Mary O’Brien
Former nurse’s aide and principal’s assistant at the Lincoln School. Click here for full obituary.
Paola Rossoni
Former researcher in pathological anatomy and histology. Click here for full obituary.
To the editor:
2020 stands to be the most important election year in our lifetimes. The news media, television, and Internet are full of policy and advocacy differences, occasionally extreme and inaccurate. Opinions and expectations of Lincoln voters also vary widely. Lincoln voters highly value having their ballots counted and believe that this civic duty is the foundation of our elective democracy.
But in this era of the coronavirus pandemic, voters and poll volunteers share concern for their personal safety on Election Day. Bad weather on that day used to be just an inconvenience, but now the potential to catch a deadly disease is totally new and threatening. Brave citizens around the country have waited for hours in long lines, sometimes in bad weather, to cast their vote in their designated polling places. In several cases, the number of poll places has been reduced and located out of reach for many voters.
The Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives and the Secretary of State recognize the threat to voting in this environment and have drafted new processes and considered new statewide legislation to apply to the September 1, 2020 primary election and the November 3, 2020 general election. Some of those processes include expansion of absentee voting, addition of vote-by-mail, longer early voting periods, and secure outdoor dropboxes to deposit completed ballots. Lincoln now allows for early voting by mail and has expanded absentee voting eligibility; residents can apply for these provisions with the Town Clerk’s Office.
Absentee voting has been used frequently in Lincoln. States began absentee voting in the 1800s, and by 2018, 27 states have adopted “no-excuse” absentee ballot laws, something now proposed for Lincoln and Massachusetts. Nationally, vote-by-mail and absentee voting have occasionally been criticized as being open to fraud. However, a review of voter fraud studies done between 2009 and 2017 found such cases to be rare or nonexistent.
The current legislative bills focused on vote-by-mail include Senate Bill S2653 (An Act Relative To Voting by Mail and Early Voting) endorsed by Sen. Michael Barrett, Senate Bill S2654 (An Act Establishing Vote By Mail in 2020), and House Bill HD5026 (An Act Establishing Vote By Mail in 2020) as endorsed by Rep. Tom Stanley. The Election Laws Committee can amend any of these bills or return them to the appropriate Senate or House committee for consideration and possible further amendment. Timing is critical in order to finalize these bills in time for election implementation.
Sincerely,
Gary Davis
20R Indian Camp Lane, Lincoln
It’s a go for Annual Town Meeting on June 13 — but (happily for some, perhaps) it will be a lot shorter than usual.
The meeting has been stripped down to 22 warrant articles, with 19 of them voted on as a bloc on the consent calendar. Residents will be asked to vote on only three other items: a $828,945 supplemental funding request from the School Building Committee, capital items for the Water Department, and the allocation for free cash. Votes on the rest of the articles that were planned before the Covid-19 pandemic, including the citizens’ petitions, will be postponed to a Special Town Meeting in the fall.
The meeting will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 13 in the Hartwell parking lot under a tent (allowing social distancing and handicapped accessibility), with outside seating also available. Other details:
The Finance Committee has revised the budget it approved earlier this year, when Town Meeting was scheduled for March 25. Among the changes:
The Finance Committee will hold a town budget question-and-answer meeting on Zoom about a week before the June 13 town meeting, with date/time and login details to be announced.
The following information is available on the 2020 Annual Town Meeting web page:
The town election will also be held outdoors at the same location on Monday, June 15 for the legally required minimum of four hours (noon–4 p.m.). Early voting and absentee voting are encouraged.
[lgc_column grid=”50″ tablet_grid=”50″ mobile_grid=”100″ last=”false”]
Heather Broglio (front right) and her Beth Israel colleagues with bags of snacks made for the staff by a Bedford woman.
Heather Broglio and her husband Mike (holding a cupcake on his birthday), who works in information technology for the hospital’s anesthesia department and has been rolling out a new software system to be used in the operating rooms.
[/lgc_column]Lincoln resident Heather Broglio, who’s a physical therapist in ordinary times, has been pinch-hitting in a new capacity during the Covid-19 crisis.
“I am usually a outpatient physical therapist that works at [Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital’s] Lexington and Chestnut Hill sites but, when the epidemic started and our caseloads were cut drastically, the hospital took its staff and redeployed them in the hospital to where they would be needed,” she said. “Some people ended up handing out masks or scrubs and some of us ended up being redeployed to respiratory therapy.
“Respiratory therapists are the complete unsung hero in this whole epidemic. They are in charge of the vents, adjusting parameters, keeping them running and managing the tubing going from the ventilators into the patient; taping the tubing and holding it secure if the patient is moved. A strategy that has worked well with Covid patients is called proning and is basically having someone placed on their stomach while on a ventilator. This allows better airflow into the lungs.
“When we were redeployed to respiratory, we were trained to tape the tubes to keep them from coming out of the patient when they are moved [to the face-down position], and then to hold the head and the tube as they move from front to back and the reverse. In regular times, at BI there may be 20-30 vents in use; currently [May 14] there are 72 in use — and this is down from the maximum that were used. There was no ‘prone team’ before the epidemic, so the hospital created the team to free up the respiratory therapists to do other vital functions. It’s really amazing the amount of people redeployed in the hospital and how well it all works.”
Bella Wong of L-S agrees to contract extensionThe Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee has announced that it has finalized a three-year contract extension with Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong. “We appreciate Ms. Wong’s work and dedication over the past seven years and are thankful to have her experience and leadership as we navigate the challenges caused by the pandemic. We look forward to working together as we confront the current crisis while continuing to move the District forward,” the panel said in a statement.
The School Committee also announced the hiring of Kirsteen Patterson as the Director of Finance and Operations for a three-year term beginning in July. Patterson brings many years of experience in public school finance, serving most recently as the Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Administration for the Medford Public Schools.
Lincoln’s traditional Memorial Day event has been cancelled. But the veterans of Lincoln and the Parks and Recreation Department have organized a brief and respectful ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25 and everyone is invited to watch on Facebook Live by clicking here.
The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust is hosting virtual Wildlife Bingo on Wednesday, May 27 for wildlife bingo. You’ll see some of the same birds as the previous Bird Bingo, along with lots of other fun reptiles, amphibians, and mammals of New England. Prizes will include gift cards to local businesses and LLCT swag. Once you’ve registered, you’ll receive a zoom link, and we’ll email you further instructions and your bingo card. You’ll be able to access your bingo card from a browser, or you can download and print the card.
The event is limited to 20 households, each of which will receive one set of bingo cards. If you register and find yourself unable to attend, please update your RSVP on Eventbrite so we can offer that spot to someone else. Click here to register.
Join the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable (DVR) and their partners at REACH Beyond Domestic Violence for a webinar entitled “How to Talk to Teens About Relationships” on Wednesday, May 27 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. This training is designed for parents, educators, clergy, and community members who interact with teens. The one-hour workshop will explore adult and teen perceptions of teen dating violence, discuss messages and barriers that uniquely impact youth relationships, and provide strategies to address these barriers when talking with teens. Registration is required and can be completed by clicking here or on the REACH website. Email Youth Education Specialist Molly Pistrang at molly@reachma.org with any questions.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the DVR is continuing its activities and programming. At the outset of the pandemic, the Roundtable donated $20,000 to five domestic violence agencies for emergency services. If you would like to help, please visit the DVR website for further information.
The Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary is helping to provide fresh vegetables and eggs to Cambridge families in need. Each week, Drumlin delivers some of its sustainably grown produce to Cambridge, where Food for Free of Cambridge distributes it to those facing food insecurity, a situation made more dire because of the coronavirus.
Drumlin Farm has also been providing healthy produce to the Cambridge Public School system cafeterias for school lunches since 2017. With school districts shut down statewide and most of its client restaurants also on pause, the sanctuary was determined to keep growing food and ensuring that underserved communities would be a priority — hence the Drumlin Farm Food Donation Project.
Sanctuary Director Renata Pomponi said this collaboration also offers a great opportunity in a time of stress and uncertainty for businesses and individuals to contribute meaningfully to the moral principle that people should have enough to eat. “It’s inspiring to work with Food For Free and other local hunger relief partners on such a worthy project, especially in this time of COVID-19, and generous donors are already stepping up,” she said. To support these efforts and learn more, visit the Drumlin Farm Food Donation Project website.
The Board of Selectmen, on behalf of the Town of Lincoln, has officially proclaimed Sunday, June 7 as “Class of 2020 Day” in Lincoln to encourage everyone to support opportunities for graduating seniors, recognize their contributions and achievements.
Many people in the Lincoln community are experiencing financial distress due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Council on Aging’s Emergency Assistance Fund and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Financial Assistance Program and Food Pantry are working together to help. Please contact the Council on Aging (bottumc@lincolntown.org or 781-259-8811) or the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Julia Parish (781-899-2611 or svdplincolnweston@gmail.com) if you are a Lincoln resident and:
You may contact either organization for a private and confidential consultation to determine what services and benefits you may be eligible for, including possibly payment of some bills.
Both organizations are funded entirely by grants and donations. To make a donation to the Council on Aging Emergency Assistance Fund, please send a check payable to the Town of Lincoln with a memo line of “Emergency Assistance Fund” and addressed to COA c/o Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. To make a donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, please send a check to St. Vincent de Paul, PO Box 324, Lincoln, MA 01773.
May 11Tower Road (10:21 a.m.) — Resident reported receiving a suspicious text message from a bank looking to verify their Social Security number. There’s been no financial loss, a fraud alert and credit check/monitoring was suggested
Beaver Pond Road (11:31 a.m.) — Caller reported an animal was injured in the area. Officer located and animal and found that it appears to be slightly injured and should be left on its own; no further action to be taken.
Salem Street, Reading (4:05 p.m.) — Detective was involved in a minor crash (rear-ended). Neither party was injured; Car 3 was towed from the scene.
Lexington Road (2:54 p.m.) — Caller reported a power outage; was advised to contact Eversource.
Concord Road (7:52 p.m.) — Caller reported broken glass on Concord Road. Officer checked the area but was unable to locate.
Lincoln Police Dept. (11:38 p.m.) — Bolton Police Dept. called regarding to threatening comments that were made to a Bolton teenager regarding Minuteman High School. Call came from Canada. Bolton police are investigating.
North Great Road (5:57 a.m.) — Caller reported hitting a deer on Rte. 2A near Sunnyside Lane. Report taken, no injuries.
Lincoln Road (12:11 p.m.) — Multiple calls that the railroad gates were stuck down. Officers responded to assist with traffic. MBTA crew responded to fix the gates.
Blackburnian Road (2:42 p.m.) — Caller reported that the water meter is leaking in their basement. Water Dept. on-call employee was contacted.
Round Hill Road (4:08 p.m.) — Neighbor called about the noise from landscapers mowing the lawn. Officer talked to the reporting party and the landscapers; no problem found.
South Great Road (6:08 p.m.) — Weston Police Dept. called reporting smoke in the area. Area checked; unable to locate anything in Lincoln.
Birchwood Lane (6:11 p.m.) — Caller reported possibly leaving a cell phone in the ambulance earlier in the day. Fire Dept. will check.
Aspen Circle (3:19 a.m.) — Resident reported receiving three suspicious phone calls from a party looking for a resident who no longer lives at the home. Officer responded and spoke to the reporting party.
Old Sudbury Road (10:42 a.m.) — Caller reported a party is pulled over on the side of the road and is concerned because they’re counting a lot of money. Officer checked but did not locate anyone.
Donelan’s Supermarket, Lincoln Road (2:28 p.m.) — Donelan’s called reported a patron causing a disturbance. Officer spoke to the involved party and they were given a no-trespass order from the manager. The party has had similar incidents in the past.
Stonehedge Road (8:59 p.m.) — Caller reported earlier in the day an aggressive dog following her daughter. There was no bite; they wanted to make us and Animal Control aware.
Trapelo Road (4:18 p.m.) — Caller reported kids fishing at the Cambridge Reservoir. Officer spoke to the group and moved them along.
Baker Bridge Road (7:11 p.m.) — Concord Police Dept. requested that we check the residence for a missing juvenile. Officer spoke to a relative of the juvenile at the residence and they’ve had no contact with the missing juvenile.
Weston Road (9:08 p.m.) — Large tree came down across Weston Road, taking down the utilities. Verizon and Eversource were contacted. The road was closed while repairs were conducted.
Sandy Pond Road (11:10 a.m.) — Water Department couldn’t get in touch with an employee. Officer went and made contact and everything was fine; called the reporting party back.
Lincoln Road (1:58 p.m.) — Resident found a wallet. Police contacted the owner, who came and retrieved the wallet.
Sandy Pond Road (4:02 p.m.) — Caller reported kids fishing in Flint’s Pond. Officer spoke to the group and moved them along.
Trapelo Road (6:20 p.m.) — Caller reports kids fishing in the reservoir. Officer responded and moved the kids along.
Sandy Pond Road (10:45 a.m.) — Caller reported that a few hours prior, a vehicle was parked along Sandy Pond Road and the party was seen going into the trails with a fishing rod.
Sandy Pond Road (2:24 p.m.) — Caller reported a paddle boarder on Flint’s Pond closer to the Rte. 2 side of the pond. Officer responded and was unable to see anyone on the pond.
Ballfield Road (5:17 p.m.) — Caller reported two juveniles on the roof of the school. Officer responded and found one party and a second party ran from the area. Officers located the party who ran off and are following up with the parents.
Drumlin Farm, South Great Road (6:41 p.m.) — Staff reported that a vehicle had passed barriers that had been placed in roadway to close the lot. Officer responded; the vehicle had left prior to his arrival.
DeCordova Museum, Sandy Pond Road (7:16 p.m.) — Vehicle found parked on the grass; no one around the vehicle.
Drumlin Farm, South Great Road — Officer checked on a vehicle parked at Drumlin. Everything was fine and they were sent on their way.
(Editor’s note: scroll down to see photos from the parade.)
To the editor:
There’s something about a parade on a beautiful day that brings joy to everyone along its path. It doesn’t have to be a holiday; it just has to be a time set aside. And once the parade participants gather, the excitement and the sense of community grow.
So it was on Thursday, May 14, when more than 20 cars lined up along the side of Sandy Pond Road with balloons, signs, banners, flags, horns, and cow bells. Tucker Smith, part of the First Parish Church’s Community Engagement Task Force that was formed to help during the Covid-19 crisis, conceived a plan to bring cheer to seniors and caregivers at two local senior residences, and their activity directors enthusiastically agreed to the plan.
We went first to The Commons, where we kept in our bumper-to-bumper lineup and wove our way around circles, between rows of houses, up and down hills, and back around again. Residents and caregivers, all masked, basked in the sunlight and waved. Smiles and tears were in their eyes. Joy and gratitude were both given and received by everyone. I wondered how long it had been since there had been a day warm enough for the residents to spend time outside. Everyone applauded the caravan, the honking horns, and the music. Any day is a good day for a parade.
From The Commons, the parade made its way west on Rte. 2 to Newbury Court in Concord. As we traveled along our route, cars honked and waved at us. A fire truck sounded its siren, a police officer and others waved. Everyone enjoys a parade. As we circled through Newbury Court, including Rivercrest and The Gardens, the residents and the staff were delighted with the many expressions of caring, love and appreciation that the band of colorfully masked Lincolnites delivered to their doorways. Our signs conveyed our messages: “Love,” “We Are In This Together,” “Lincoln Strong,”” Love Thy Neighbor,” “Hugs And Kisses,” “Caregivers Rock,” and “Keep Calm And Carry On.”
We were not celebrating a holiday; we were celebrating life and community and caring for each other. My eyes filled with tears as I realized the joy that our caravan delivered to unexpecting audiences. It felt like a first step back into reality and into the spirit of community that we crave. The sun and the balloons and even the masks were there to remind all of us that we are one. We are all in this together. The parade could have been for anyone and everyone. And maybe it was.
Sincerely,
Sarah Cannon Holden
Weston Road
Click images below for larger versions and captions:
[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”137″ gal_title=”Covid parade – May 2020″]
Dear Lincoln neighbors,
We understand that during these stressful times, access to green spaces is more important than ever. In the past few months, we’ve noticed an increasing number of neighbors using our private property for their walks, hikes, and runs as other town and state properties have closed.
Although we are always happy to provide a connection to nature for our neighbors, several recent incidents have created an unsafe environment for both our staff and tenants. As a result, it is with heavy hearts that we, the Farrington Nature Linc staff and trustees, have decided we must formally close our property to anyone without explicit permission.
Signs will be posted at the entrance and where our property meets the LLCT trail head by Page Road. Please contact me at the phone number or email address below 24 hours before you would like access to our trails or land. We know that this is a change, and we appreciate your cooperation. We hope that this will only be temporary, but the safety of our staff and tenants is paramount.
Please share this information with anyone you know that uses our property and may not have seen this notice. Thank you for your help in keeping our property safe and sustainable! We hope to welcome you back to a Farrington event soon.
Sincerely,
Wendy S. Matusovich
Executive Director, Farrington Nature Linc
781-888-0868
wendy@naturelinc.org
DeCordova set to reopen this weekThe deCordova Sculpture Park (though not the indoor museum) expects to open on Tuesday, May 19, but visitors must reserve a parking permit for a specific time slot in advance, even if they arrive on foot or by bike.
The Trustees of Reservations is opening two other properties (Naumkeag and World’s End) using the same system. Fruitlands and Crane Beach will offer parking passes for the day, also available online only. Parking for Trustees members is free or discounted for all five sites.
For Lincoln residents visiting deCordova, there is a special ticket type that allows for continued free access. During the checkout process, you’ll be asked to enter your Lincoln street address to verify residence. Other things to know:
Click below for:
In partnership with the First Parish Church, the Lincoln METCO Coordinating Committee is accepting financial donations to support the families of the Lincoln Schools’ Boston-based families with unforeseen financial needs. Donations to the Lincoln MCC before September 1 will be administered by school administration and the Lincoln METCO director to support individual Boston families with critical financial requests. You can make donations via PayPal, or send a check made checks payable to: Lincoln MCC, P.O. BOX 393, Lincoln, MA 01773.
The Lincoln Public Library’s Friday Morning Book Group will meet via Zoom on Friday, May 22 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss The Keeper of Lost Things by Ruth Hogan. If you have never attended this group on Zoom before and you’d like to join the session please email lincoln@minlib.net and we will invite you to the meeting. Copies of the book will be available for download in eBook or audiobook formats. Go to www.hoopladigital.com or email lincoln@minlib.net for assistance.
School Building Committee member Peter Sugar has requested a clarification to his remarks in the May 14 article headlined “SBC to make reduced request for school items at June Town Meeting.” At the SBC meeting, he was expressing the sentiment that the committee should assure the inclusion of the previously trimmed items by electing to pay for them using the construction contingency fund, rather than facing the uncertainty of voter sentiment at the Town Meeting on June 13 and/or a Special Town Meeting in the fall. The contingency fund could be replenished if it runs out later in the project, he noted.)
Sugar also said that, because of the construction schedule, the items totaling $828,945 will cost more if they are not approved in June, even if voters decide to add them back later. (The deadlines vary; for the louvers and the auditorium divider, it’s July 1, and for the glass wall and seat, it’s September 1.)