In the July 30 article headlined “Town Meeting discussions begin on September 16,” the link for the new Town Meeting Study Committee page was omitted. The page is here. The original article has been updated.
Town Meeting discussions begin on September 16
Town officials and residents will begin public discussions about how Town Meeting is conducted and how might be improved at a two-session kick-off forum on Monday, Sept. 16 with a virtual morning session at 8 a.m. and an in-person evening session at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln School’s Learning Commons.
The call to reexamine the town’s collective decision-making process arose after the March 2024 Town Meeting where an unexpected amendment to the proposed Housing Choice Act was made on the floor. Controversy swirled over who was allowed to address the audience, and when and where they could speak. There have also been voting confusion and delays at recent Town Meetings.
At the September forum, residents will be invited to share thoughts about the processes leading up to Town Meeting and the protocols of the meeting itself. “Feedback from these sessions will help us identify what is working well, what needs improvement, and the key issues that our soon-to-be appointed Town Meeting Study Committee (TMSC) should consider,” Select Board and Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden wrote in a postcard mailed to Lincoln households. “This work will be conducted with respect for the tradition and norms that have served Lincoln well since the first Town Meeting in April 1754, a commitment to equity, and with recognition that Town Meeting should continue to adapt to the needs and desires of Lincoln’s current residents.”
The town has launched a TMSC web page that thus far includes links to existing town rules, materials from the Massachusetts Moderator’s Association, studies by other towns, and a 2009 report in Lincoln town governance.
Those unable to attend either session on September 16 may email comments to TMSC@lincolntown.org.
Police log for July 13–23, 2024
July 13
Sandy Pond Road (1:41 p.m.) — Several items were turned in to police for destruction.
Giles Road (1:56 p.m.) — A resident called to report animal noises coming from within their walls. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
Battle Road Farm (8:35 p.m.) — A caller reported that a rabbit appeared to be trapped. The property manager was notified.
July 14
Lincoln Road (8:38 a.m.) — A caller reported a missing tabby cat. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
Juniper Ridge Road (10:49 a.m.) — A motorist had pulled off of Route 2 and parked on Juniper Ridge Road to make a phone call.
Baker Bridge Road (2:32 p.m.) — Several illegally parked vehicles were cited on Baker Bridge Road.
Lincoln Road (6:52 p.m.) — Another call about the missing cat was received.
Overflow parking lot, South Great Road (9:42 p.m.) — An officer checked on a parked and occupied vehicle.
July 15
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (8:32 a.m.) — Officers responded to the gas transmission station near Bedford Road for a report of an individual who had established a stand in a tree. Police returned to the site several times over the week. Click here for details.
Tabor Hill Road (12:39 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a resident reporting a suspicious vehicle in their driveway.
Davison Drive (12:45 p.m.) — A resident called to report being the victim of identity theft.
Wells Road (7:33 p.m.) — An officer spoke with an individual regarding a civil matter.
July 16
Oak Meadow Road (8:38 a.m.) — An individual reported being bitten by a dog.
Lincoln School (4:29 p.m.) — A caller reported that their vehicle had been struck while parked at the school.
Chestnut Circle (9:00 p.m.) — An officer helped the Water Department replace a missing cap to an exposed pipe.
July 17
After a truck took out a utility wire, traffic at the five-way intersection at the library was detoured for a period of time. Lincoln police were busy with other calls but a detour was established by the DPW, and mutual aid partners assisted with diverting traffic until the wire was repaired.
Huckleberry Hill (11:42 a.m.) — An officer conducted a well-being check. The person in question was OK.
South Great Road (4:52 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak with an officer about being the victim of credit card fraud.
Concord Road (7:17 p.m.) — Officers checked the area for a female who appeared to be in distress but she was not found.
July 18
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:44 a.m.) — An officer located a stopped vehicle on the off-ramp. The operator of the vehicle, Scott Snow, 39, of Boxford was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor. He was subsequently bailed and ordered to appear at Concord District Court at a later date.
Hanscom Drive (8:51 a.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces requested assistance with an individual who had an active arrest warrant. Robert Baker, 37, of North Attleborough was taken into custody. He was booked and transported to Concord District Court.
Tabor Hill Road (1:21 p.m.) — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle in their driveway. The vehicle was not there when the officer arrived.
Todd Pond Road (2:19 p.m.) — A resident reported being the possible victim of a phone scam.
Old Bedford Road (5:46 p.m.) — A caller reported a turkey running across the roadway.
Donelan’s Supermarket (9:59 p.m.) — A caller reported a woman sleeping on a bench outside the store. She declined any services and wished to remain where she was.
July 19
Lincoln Road (6:20 p.m.) — A caller reported losing their wallet but locating it a short time later.
Old County Road (8:20 p.m.) — A small camp fire was located behind a residence after a report of smoke in the area.
Warbler Springs Road (10:23 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing what they thought were two gunshots. The noise came from fireworks.
July 20
Wells Road (8:49 a.m.) — A caller found a rabbit and requested assistance from the Animal Control Officer.
The Commons of Lincoln (11:23 p.m.) — An officer assisted a resident.
July 21
Trapelo Road (1:32 p.m.) — A caller reported a dog running in the area of the five-way intersection with a leash around its neck. Officers were unable to locate the dog.
Lincoln Road (2:08 p.m.) — A motorist reported their vehicle was struck by a bicyclist. The bicyclist left the area before police arrived.
North Commons (5:05 p.m.) — A caller reported an alarm sounding in their residence. The alarm was caused by a surge protector.
Battle Road Farm (5:52 p.m.) — A caller reported a suspicious vehicle in the area. The vehicle was there for an online transactional purchase.
July 22
Donelan’s Supermarket (1:19 a.m.) — An officer checked on an individual at Donelan’s and then provided them with a courtesy transport.
Lincoln Road (3:15 p.m.) — A caller reported a vehicle traveling down Lincoln Road with their hazard lights on. The vehicle was gone on arrival.
Ridge Road (7:15 p.m.) — An individual reported an ongoing incident with a neighbor.
July 23
Lincoln Road (11:12 a.m.) — A person was evaluated by the Fire Department in the lobby of the station.
Sandy Pond Road (3:08 p.m.) — An officer spoke with a person regarding an ongoing incident.
Old Cambridge Turnpike (4:07 p.m.) — Officers performed a well-being check on an individual but they were not home.
Bypass Road (7:54 p.m.) — Officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Bypass Road at Lexington Road. There were no injuries reported. One vehicle was towed from the scene.
Lincoln School (8:07 p.m.) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person at the school campus. Everything was fine.
Tree-cutting for gas pipeline work in Lincoln draws protesters
Unnamed observers at the Enbridge work site in Lincoln. Route 2 is in the background. (Photo by Protect the Lincoln Forest)
Protests against tree-cutting to allow a gas pipeline equipment next to Route 2 in Lincoln have resulted in at least four arrests.
On Tuesday, July at 11:16 a.m., Lincoln police arrested two people (a 57-year-old from Newton and a 17-year-old from Somerville) for trespassing on the site. Their names were not released because their arraignment has been delayed until January 2025, and the charges will probably be dropped if they aren’t arrested again. The following day, Massachusetts State Police arrested two other people whose names were also not immediately available, but who are not from Lincoln.
A number of environmental activists gathered off Route 2 just east of Bedford Road to protest the tree-cutting that is necessary for a crane to access the site. The crane will be needed for work there to upgrade Algonquin Gas Transmission Pipeline equipment owned by Enbridge. The work is related to a larger project to expand the capacity of the entire pipeline called Project Maple.
The land is owned by the City of Cambridge, which rejected Enbridge’s original plan to pay the city $10,000 in compensation for clear-cutting about 50 mature trees. Enbridge sued, threatening to take the land by temporary eminent domain as permitted by federal law, but later settled on a scaled-back proposal for removing half as many trees. Because the parcel is in Lincoln and has a conservation restriction, Lincoln officials were also involved in the discussions.
The activists on site included a “tree-sitter” who hauled himself high into a tree and lived on a platform there for several days. Videos taken by hum and others in a group called Protect the Lincoln Forest were posted on X on a page called Protect the Lincoln Forest. The tree was not among those slated to be cut down, but in adjacent area of trees in a designated “effort to save” area. The two groups of trees together cover about 9,000 square feet.
Once word got out that the project was about to start, Lincoln’s Conservation Department was flooded with calls and emails protesting the move and the fact that a routine pre-construction site walk before work began was not open to the public. “Most of the calls I’ve received have not been from Lincoln residents,” said Conservation Director Michele Grzenda.
The site walk was undertaken to ensure that proper erosion controls were installed and that the approved limit of work was demarcated correctly in the field, Grzenda said, adding that such walks are not public meetings.
Lincoln police offices on private detail as well as state police have been on site during the protest and tree-cutting activities. Officers working regular shifts have responded when needed, including two well-being checks on the tree-sitter during the week.
Enbridge says that piping more natural gas into the region will help stabilize energy prices, make the electric grid more reliable, and help states meet their climate goals by burning less oil on cold days, according to a January 25 WBUR article. But groups opposing the project including the Sierra Club and the Conservation Law Foundation disagree. The issue has also been covered by Universal Hub (see stories on May 8, May 27, and June 13).
The work in Lincoln is “a maintenance project through which we’re rebuilding an existing meter station to help support the ongoing safe operation of Algonquin gas transmission to continue meeting everyday energy needs in Massachusetts. The Lincoln Meter Station rebuild project will not increase the certificated capacity of the Algonquin gas transmission system,” Enbridge spokesman Max Bergeron said in an email to the Lincoln Squirrel. “As part of this project, we’re installing newer technology at the Lincoln Meter Station that will bolster safety and efficiency to continue to reliably meet local energy needs.”
Under terms of the settlement, Enbridge must plant replacement trees when its work is done. Lincoln officials will be notified when the restoration work and a mandatory three-year monitoring period is about to begin, Grzenda said.
Lincoln residents Alex Chatfield and his wife Trish O’Hagan were among those on site during the protests. “It’s concerning to us because it is an example of scenarios that play put all across the country routinely between Enbridge (and other pipeline companies) and local communities,” Chatfield told the Lincoln Squirrel. “Enbridge has a long and disturbing track record of overriding the concerns and priorities of cities, towns, and tribal authorities by using federal laws such as the Gas Act to build, rebuild, and expand pipelines. When it meets with opposition, as was the case with this project on the part of Cambridge, it goes to court and threatens to take what it wants through eminent domain and usually wins.”
Chatfield added that he and O’Hagan have been part of “peaceful resistance” at other Enbridge sites, including the West Roxbury Lateral Pipeline in 2015 and 2016 and Line Three in Minnesota in 2021.
This isn’t the first time that tree-cutting by outside agencies has caused angst in Lincoln. Residents near Route 2 were upset about the removal of dozens of trees in 2013 at the start of the project to build new service roads and a flyover at Crosby’s Corner. More recently, smaller trees and brush were removed from land over the Kinder Morgan gas pipeline that crosses Bedford Road, though there were no known public protests.
News acorns
Photo exhibition featuring Lincoln’s Linda Hammett Ory
Linda Hammett Ory is exhibiting her photos in the Griffin Museum of Photography’s Atelier38 group show. Many of the photos in her Hidden Treasure series reflect her love of nature and were taken while exploring the landscape of Lincoln and Concord.
Atelier38 is a portfolio-building class for emerging to advanced photographers. Lincoln resident Emily Belz, an independent photographer, educator and curator, taught this year’s museum-based cohort. The show runs from August 1 to September 1 with an opening reception on Saturday, Aug. 3 from 4–6 p.m. at the Griffin Museum (67 Shore Road, Winchester).
Coming up at the library
The following events will take place in the library’s Tarbell Room on Wednesday, Aug. 7:
The Alphabet of Imagination with Mime Robert Rivest (11 a.m.–noon)
Comic mime Robert Rivest leads audiences of all ages on an awesome A to Z journey in s high-energy synthesis of movement, imagery, characters and illusion. All ages. No registration necessary.
Movie Matinee: “Babe” (3:30–5:30 p.m.)
A screening of “Babe” (1995, rated G) and plenty of popcorn. All ages, no registration required.
Summer Tech Series: Organize Your Inbox, Part 1 (7–8 p.m.)
Is your email inbox a mess? Can you find the email you need when you need it? Is it full of spam? Learn tips and tricks to organize your inbox on your laptop or on your phone. Register here for the three-part series.
Enter nature photo contest
Submit your nature photos of Lincoln for consideration in the Open Spaces of Lincoln Calendar and Nature Note Card Series sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust/Rural Land Foundation. These publications are a stunning showcase of Lincoln’s landscapes, abundant wildlife, and recreational activities. All proceeds benefit the conservation, stewardship, and educational activities of the LLCT.
Submissions will be accepted through Friday, Aug. 9. There is no limit to the number of photos you can submit. Photographers of all ages and levels are welcome to participate. For details on how to submit, click here.
Police log for June 27 – July 11, 2024
June 27
Tower Road (2:10 p.m.) — An officer performed a well-being check on a resident.
June 28
Old Concord Road (6:05 p.m.) — A caller reported that a vehicle was situated in the middle of the roadway. An officer checked the area but the obstructing vehicle was gone on arrival.
Trapelo Road (6:44 p.m.) — A group of youths were reported to be fishing at the Cambridge Reservoir. They were moved along.
Lincoln Woods (8:18 p.m.) — The Fire Department responded for an odor of natural gas in the basement.
June 29
Wells Road (5:30 a.m.) — A caller reported an individual was outside their residence yelling. Officers responded and spoke with the individual. The individual was sent on their way a short time later.
Wells Road (6:07 p.m.) — The same individual from the earlier call returned and was observed yelling outside a residence. Police spoke with the individual a second time and advised them to return when the resident they wish to speak with is home.
Lincoln Road (7:56 p.m.) — A caller reported the pedestrian railroad gate was stuck in the down position. An officer was able to return the gate to the up position. A Keolis representative arrived on scene a short time later.
The Commons of Lincoln (8:51 p.m.) — An officer spoke to several individuals regarding a brief incident.
Trapelo Road (9:02 p.m.) — A motorist reported six dead geese by the CambridgeRreservoir causeway. An officer responded and checked the area for any signs of the responsible vehicle. The DPW was notified.
Baker Bridge Road (11:55 p.m.) — A caller reported an encounter with a coyote. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
Twisted Tree Café (11:58 p.m.) — A caller reported an individual acting strange behind a residence on Wells Road. Officers responded to the area and spoke with the individual, who declined any services.
June 30
North Great Road (10:11 a.m.) — An item was turned in to the Police Department that was found on Route 2A.
Sunnyside Lane (12:54 p.m.) — A caller reported their white female cat was missing. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
Lincoln Road (1:23 p.m.) — A caller reported concern for an individual who appeared to be confused. The area was checked but the person was gone on arrival.
July 1
Bedford Road (3:49 p.m.) — An individual reported a past road rage incident on Route 2 heading east.
July 2
Grasshopper Lane (8:03 a.m.) — Officers assisted an outside agency.
Lincoln Gas and Auto (9:33 a.m.) — A caller requested to speak with the Animal Control Officer regarding an incident they witnessed.
Wells Road (10:48 a.m. and 11:25 a.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual who reported being the victim of a fraud.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:30 p.m.) — The Massachusetts State Police were notified of several large stuffed animals on the side of Route 2 East.
Mary’s Way (2:35 p.m.) — An officer took possession of an item marked for destruction.
July 3
Old Winter Street (11:05 a.m.) — An officer assisted a resident with a Vehicle Identification Number verification.
South Great Road (5:33 p.m.) — A motorist reported an individual fishing from the stone railing of Lee’s Bridge. The individual was advised to find a better, safer spot.
North Commons (6:02 a.m.) — A caller reported an ongoing noise issue with one of their neighbors. Police responded and attempted to speak with all parties involved but were unsuccessful.
July 4
Concord Road (12:15 p.m.) — A caller reported a minor motor vehicle crash. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicles.
Tower Road (2:19 p.m.) — Officers conducted a well-being check on a resident.
Donelan’s Supermarket (1:23 a.m.) — Officers checked on an individual who was reportedly sleeping on a bench outside the supermarket. The individual refused any assistance.
July 5
Mary’s Way (2:05 p.m.) — An individual spoke to an officer regarding a possible dispute with a neighbor.
Mary’s Way (4:37 p.m.) — A motorist called to report a bicycle off the roadway. An officer located the bike, which looked like it had been temporarily placed there. The bike was gone a short time thereafter.
Tower Road (10:37 p.m.) — A caller reported their dog ran away after being frightened by the sounds of fireworks. Officer checked the area but were unable to locate the dog.
July 6
Donelan’s Supermarket (3:06 a.m.) — An officer checked on an occupied vehicle in the parking lot. The operator had pulled off the road to briefly rest.
Hanscom Drive (8:07 a.m.) — An Officer responded to Hanscom Air Force Base’s Sartain Gate to assist Hanscom Security Forces.
Pierce House (5:15 p.m.) — A caller reported a dead animal in the middle of Pierce Park. The DPW was notified to remove the animal on Monday.
July 7
Lincoln Road (8:11 a.m.) — The property owner called regarding vehicles parking in their lot and accessing the mall area.
Pierce House (2:25 p.m.) — A second call about the dead animal in Pierce Park was received.
Baker Bridge Road (3:33 p.m.) — Several parked vehicles were sent on their way due to Walden Pond being closed.
Donelan’s Supermarket (6:21 p.m.) — Officers checked on an individual who appeared to be sleeping on a bench. The person refused any assistance.
North Great Road (1:12 a.m.) — A caller reported a possible dead deer on the side of Route 2A. An officer arrived and the deer made its way into the woods.
July 8
Farrar Road (9:46 a.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual who may have been the victim of identity fraud.
Ridge Road (3:09 p.m.) — A resident reported that an item may have been stolen from their porch.
The Commons of Lincoln (11:27 p.m.) — An officer helped a person locate a family member.
July 9
North Commons (11:19 a.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual about an ongoing incident with their neighbor.
Trapelo Road (11:42 a.m.) — A two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Trapelo Road. There were no injuries reported. The operator of one of the vehicles was cited for failing to yield.
Donelan’s Supermarket (2:26 a.m.) — Officers checked on an individual sleeping near Donelan’s. The individual refused any assistance.
Editor’s note: Regarding the outside-sleeping incidents on July 4, 7 and 9 as well as the incident outside the Twisted Tree Cafe on June 29, “It is the same person. She is not homeless and she has been known to the department for years,” Police Chief Sean Kennedy said on July 13. “You may have seen her over the years walking along Route 117.” The woman, who was not breaking any laws, formerly lived in Sudbury and now has an address in Wayland, he said.
It is the same person. She is a 58 year old woman who lives in the area. She is not homeless, she has been known to the department for years. She lived in Sudbury, and now has an address in Wayland. You may have seen her over the years walking along Rte 117.
Marconi’s Auto (2:41 a.m.) — An officer performing a routine check observed a vehicle with their parking lights activated. The area checked out OK; the light activation appeared to be neglect.
July 10
Hillside Road (11:06 a.m.) — Two commercial vehicles were involved in a minor crash.
Tower Road (12:29 p.m.) — An officer performed a well-being check on a resident.
Lincoln Road (12:57 p.m.) — Two vehicles were cited for being illegally parked at the commuter lot.
Winter Street (1:06 p.m.) — An individual turned in an item marked for destruction.
Lincoln Road (1:14 p.m.) — Dispatch received an automated cell phone call reporting a vehicle crash. It appeared as though a phone fell from a moving vehicle, activating the service.
Trapelo Road (1:44 p.m.) — An officer performed a courtesy transport for an individual trying to get back to their residence.
Giles Road (9:47 p.m.) — A caller spoke with an officer regarding a past incident.
Garland Road (9:57 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak with an officer.
July 11
Indian Camp Lane (11:34 a.m.) — A caller reported being the victim of a possible fraud.
Lincoln Road (1:11 p.m.) — A caller reported their vehicle was struck in the parking lot of the Tack Room. An officer responded and spoke with the reporting party.
Mount Misery parking lot (2:51 p.m.) — An item found in the parking lot was turned in.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (4:00 p.m.) — A minor motor vehicle crash was reported near Bedford Road. Massachusetts State Police were notified.
Oriole Landing (4:38 p.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual about an issue with their neighbors.
First Parish Church (5:36 p.m.) — A two-vehicle crash was reported at the five-way intersection. There were no injuries reported. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Tower Road (6:32 p.m.) — A caller reported a possible suspicious motor vehicle idling near Warbler Springs Road. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.
South Great Road (8:58 p.m.) — A caller reported an erratic operator traveling west on Route 117 west. An officer was able to stop the vehicle on Lincoln Road by Lewis Street. The operator, Yamilka Perez, 28, of Abington was arrested for operating under the influence of alcohol. She was bailed and ordered to appear at Concord District Court on July 12, 2024.
North Commons (9:13 p.m. and 12:26 a.m.) — A resident called to report their neighbor was striking a shared wall. An officer responded but was unable to make contact with all parties.
Property sales in January and February 2024
233 Aspen Circle — Dorothy Blanchard Brown Trust to Paul Roeder and Sarah Birss for $799,000 (February 23)
10 Deerhaven Rod. — 10 Deerhaven Road LLC to Lecheng Zhang and Feng Zhu for $1,231,000 (February 22)
15 Stratford Way — Joe Zimmerman to Ali and Danielle Raja for $3,200,000 (January 24)
16B North Commons — Marcia Libman To Douglas and Shahinaz Carson for $429,000 (January 16)
82 Virginia Rd. #106 — Sebastiano Blandino Trust to Phyllis Chen for $420,000 (January 16)
31 Old Concord Rd. — 32 Old Concord Rd. Trust to Robert N. Feldman Trist and Helen L. Feldman Trust for $3,500,000 (January 16)
26C Indian Camp Lane — Nancy Politzer to Resilient Investments LLC for $220k000 (January 11)
21D South Commons — Margaret Davis to Mine and Degerhan Usluel for $680,000 (January 4)
Newly discovered 1775 musket balls on view this weekend
An archeologist at Minute Man NHP holds a 1887 musket ball they just unearthed.
Editor’s note: This is an edited version of a press release from Minute Man National Historical Park.
Visitors to Minute Man National Historical Park on Saturday, July 13 can see five recently discovered musket balls that were fired during the world-changing event known as “The Shot Heard ’Round the World” on April 19, 1775.
Early analysis of the 18th-century musket balls discovered by National Park Service archeologists indicates they were fired by colonial militia members at British forces during the North Bridge fight in Concord. The battle site within Minute Man NHP marks the moment when provincial militia leaders ordered members to fire upon their own government’s soldiers for the first time.
The musket balls were discovered by archeologists conducting compliance activities in preparation for the park’s Great American Outdoors Act project. They were found in an area where, according to contemporary accounts, British soldiers formed up to resist the river crossing. Further analysis of the musket balls indicates that each one was fired from the opposite side of the river and not dropped during the process of reloading.
“It’s incredible that we can stand here and hold what amounts to just a few seconds of history that changed the world almost 250 years ago,” said Minute Man Park Ranger and historic weapons specialist Jarrad Fuoss. “These musket balls can be considered collectively as ‘The Shot Heard ’Round the World,’ and it’s incredible that they have survived this long. It’s also a poignant reminder that we are all stewards of this battlefield and are here to preserve and protect our shared history.”
Visitors can learn more about the musket balls at Minute Man NHP on Saturday, July 13 during the park’s Archeology Day events in Lincoln and Concord (they will be on view in Concord):
Minute Man Visitor Center (210 North Great Rd., Lincoln)
- 11:00 a.m. — “Investigating Hallowed Ground: Battlefield Archeology at Minute Man National Historical Park,” with Joel Dukes of the NPS Northeast Region Archeology Program.
- 1:00 p.m. — “Arms, Ammunition, and Archaeology: A Scientific Look at April 19, 1775” with Joel Bohy, director of Historic Arms & Militaria at Blackstone Valley Auctions.
North Bridge Visitor Center (174 Liberty St., Concord)
- 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — Members of the public can view the musket balls on display at the North Bridge Visitor Center. Visitors can talk to park curators about the musket balls and the science behind preserving them.
- 2:30 p.m. — “North Bridge Battle Walk” — visitors can join park rangers for an interactive walking tour tracing the footsteps and the archaeology of those who fought at the North Bridge on April 19, 1775.
On that day, roughly 800 British soldiers marched from Boston to Concord to destroy military supplies that colonial rebels had gathered. Thousands of local militia members intercepted the British advance thanks to a system of midnight riders who gave warning the night before. Near dawn, a brief encounter between militia members and British soldiers on Lexington Green left eight militia dead and 10 wounded. Once the British regulars arrived in Concord, a detachment of roughly 200 redcoats marched over the North Bridge as they headed for the home of Col. James Barrett. British informants believed Barrett had stockpiled military goods on his farm, including several artillery pieces. At the North Bridge, British forces left 96 soldiers to protect the river crossing.
Soon, the number of militia members and local Minute Men grew on the hills northwest of Concord. A plume of smoke rising above the town center spurred the militia into action, as they feared British troops had started to burn the colonists’ homes. The militia loaded their weapons and began to march. As the head of the militia neared the North Bridge, the British soldiers panicked and began firing. Musket balls began to hit the provincial soldiers, and Maj. John Buttrick of Concord issued his famous order: “Fire, fellow soldiers! For God’s sake, fire!” The militia fired heavily into the British ranks and charged across the bridge.
Under heavy gunfire, the British ranks dissolved, and the soldiers retreated to their reinforcements near Concord center. The fighting at the North Bridge lasted less than three minutes, but when the smoke cleared, 18 men lay dead or wounded. Three British soldiers killed in the engagement remain buried in Concord to this day.
The recent archaeological survey was conducted by trained professionals using scientific techniques specifically meant to preserve and document the findings within their archaeological context. Metal detecting, relic hunting, and other forms of looting are strictly prohibited on NPS land. The NPS is reminding visitors that violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act can result in felony charges, including up to five years in prison and fines of more than $100,000. Click here to learn more about ARPA and the ethics of protecting resources in Minute Man National Historical Park visit
The event is co-sponsored by Friends of Minute Man National Park. For more background, images and timelines about the battle on April 19, 1775, click here. To learn about the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution at Minute Man National Historical Park in 2025, click here.
The Old North Bridge at dawn.
On parade
Some summer traffic seen along Lincoln Road on July 4. See more photos on the Lincoln Police Department’s Facebook page.
Susan Eckel, 1942–2024
Susan Eckel
Susan Hall Eckel of Lincoln, who taught scores of elementary school students during a decades-long career as a teacher in Concord, died in Boston on May 6, 2024. She was 82.
Born January 6, 1942 in Port Chester, N.Y., to Robert Russell Hall and Jean Collins, Sue, as she was widely known, grew up in Riverside, Conn., where she was known to be gregarious and social. She was an avid sailor at the Riverside Yacht Club and sang in the choir at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, nurturing a lifelong love of music.
She graduated from Greenwich High School in 1959 and then enrolled at Colby Junior College for Women in New London, N.H. (known today as Colby-Sawyer). After two years, she moved to Boston to attend Boston University, and she graduated from the School of Education with a Bachelor of Science in 1963. That summer, she participated in an exchange program in the Netherlands with the Experiment in International Living with a Dutch host family, which she recalled fondly for years.
While teaching at Hanscom Air Force Base, a mutual friend introduced her to an officer in the U.S. Air Force, George Mitchell Eckel III, known widely as Mitch. They married on August 28, 1965 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Susan accompanied Mitch as he underwent pilot and other training in Kansas and various locations around the United States. When Mitch was deployed overseas, she lived briefly in Riverside, Conn., with her parents and taught in the Riverside schools.
Following Mitch’s return from to the United States, they moved to Cambridge, where Mitch enrolled at Harvard Law School. Susan began teaching again at Hanscom in the summer of 1969. Their first son, George Mitchell Eckel IV (Mike), was born in 1971. The following year, after Mitch completed law school, the family moved to Manchester, N.H. Their twins, Peter Heywood Eckel and Richard Hall Eckel, were born in 1974. In 1975, Susan, Mitch, and their three boys moved to Concord, where they lived for the following 43 years.
Susan initially worked as an educator at the Milldam Nursery School in Concord, then as a kindergarten teacher in the Concord Public Schools, and later as a first-grade teacher, primarily at Alcott School. She retired in 2007.
Susan was a devoted citizen of Concord. In addition to working in the schools, she was a member of the Trinitarian Congregational Church. She was an avid gardener and active in the Concord Garden Club in her later years. She also was an enthusiastic member of the Hugh Cargill Trust, which provides short-term emergency assistance to Concord residents in times of financial need.
In their later years, she and Mitch moved to Lincoln, where they were committed members of the Farrar Pond Community.
Susan loved being a grandmother, attending soccer games, gymnastics events, and dance recitals. She will be remembered as a dedicated teacher, a loyal friend and “adventurer.”
Susan was predeceased by her husband of 58 years, Mitch, who died in July 2023, and her younger brother Robert Russell Hall, Jr., who died in April 2011. She is survived by sons Mike (Jenn) of Prague, Czech Republic; Richard (Marcy), of Stow, Mass.; and Peter (Isabelle) of West Roxbury, and their families, including eight grandchildren, Lily, Sydney, Scarlett, Daphne, Henry, Louise, Charles, and Grace, along with her brother, Daniel M. Hall of Palm City, Fla., and her sister Jane C. Hall of North Conway, N.H.
Family and friends will gather to remember Susan at her memorial service on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at 3 p.m. at the Trinitarian Congregational Church (54 Walden St., Concord). Burial in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Susan’s memory to: Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden St., Concord, MA 01742 or the Hugh Cargill Trust, Town of Concord, ATTN: Hugh Cargill Trust Committee. P.O. Box 535, Concord, MA 01742.
Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, which provided this obituary. Click here to visit her online guestbook.