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

Minuteman High School project marks finish line with ribbon-cutting

Minuteman Superintendent-Director Edward A. Bouquillon holds the ribbon and State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg makes the cut at the new school’s opening ceremony on October 4. With them are Needham Selectman Dan Matthews (far left), State Sen. Cindy Friedman (center), MSBA executive director Jack McCarthy, Minuteman School Building Committee chair Ford Spalding of Dover, and State Rep. Michelle Ciccolo. (Photo by Alice Waugh)

By Alice Waugh

The new Minute Man Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lincoln was officially dedicated last week at a ribbon-cutting attended by hundreds of students, staff, officials, and friends.

The event capped a sometimes rocky road for the project. Several of the original 16 towns in the Minuteman district, including Lincoln, withdrew largely due to the $145 million price tag for the new building ($44 million of which was provided by the Massachusetts School Building Authority). Eight years after submitting its initial statement of interest to the MSBA, the project won approval in a district-wide vote in 2016, and construction got underway in June 2017. Students began using the school this fall after construction was finished a year ahead of schedule and $3 million under budget.

There was debate over the projected enrollment during discussions several years ago; towns and the MSBA settled on 628 students in grades 9-12, several hundred fewer than the former capacity. The new facility has proved to be popular — there’s already a waiting list, “and we have the largest freshman class in over 25 years,” Bouquillon said. Students from Minuteman district towns (Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Bolton, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Needham and Stow) get preference for admission.

Since 2002, Lincoln has sent anywhere from two to 11 students to Minuteman each year, though that figure includes post-graduate and part-time students. As of October 2016, Lincoln accounted for eight of the school’s 618 students.

Minuteman’s property straddles the Lincoln/Lexington town line. The old building was on the Lexington side and the athletic fields were in Lincoln, but they’ve now traded places. Fields and an athletic complex will be built after the old building is demolished starting next month, and they should be ready for use by fall 2021. The school is working on a financial model to develop and rent out athletic facilities when the school is not using them, as well as a public/private partnership for sharing some of the school’s indoor space such as labs.

The entrance to Minuteman High School. (Photo by Alice Waugh)

The new facility reflects a sea change from how vocational education has evolved. In the 1960s when the school opened, the curriculum focused on trades such as carpentry, plumbing, cooking, and auto mechanics. Students can now choose from courses in areas including digital arts and design, biotechnology, environmental science, and robots and automation, as well as academic subjects and the traditional trades.

“We have built a school that lets us dream big and be brave. We have a place that gives us all a chance to answer the two critical questions we want our students to answer: what do I love to do and what do I do well?” said school superintendent/director Edward Bouquillon at the October 4 ceremony, which also featured a video showing the building and happy students and staff. “For those of you who have been with us since the beginning, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

News acorns

Property tax forum on Tuesday

The Property Tax Study Committee will hold its second public forum on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 7–8:30 p.m. in Town Hall. The group was formed in reaction to concerns about the large tax increase required for the $93 million school project. At its first forum in June, the group presented two possible measures: a means-tested circuit breaker program and a residential exemption for certain properties.

Family fun at Walden Woods Farm

The Lincoln-based Walden Woods Project offers a day of fall-themed family activities at its organic Farm at Walden Woods (1047 Concord Turnpike/Rt. 2 eastbound, Concord) on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. There will be an interactive full-size model of Thoreau’s Walden Pond house, packets of milkweed seeds to plant at home for monarch butterfly habitat, free apple cider and a ”solitude” selfie station. The event is part of the Concord Festival of Authors.

Scarecrow Classic 5K on Oct. 20

The seventh annual Annual Scarecrow Classic on Sunday, Oct. 20 starts at 9:30 a.m. on Codman Road by the fire station and runs along Lincoln’s scenic roads, fields, and trails. Proceeds from this event support the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT). After the race, there will be a raffle with prizes, live music, cider donuts, seasonal soup, and prizes for the top three runners in each age category. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance at the LLCT offices, from LLCT trustees, or on October 14 before the race. Register online or at the event starting at 8 a.m. Visit scarecrowclassic5k.com for the route map and online registration.

Tales from the Night at Drumlin Farm

Put on your favorite costume, grab a flashlight, and join us for Tales of the Night — the silliest, spookiest, and most family-friendly Halloween tradition on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25 and 26 at Drumlin Farm, from 6:30–9p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Visitors will have the chance to:

  • Explore the farm at night lit by our display of over 100 jack-o-lanterns
  • Meet some of the nocturnal wildlife of Massachusetts
  • Enjoy spooky treats, spider cider, and witch’s brew at the ghoulish graveyard
  • Step into a story on our Nursery Rhyme Trail to meet your favorite characters
  • Get a festive face painting at the Crossroads Barn
  • Venture out into the fields for a haunted hayride full of spooky surprises for the brave at heart (7–8:30 p.m.)

Tickets are available via advance purchase only — admission cannot be purchased at the gate. Mass Audubon members: $15. Nonmembers: $17. Free for children under age 2. Register early, as this event often sells out.

Police log

October 4

60 Baker Bridge Rd. (3:58 p.m.)
Report of a tree on wires.

34 Laurel Drive (4:11 p.m.)
Wellbeing check requested for a resident; everything was fine with the individual.

145 Lincoln Rd. (4:48 p.m.)
Parking complaint in the resident lot. Violators ticketed.

Lincoln Road (5:34 p.m.)
Reports of a person walking along the road yelling. Area checked; person was gone upon officers’ arrival.

45 Birchwood Lane (6:16 p.m.)
Person locked out of their house.

October 5

North Great Road (2:49 a.m.)
Tree fell and left debris in the roadway.

53 Wells Rd. (1:44 p.m.)
Wellbeing check of an elderly party. All is well.

99 Conant Rd. (9:26 p.m.)
Complaint of cars parked along the roadway, causing an issue with other cars being able to pass. Vehicles were moved along.

October 7

Concord Road (11:46 a.m.
Tree branch fell, striking a passing vehicle; report taken.

40 Windingwood Lane (12 p.m.)
Assisting a party who lost personal documents.

16 Deerhaven Rd. (11:29 p.m.)
Party reports a party possibly came to his door from a utility company. Area checked; unable to locate anyone.

October 8

Concord Road (8:12 a.m.)
One-car crash vs. tree; no injuries.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (6:06 p.m.)
Car crash. State Police on scene handling; no injuries.

October 9

138 Trapelo Rd. (1:45 p.m.)
Caller reports an odor of natural gas. Fire Department checked the area; gas readings were negative.

North Great Road at Bypass Road (4:52 p.m.)
Road rage incident occurred. Unable to locate vehicle.

October 10

Codman Road near Rt. 126 (12:37 p.m.)
Car fire.

179 Sandy Pond Rd. (4 p.m.)
Assisted a party with information on a civil matter.

Applications open for Oriole Landing affordable units

A January lottery date for affordable units in the 60-unit Oriole Landing development under construction in Lincoln has been announced, with applications due on December 11.

Oriole Landing, a 60-unit rental development under construction in Lincoln, will have 15 units reserved for those earning a maximum of 80% of the area median income, and 70% of those affordable units will have a local preference. Applicants qualify for local preference if they or a member of their household fit into one of the following categories:

  • a current resident of Lincoln
  • an employee of the town of Lincoln (including Lincoln Public Schools)
  • an employee of a business located within the town of Lincoln
  • a parent or guardian of children attending the Lincoln Public Schools (including METCO students)

Rent prices, income maximums, lottery information packets and downloadable applications are available at www.s-e-b.com/lottery, or call 617-782-6900 ext. 1. 

There will be an informational session on the application process for the lottery on Thursday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Tarbell Room at the Lincoln Public Library. Completed applications are due by Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. The lottery will be held on January 9, 2020 at 6 p.m. at the library.

Residents approved the project by Civico Development at the Annual Town Meeting in March 2018.

Ceremony marks launch of EV charging stations at Drumlin Farm

Officially launching Drumlin Farm’s new EV charging stations this week were (left to right) Mass Audubon VP for operations/CFO Bancroft Poor, PowerOptions president and CEO Cynthia Arcate, Eversource electric vehicle infrastructure project lead Sean Tully; Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary education manager Jennifer Feller; and Horizon Solutions business development manager Jessica Cardona. (Photo: Mass Audubon/Kelly Moffett)

Visitors and staff at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary can now power their electric cars with two new electric vehicle charging stations, allowing for eco-friendly visits to the popular working farm and nature center.

Each of the two EVC stations is capable of charging two cars. One station was donated by the nonprofit PowerOptions, New England’s largest energy-buying consortium. Eversource paid for and coordinated the infrastructure improvements needed to power the stations, and Horizon Energy Solutions handled installation, which was completed in July.

“Drumlin Farm is proud to be making a difference in providing education and motivation for a healthier and sustainable world,” Sanctuary Director Renata Pomponi said at an October 7 ribbon-cutting event to inaugurate the power stations. “We’re grateful for the donation from PowerOptions and the infrastructure support from Eversource to help us reach our goal of reducing our own carbon footprint and providing opportunities for our visitors to ‘drive green’ on their trips to the farm.”

PowerOptions’ EV Charger Program offers discounts to its members on equipment and software, as well as assistance during installation, configuration, and operation. The nonprofit organization delivers cost savings and predictability to other nonprofits and the public sector in Massachusetts, Connecticut. and Rhode Island. 

Drumlin Farm is one of 11 wildlife sanctuaries owned and managed by Mass Audubon, the state’s largest nature conservation nonprofit, that now have EV charging stations for public use.

News acorns

Film: “The River and the Wall”

There will be a free screening of the documentary “The River and the Wall” on Friday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Filmmaker Ben Masters and colleagues traveled 1,200 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border via horse, mountain bike, and canoe. Sponsored by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee.

Event focuses on climate change

The topic of Lincoln’s first Drawdown Forum sponsored by several town organizations will be “Finding Optimal Solutions to a Changing Climate: Closing the Sequestration Gap” on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the First Parish Church. The speaker is William Moomaw, professor emeritus of international environmental policy at Tufts University. Food and conversation begin at 6:30 p.m. and the program begins at 7 p.m. Sponsored by Mothers Out Front Lincoln, the Green Energy Committee and the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee, with support from the First Parish Green Committee, St. Anne’s Climate Justice Ministry, Codman Community Farms, the Conservation Commission, the Lincoln Land Conservation trust, and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

Sonic Liberation Players concert

The Sonic Liberation Players, including Lincoln husband-and-wife musicians Jessica Tunick Berens (third from left) and Trevor Berens (far right).

The Lincoln-based Sonic Liberation Players begin their fourth season with a concert celebrating their roots on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The concert features three rarely performed pieces by Cage (including two solos) and two of Feldman’s mind-expanding mid-career works), along with music by James Tenney and Stephen “Lucky” Mosko, SLP co-founder Berens’s composition teachers at the California Institute of the Arts. Also on the program is a revision of his “Cella Duru” for varied sextet. Tickets are $15 at the door.

Programs for all ages at Minute Man NHP

Halloween lantern walks
Saturdays, Oct. 19 and 26 from 5:30–6:15 p.m.
Hartwell Tavern (112 North Great Rd., Lincoln)
Celebrate Halloween with the Guild of Historic Interpreters on slightly spooky lantern walks (for younger children) down the Battle Road Trail to meet the spirits of 1775. Free; recommended for children 6 and under.

“Revolutionary Dog: Paws for the Cause”
Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2 p.m.
Minute Man Visitors Center (250 North Great Rd., Lincoln)
Join a park ranger for a guided walk on Battle Road Trail to explore the lives of dogs in colonial America. Visitors are welcome to bring their own dogs.

Historic fencing workshop
Saturday, Nov. 2 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
Noah Brooks Tavern (33 North Great Rd., Lincoln)
Learn about the various methods of colonial and contemporary livestock fencing and help repair the park’s livestock fencing. Wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch and water. Pre-registration required; email margie_coffin_brown@nps.gov.

Oct. 9 service for Ted Rhoades, 1926–2019

Ted Rhoades

Theodore C. “Ted” Rhoades of Lincoln passed away on October 6, 2019 at the age of 92. Ted was predeceased by Anna, his wife Anna Lou of 58 years, and his parents Otto and Helen (Schwerdtle) Rhoades. He is survived by his niece Carolyn Pratt and family, nephew Chip Pratt and Mel, and nephew Scott O’Neil and family), as well as many close friends.

Ted was born December 31, 1926. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 during WW11 & served there until 1959, when he was honorably discharged as an appointed lieutenant (jg). During his time in the Navy, Ted attended Princeton University and graduated in 1949. He then began his long career at Turner Construction Co., retiring in 1989. Not interested in being idle, he founded Ted Rhoades Consulting.

As an active member at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston, Ted enjoyed visiting the sick and elderly to pray and give communion to them. Ted loved people, playing tennis, the arts (BSO and ballet) and the Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He and his wife enjoyed traveling around New England attending art shows.

A service will be held at The Commons in Lincoln on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Police log

September 27

Bypass Road (12:30 p.m.)
Three-car motor vehicle crash; one person transported to the Emerson Hospital.

83 Page Rd. (11:08 p.m.)
Resident had a civil matter with parties renting the property. Officers spoke with the resident to assist.

September 28

37 Lincoln Rd. (6:08 a.m.)
Resident reported a raccoon came into their house and left soon thereafter; officer response cancelled.

September 29

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:12 a.m.)
Saul Escobar-Barrera, 25, of Leominster was stopped and arrested for two outstanding warrants and also charged with driving on a suspended license. He was transported to Concord Court in the morning.

September 30

Silver Hill Road (9:28 a.m.)
Motor vehicle crash; no injuries.

Lexington Road at Bypass Road (3:36 p.m.)
Motor vehicle crash; no injuries.

Codman Community Farms (1:05 p.m.)
Customer left his wallet behind and another customer took it. It was found that the customer returned the wallet to its owner; no larceny.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:35 p.m.)
Caller reported car pulled over with driver slumped over the wheel. Officers checked the area; nothing found.

Mt. Misery parking lot, 60 South Great Rd. (7:48 p.m.)
Unattended vehicle parked in the lot. Vehicle later left the lot.

49 Round Hill Rd. (3:00 p.m.)
Family member unable to make contact with relative at the residence. Officers spoke to the resident and advised them to call the reporting party.

North Great Road (4:58 p.m.)
One-car crash Rte. 2A near Bedford Road where car drove into the woods. Sole occupant transported to Lahey Clinic with minor injuries.

4 Boyce Farm Road  (7:38 p.m.)
Officers spoke to the resident in regards to an ongoing civil matter.

October 1

Lincoln Police Dept. (9:25 p.m.),
Operator fell off his moped in front of police station. No injuries; driver cited for motor vehicle violations.

51 Wells Rd. (7:44 p.m.)
Caller reported finding a nail in her vehicle’s tire; not sure if it was intentional or not, requested extra patrol checks of the area.

263 Concord Rd. (10:38 p.m.)
Callers reported what sounds like a fight at the location. When officers arrived a party was ongoing, no fighting found. Officers spoke to the resident, who ended the party.

October 1

Lincoln Road in area of Wells Road (6:03 a.m.)
Caller reported an elderly female walking in the roadway. Officers and the caller assisted her back to her Wells Road residence.

145 Lincoln Road (12:38 p.m.)
Caller reports solicitors or protestors loitering around Donelan’s. The individuals were gone when the officer arrived.

69 Page Rd. (7:16 p.m.)
Resident reports their dog was missing. The dog was later found by a neighbor and the owner was notified.

October 2

Old Bedford Road (7:26 a.m.)
Police and fire responded to reports of a bicyclist who fell off their bike, injuring themselves. Officers and fire personnel located the cyclist and found no injuries.

Lincoln Road (1:02 p.m.)
Child reportedly fell off their bike on the sidewalk of Lincoln Rod. Fire Dept. transported the child with minor injuries to Emerson Hospital.

60 Baker Bridge Rd. (5:07 p.m.)
Officer assisting a resident with a civil matter.

51 Wells Rd. (9:57 p.m.)
Resident called reporting they didn’t like their neighbor’s Halloween decorations. Officer responded and advised the reporting party it wasn’t a police matter.

October 3

39 Lexington Rd. (1:48 p.m.)
Resident turned in old ammunition and firearms to be destroyed.

Lincoln Road (4:31 p.m.)
Parking complaint about non-residents parking in the resident lot. Officer responded and issued a parking ticket.

Tower Road (5:46 p.m.)
Caller reports a teenager near the railroad tracks. Officer located the party who was taking videos of passing trains.

40 Beaver Pond Rd. (9:12 p.m.)
Resident reported being scammed out of money from an unknown party.

Boys from two continents join to build birdhouses for charity

Richard Kelleher (right), father of two Lincoln Boy Scouts, helps South Sudanese boys build birdhouses in Bemis Hall.

On a recent Saturday night, the Lincoln Boy Scouts helped South Sudanese boys construct dozens of bird houses to help fund the ongoing operations of the Lincoln-based South Sudanese Enrichment for Families (SSEF).

Bemis Hall was buzzing with energy as Scouts and members of the Sudanese community and Boy Scouts worked side by side assembling wren and bluebird houses along with bird feeders.

“I am so so grateful to the Boy Scouts who made birdhouses with the Sudanese — they are incredible!” said Susan Winship, executive director of SSEF, which had its origins in helping resettle some of the “Lost Boys of Sudan.” Local artists who are interested in painting those birdhouses should call her at 781-424- 8774. The birdhouses will be sold at a gala in May celebrating the “lost boys” being in America for 20 years.

The Boy Scouts are accepting new members in grades 6-10. The troop meets Thursday nights from 7–8:30 p.m. For more information, contact Mark Soukup, troop leader, at nickandnate@comcast.net.

Ceremony marks official opening of new Hanscom Primary School

Preparing to cut a ribbon marking the official completion of the new Hanscom Primary School on October 2 were (left to right) Col. William Conde, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers New England District commander; Jonathan Braley, J&J Contractors president; Stephen Donley, Department of Defense Education Activity facilities chief; Dr. Rebecca McFall, Lincoln’s superintendent of schools; Tara Mitchell, Lincoln School Committee chair; Julie Vincentsen, Hanscom Primary School principal; and Col. Chad Ellsworth, Hanscom Air Force Base installation commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Jerry Saslav)

(Editor’s note: This is an edited version of an article by Mark Wyatt, 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs, that was posted on the Hanscom Air Force Base website. It is republished here by permission.)

Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this week to mark the completion of the $37 million, 80,000-square-foot multistory Hanscom Primary School. The school replaces a 1950s-era primary school with contemporary learning space.

Becky McFall, Lincoln’s superintendent of schools, called the facility “the most incredible primary school learning environment I have ever seen in my 35 years in education.”

“The opening of the Hanscom Middle School, and now the Hanscom Primary School, has reinforced the concept that a building is so much more than bricks and mortar; it is a catalyst for change and a launchpad into the future of education,” McFall said.

The ceremony included comments from Jon House, the military and veterans liaison for U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, who represents Lincoln and other nearby towns. “By opening this primary school on base, it ensures the sacrifices our service members make are rewarded with the best possible education for their children,” he said on behalf of Clark. “It is my belief that Hanscom is one of the best military bases in the country, and the opening of a brand-new school within the bounds of that base only reinforces that belief.”

“The Hanscom Primary School represents our vision for an environment that engages students in their learning, develops students who are problem-solvers and critical thinkers and assists children in developing the ability to collaborate and to create caring relationships,” McFall said.

The building’s design fully integrates the primary school with the new Hanscom Middle School, which opened in 2016. It incorporates “21st century school” concepts such as learning neighborhoods, central hubs surrounded by learning studios, flex labs, an information center annex, commons area for dining and social networking, therapy rooms, teacher work areas, counseling areas, storage, administrative offices and other required areas for a fully  functioning facility.

Like the 85,000-square-foot middle school, the new primary school includes indoor and outdoor learning spaces and features that are environmentally friendly, including photovoltaic panels, rainwater harvesting, solar hot water, high-performance HVAC, and energy-efficient lighting systems.

Both of Hanscom’s schools are built and supported entirely by the federal government and are operated via contract by the Lincoln Public School system. The Department of Defense Education Activity required that the Hanscom schools meet educational standards outlined on its 21st Century Learning website.

The new Hanscom schools were designed by EwingCole, which is partnering with Symmes, Maini and McKee Associates (SMMA) in designing the renovated Lincoln School, which recently took delivery of the portable classrooms that had been used at Hanscom Primary.

“A world of possibilities awaits our school family this year in this new school,” said Hanscom Middle School Principal Julie Vincentsen, who served as emcee for the ceremony. Staff members from the offices of U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, as well as local and state representatives, also attended the ribbon-cutting.