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

Both sides in Real dispute plan to keep on cooking

The Real restaurant expects to reopen even as two of its former owner/managers have filed suit against the remaining owner.

Residents learned last week that Tom Fosnot and Ruth-Anne Adams had left the restaurant they co-founded with Linsday Parker in 2019. On November 6, Fosnot and Adams sent a group email to previous customers revealing that Parker had sued the pair.

“It has become increasingly hard for Tom and I over the past few months. The only thing that was not working in the restaurant was our partnership with Lindsey. After she filed a lawsuit against us, we decided it was time to choose happiness for our family. So Tom and I are now cooking somewhere else. We remain in a partnership with Lindsey, but what will resolve with the restaurant we are not sure,” the email said.

“Of course, we loved being in Lincoln and it was a heartbreaking decision for Tom and I. Meeting all the kind people who supported us over this past year and half, who gave us an opportunity to do what we loved, was a dream come true. We will continue to cook from our hearts, inspired by the land around us. We will not be cooking in Lincoln, but we have found another kitchen to create inspired dishes. We will be delivering weekly to your doorstep. Our menu will grow as we get more comfortable in our venture,” Fosnot and Adams added in their email.

“It is unfortunate that my partners chose to make a private dispute public. I will not comment on that further,” Parker wrote in an email to the Lincoln Squirrel on November 10. “More importantly, I can confirm that Real is sticking around. I have already had a number of exciting conversations with some chefs, and while Covid presently remains a factor for the community and the hospitality business, it is fun to think about what might be next.”

Adams and Fosnot also would not comment on the lawsuit but offered some details on their plans in a November 11 email to the Squirrel:

“We are very excited about this new venture. We will be offering from-scratch delivery options three days a week. The food will have a mix of simple fare as well as more complex dishes, but all will feature high-quality ingredients, as well as local when possible. We hope to have some fun with the menus. We are offering Thanksgiving for delivery and we will be offering holiday menus in December. Our website will be up soon, but right now we are sending emails with our offerings. If people want to be on the email list they can email us at tomandraa@gmail.com.”

Water Dept. superintendent leaving as town considers future plans for water supply

Water Department Superintendent MaryBeth Wiser has resigned as of Jan. 1, 2021. The change will mean another recruiting push for the embattled department, which has seen budget and personnel turmoil resulting in substantial capital spending and water rate increases.

Wiser said she was retiring in her letter of resignation she sent in September to the Water Commission, which voted to accept it at its November 3 meeting. Wiser did not return a call and email requesting comment.

“From my perspective, [the resignation] was her choice. We double-checked with and gave it due process and an appropriate amount of time to make sure it was not just a fleeting dissatisfaction,” Water Commission Chair Jim Hutchinson said this week.

Almost from the start of her tenure in March 2018, there was conflict between Wiser and the other department employees. Several of them alleged she was unqualified and abusive and complained to town officials about her, according to minutes of the commission’s August 8, 2018 meeting and interviews with the Lincoln Squirrel in October 2019.

But commission member Ruth Ann Hendrickson lauded her accomplishments during a difficult period for the department. “MaryBeth worked her heart out while she was here in Lincoln. She was focused on bringing the department up to the latest standards,” she said. “Everything she did was about improving the quality of the water and the management structures of the department. She worked incredible hours and was on call 24/7 for months. She never let us down and did her best to keep everything running. For that, the commissioners will always be grateful.”

Since Wiser’s arrival, the Water Department has spent millions on capital projects to replace aging equipment as well as for outside consultants to cope with staff vacancies after several resignations amid an ongoing statewide shortage of qualified operators. As a result, the town has approved loans totaling almost $2 million, and the department’s operating budget for the current fiscal year is 38% higher than last year’s. Customers also saw water rates hikes of 25% in 2019 and 28% in 2020.

At her most recent annual review in August, the Water Commission “commended Superintendent Wiser for her tremendous efforts and very long hours this past year” and said it “greatly values Ms. Wiser’s strong initiative, dependability, and loyalty” as well as her understanding of water science and state regulations pertaining to public water supplies. The commission identified budget management, personnel management, and communications as areas in which she needed improvement.

Hiring date for new superintendent unclear

If past history is any indication, it could take some time to fill the superintendent opening. The job posting offers a salary of $96,506 to $111,878, “but we don’t know yet what we’ll need to pay,” Hutchinson said. The town had to raise its salary offer to fill at least one of the earlier vacancies.

The future superintendent will also need additional qualifications to oversee new pretreatment coagulation equipment that’s about to be installed. That equipment will solve a problem stemming from the fact that Flint’s Pond has twice the level of organic matter as it did when the plant was designed in 2002. Meanwhile, the department plans to seek more capital spending in the next fiscal year to replace the aging Tower Road well.

“It behooves us to get a strong candidate to keep the department back on track as we’ve labored to do in the last year,” Hutchinson said. However, because of the job requirements and ongoing shortage of qualified candidates, it’s quite possible that Assistant Town Administrator Dan Pereira may have to step in after Wiser’s departure as acting superintendent for the administrative side of the job.

What’s down the road?

Thanks to the recent and upcoming expenditures, the water treatment plant will soon be almost like new — but the commission and new superintendent will still have to grapple with the future direction of Lincoln’s public water supply. Consultants Tata and Howard are expected to deliver a preliminary report next month outlining three options: continue to upgrade and modernize the existing plant, build a new plant with a more modern design that’s less costly to operate, or join the MWRA and get its water from the Quabbin Reservoir.

The current plant was “one of the first of its kind… it’s old technology,” Hendrickson said. “Every five or six years, these plants need to be overhauled, and even if we decided today to join the MWRA, it would take about five years, so it’s a good time to start this study.”

My Turn: Thanks to Town Clerk Valerie Fox

By Joan Kimball, Barbara Slayter, and Stephen Binder

We of the Lincoln Democratic and Republican Town Committees want to thank Town Clerk Valerie Fox for all her work to make the elections run smoothly this year. These two fall elections were particularly challenging with Covid-19.

Valerie and her staff put a great deal of thought into planning for voting by mail, the positioning of the drop box, and enabling us to vote safely, whether it be early, or by mail, or on the election days. We appreciate her notifications to all of us voters about timing and alternative ways to vote.

Kimball and Slayter are co-chairs of the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee, Binder is writing on behalf of the Lincoln Republican Town Committee.

”My Turn” is a forum for readers 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.

Submit your stuff for the next Lincoln Chipmunk

The deadline for submitting poetry, fiction, first-person writing, photos, artwork, etc. to the Lincoln Chipmunk is Wednesday, Nov. 24. Share your creativity with your fellow Lincolnites and beyond.

chipmunk.lincolnsquirrel.com

The Lincoln Chipmunk, successor to the Lincoln Review, is part of the Lincoln Squirrel, our town’s #1 news source. Subscriptions to both are just $4.50 a month or $54.00 a year, but everyone can read three articles per month for free. Please get in touch with me if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing your work!

Alice Waugh
Editor, The Lincoln Squirrel and The Lincoln Chipmunk
lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com

617-710-5542 (mobile)

Police log for Oct. 30–November 4, 2020

Downed trees, branches, and/or wires were reported on Lincoln Road, South Great Road, Tower Field Lane, and Tower Road on October 20, on Lincoln Road on October 31, and on Tabor Hill Road, Lexington Road, and Lincoln Road on November 2.

Callers reported that fraudulent claims of unemployment were filed in their names on Short Hill Road (November 2), Bedford Road (November 3), and Tower Road (November 4),

October 30

Ballfield Road (8:40 a.m.) — Caller reported seeing someone stealing a political sign at the intersection of Ballfield Road and Lincoln Road. Police reported that at 11:07 a.m., they were able to identify the person responsible for stealing political signs. Officers spoke to the individual and later followed up with the owner of the signs.

October 31

Ballfield Road (2:29 p.m.) — Caller reported political signs were stolen from Lincoln Rd at Ballfield Road and Lincoln Road and Rte. 117.

Old Concord Road (4:21 p.m.) — Caller reported what looks like a water leak at a neighbor’s house who isn’t home. Officer responded and dispatch attempted to make contact with the owner.

Todd Pond Road (8:34 p.m.) — Caller reported the sound of a loud music. Officers responded and spoke to the homeowner, asking them to bring their kids inside.

Sandy Pond Road (10:22 p.m.) — Report of political signs knocked over.

November 1

Old Sudbury Road (9:40 a.m.) — Caller reported finding political signs on their property. Unknown who placed them there. Officer responded and retrieved the signs and returned them to the owner.

Old Concord Road (9:15 p.m.) — Caller reported that someone knocked on their door asking if someone dropped food off at their house.

November 2

Wells Road (1:03 a.m.) — Caller reported their child (age 12+) was missing. After an investigation, the juvenile was located and returned home.

Grasshopper Lane (7:27 a.m.) — Caller reported a telephone wire was hanging low and was concerned that a truck could hit it. Verizon notified.

Wells Road (11:45 a.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported finding a pink hat while walking on Wells Road.

Bedford Road (2:55 p.m.) — Caller requested an officer to come to the residence as he picks up some items.

Huckleberry Hill Road (4:36 p.m.) — Report of several political signs stolen.

Wells Road (5:47 p.m.) — Officer assisted a party back to their residence.

November 3

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (9:53 a.m.) – Caller reported dog running on Rte. 2. Dog located on Reiling Pond Road. Owner later called reported their dog missing. Animal control notified and handled.

November 4

Baker Bridge Road (8:56 p.m.) — Officer checked on a vehicle pulled off to the side of the road. Driver is OK; was using phone.November 5

Trapelo Road (2:32 p.m.) — Caller reported being scammed over the internet by sending gift cards to an unknown person.

Lincoln Police Department (3:30 pm.) — A walk-in to the station reported losing a key to his car. The key hadn’t been turned into the station.

Town moves to highest level of water restrictions

Summertime limits on outdoor watering usually end on September 30, but due to the ongoing severe drought, the Water Commission instead tightened restrictions to Stage 4, its highest level.

The new restrictions took place on November 3. About a month earlier on October 9, state Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides declared a “critical drought” situation in the Charles River watershed, which includes Lincoln.

Use of above-ground and in-ground sprinklers and soaker hoses is now prohibited, though handheld watering is permitted from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. Swimming pools and hot tubs may also not be topped off until further notice. Agricultural uses of water are exempted from the restrictions.

The rules apply to users of town water, though  owners of private wells are also urged to follow the same restrictions. Residents are also reminded of the heightened danger for fires.

Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4
Hand-held wateringAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9amAllowed 6pm–9am
Above-ground/
in-ground sprinklers		Allowed 7pm–7amAllowed 2 days a week, 6pm–9am by street address:

• Even house #s:
Tues & Sat

• Odd house #s
Wed & Sun		Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am by street address:

• Even house #s:
Sat only

• Odd house #s:
Sun only		Not allowed
Soaker hosesAllowed any timeAllowed twice a week, 6pm–9am on specified days (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)Not allowed
Drip irrigationAllowed any timeAllowed twice a week, 6pm–9am on specified days (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)Allowed once a week, 6pm–9am on specified day (see row #2)
New lawnsAllowed any timeJune & Sept. only: 20 days of daily watering, then 2 days a week, 7pm–7am on specified daysJune & Sept. only: once a week, 7pm–7am on specified dayNot allowed
Washing vehiclesAllowed any timeCommercial services onlyCommercial services onlyCommercial services only
Washing buildings, pavementAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowedNot allowed
Swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, JacuzzisAllowed any timeOne fill per season for new or repaired equipmentTopping off only (3" per month)Topping off or refill not allowed
Car wash fundraisersAllowed any timeAllowed any timeNot allowedNot allowed
Games or toys with continuous waterAllowed any timeAllowed 30 mins/day twice a week on specified days (see row #12)Allowed 30 mins/day once a week on specified day (see row #12)Not allowed

State of the Town updates to span three evenings

Lincoln’s annual State of the Town meeting will be split into three online meetings from 7­–9 p.m. on three consecutive days next week. Topics and dates will be as follows. Click here to register for any or all of the sessions.

Tuesday, Nov. 17

Wednesday, Nov. 18

  • Diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism
    • Background and links to the videos and slide decks of the three Board of Selectmen’s roundtables

Thursday, Nov. 19

My Turn: Passing the torch at the Conservation Department

By Susan Hall Mygatt

After 21 years as the director of the Lincoln Conservation Department, Tom Gumbart will be leaving his position this December. Tom has guided the Lincoln Conservation Commission’s work to protect Lincoln’s wetlands and manage our conservation trails, forests, and farmland, with the important help of his land stewardship crew. Tom’s understanding and knowledge of the natural world and his hands on and technical skills combined to make him an invaluable resource to all Lincoln’s citizens. Tom has been an important leader in the conservation community, and his informed leadership has helped make our town’s land stewardship a model for other communities nationwide. He will be greatly missed.

The town is accepting applications for a new Conservation Department Director until Friday, Nov. 13. The job description is posted on the town website at www.lincolntown.org/jobs.

”My Turn” is a forum for readers 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.

Managers of Real restaurant depart; eatery’s future uncertain

Two of the three owner/managers of Lincoln’s Real restaurant have left the business, which has suspended service for the time being, although “there is no intention to close Real,” according to remaining manager Lindsay Parker.

When Real opened in South Lincoln in 2019, Tom Fosnot was the primary chef and Ruth-Anne Adams was in charge of the front-of-house staff and general operations while Parker handled the business side. Geoff McGean, executive director of the Rural Land Foundation, which owns the building, said this week that Parker “has not indicated  to us what the future of the restaurant might be.”

“I am going to spend some time to regroup and consider the right next chapter for the restaurant, especially in light of existing challenges presented by COVID,” Parker said in an email. “That being said, there is no intention to close Real. I have been deeply gratified by the support Real has received from the Lincoln community since we opened in March 2019, and especially since the world changed so dramatically earlier this year. I look forward to the prospect of returning that favor by having Real continue as an inviting gathering spot and community asset for years to come.”

“We truly loved being in Lincoln and the Rural Land Foundation has been an amazing source of support for Tom and I,” Adams said in an email. “In addition, we have tremendous gratitude toward the community that was brought together through the building of Real. We would like, however, to speak with our attorney before commenting further.”

Real is the latest of several restaurants that have come and gone at Lincoln Station. Lincoln Kitchen closed after just 15 months of operation. It was preceded by AKA Bistro, which operated for several years but was ultimately doomed by a pair of unfortunate events: the lengthy closure of nearby Donelan’s after its roof collapsed in a snowstorm in February 2011, significantly reducing business traffic for the entire mall, and the closure of AKA itself for several months starting in December 2013 after a burst ceiling pipe caused extensive interior water damage. 

News acorns

Two virtual events from the Walden Woods Project

The Walden Woods Project is sponsoring two upcoming events. “A Virtual Lyceum: Writing Toward Resilience” on Friday, Nov. 6 from 7–8:15 p.m. will bring writers, scholars, and teachers together to examine the way society and individuals like Henry David Thoreau and Toni Morrison have protested and resisted injustices through their writing. The panelists will also discuss ways in which we, as individuals and as a society, can remain progressive and resilient to current obstacles and social injustices through writing, nature, and art. Suggested readings include Thoreau’s “Civil Disobedience” and Morrison’s “No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear.” Click here for more information and registration.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1 from 7–8:15 p.m., Nathaniel Popkin and Gail Straub will discuss Popkin’s newest book, To Reach The Spring: From Complicity to Consciousness in the Age of Eco-Crisis. In the shadow of an escalating eco-crisis — a looming catastrophe that will dwarf the fallout from COVID-19 — how can we explain our society’s failure to act? Popkin explores the moral, social, and psychological dimensions of the crisis, outlining a path to a future spring. Click here for more information and registration.

Help clean up Minute Man NHP

Minute Man National Historical Park invites everyone to Park Day 2020 on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 9–11:30 a.m. and 1–3:30 p.m. Sponsored by the American Battlefield Trust and Friends of Minute Man National Park, this annual event gives participants the opportunity to help preserve one of our nation’s most iconic and historic battlefields. Volunteers can sign up to provide assistance in leaf raking, invasive plant removal, and trail maintenance, while learning more about its history and ecology from park natural and cultural resource team leaders.

To ensure the safety of all volunteers, organizers will be limiting participation, requiring masks be worn at all times, and staggering work periods into morning and afternoon shifts. Volunteers can register to work individually or as a group (bubble) of five or less in different parts of the park where social distancing is feasible. Register by November 6 and receive a free Park Day 2020 T-shirt. Click here to register.

MBTA seeks feedback on service changes

The MBTA is seeking feedback on service changes that will be necessary in the face of drastically reduced ridership due to Covid-19 (for example, commuter rail is at roughly 12% of normal ridership). The T wants to hear from transit customers about the service people are using now, how often, and what their transit priorities are as part of Forging Ahead, the T’s plan to preserve transit access to shape the T’s upcoming decision about which transit-critical services to prioritize and protect, and which may need to be cut back until ridership and revenues return. 

On Monday, Nov. 9, the MBTA will announce its proposed service changes, after which public meetings and a public hearing will take place. These changes will generally not take effect until spring or summer of 2021. Customers are encouraged to provide online feedback here, and/or participate in a virtual public meeting, including an official public hearing. Click here to register for the meeting dedicated to the MetroWest region that includes Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 6–8 p.m. Details are available at mbta.com/ForgingAhead. 

Library, GearTicks offer STEMtastic Challenges

The Lincoln Public Library Children’s Room is teaming up with the Lincoln GearTicks to promote their new monthly STEMtastic Challenges designed to encourage learning about a variety of engineering and science subjects. Each challenge will have a central STEM theme and is open to anyone. November’s challenge is “Marshmallow Architecture.” Click here for more information on the challenge and see a suggested list of books and websites to get you started. Books on the lists below (and more) are available to place on hold, or you can make an appointment to come in to the library to check them out. Call 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or email dleopold@minlib.net with any questions.

Volunteers needed for three town groups

The Select Board seeks candidates for appointment to the town’s Housing Commission, the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), and the Pierce Property Committee.

The Housing Commission’s role is to develop and advocate for policies and programs that promote housing diversity in Lincoln. The group’s duties include policy formulation and advocacy, regulatory compliance, and management of town-owned housing units. Members work in close partnership with two other town housing organizations (i.e., the Affordable Housing Trust and the Lincoln Foundation) to ensure that the town remains in compliance with various state and federal housing regulations, while also developing strategies to help the town achieve its evolving housing needs.

Serving on the CPC affords an opportunity to learn about Lincoln’s historic preservation, affordable housing, open space preservation and recreational programs and initiatives, and to help determine how to most wisely invest limited Community Preservation Act funds. The Pierce Committee advises the Select Board on the use and maintenance of the Pierce House and Pierce Park and recommends annual budgets.

Letters of interest should be addressed to Select Board Chair James Craig and sent to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Selectmen’s Office, at elderp@lincolntown.org. Click here for an application or call the Selectmen’s Office at 781-259-2601 for more information.