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

Letter to the editor: please support the COA

Dear neighbors,

Like all of us, the Lincoln Council on Aging (COA) has been faced with many new challenges as a result of the coronavirus/Covid-19 pandemic. While many of the COA’s regular programs and activities have been cancelled, others have adapted and moved online. The entire COA staff is working remotely and focused on protecting and serving the town’s most vulnerable residents of all ages by helping people find the resources — food, counseling, medical care, etc. — they need in these unprecedented times.

Especially now, the needs of those served by the COA have been increasing faster than the town’s ability to cover the cost of meeting those needs. Fortunately, the Friends of the Lincoln COA, a nonprofit organization formed to provide financial assistance to the COA, is able to supplement the COA budget. Last year, the Friends were able to contribute roughly $30,000 to COA programs and services.

Donations from individuals in Lincoln are the Friends’ principal source of income. We hope that you will support the COA and its work with your tax-deductible contribution. If you can, please contribute by sending your check to Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging, P.O. Box 143, Lincoln, MA 01773. We appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

Rhonda Swain
President, Friends of the Lincoln COA

Police log for week of April 6, 2020

April 6

Blueberry Lane (9:55 a.m.) — Homeowner called about people using their yard as a cut-through.

Mary’s Way (11:43 a.m.) — Anonymous third-party caller reported that a worker had come in contact with someone who tested positive for Covid-19. The caller had no direct knowledge of the facts and would not provide a name of someone who had direct knowledge of the incident. Officer followed up with the construction supervisor, who explained their safety protocols; no one on site had symptoms. The party the caller was speaking of hadn’t been on site for well over a week.

April 7

North Great Road (4:20 p.m.) —  Hanscom security forces reported a possible crash on Rte. 2A or Hanscom Drive. Officers checked; a telephone pole had fallen down. Verizon was notified.

North Great Road (7:59 p.m.) — Concord police asked Lincoln police to check for a missing Concord resident. Officers checked Rte. 2A and Walden Pond area. Concord police called back to cancel; party was located and all is well.

April 8

Brooks Road (6:19 p.m.) — Caller asked why emergency vehicles are on Brooks Road. They were advised that there was a medical emergency at a residence.

April 9

Cambridge Turnpike Eastbound (9:42 a.m.) — Officer stopped a bicycle on Rte. 2 after it drove through a red light.

South Great Road (8:20 p.m.) — Caller reported a traffic light problem on Rt. 117 in Concord. Concord police were notified.

April 10

Lincoln Road (4:21 a.m.) — Officer found wood placed in the roadway and removed it.

North Avenue, Weston (5:23 a.m.) — Weston Fire Department requested an ambulance to Sunrise Assisted Living for a medical situation.

Indian Camp Lane (10:20 a.m.) — Council on Aging requested a well-being check on a resident. Officer made contact; all was well and party was advised to contact the COA.

Aspen Circle (10:36 a.m.) — Council on Aging requested a well-being check on a resident. Officer found that the party no longer lives at the residence.

Todd Pond Road (4:04 p.m.) — Caller reports that a raccoon attacked their dog. Officer went to the residence and the raccoon was no longer there.

April 11

Todd Pond Road (5:39 p.m.) — Caller reported that parties she spoke to yesterday are again fishing on her property. Officer went to the residence and the parties have since left. A check of the area found no people or vehicles.

Conant Road (5:57 p.m.) — Caller reported an outside fire near their home. Officers found a small camp fire on the property and the homeowner put the fire out.

North Great Road (7:59 p.m.) — Caller reported an erratic vehicle that struck a pole on Rte. 2A and continued to drive and was now stopped on Bedford Road. Officer investigated and subsequently arrested Marjorie Offield, 61, of 260 Old Marlboro Rd. in Concord. She was charged with OUI–liquor, negligent operation of a motor vehicle,  leaving the scene of a property damage crash, and marked lanes violation.

April 12

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (2:03 a.m.) — Dispatcher received multiple reports of gunshots being fired in the area of Rte. 2 and Bedford Rd. While responding to the area, a Blueberry Lane resident called reporting hearing gunshots. While investigating the reports, officers stopped a vehicle and subsequently arrested Khiry Murray, 29, of 46 Everett St. in Lawrence for carrying a firearm without a license, possession to distribute Class B (cocaine), conspiracy to violate the drug control laws, possession of ammunition without an FID, resisting arrest, improper storage of a firearm, assault with a  dangerous weapon, and vandalism with noxious/filthy substance. Carisa Brown 27, of Marblehead was arrested for possession of Class E drug, improper storage of a firearm, and conspiracy to violate the drug control laws. Both were bailed and are due to be arraigned on May 6. (For more information, click here.)

Mary’s Way (9:10 a.m.) — Caller reported noise in the area. Officers checked and found  workers at the cell tower site working.

Silver Hill Road (12:13 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle was parked at a vacant residence consistently for the past five days. Officers checked and the car was gone on arrival. A check of the house appears OK.

Marrett Road, Lexington (5:26 p.m.) — Lexington police notified Lincoln police that a person had walked away from the Aloft Hotel. Lincoln police were unable to locate the party.

Lincoln Road (7:46 p.m.) — Caller reported an outside fire nearby. The fire was a cooking fire and the resident said they would put it out once they’re done cooking.

Two Covid-19 deaths at The Commons

Two residents at The Commons at Lincoln have died of Covid-19 and the town’s total number of cases has risen to 16, Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean reported on Tuesday.

Lincoln has the lowest number of cases compare to surrounding towns. Lexington has the most with 151 (see table below).

“The other towns I cover are really amping up, and I’m guessing that Lincoln will continue to have more and more cases,” said McGean, who is also the public health nurse for Concord and Carlisle and performs some public health functions for Maynard as well. 

“I cannot emphasize enough the importance of social distancing,” she added. Anyone who needs help with food or medication delivery can contact the Lincoln Board of Health (781-259-2614 or carrolle@lincolntown.org) or Council on Aging director Carolyn Bottum (781-259-8811 or bottumc@lincolntown.org).

The Commons, like other senior housing and care facilities, is vulnerable to clusters of illness because of the age and physical proximity of its residents. “The situation has been escalating over the last week,” McGean noted. The facility is “exploring, among other options,” the idea of creating a Covid-19 isolation unit, said a spokesperson for Benchmark Senior Living, which owns The Commons along with 34 facilities in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Many staff members at The Commons also work at other Benchmark facilities. Thirteen employees who work at The Commons have tested positive so far, the spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.

“We are working closely with agencies to limit their staff interactions in other buildings. All associates, whether they are a full-time Benchmark Senior Living associate or a temporary agency worker, are screened and protected in exactly the same way in accordance with CDC guidelines,” the spokesperson said. The company outlined its precautionary measures on its coronavirus web page.

The Board of Health has strongly recommended that the facility test all residents and staff (a total of about 500 people) for Covid-19. “The best way to control this is to know who’s infected as early as possible and isolate them,” Lincoln Board of Health member Patricia Miller said.

The problem is the limited availability of tests. The board recommended that The Commons reach out to the National Guard, which is providing free on-site testing for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities (though not independent living units), but they’re backed up by at least one to two weeks, Miller said. 

The facility is also looking into the possibility of having testing done through Mt. Auburn Hospital. Benchmark Senior Living, which owns The Commons, can do testing, but there’s a long turnaround time to get results back from labs in another state, Miller said.

The Board of Health hasn’t officially ordered testing at The Commons only because it wouldn’t make any difference. “They want to get everyone tested as well — they want to do the right thing in this situation,” Miller said, referring to management at The Commons. “All these facilities are vying for the same resources. There’s just not enough to go around because we’re in the peak of this.”

The Benchmark spokesperson would not confirm testing plans except to say that they are “proactively looking at all options to test our staff and residents.”

Staff members are leaving dinner and breakfast for the following day at residents’ doors each evening, based on what they ordered from a menu, according to two residents. They also shop for groceries requested by residents and call them every day to check on their health and answer questions. No one (even those in independent living cottages and apartments) may have outside visitors, and residents are discouraged from visiting each other. 

“The Commons has done a marvelous job. They’re working as hard as they can to keep us safe,” said resident David Levington.

Covid-19 cases in Lincoln and surrounding towns

(Note that towns post data on different days)

TownTotal
cases		DatePopulation
(2010)		Cases as %
of 2010 pop.
Lexington1514/15/2033,4800.45%
Weston654/13/2012,0670.54%
Bedford*644/15/2014,1260.45%
Sudbury494/13/2018,9400.26%
Wayland264/10/2013,7200.19%
Concord224/13/2019,3230.11%
Lincoln164/12/206,7260.24%

* Includes Hanscom Air Force Base

Covid news acorns

Property tax deadline extended

The deadline for property tax payments (normally May 1) has been extended to June 1. The town will waive interest and penalties if payment is received by June 30.

Clark hosts telephone town hall with mental health experts

On Thursday, April 16 at 6 p.m., Congresswoman Katherine Clark will host a telephone town hall discussion about how people can support the mental health needs of themselves and their loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic. Clark will be joined by Dr. Claire McCarthy, a pediatrician at Boston Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Brent Forester, chief of McClean Hospital’s Center of Excellence in Geriatric Psychiatry, who can provide best practices and resources available to our community as we guide our families through this challenging time. The public will be invited to submit questions ahead of the call or ask their question live. Questions can be submitted here. Dial 844-734-8764 to join the call.

Student will pick up food pantry donations

A group of Lincoln-Sudbury High School students including Lincoln’s Andrew Craig is asking residents to donate nonperishable food items to the St. Vincent de Paul food bank at St. Joseph’s Church. The teens will stop by your home on Saturday, April 18 to pick up items and deliver them to the food bank. Email him at andrewcraig1210@gmail.com if you can donate. Please leave your items in a bag in a visible location near your driveway or mailbox by 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Donations by check can be sent to Society of St. Vincent de Paul, St Joseph Conference, PO Box 324, Lincoln 01774 (attn: Food Bank). Shoppers at Donelan’s can pick up extra non perishables can walk down the left side of the little church across the street and leave them in the basket just inside the door at the top of the ramp.

Memorial Day observance to be virtual

The town’s annual Memorial Day celebration has been postponed, and officials hope to have an observance in the fall. This year, there will be a wreath-laying that residents can view online details TBA.

Walden Woods virtual author talk with Dahr Jamail

Dahr Jamail

Join The Walden Woods Project and RESTORE: The North Woods for a virtual lecture by Dahr Jamail on Wednesday, April 22 at 1:30 p.m. Jamail will discuss his award-winning book The End of Ice: Bearing Witness and Finding Meaning in the Path of Climate Disruption, in which he journeys to locations experiencing the most dramatic impacts of climate disruption, climbing and diving alongside leading experts and front-line scientists. The End of Ice was named one of the 10 Best Science Books of 2019 by Smithsonian and is a finalist for the 2020 Pen/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Award for exemplifying literary excellence. 

The free virtual event will take place via Zoom. Directions for logging on will be sent to those who register online.

Class and other art activities offered online

The deCordova Museum and Sculpture Park is closed but is offering “Learning from the Masters: An Online Drawing Workshop” on Wednesday, April 22 from noon–2 p.m. Click here for more information and to register. The deCordova is also offering virtual visits and other activities for all ages — click here to learn more.

Letter to the editor: help get Markey on the ballot

(Editor’s note: This is reprinted at the request of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee from the LTDC website at www.lincolnmadems.org/news-opinions.)

To the editor:

In order to have both declared U.S. Senatorial candidates (Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy) appear on the primary ballot, each candidate must have 10,000 signatures on their nomination papers by May 5. As of April 7, Ed Markey had 7,000 signatures and Joe Kennedy had 15,000 signatures — so as of that date, only Joe Kennedy had qualified.

If Lincoln Democrats and independents share our desire to have a contested election with both candidates on the ballot, please follow these steps: 

  • If you’re registered to vote as a Democrat or an unenrolled voter in Massachusetts, fill out this form to say you’re willing to add your name to get Markey on the ballot: EdMarkey.com/sign.
  • The Markey team will mail you the official paperwork with instructions on what you need to do.
  • Add your signature (and ask any other registered voters in your household to do the same).
  • Mail it back to the Markey campaign in the stamped and pre-addressed envelope that they’ll send you.

That’s it. It’s fast and easy. And please help ASAP!

The Massachusetts State Committee is recommending that both candidates be on the ballot, as long as they have the required signatures on their nomination papers. Although the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee does not officially support candidates before the primary, we strongly believe in contested elections and offering voters a choice of  qualified candidates. Therefore, we are writing and asking if you could sign Ed Markey’s nomination papers.

Sincerely,

Joan Kimball and Barbara Slayter
Co-chairs, Lincoln Democratic Town Committee

News acorns

Alert town to fallen limbs on trails

The recent storm and high winds brought down a number of trees onto trails in Lincoln. If it’s just a small branch, walkers can help by moving it off to the side, but for larger branches or trees, contact the Conservation Commission with the precise location and the shortest access point to the site. Emails Thomas Gumbart at gumbartt@lincolntown.org Peter von Mertens at petervonmertens@gmail.com or Geoff McGean at mcgean.rlf@lincolnconservation.org.

Library book group to meet; online course offered

The Lincoln Public Library’s Friday Morning Book Group will meet via Zoom on Friday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson. The book centers around a reluctant centenarian much like Forrest Gump (if Gump were an explosives expert with a fondness for vodka) decides it’s not too late to start over.

The group always welcomes new members and drop-in participants. Anyone who’d like to attend the session should email lincoln@minlib.net to be invited you to the meeting. Copies of the book will be available for download in e-book or audiobook formats.

Via the online service Kanopy, the library is also offering free and unlimited access to the Infectious Diseases collection from The Great Courses until May 31. Throughout these 24 free video lectures, Dr. Barry Fox delivers clear and up-to-date information on dozens of infectious diseases—from where they originate, to how they spread, to how we can overcome their devastating effects. Kanopy has also extended the credit-free movie viewing window through May 31 and continuing to offer free films from the Kanopy Kids collection. Anyone with questions may email lincoln@minlib.net.

Garlic mustard pulling time is here

It’s garlic mustard pulling time season now through May 31. Because of the Covid-19 situation, paper leaf bags will not be distributed to residents at the transfer station or at the Town Conservation Office, and the Conservation Department won’t be able to handle pickups or dropoffs of full garlic mustard bags this season. They invite residents who are pulling weeds on their own property to make a “tarp sandwich” — spread the garlic mustard across a tarp and cover it with a second tarp or piece of plastic (use rocks around the edges to hold the pieces together). This will allow the weeds to “cook” in the sun for the season. Once the invasives have decomposed, move them to an inconspicuous place or burn them.

A second option is spreading our piles over pavement until the plants dry out or to have a designated “invasive plant only” pile (with garlic mustard or otherwise) where you can dispose of all invasives. The overall goal is to ensure the plants don’t go to seed and continue to spread after they’ve been pulled. Composting garlic mustard with garden or home waste is not recommended. Click here for a garlic mustard fact sheet. Anyone with questions may contact Land Steward Emma Coates at coatese@lincolntown.org or 78e1-259-2612.

Composting pickup now offered

Black Earth Compost has introduced curbside compost pickup in Lincoln every Wednesday morning at a cost of $3.80 per week. Go to blackearthcompost.com and click on “Residential.” Residents and others will soon be able to buy Black Earth Compost in bulk (plastic free) at Codman Community Farms.

The town-wide composting effort, which began when a dropoff site opened at the transfer station last fall, has resulted in a measurable reduction in tonnage sent to the incinerator. Questions? Contact Emily Haslett of Mothers Out Front Lincoln at emhaslett@gmail.com or 781-308-3888.

Mass Audubon names new president

David O’Neill

The Lincoln-based Mass Audubon has named David O’Neill as the 11th president of the state’s largest nature conservation organization. He succeeds Gary Clayton, who will retire in May after more than 30 years with Mass Audubon (the last five as president).

O’Neill has dedicated his professional career to conservation. For the last five years, he has served as the chief conservation officer and senior advisor to the CEO of National Audubon Society (NAS). During his tenure, he led the development of its conservation strategies; helped unify the state offices around a single vision; oversaw the organization’s policy, advocacy, and science agendas; and launched programs to help fight the impacts of climate change. He previously served as vice president at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and director of Land Use Policy and Outreach for the Urban Land Institute.

O’Neill explored his family’s small farm and learned about coastal ecology while growing up on Chesapeake Bay. “That early environmental education program turned out to shape my future,” he recalled. “To lead a storied institution that provides so many with those life-altering, nature-based experiences is an exceptional honor.”

O’Neill is particularly inspired by Mass Audubon’s commitment to thread climate change strategies through all its work; to embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion opportunities, including its reach to new audiences; and to widen its lens to improve the health and resilience of Massachusetts, New England, and beyond.

Mass Audubon was founded as the Massachusetts Audubon Society in 1896 by two Boston women determined to stop the slaughter of birds for their feathers. New Audubon chapters rose up across the country to enlist in the campaign, and in 1905 NAS was founded. The Massachusetts organization (now Mass Audubon) chose to remain independent, but shares a mission of promoting birds, other wildlife, and natural ecosystems. Lincoln’s Drumlin Farm is one of its 60 wildlife sanctuaries.

Storm brings down branches and power lines

High winds littered roadways with small branches and brought down larger ones around town during today’s storm. As of 5:15 p.m. on Monday, 121 of 2,609 EverSource customers in various parts of Lincoln were without power. The town got off fairly easy, though. Towns that were hardest-hit by percentage of households without power were Medfield (51%), Carver (39%), and Duxbury (34%). 

Bedford Road residents called the Fire Department after a broken tree fell on wires over a private driveway and started smoking. Before firefighters could arrive, the weight of the tree pulled the fuse off the top of another utility pole, resulting in sparks and a loud bang. “I ran like the devil,” said Steve MacLellan of 52 Bedford Road, who was standing close to the second pole with neighbors when it happened.

Click images for larger versions and captions:

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Shots fired along Route 2; two suspects arrested

(Editor’s note: This article has been corrected.)

After gunshots rang out along Route 2 near Bedford Road early on Easter morning, Lincoln police responded quickly and arrested two people for firearms violations, drug charges, and resisting arrest.

Three calls came in to police on April 12 just after 2 a.m. reporting the sound of shots being fired. Rockwood Road resident Paula Robinson was just falling asleep when she heard “six shots in quick succession, very loud.” Her brother is a police officer, as was her late father, “so I knew exactly what it sounds like. I knew it wasn’t a shotgun, like someone shooting at a coyote. I got up and checked to make sure all the doors were locked,” she said.

Within two minutes, Lincoln police were in the area, and officers encountered the suspect vehicle in the Lexington Road area of Route 2, Police Chief Kevin Kennedy said. After a motor vehicle stop and investigation, officers arrested Khiry Murray, 29, of Lawrence and Carisa Brown 27, of Marblehead. Police seized two handguns, cocaine in quantities indicating intent to distribute, prescription pills, and nearly $47,000 in cash. Both suspects made bail and are scheduled to appear in Concord Court in May for arraignment, according to the account on the Lincoln Police Department Facebook page.

“They did a phenomenal job,” Robinson said of the quick and efficient police response.

Who fired the gunshots and why are under investigation, Kennedy said, adding that no one was injured.

This is not the first time a disturbing incident has occurred in her area, said Robinson. She now has motion detectors in her yard because drivers in potentially criminal trouble on Route 2 have jumped out of their stopped cars on the highway and fled south through the woods.

In this case, fortunately, the suspects didn’t flee, though they were charged with resisting arrest for “uncooperativeness — let’s leave it at that,” Kennedy said.

It was just one more worrisome element on a morning when high winds were starting to cause other problems. “I have branches coming down on my house, Covid-19, the president… it’s like, “Calgon, take me away!” Robinson joked.

Click images for larger views:

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