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

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:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”129″ gal_title=”Storm 041320″]

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:

[Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”127″ gal_title=”Police bust 041320″]

Schools to skip April vacation as online learning continues

An example of what Lincoln teachers are planning and doing to educate kids during the Covid-19 lockdown. Click image to enlarge, and click here to see more.

The Lincoln Public Schools will not have April vacation this year — instead students and teachers will continue with their online “Learning at Home Together” efforts during that time.

The School Committee’s decision was based on results of a survey and the recommendation of Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall. Seventy-four percent of families and 80% of faculty favored canceling spring vacation and ending the school year on June 12. If there were vacation as usual, school would not end until June 18. Patriots Day (April 20) will still be observed as a school holiday.

Sixty percent of parents and 67% of faculty said their first priority was that “our students have continuity and consistency of routines, learning and connection to school.” However, a few faculty members who submitted comments advocated keeping the vacation because of teacher fatigue due to additional workload as well as juggling work and young families.

At the School Committee’s online meeting on April 9, Assistant Superintendent Jess Rose gave a presentation highlighting student and family needs/desires, outlined the support structures the district has put in place, and explained what type of Learning at Home Together enhancements could be expected in the coming weeks (see the video of the meeting from 00:57 to 1:48).

Mary Emmons, administrator for student services, gave an update on how students are being supported, even though some of the typical services they normally receive can’t be replicated virtually.  She explained the process regarding students who are on IEPs (individualized education programs for special education students) and 504 plans (for students with identified disabilities) and how students will physically return to school.

More than a third of students in the district now have school-issued computer devices, and Rob Ford, director of technology, described outreach efforts to families who don’t have internet access at home, as well as the work that he and school technology specialists have been doing to train and support faculty as they move to a virtual teaching model.

Police log for the week of March 30, 2020

March 30

11 Offutt Road, Hanscom AFB (8:06 a.m.) — Officer delivered court paperwork to a resident.

Sandy Pond Road (1:59 p.m.) — Party trespassing on Water Department property; was advised to leave.

North Great Road (8:31 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked at Minuteman High School. Party was an Eversource employee working.

March 31

Bedford Road (2:39 p.m.) — Police officer and dog officer located an injured dog with Wayland tags. Dog reunited with a friend of the owner to care for it.

Woods End Road (6:15 p.m.) — Caller said people possibly trespassing. Officers checked and all is fine.

April 1

Minuteman Commons, Virginia Road (10:29 a.m.) — A party backed into a landscaping truck and left the area. No damage to the truck, very minor damage to the vehicle. Officer later spoke to the driver who left. Report taken.

Concord Road (11:22 a.m.) — Public health problem (cannot disclose due to HIPAA).

Woods End Road (3:56 p.m.) — Follow-up to previous trespassing call with the resident.

April 2

Huckleberry Hill (12)00 p.m.) — Party reported being a victim of identify fraud. Investigation is ongoing.

April 3

Woods End Road — Officer followed up with the resident in regards to trespassers on his property. Officer spoke to the party and found it’s not their property.

Trapelo Road at Old County Road (6:27 p.m.) — Officers blocked road for Waltham police as there are wires down in the roadway near the town line.

April 4

North Great Road (9:31 a.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle parked on the side of the road. Driver is outside picking up trash along the roadside.

Mill Street (11:30 p.m.) — Caller requested a check of a suspicious vehicle parked in a neighbor’s driveway that they don’t recognize. Vehicle is registered to the homeowner.

April 5

Ballfield Road (4:22 a.m.) — Officer found the sandwich-board signs removed from the school island and placed in the roadway. Officer put them back in their proper spot.

Trapelo Road (9:23 p.m.— Delivery company worker reported an overdue party whose last GPS location was Trapelo Road near Old County Road. Officers checked the area; unable to locate. Party was later located in New Hampshire.

Clarification

As originally published, the April 7 article headlined “Town Meeting now eyed for May 30; further postponements possible” may have given the mistaken impression that the school project vote plays a role in deciding when the Annual Town Meeting will be held. That meeting will include a vote on adding back items that were removed from the project, and officials had hoped to have that vote take place some weeks before construction is due to start in June. However, the Board of Selectmen clarified on April 9 that public health concerns, not school project deadlines, will be the determining factor in deciding whether the meeting needs to be postponed beyond May 30. The original article has been updated.