in face of suffering. The program had vocal music, poems, discussions, and dance numbers and told a human story of 2020.

Mass Audubon Drumlin Farm — “Sensory-Friendly Days,” an opportunity for families and children with autism or other sensory issues to connect with nature and each other in a sensory-friendly environment (fewer people, less crowded trails/exhibits, and less noise).

Lincoln Council on Aging — “An Afternoon of Poems by Robert Frost” presented and performed by Stephen Collins.

Lincoln Chipmunk design and launch — The website for the Lincoln Chipmunk (the online successor to the Lincoln Review), a bimonthly publication featuring poetry, artwork, fiction, photography and other creative work by and for Lincoln residents, was designed and linked to the Lincoln Squirrel new website.

Lincoln METCO Committee — Presentation in the Lincoln schools of “Living the Legacy of METCO” by Ron Jones, developed by Boston METCO.

Discovery Museum — Open Door Connections provides a range of ways for families to visit the museum at no or low cost. This includes families with children on the autism spectrum, those with sight or hearing limitations or are EBT and ConnectorCare cardholders, educators, and military families. The grant also funded free admission for all on select Friday evenings.

Wonderland Spectacle Co. — Locally based art and nature videos for kids about discovering the nature in your own neighborhood and across the region.

Lincoln Historical Society — Bringing Lincoln’s rich history into our everyday lives by placing historical road signage on the six roads that extend outward from the town’s historic center.

My Turn: Thanks to “Every Mile Counts Walk” participants

By Karen Salvucci and Ursula Nowak

We’d like to express our deep appreciation to the Lincoln community for the great success of our “Every Mile Counts Walk” last Saturday. The walk was fun, inclusive, and a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness and funds to continue our mission of relieving poverty and restoring human dignity. You are truly neighbors helping neighbors and your help means so much.

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston is devoted to helping individuals and families in our communities who need critical assistance to meet some of their most basic needs. People in our towns facing challenges like food insecurity, unemployment, health issues, or a sudden change in circumstances have come to us in greater numbers than ever before seeking help and guidance. Thanks to your involvement and support, we have been able to respond when that call comes in. And as the need continues, so do our efforts.

Again, many thanks!

Salvucci and Nowak are president and outgoing president, respectively, of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to share letters to the editor or 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

Apply by Oct. 15 for cultural council grants

The Lincoln Cultural Council has $5,100 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to allocate in grants. Local priorities are:

  1. Providing work for performing artists severely impacted by the pandemic
  2. Serving families and/or seniors (intergenerational programs are of particular interest)
  3. Performances/programs in various art forms
  4. A focus on local history, environmental issues, or the natural world
  5. Collaborations between multiple artists and/or town organizations
  6. Applicants who have secured a local venue and have backup plan in place for in-person events
  7. Applicants who have shown an ability to successfully present a virtual experience, if applicable. 

The application deadline is October 15. To apply, go to massculturalcouncil.smartsimple.com. Questions? Contact Meg Ramsey at meg.ramsey@verizon.net.

L-S grads running for office plan online fundraiser

Political candidates and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School alumni Brian Worrell (L-S ’01) and Jared Nicholson (L-S ’04) are teaming up for a joint Lincoln-Sudbury community fundraiser, seeking the support of their classmates, teachers, administrators, and the Lincoln-Sudbury community at large. Worrell, a candidate for Boston City Council District 4, and Nicholson, a candidate for mayor of Lynn, had decisive wins in preliminary elections in September and will advance to runoff elections on November 2.

The virtual fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 15  at 6 p.m. will feature special guest speakers including retired L-S history teacher Bill Schechter and will offer a unique insight into the candidates, their respective campaigns, and their time at Lincoln-Sudbury. All donations will directly benefit the candidacies of Brian and Jared, and all are welcome to attend.

“I am forever grateful for the education that I got at L-S and have been thrilled to be part of the public education team in the Lynn Public Schools as a member of the School Committee. I’m hoping to build on that work as mayor and excited to partner with Brian on this great way to connect with the L-S family,” said Jared Nicholson. 

“I owe my many successes to the foundational education I received from L-S through the METCO program, and I have been deeply impacted by the experience,” Worrell said. “The shared community at L-S and my positive experience at the school has prepared me for leadership and I intend to take with me the many values I learned at the school to city hall.”

Purchase tickets for the virtual fundraiser or donate by clicking here. For more information, email Monique_worrell@yahoo.com or krushfirth@gmail.com.

Lincoln Nursery School open house

Visit the Lincoln Nursery School at their Enrollment Open House on Saturday, Oct. 23 from 9–11 a.m. The school is on the campus of the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. To learn more about their cooperative, play-based, Reggio-inspired approach, follow them on Instagram @lincolnnurseryschool or visit www.lincolnnurseryschool.org.

“Fabulous Finland: Architecture, Furnishings & Design”

Join Friends of Modern Architecture and FoMA Advisory Board member Katherine Mierzwa for a recap of her 2019 trip to Finland on Sunday, Nov. 7 from 4–5 p.m. She and her husband spent two weeks roaming the cities and countryside of southern Finland to see 20 of Alvar Aalto’s (1898-1976} iconic buildings, and saw lots of stunning new architecture along the way. Sign up for this virtual tour to see modern architecture and Scandinavian design. Click here to register for the Zoom link.