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

Police log for May 21 – May 31, 2025

May 21

Winter Street (8:31am) — A caller reported a past suspicious vehicle in the area. An officer did a follow-up with the vehicle’s owner.

Lincoln Road (12:19pm) — A caller reported an individual with grocery bags walking on a conservation trail near a residence. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate anyone matching the description.

Wells Road (6:30pm) — An officer helped a resident after speaking with an immediate family member.

May 22

Wells Road (12:43pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on an individual at the request of a family member.

Trapelo Road (9:22pm) — An officer checked the area for the report of loud noise but heard nothing out of the ordinary.

Mayflower Road, Hanscom AFB (10:06pm) — An officer spoke to an individual regarding an ongoing incident.

May 24

Langley Road, Hanscom AFB (8:30pm) — An officer provided directions to a lost motorist.

May 25

Gerard’s Farm Stand (12:54pm) — Lincoln police and fire helped the Massachusetts State Police with a single-vehicle rollover motor vehicle crash.

May 26

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:52am) — An officer provided directions to a lost motorist.

Trapelo Road (5:40pm) — Several people were advised they were not allowed to fish at the Cambridge Reservoir.

Beaver Pond Road (10:27pm) — An officer advised a homeowner to turn down music at an outside event after a noise complaint was received.

May 27

South Great Road (9:32am) — Officers helped two motorists with an information exchange after a minor motor vehicle crash.

Sandy Pond Road (10:45am) — National Grid was notified after a residential natural gas line was inadvertently severed.

Mount Misery parking lot (10:49am) — A two-vehicle crash occurred when a vehicle was struck from behind. There were no injuries reported. The operator responsible for the crash was cited.

Tracey’s Corner (7:58pm) — A caller reported an interaction with a suspicious individual. An investigation is ongoing.

Concord Road (8:23pm) — A caller reported two solicitors trying to sell solar products without proper identification. The area was searched but they were not found.

May 28

Canoe landing parking lot (12:41am) — A caller reported a deer walking in the middle of the road. Officers checked the area and found that the deer had walked into the woods.

Multiple larcenies were reported at locations including Pine Ridge Road and Chestnut Circle — details here.

Bedford Road (7:21am) — A large turtle was reported in the roadway. An officer was able to move it off the road.

South Great Road (11:56am) — An item was turned into the police station for safe disposal/destruction.

Long Meadow Road (2:05pm) — A person asked to speak to an officer regarding some past suspicious activity.

Tracey’s Corner (4:30pm) — An officer conducted a follow-up investigation related to an earlier incident.

May 29

Bypass Road (9:09am) — A caller reported a past deer strike. An officer documented the incident.

Lincoln Road (4:33pm) — A minor hit and run was reported on Lincoln Road when a motorist struck another vehicle but failed to stop after the collision. No one was injured.

South Commons (1:56pm) — A caller reported hearing a single loud bang. Officers checked the area but heard and saw nothing out of the ordinary.

Lincoln Road (6:00pm) — After a one-car crash, the roadway was closed for some time due to utility wires contacting the ground. There were no reported injuries. The vehicle was eventually towed from the scene and the wires were removed by a utility company.

Trapelo Road (7:37pm) — A caller reported two people offering power washing services without proper soliciting credentials. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate them.

Sandy Pond Road (10:21pm) — A caller reported seeing a suspicious motor vehicle in the area. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the vehicle.

May 30

Bedford Road (10:14am) — Officers helped a turtle cross the road.

Lewis Street (6:52pm) — Officers helped an outside agency in locating an individual.

May 31

Winter Street (8:38am) — The Cambridge Water Department reported illegal dumping. An officer arrived and documented the items.

Bedford Road (4:49pm) — A small dog was found wandering in the roadway. It was reunited with its owner a short time later.

Weston Road (6:21pm) — A single-vehicle crash was reported on Weston Road and the road was closed in both directions for several hours due to a damaged utility pole. There were no reported injuries.

Citizens’ petition seeks change in FinCom appointments

A citizens’ petition that will be on the agenda at the Special Town Meeting on June 25 will ask voters to change the way members of the Finance Committee are appointed.

FinCom members are currently appointed by the Town Moderator, but the petitioners seek to have the Select Board appoint members instead.

Suzanne Szeto of Giles Road and The Commons in Lincoln, one of the organizers, emphatically declined to comment last week on the motivation for the proposal, saying that the group will discuss it at the June 16 Select Board meeting. 

News acorns

Drumlin Farm events on Saturday

“Children’s Story Hour: The Great Pollinator Count”
Saturday, May 31 from 11:00am–2:00pm, Mass Audubon Shop at Drumlin Farm
Drumlin Farm Community Preschool teacher Susan Edwards Richmond will present her new community science adventure book, The Great Pollinator Count, and lead children age 3-8 in activities about insect pollinators. Free, but registration is required.

“Bees in the Field”
Saturday, May 31 from 11:00am–1:00pm, Drumlin Farm
Get direct experience working with bees alongside our beekeeper as he cares for the hives at Drumlin Farm. Cost is $35; register here.

Coach for the FIRST Lego League

Join an interactive 90-minute training session designed to learn what coaching an FLL team is all about on Tuesday, June 3 from 6:30–8:00pm in the Lincoln School Learning Commons. Get a feel for how to guide students through challenges, foster teamwork, and encourage innovation — no engineering degree required. Questions? Email hello@gearticks.com.

New Cub Scout program boys and girls

Come to a briefing and info night on Thursday, June 5 at 6:00pm at the Lincoln Public Library about a new Cub Scout program for girls and boys ages 5-10 launching this September. For more information on Cub Scouts, click here or call/text Jennifer Erickson at 978-835-7262 or email jennifer.erickson@scouting.org.

Coming up at the library

“The Siege of Boston, 1775-1776”
Thursday, June 5 from 7:00-8:00pm on Zoom
A talk by Minute Man National Park Ranger Jarrad Fuoss Pat of the Lincoln250 series. Register here.

Pride poster decorating
Saturday, June 7 from 12:30-4:00pm, library reference room
Are you heading to a parade this Pride Month and need a poster to take with you? Come to the library to decorate one.

Saturday math fun with Christine
Saturday, June 7 from 2:00-2:45pm, Tarbell Room
Come listen to a math book read-aloud and try out some fun math games with Lincoln resident and teacher Christine Sizer.

Coming up at the COA&HS

“Live your Best Life” health fair
Friday, June 6 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
Local healthcare vendors and professionals will answer your questions. Free door prizes, blood pressure checks, and chair massages.

“Mixed Messages” staged reading
Friday, June 13 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
WordsMove Theater presents “Mixed Messages” — five 10-minute scenes featuring dueling wits and humor by Massachusetts playwright Jack Neary. The cast includes Lincoln’s Sally Kindleberger, Mary Crowe, Ben Dubrovsky, Alice Waugh, and Corky Becker. Co-Sponsored by Friends of the Lincoln COA and the Lincoln Cultural Council.

Film: “Will and Harper”
Friday, June 6 at 12:30pm, Bemis Hall
In this documentary, Will Farrell and his close friend Harper Steele, who just completed a gender transition, go on a cross-country road trip to explore a new chapter in their relationship.

Garlic mustard volunteer pull day

Help manage invasive garlic mustard across town by pulling on your own property and by joining the Conservation Department and LLCT for a pop-up pull day on Friday, June 6 from 1:00-3:00pm. Garlic mustard season runs through June 13. Click here for more information on getting free bags and dropping them off. 

Bowder and Drake at next LOMA

Gretchen Bowder and Frank Drake will be the headliners at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, June 9 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall. They’re widely recognized as joint members of two regionally famous bands, the Bagboys and the Mudsills. LOMA is a monthly open mike night event with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Come and perform (contact loma3re@gmail.com to sign up) or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Free admission.

Honor your favorite school teacher or staff member

Thank a teacher, staff, or support team member with a personalized HATS certificate (and mini hat) as a gesture of support and celebration of their work. Your gift funds LSF grants to enrich the learning experiences for the Lincoln and Hanscom schools. Place your order by Monday, June 9.

Share your Girl Scout highlights

The Lincoln Girl Scouts are looking for people to share some highlights of your time in Girl Scouting. Send your Girl Scout memories of friendships, leadership training, and adventures to Linda Hammett Ory (LHamme@aol.com) or Tara Mitchell (taramitchell365@gmail.com) before Tuesday, June 10 and pick up a compilation binder and/or poster at their station at Lincoln’s 250th Fair and Feast on Saturday, June 14 from 11:00am-3:00pm.

Learn about sustainable landscaping

Native plant designer and horticulturist Marie Chieppo will discuss “Allowing Your Landscape to Work for You: Designing for Resilience and Sustainability” on Tuesday, June 10 at 7:00pm on Zoom. Register here. Co-sponsored by MetroWest Climate Solutions  and CFREE, a subcommittee of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee.

Donate items for food pantry clients

Sarah Liepert is organizing a drive for clean, gently used children’s and teens’ clothing through Tuesday, June 10. Lincoln Food Pantry clients include approximately 100 children, from toddlers through high schoolers. Sneakers, sandals and summer clothes are especially needed. Drop off items at Sarah’s garage/mudroom door at 108 Trapelo Rd. Questions? Call her at 617-633-3260.

Talk on legacy trees

Mathew Cahill of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will draw upon his career as an urban forestry expert to share ideas and best practices for those interested in tree and forestry preservation in “Tree and Forestry Preservation, and the Massachusetts Legacy Tree Program” on Thursday, June 12 from noon-1:15pm on Zoom. Sponsored by the Lincoln Tree Preservation Study Group, the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT), and Lincoln Conservation Department. Register here.

Jon the Fife & Drum Corps

The Middlesex County 4-H Fife and Drum Corps features youths aged 8-18 who perform in parades and at historical commemorations throughout New England during the year. The corps provides music lessons at Sunday afternoon rehearsals at Bemis Hall and welcome everyone, including those who do not yet play an instrument. Instruments, instruction and most uniform parts are provided without charge. They will be at Lincoln’s 250th Fair and Feast on Saturday, June 14 from 11:00am-3:00pm. Click here or email mc4hfd@gmail.com for more information and events.

Lincoln Kids Triathlon is on June 21

The Lincoln Kids Triathlon is back on Saturday, June 21 for the 21st year. The race starts at 8:30am on Saturday, June 21 at the Codman Pool and kids ages 5-14 are invited to participate. Click here for details on race distances and age groups, and register here. Racers ages 8 and younger are individually accompanied by a guard in the water. The $35 fee includes a T-shirt and a finisher’s medal and lots of memories. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out during the race — email ginger.reiner@gmail.com.

My Turn: Details on the North Lincoln Overlay District

By Margaret Olson

On the issue of zoning: this is not a zoning by-law change. This is a use of the North Lincoln Overlay District, and it easily meets the purpose of the North Lincoln Overlay district:

12.5.1 Purpose

The NL-North Lincoln Overlay District is intended:

(a) to permit greater flexibility in the development of tracts of land by requiring few predetermined standards,

(b) to permit a developer to propose, and for the Town to vote on, a site development and use plan unique to a particular location,

(c) to permit the use of development standards more detailed than the general standards elsewhere in this By-law,

(d) to provide information for the Town to evaluate the potential impacts of a proposed development, and

(e) to enable the Planning Board to require adherence to a site development and use plan in the granting of a special permit.

Other North Lincoln Overlay District projects include Oriole Landing, The Commons, and the North Lincoln office buildings. Both the North and South Lincoln overlay districts give the town flexibility (via a town meeting vote) to approve uses outside of the base zoning and control over how that is done.

The downside is that development under the overlays requires a significant investment by the developer prior to approval without any guarantee that the project will go forward. The answer to “why Civico” is that there are few developers willing to do this: it’s expensive in both absolute terms and opportunity cost. The RLF and other landowners would be in a better negotiating position with respect to developers if there was more flexibility in the by-right uses (base zoning).

Olson is former chair of the Planning Board.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or 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.

Legal notice: Zoning Board of Appeals hearing

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Robert Shaw and Caroline Smart, 19 Juniper Ridge Rd., M/P 119-58-0 for a special permit to install a shed on a non-conforming lot.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

My Turn: Nature Link abutters have been “systematically excluded”

By Cindy Guo and John Li

I live at 96 Page Rd. Along with the residents of 99, 100, and 103 Page Rd., my family and I live immediately adjacent to the Panetta land, where a 20-unit high-density housing development is being proposed. All four of us spoke at the May 27 Planning Board meeting to express our deep concerns about the Nature Link project.

On the map below, our homes are marked with red crosses; Joseph [Kolchinsky]’s, by contrast, is marked with a yellow line. His house is located 2,000 feet away from the Panetta site. In contrast, my house is directly across the street; 103 Page Rd. shares a property line with the proposed development.

As direct abutters, we have been systematically excluded from RLF communications related to this project. Two of our households were never invited to any community meetings, and the other two only received a last-minute flyer for a neighborhood-wide event—distributed weeks after the Select Board had already scheduled a special town meeting at the request of Civico and RLF.

We sent an email outlining our concerns to the RLF chair on May 12, but we received no response. This stands in sharp contrast to the experience of the Farrington abutters, who live further down Page Road and on nearby streets. Many of them were informed about the deal well in advance of the public announcement and have had an ongoing dialogue with RLF board members.

This raises an important question: Why were we treated differently? The answer seems clear. The Farrington abutters benefit from the proposed conservation agreement, which would effectively lock in protection for their rear property lines. Meanwhile, they are far enough removed from the Panetta site to avoid the most significant negative impacts—construction, density, noise, traffic. As Joseph candidly stated at last night’s meeting, this deal gives him greater security against new housing behind his home than any wetland buffer could provide.

At Friday’s RLF meeting, my husband John asked why no alternative proposals had been considered. The executive director replied that housing had to be built somewhere and that “All parties have to make sacrifices.” When my husband asked Joseph how he could celebrate avoiding a single new neighbor while we will face 20, Joseph echoed the same sentiment: “We all have to compromise.” But this is not a fair or proportional compromise. It’s a burden placed disproportionately on a few households without their consent or inclusion.

We have found this process frustrating, disheartening, and at times even demeaning. But not everyone has turned a blind eye. We’ve spoken with many neighbors, including Farrington abutters, who have shown empathy, offered their support, and taken time to hear our concerns. For that, we are deeply grateful.

Everyone in Lincoln should care about this project—not just those who live nearby. First, Civico is again requesting nearly $1 million in taxpayer funding. This is after telling us last year they would never come back to the Town Meeting. They are acquiring the Panetta parcel at market value — re-zoned for far greater density than a private buyer would ever be permitted — and are also being granted several acres of Farrington land for free to install a septic system and additional housing. None of this would be possible without public subsidy.

Second, this sets a troubling precedent. If this rezoning succeeds, what’s to stop similar deals from being made elsewhere in town? Could your neighbor partner with RLF or another group to rezone and develop land next to your home?

We will continue to speak out against this flawed process and advocate for a fair and transparent solution. We hope many of you will stand with us.

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or 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.

Legal notice: HDC public hearing (5 Hawk Hill)

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, to consider the application of 5 Hawk Hill Rd. M/P 182-19-0 to determine the significance of the building. Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Further car breaks-in reported in Lincoln and several other towns

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, May 28, officers responded to multiple calls for car breaks on the south side of Lincoln close to major routes that intersect the town, as well as one stolen motor vehicle (a BMW sedan).

These incidents are similar to those that occurred on May 17 and 24 where several car breaks occurred throughout Lincoln and area towns. Thieves targeted unlocked vehicles, passing on those with locked doors.

Lincoln police, in partnership with departments in towns that were also targeted, are investigating these incidents. Communities reporting similar incidents include Wayland, Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Arlington, Lexington, and Reading.   

Police say it’s imperative for all residents and visitors to lock their vehicles and remove any valuables from view. It’s also crucial for ignition keys or fobs to be removed from vehicles when not in use. 

 

Legal notice: Select Board public hearing (Cellco)

Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless

The Select Board of the Town of Lincoln will conduct a public hearing on Monday evening, June 2, 2025 at 7:00 pm, in the Town Offices – Donaldson Room, in response to an application by Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless for Grant of Location for Small Cell Wireless Communications Facility on a replacement utility pole #43 located along Waltham Road, the nearest site address being 37 Longmeadow Road, Lincoln, MA 01773.

Pursuant to the extension of the remote meeting authorization of the Open Meeting Law through June 30, 2027, under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the Select Board will be conducted as a hybrid meeting, providing the public the opportunity to participate in person or remotely.

Plans are available for review in the Select Board’s Office. Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Lincoln website, at www.lincolntown.org.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Legal notice: Planning Board public hearing (Farrington/Panetta)

TOWN OF LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD

Notice of Public Hearing for Review of a Preliminary Development and Use Plan and Changes to the Zoning Map Pursuant to Section 12.5 of the Zoning Bylaw

Hybrid meeting pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025 which extends through June 30, 2027, the ability of public bodies to meet in a fully remote or hybrid manner. This meeting of the Planning Board will be conducted in hybrid format.

In accordance with the provisions of MGL, Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday June 10, 2025, at 7:01 PM, to review a Preliminary Development and Use Plan prepared by Civico Development for the designation of Planned Development District number 7 within the North Lincoln Overlay District under Section 12.5 of the Zoning Bylaw. The plan proposes 20 detached family homes sharing common land and infrastructure, a farmstand/garden center, and an area subject to a Conservation Restriction.Designation of a Planned Development District requires a Town Meeting vote which will take place on June 25, 2025, to see if the Town will vote to approve:

  • A Preliminary Development and Use Plan which will include a 20-unit housing development with three affordable units on approximately 6.13 acres, a farmstand/garden center located at 281 Cambridge Turnpike on approximately .77 acres and an area subject to a Conservation Restriction on approximately 4.34 acres; and
  • An amendment to the Zoning Map to include the Planned Development District number #7.

Details of the proposed changes are available in the Planning Department, Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts, between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Emailed copies will be provided upon request. The agenda with the Zoom information will be posted to the Town website at lincolntown.org/calendar two days prior to the hearing date.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.