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

Businesses close due to Covid-19, but town services carry on

Businesses
Town government
Social services
Police and fire
Schools
(Editor’s note: This story was posted Tuesday evening and updated at 11 p.m. to include more information from the schools.)

By Alice C. Waugh

All nonessential businesses are closed in Massachusetts until April 7 as ordered by Gov. Baker on March 23, but the town’s vital services are operational, officials reported at a Board of Selectmen meeting conducted online via Zoom on March 23.

Public safety/law enforcement, health care and public health, water and sewer services, and public works are all exempt from the order. “For many of these offices, emergency operations are second nature,” with protocols already in place in case of natural disaster or national emergencies like 9/11, Town Administrator Tim Higgins said.

Here are some of the brick-and-mortar business categories particularly relevant to the Lincoln area that are closed:

  • Landscaping services (except emergency tree work)
  • Gift and antique shops
  • Dry cleaners (laundromats and laundry services may operate)
  • Barbershops, hair and nail salons
  • Professional offices (law, real estate, architecture, accounting, etc.) Exceptions: legally mandated activities and critical sector services, or those where failure to provide such services would result in “significant prejudice”
  • Gyms, fitness centers, indoor pools
  • Indoor arts and recreation (video arcades, bowling alleys, movie theaters, museums, etc.). The outdoor deCordova Sculpture Park is open and free, but no restrooms are available.

Public-facing businesses and employment categories that are exempt from the lockdown include the following (click here for a detailed list):

  • Restaurants (takeout and delivery only; no dining in)
  • Health care, including physicians, home health aides, social workers, dentists, veterinarians, medical lab personnel, assisted living facilities, and residential facilities for psychiatric and disabled patients
  • Pharmacies
  • Convenience stores
  • Farms and grocery stores (anyone involved in food production, inspection, distribution, and sales)
  • Stores that sell pet supplies, auto supplies, hardware and home improvement items, home appliances
  • Gas stations and auto repair shops
  • Liquor stores
  • Hotels
  • Bank ATMs (maintenance, armored cars)
  • Sanitation/garbage removal
  • Maintenance and construction for both public and private customers (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, exterminators, inspectors, etc.)
  • Funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries
  • Workers in medical and public health records, cybersecurity, and other information technology functions that can’t be carried out remotely
  • Providers of food, shelter, social services, and other necessities for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals
  • Medical marijuana dispensaries
    • No recreational sales, but the state Cannabis Control Commission is allowing health care providers to certify medical marijuana patients through a telehealth waiver, rather than requiring in-person visits

Police have been fielding questions this week about where people are allowed to go during the lockdown. The governor’s order does not forbid Massachusetts residents from leaving home or traveling, but the Department of Public Health has issued an advisory for those 70 and older or with underlying health conditions to stay at home except for “essential trips for food, medicine, and focused time for exercise and fresh air.”

As far as enforcing the business lockdown and other restrictions on public gatherings, “we’re relying more on education and cooperation rather than enforcement,” Higgins said.

Town government

Although Town Hall and Bemis Hall are closed, the town’s social services and Council on Aging (see below) are functioning via phone and email, as are the town’s financial operations and vital records management in the Town Clerk’s office. Except for the selectmen, Board of Health, Finance Committee, and School Committee, town boards and commissions have suspended their work.

As previously announced, the March 28 Town Meetings have been postponed until April 25. The Special Town Meeting was scheduled to vote on supplemental funding for the school project, and the Board of Selectmen will take a formal position on the issue before that vote.

“Once we know whether Town Meeting is moving forward on April 25, the appropriate meetings will be rescheduled. As events unfold, we will make sure that all decision points are transparent,” Selectman Jennifer Glass said. The School Building Committee is scheduled to meet virtually on March 25 to get an update on where the project stands, and to approve any necessary expenditures.

The town is keeping track of expenditures it’s making as a result of the epidemic, and those expenses can be amortized over several years, Selectman James Dwyer said. Higgins said that there will be federal and state money available in the future for reimbursements. The town’s reserve fund is somewhat larger than usual for this time of year because there has been so little money needed for snow removal this winter, he added. 

Social services

As they’ve done in the past during major storms and power outages, police and Council on Aging staff are keeping tabs on specific residents who are “considered vulnerable” with regular check-ins. The COA (which aims to change its name to the Council on Aging and Human Services) is handling calls from people of all ages who need help obtaining food or medicine because of Covid-related loss of income, COA Director Carolyn Bottum reported.

More than two dozen people have volunteered to make deliveries or reassurance calls to Lincolnites in need, and the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry “is literally working night and day” delivering food to cars and homes, as are local churches, and Minuteman Senior Services is still visiting homes when necessary, she said.

Police and fire

The police and fire departments are fully staffed around the clock in the usual eight-hour shifts, though they’ve worked out plans for going to 12-hour shifts to cover absences due to quarantine or illness if necessary, Chief of Police Kevin Kennedy said.

Lincoln and surrounding towns also have mutual-aid provisions in place when extra help is needed. Police departments in the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (comprising more than 60 cities and towns in Middlesex and Essex Counties) can also pool resources to provide extra manpower and specialized units.

Some police departments in the U.S have started to tread lightly when it comes to minor infractions, and Lincoln is no exception. For example, Lincoln police stopped issuing most traffic citations after March 15.

“What we’re trying to do is limit our contact with members of the public that we don’t necessarily need to have to have contact with,” Kennedy told the Squirrel on March 24. “They’re definitely out on patrol and vigilant, but it’s really a discretion thing. Obviously we’ll make a traffic stop or an arrest that needs to be made. I don’t want to say that police aren’t going to do X, Y, or Z.”

Police officers continue to respond along with EMT firefighters to all medical calls in Lincoln, but in non-life-threatening situations, they’re now waiting on scene for the Fire Department to let them know if their help is needed. The Fire Department is also waiving the fee for outdoor burning permits, which residents can obtain in advance by phone. 

Residents shouldn’t let virus fears prevent them from calling for medical help, said Deputy Fire Chief Brian Young. EMTs wear masks on all calls, and the ambulances are regularly sanitized. “We’re fearful that people might sit at home and wait and wait and wait,” he said. “We don’t want to overwhelm hospitals, but people who need care can still call. It’s kind of a delicate balancing right now.”

The Police Department’s mental health and domestic violence staff are still at work, Kennedy said. Although court schedules have been adjusted since the Covid-19 outbreak, residents can still obtain restraining orders and harassment prevention orders, he added.

“The response as a community has been outstanding. People have been very cooperative and supportive and have been staying home,” Kennedy said. He also thanked Minuteman High School for its recent donation of personal protective equipment to police. Many of those supplies are on backorder even for first responders, “and I can’t thank them enough.”

Testing kits for Covid-19 are in short supply, but public safety and medical personnel with official ID can get drive-through testing at the CVS in Shrewsbury, he noted.

Schools

The decision to close the schools as of March 13 was made late in the evening of March 12, so there was almost no time to plan ahead, but since then the district has been working on three core areas: access to food, technology, and learning resources.

As of March 23, Lincoln Public Schools are providing free lunch deliveries twice a week for 52 students in 31 families in Lincoln, Boston and Hanscom Air Force Base who indicated their need in a survey, “and I’m expecting those numbers will rise as we move forward,” said Superintendent of Schools Rebecca McFall, adding that Donelan’s had donated 400 paper grocery bags for packing and delivering the food. The schools are also bringing loaned laptops, Chromebooks, and iPads to families who need them for educational purposes.

McFall told parents in a March 24 email that the schools are launching BrainPop, Dreambox, Lexia, and Newsela to additional grade levels. General-education classroom teachers have also been asked to offer one session via Google Meet (a videoconferencing app) for their students this week and two sessions per week moving forward. Instructions for parents on connecting with these resources will be forthcoming.

“The purpose of these Google Meets is to connect teachers to students and students to each other, to say hello, to talk about what students are doing, to practice mindfulness or other coping strategies, etc. Think of it as a morning meeting or advisory,” McFall wrote. Administrators and faculty are developing more structured methods that may include live and/or pre-recorded learning sessions with the goal of helping parents create a daily educational plan for children.

“This is new for all of us and we are building the plane as we fly it, continuing to make child-centered decisions about next steps,” McFall wrote. “While our beginning steps may not seem adequate at this time for long-term learning and I understand you may have a desire or an expectation for more, please know that we are working with faculty to continue to develop and define learning opportunities for students that are responsive to their needs.”

Minuteman donates protective equipment to police, fire departments

Police officers from Lexington and Lincoln arrive at Minuteman High School to pick up donations of personal protective equipment to assist in the coronavirus emergency on March 23 in the school’s automotive shop. (Minuteman Photo)

Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School on Monday donated more than 300 packages of various types of personal protective equipment (PPE) to the Lexington and Lincoln police and fire departments, along with Emerson Hospital in Concord, to assist in the coronavirus response.

Minuteman joins several other vocational-technical high schools across Massachusetts that have donated items such as face and respirator masks, hospital gowns, gloves, eyewear, and hand sanitizer amid a global shortage of such items during the public health crisis.

Minuteman, like other vocational-technical schools, has PPE on hand for students in programs such as biotechnology, environmental science, health assisting, culinary arts, cosmetology, automotive technology, electrical, carpentry, and early education. Donations were also received from the nurse’s office, science classrooms, and administrative offices. 

“Thank you so much to Minuteman,” the Lincoln Police Department wrote on its Facebook page. “We’re certainly receiving this in a time of need, as such equipment is on backorder.”

“The police, fire, and medical workers in our communities are putting their health at risk everyday to care for us during this unprecedented emergency,” said Edward A. Bouquillon, Superintendent-Director for Minuteman. “At Minuteman High School, many of our students are the next generation of nurses and EMTs. Helping one another through any sort of crisis is part of who we are.”

Minuteman has also donated food to local organizations providing free food during the Covid-19 emergency.

 

Social distancing, socially (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Residents in the Beaver Pond Road neighborhood who put together a mailing list to keep in touch during the Covid-19 emergency came up with the idea of a “socially distant walkabout.” The first walk on March 20 featured chalk art in the street and celebratory decorations courtesy of Susan Demchak and Nancy Fincke. After one of the walks, Kip and Kallie Kumler handed out bottles of their Turtle Creek wine to those who completed the loop. The Beaver Pond Loopers now walk every day at 5 p.m. Resident Allen Vander Meulen reported that there were at east 30 people participating on Saturday, March 21.

The Beaver Pond Loopers hit the road with colorful pink streamers.

The Beaver Pond Loopers hit the road with colorful pink streamers.

Leading the way on the first Beaver Pond Loopers walk is AJ Vander Meulen on his pony Pete, followed by his mother, Stephanie Smart, leading their miniature horse Zeus. (Photos by Allen Vander Meulen)

Spacing it out

Residents line up at a safe distance to make purchases at Codman Community Farms. (Photo by Susan Welsh)

Resident at The Commons found to have Covid-19

Here is the latest Lincoln news pertaining to the Covid-19 epidemic.

The Commons in Lincoln informed families on March 21 that one of their residents has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now receiving treatment. The person has been quarantined and will remain out of community until health authorities give clearance to return, according to the email from Bob Moran, senior vice president of operations for Benchmark Senior Living, which owns The Commons.

Administrators contacted public health authorities and enacted their response plan, which includes evaluating which residents and associates had high exposure to this individual. Residents who had high exposure are being quarantined and associates who had high exposure are being told to stay home. 

As part of these protective measures for residents and associates of The Commons, visitors are restricted to healthcare providers or family members providing direct care or visiting loved ones receiving end-of-life care, and The Commons has suspended all new resident move-ins. The facility is following these guidelines from state and federal health authorities:

  • Staff who are providing resident care to quarantined residents will wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
  • Enhanced cleaning consistent with CDC guidelines
  • Screening all staff for symptoms
  • Taking temperatures daily of all community members

More information can be found on Benchmark Senior Living’s Covid-19 resource page. “As for families and loved ones who are outside our community, we will do all we can to help you remain connected to the resident who is so important to you, as our visitor policies evolve,” Moran said in the email, adding that questions may be directed to healthquestions@benchmarkquality.com.

L-S Mutual Aid Network

Lincoln resident Sydney Kanzer and other Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School graduates have created an L-S Mutual Aid Network to arrange housing, food, transportation, childcare resources for their neighbors during this uncertain time. Learn more on their Facebook page or click here to request help.

Last week, a group of residents including First Parish in Lincoln parishioners issued a similar survey both for those who want to help others and those who need help with food, social services, financial support, elder services, etc. Click here to view the resource list they assembled.

Public invited to another Zoom meeting

Lincoln resident Andy Payne has set up another online meeting for any interested Lincolnites and others to learn more about using the popular free meeting app Zoom and chat about whatever is on their minds on Monday, March 23 at 1 p.m. Just go to  https://zoom.us/j/756351112 to join the meeting and enter meeting code 756 351 112. Anyone needing help in getting Zoom set up before the meeting can email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Once you’ve got the app installed on your phone, tablet, or computer, click on the above link at the scheduled time and it should launch you into the conference. Payne will give some basic lessons and offer a chance for those that aren’t familiar with video conferencing to learn, explore, and fiddle with the settings and features in a low-stakes environment. If you need help getting the app set up, email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Outdoor adventure for kids on Facebook Live

Every Monday at 11 a.m., join Farrington Nature Linc for an outdoor adventure on Facebook Live. On Monday, March 23, our program director Sarah will share Animal Yoga. After the Facebook Live events, they’ll keep the videos on Facebook and will also post them to a new YouTube page (in process) so they’ll be there for you even if you can’t make the live event.

Real restaurant adjusts takeout times

To order from Real’s takeout menu, place your order before 3 p.m. or schedule ahead for later in the week. The menu will update with 1-2 days’ notice. Pickup times are available from 5–7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. At your chosen pick-up time, park in the back of the restaurant and call the restaurant at 781-259-9464. Ruth-Anne or Tom will bring your order out to your car.

Verrill Farm offers takeout sandwiches

Verrill Farm (11 Wheeler Rd. in Concord) has adjusted its hours; it’s now open every day from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. The farm store reports that shelves are fully stocked and they’re receiving deliveries to restock with each day, and have not seen any abnormal product shortages. Its offerings include fresh produce and fruit, dairy products, meats, delicious prepared entrees, soups, and baked goods from the farm kitchen. Click here to order sandwiches online. Click here to learn about their safety procedures.

Library increases Hoopla download limit, offers e-cards

The Lincoln Public Library has increased the number of Hoopla downloads you can get from six per month to 10. Hoopla allows immediate access to movies, music e-books, and audio books for adults & children. For information on joining Hoopla, please visit www.lincolnpl.org. All of the library’s electronic services can be found on this page.

If you’re new to the library and have never gotten a permanent library card, you can get a temporary e-card. During the Covid-19 emergency, the Minuteman Library Network has enabled e-card users to access the Lincoln Library’s online services. To apply for an e-card, click here.

The library’s engage service will be offering open access to some of its resources to support online learning for students of all ages (PreK to undergraduate). The library will post links on its home page with directions for logging in. Anyone with questions may email lincoln@minlib.net

Clark Gallery

The Clark Gallery in the Lincoln mall is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m.–6 p.m. and any time by appointment. “To provide a calm oasis for reflection, a call to the gallery would be most appreciated prior to your visit,” they wrote. The phone number is 617-386-6115.

Selectmen to meet next week; playgrounds closed

Here’s the latest news about Lincoln’s response to the Covid-19 epidemic.

Zoom meeting open to all

Lincoln resident Andy Payne has set up another online meeting for any interested Lincolnites to learn more about using the popular free meeting app Zoom and chat about whatever is on their minds on Friday, March 20 at 1 p.m. Just go to https://zoom.us/j/494878673 to join the meeting. Anyone needing help in getting Zoom set up before the meeting can email Payne at andy@payne.org.

Board of Selectmen to meet online

The Board of Selectmen will meet online on Monday, March 23 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. Though most of Lincoln’s boards and commissions are no longer meeting due to the epidemic, selectmen and some other officials will meet online since Gov. Baker last week relaxed aspects of the Open Meeting Law to allow this, as long as the public can see and hear the meetings in real time.

Residents who want to watch the meeting can do so by going to https://zoom.us/j/437201565 and entering this meeting ID: 437 201 565. If there are insoluble technical issues that prevent public access during the meeting, selectmen will post an audio or video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the Town of Lincoln website.

The meeting will cover updates on the public health emergency response and potential votes to clarify or confer certain emergency authorities. Click here for the agenda.

Playgrounds closed

As part of the ongoing efforts to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, Lincoln’s playgrounds and play structures will be closed until further notice. Athletic fields are closed to group gatherings and sporting activities/events. Town parks will remain open and residents are encouraged to continue using public, open spaces while practicing the CDC guidelines for social distancing and hygiene.

Council on Aging offers volunteer updates

The COA is providing periodic updates to the groups who are organizing volunteers to let everyone know what everyone else is providing, assist in sharing resources, give information about best practices, pass on news about benefits available to residents in need, offer links to potential sources of funding, and more. If you or your organization would like to be on the list to receive these updates, please contact Carolyn Bottum, COA director, at bottumc@lincolntown.org.

For those making deliveries to residents, the COA and Tricia McGean, Lincoln’s public health nurse, have developed a protocol to help ensure the safety of both the volunteer and the person receiving the items. This is based on CDC guidelines as well as other protocols in use by area organizations.

  1. Have disposable gloves, disinfectant wipes and a plastic trash bag with you.
  2. Call the person in advance to tell them when you will arrive, and arrange for a place where you can leave the items.
  3. Wipe down the items you will be delivering (if applicable) and use gloves to handle them. You do not want to contaminate the items with the virus before you give it to the person.
  4. When you arrive, call the person to let them know you will be leaving the items in the pre-arranged place.
  5. Leave the items in the pre-arranged place and leave. Do not enter the person’s house, have an in-person conversation, etc. Again, you are risking infecting both yourself and the person you are serving.
  6. Throw away your gloves in the plastic trash bag after delivery, use hand sanitizer if available, and dispose of the bag.  

As a reminder, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Council on Aging is still providing:

  • Social work and other social services, including information and referral, case management, crisis intervention, and phone check-ins with residents who are at special risk due to COVID-19.
  • Telephone reassurance with volunteers by phone.
  • Coordination of delivery of food, medication, and supplies to residents in need.
  • Emergency financial assistance to residents who have received eviction or utility shut-off notices.

By next week they hope to have online fitness classes, but this is still a work in progress.

Today’s Covid-19 updates for Lincoln

Donelan’s

Because a number of items are in short supply, Donelan’s has temporarily suspended its online shopping and delivery service. Lincoln store manager Jason Deveau told the Squirrel on Wednesday that the five-store grocery chain is considering offering early-morning hours exclusively for seniors to minimize their risk of public exposure, but stores would follow whatever policy the company is decided and can’t act individually.

As far as general restocking goes, the store is not always getting everything it orders, but deliveries continue. “Right now we’re doing the best we can ordering stuff, but I just don’t know what time or day things will come in,” Deveau said.

Other options for food and medication home delivery can be found here.

Transfer station

In an effort to minimize crowding at the transfer station, the Department of Public Works will has added Monday hours to the customary Wednesday and Saturday schedule. Effective Monday, March 23, the facility will be open Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. As announced earlier, the swap table program has been indefinitely halted.

Real

Real is now offering takeout brought to your car three evenings a week. Please place your order before 5 p.m. with 30 minutes’ notice, or schedule ahead for later in the week. Pickup times are available from 5–6:45 p.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. At your chosen pick-up time, park in the back of the restaurant and call the restaurant at (781) 259-9464. Ruth-Anne or Tom will bring your order out to your car.

Drumlin Farm

Although Drumlin Farm is closed to the public, farming operations continue, and Drumlin is partnering with Codman Community Farms and Family Dinner to distribute produce. Residents can buy Drumlin Farm produce at the CCF farm store, which is open 24/7, and Family Dinner will deliver boxes of local produce right to your door. This week, Drumlin Farm is harvesting spinach, arugula, pea shoots, bok choy, and tatsoi for these partners, and is optimistic that they’ll be able to provide another season of CSA shares starting in May. If you haven’t already registered for one of its seasonal programs, shares are still available.

Educational offerings

Dozens of past presentations, including Lincoln Academy and other Council on Aging events, Bemis Lectures, and events hosted by the Lincoln Historical Society, Lincoln Public Library, Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and more are all available for watching on your computer. Find videotaped events by going to lincolntv.viebit.com/ and clicking on an organization or topic from the vertical list of folders on the left.

For those interested in learning a new language or improving their skills,  the library offers Mango, which immerses you in real, everyday conversations in a wide variety of languages. It also features ESL instruction in English, tailored for speakers of more than a dozen languages. Transparent Languages offers courses and supplemental resources for learners of all levels looking to build their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in more than 100 languages. Click here to see links for these programs, as  well as free access to the New York Times online. You’ll need your library card number to log in.

Police log for the week of March 8, 2020

Spring cleanup time is here, and there were several instances this week of people burning brush where the fire got beyond their control. Have a hose nearby (with the outside water turned on!) and remember to get a permit from the Fire Department before you burn anything.

March 8

Tracey’s Corner (12:09 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on the resident who had missed a get-together the previous night. Officer spoke the with party, all is ok and they’ll follow up with the caller.

257 Concord Road (1:51 p.m.) — Multiple 911 calls out an out-of-control brush fire. Lincoln Fire Department responding with Wayland Fire Department assisting. About 1 acre was burned.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:49 p.m.) — Motor vehicle crash. Fire Department transported one party to Newton-Wellesley Hospital with minor injuries; state police also responded.

March 9

Weston Road (1:53 p.m.) — Party came into the station to speak with an officer about a civil matter. Officer took a report to document the matter.

Lexington Road (5:13 p.m.) —  Party reported having a dispute with their neighbor. Officer took a report to document the incident.

Lincoln Road (5:44 p.m.) — Caller complained that the five-way intersection next to the library is generally unsafe. Caller was advised to direct the complaint to the Roadway and Traffic Committee.

Mt. Misery Parking Lot (10:58 p.m.) — Caller reported people in the parking lot being loud and setting off fireworks. Officers moved them along.

March 11

Lincoln Road (1:23 a.m.) — Caller complained about noise from a leaf blower. the owners was advised of the by-law

Conant Road (12:06 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance with shaving her husband. She was advised to contact the Council on Aging for assistance.

Smith Hill Road (2:55 p.m.) — Caller report their two dogs attacked each other. Animal control officer was contacted and advised to handle.

March 12

Virginia Road (1:54 a.m.) — Caller reported a loud noise outside the residence. Officers found it was a septic truck pumping out the septic system after the building had a plumbing issue.

Wells Road (5:42 a.m.) — Confused caller stated there’s someone in her home. Officers checked; all is fine.

Weston Road (2:32 p.m.) — Officer delivered court paperwork to a party.

March 13

Tower Road (12:11 p.m.) — Caller reported an odor of gas at the house. Fire Department checked and found no gas reading on their meter.

Chestnut Circle (10:38 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance with an animal; officer responded and assisted.

March 14

Codman Road 3:11 p.m. —  Caller reported missing items from their house. Possible larceny; investigation is ongoing.

Harvest Circle (8:05 p.m.) — Caller reporting a man with “scruffy” appearance walking on the property. Officers checked the area; unable to locate.

March 15

Trapelo Road (11:58 a.m.) — Small woods/grass fire.

Lincoln Road (3:15 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog sitting on the sidewalk with no leash, not being a bother. Caller was advised that Lincoln does not have a leash law; caller took the dog back to its owner.

North Great Road (5:02 p.m.) — Small woods/grass fire.

Offutt Road (7:23 p.m.) — Caller requested assistance with a family member. Officers spoke to the individual and put family in contact with area social services.

Covid-19 news for March 16

Click here for a collection of previous stories and updates on the effects in Lincoln of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic.

Social services in Lincoln

Bemis Hall is closed, but Lincoln’s social services staff are available by phone or email to help residents of all ages with:

  • Having food and medication delivered
  • Getting emergency financial assistance with rent or utilities
  • Other urgent resource or social service needs

Council on Aging Director Carolyn Bottum is at her desk manning the phone while other social services staff are working remotely. Call 781-259-8811 during regular COA hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) or email bottumc@lincolntown.org 

If you would like to donate funds to help residents who may experience difficulties due to the inability to work or other circumstances during this crisis, please send a check to the Lincoln Emergency Assistance Fund, COA, Town of Lincoln, 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, MA 01773. 

As a reminder, all nonessential Council on Aging activities (classes, tax preparation, transportation, and senior dining) are canceled until further notice.

Town government

In response to the evolving public health emergency, town offices will be closed to the public except by appointment, effective Tuesday, March 17. However, the town’s essential services (public health, public safety, water department, public works, cemetery, inspectional services and Town Administrator Tim Higgins’s office) continue to be staffed and remain fully functional. Contact Higgins at 781-259-2604 or higginst@lincolntown.org, or Assistant Town Administrator Mary Day at 781-259-2603 or daym@lincolntown.org.

Some business transactions (property and excise bill payment, building permits, dog licenses and vital records) have been automated and are accessible through the town’s website at www.lincolntown.org. Anyone having difficulty navigating these services may contact Patrice Brennan brennanp@lincolntown.org.

The town’s key leadership boards, including the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, School Committee, and Finance Committee, will continue to function and coordinate. For the most current public health emergency response information visit: lincolnpublichealthnews.com.

Food pantry

The Lincoln Food Pantry, operated by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) at St. Joseph Church, expects that the need for food and financial support will greatly increase over the coming weeks. SVdP serves 200 clients who live, work or go to school in Lincoln or Weston and also offers emergency financial assistance with rent, utilities, car repairs, medications, etc.

Residents can help by donating nonperishable food. Suggestions of items to add to your shopping list (please make sure the food is within the sell-by date):

  • Progresso soup
  • pasta sauce
  • cereals
  • peanut butter and jelly
  • canned tuna
  • mayonnaise
  • shelf-stable Parmesan cheese
  • crackers
  • cookies
  • gluten-free items
  • paper towels and toilet paper

Food donations may be left at:

  • St. Joseph’s Church, in the vestibule at the side entrance where the ramp is.
  • St. Julia’s Church in Weston, at the back of the church
  • Donelan’s (buy and drop in the collection bin behind the registers)

Deliveries of online orders (without a signature required) from places like Amazon, Amazon Fresh, Walmart, etc., can be sent to Chris Connell, 142, Lincoln Rd., Lincoln MA 01773

To donate funds, please send checks to SVdP, PO Box 324, Lincoln MA 01773, made payable to SVdP. For more information, please contact Ursula Nowak at unowak33@gmail.com or 781 259 4297.

Anyone in need of food may contact Karen Boyce at karenboyce620@gmail.com or 781-259-9303. For emergency financial assistance, contact Tomasina Lucchese at tomasinal@mac.com  or 617-680-4159.

Commuter rail schedule reduced

Starting Tuesday, March 17, the MBTA commuter rail is reducing service. There will be seven trains each way stopping in Lincoln per day, vs. the usual 17. Click here for the train schedule. Subway and bus lines are on a Saturday schedule.

Transfer station

The swap table area at the transfer station will be closed until April 1. Trash and recycling drop-off will continue normally. The Department of Public Works office will also be closed and no new transfer station stickers will be issued until April 1. Questions? Call the DPW at 781-259-8999.

Restaurants

All Massachusetts restaurants have been ordered to stop dine-in service. However, Lincoln’s eateries are adapting. Real is now offering a small selection of family-friendly takeout dinners delivered to your car. Go to www.keepitreallincoln.com/real-takeout/ and place your order by 5 p.m. You can also order from their regular menu by calling 781-259-9464 or ordering from www.keepitreallincoln.com/menu-dinner. Gift cards are also available.

Beginning March 16, the Twisted Tree will start offering delivery to the local community, and will continue to have pick up options available as well. Visit thetwistedtreecafe.com to place your order.

Police Department

The Lincoln Police Department is fully operational but is taking antiviral precautions. “Officers are using lots of Clorox wipes in the cruisers and workstations along with hand sanitizer, and more importantly, washing their hands with soap and water,” Lt. Sean Kennedy said on Monday. “During traffic stops or motor vehicle crashes, officers have been told to verbally obtain the individual’s information vs. handling their paperwork. It’s easy enough for them to check the driver’s information on the computer. Traffic is way down, and our incidents are way down as well. People seem to be hunkering down, which is good.”

School closings extended

Gov. Charlie Baker has ordered all public schools in Massachusetts to stay closed until at least April 6.

Emerson Hospital appeal

Emerson Hospital employees are in desperate need of childcare. If you or someone you know can provide babysitting in their homes, please contact Emerson HR Manager Diana Marzoratti at DMarzoratti@emersonhosp.org.

More information:

Covid-19 updates in Lincoln

Town health and government

The town has established a Covid-19 updates page here. Public health questions should be addressed to Public Health Nurse Tricia McGean at PublicHealthNurse@lincolntown.org. Questions regarding town services and response planning should be directed to Town Administrator Tim Higgins at higginst@lincolntown.org. Board of Selectmen Chair Jennifer Glass is also available to answer questions at selectmen@lincolntown.org.

Town officials will continue to make use of customary communication channels including the town’s website, LincolnTalk, the Lincoln Squirrel, cable television, periodic mailings, reverse 911 phone calls when appropriate, our public safety message boards, and social media.

A group of residents has assembled this list of resources and contacts for those who want to help as well as those who need help during the Covid-19 crisis. 

Lincoln Public Schools

All school events are cancelled and all meetings including staff meetings, professional development, student conferences, IST meetings, and IEP team meetings are cancelled or postponed. All school buildings are closed and no entry will be allowed, except to carry out essential functions related to Covid-19 cleaning or required building and district operations. Administrators are monitoring who enters the building to carry out essential operations and are using strict cleaning protocols following access. 

The state Commissioner of Education has amended the rules so that schools are not required to make up closed days beyond the 185th day on the school calendar. The last day for students on both campuses will be Friday, June 19 as noted on the 2019-2020 academic calendar.

During the closure, schools will not attempt to run school virtually or conduct a formal online learning program, as students have a range of learning needs, access to technology, and levels of support at home. However, they’re providing families with a collection of home learning resources to use as a menu of activities and learning experiences. They are provided “as-is” and will not be evaluated, assessed, or graded.  Assistant Superintendent Jess Rose will share these resources with parents via email by the end of the day on Monday, March 16.

Faculty and staff are checking their email, though they may not be able to respond immediately because they are home with their families. Teachers have been given recommendations for work they can do from home to ensure that they’re fully prepared for the return to school.

Families are reminded that social distancing means staying approximately 6 feet away from others. You may be able to go for a run, hike in the woods, play in the yard or driveway, or have a Skype visit, but not have a group sleepover or multi-person playdate. School administrators strongly urge parents to supervise their children and ensure they are not participating in group activities.

Drinking water is safe

The Covid-19 virus has not been detected anywhere in drinking water, and the Lincoln Water Department assures customers that the town’s water treatment plant is well equipped to remove and disinfect viruses through the filtration and disinfection process. The department is following the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations with treatment requirements for public water systems that prevent waterborne pathogens such as viruses from contaminating drinking water. Click here for more information.

School Building Committee

The March 18 community forum to present items that were to be voted on at the Special Town Meeting. on March 28 has been canceled. The SBC will hold a virtual community forum on a  date to be announced. The March 18 SBC meeting has been rescheduled for Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. The meeting is necessary in order to vote approvals for expenditures, but it will probably take place virtually. This is possible because Gov. Baker signed an executive order that relaxed the Open Meeting Law rules for remote participation. The meeting must still be open to the community and there must be a quorum in order to make decisions, but the quorum does not need to be present in the same location. The town is determining the best way to hold virtual meetings so that the format and accessibility is as uniform as possible.

Parks and Rec

The Parks and Recreation Department has canceled all classes and programs through Friday, March 27. The office along with all school campus buildings are closed for cleaning, and staff will be working remotely. Those with questions may contact Park and Rec Director Daniel Pereira at 781-389-0280 or dpereira@lincnet.org.

Magic Garden

Both locations of the Magic Garden Children’s Center are closed through March 27. On March 13, the preschool disinfected the classrooms and office spaces, and all classroom equipment, toys, and materials at both locations. A professional cleaning company will also complete a deep cleaning process on Monday and Tuesday, March 16 and 17. Although the available information indicates that the Covid-19 virus does not live on soft surfaces, the preschool is also having its classroom rugs and couches disinfected and cleaned.

Magic Garden teachers will be in touch with families on a daily basis to provide them with ideas for things to do with their children at home. They’ve also shared their regular classroom schedules as a guide to support parents. 

Drumlin Farm

Mass Audubon has closed its state headquarters in Lincoln as well as Drumlin Farm and other nature centers, museums, and shops, and all programs are canceled through March 31. For more information about Mass Audubon’s response to Covid-19, visit massaudubon.org/covid19.

Codman Community Farms

Codman Community Farms is open, even as it continues to reassess farm operations each day and makes adjustments as needs dictate. CCF has increased orders with its local vendors and will be receiving deliveries through the upcoming week to keep shelves as full as possible. They’re also reaching out to local farms to see what locally grown produce they can supply, and to help support local growers.

At the farm store, staff are wiping down all surfaces at least twice per day, including all handles and electronic terminals, and they’ve added a second electronic checkout terminal in the barn to speed checkout and reduce congestion. The farm store is open 24/7 so off-hours shopping is encouraged. There is a healthy supply of both pork and beef in farm freezers.

The store is adding new products, with yogurt from Sidehill Farm plus knockwurst and nitrite-free kielbasa hot dogs and locally made pasta (frozen and dried plus sauces) expected this week from Deano’s in Somerville. The hens continue to lay eggs, and a new flock of almost 1,400 hens is due to arrive arrive in less than a month. CCF has increased its grain orders to keep livestock well fed in the coming weeks, and has identified other farms that can fill the gap should inventory run low.

Visitors to the rest of the farm are welcome, but please make sure you’re wearing gloves or wash your hands both before and after leaving the farm, and avoid touching surfaces around the farm if possible. 

Lincoln Public Library

The library is closed until at least March 29. However, its online service Kanopy has assembled a collection of online films that patrons can watch for free for the next 30 days. Kanopy Kids, which offers films and TV series that help children develop empathy, mindfulness, and self-esteem through entertaining and educational videos, is also free online. The library recently added BookFlix, a digital literacy resource for students in grades PreK–3. It pairs classic storybooks with related nonfiction titles and offers many options to read along, listen to stories, and/or watch stories come to life. 

For information on any of of the library’s digital/online services for both adults and kids including audiobooks, movies, magazines and music, visit www.lincolnpl.org. Some services require users to be either a Lincoln residents or Lincoln library card holders.

Stonegate Gardens

Stonegate Gardens is open but is frequently sanitizing shopping carts, work surfaces, countertops, bathrooms, phones (including personal cell phones), and door handles according to CDC standards. They are also having cashiers handle the credit card processor for customers and are discouraging the use of cash. Delivery vehicles (steering wheel, door handles, etc.) are wiped down after every use and drivers are also implementing social distancing.