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

News acorns

Lincoln Nursery School open house

Lincoln Nursery School (LNS), located inside the deCordova Sculpture Park, will hold an open house on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9–11 a.m. Children are welcome. LNS accepts children from 2 years 9 months through six years, including a pre-K/kindergarten classroom.

Presentation on Maria Callas

The Lincoln Public Library presents “Opera for Everyone: Maria Callas,” a multimedia presentation with Erika Reitshamer on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. Reitshamer has lectured on opera for many years and was active in the formation of the Boston Lyric Opera Company more than 40 years ago. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Cabaret night at library

Mary Crowe (vocals) and Evelyn Harris (piano) will present an evening of cabaret music on Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. They will perform cabaret songs by Poulenc, Britten, Bolcolm, and Weill, as well as contemporary cabaret songwriters Carole Hall, Harriet Goldberg, and Crowe. She and Harris perform as a duo and with the Lincoln Hill Trio at jazz clubs, arts centers, retirement communities and libraries throughout the Boston area. For more information and calendar of upcoming performances, visit www.marycrowesings.com. Free and open to all. Sponsored by the Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Hydrant flushing starts Oct. 15

The Lincoln Water Department will be flushing fire hydrants as part of its program to improve water quality. Flushing will begin on Monday, Oct. 15 from 1–6 p.m., Monday–Friday and will continue until completion. Check the Water Department web page or call at 781-259-8997 to see when your area will be affected.

If you encounter discolored water, shut the water off and wait several minutes. After waiting, check the clarity by running cold water for a few minutes, allowing new water to work its way into your pipes. The water may also have a milky appearance due to tiny but harmless air bubbles that will dissipate. It may also have a more pronounced chlorine taste or odor that will dissipate when water is left to sit in an open container.

Eric Lee at next LOMA

Eric Lee

Eric Lee is the featured performer at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, Oct. 15 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7–10 p.m., and Lee will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. He plays various genres including folk, bluegrass, psych-rock, Celtic, and Americana.

LOMA is a monthly event. Admission is free and refreshments are provided. Performers can sign up at the event or email Rich Eilbert at loma3re@gmail.com for a slot. There is a sound system with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups.

Twisted Tree set to open on Saturday

The Twisted Tree Cafe (photo courtesy Christine Doherty).

Saturday is opening day for the Twisted Tree Cafe, the Mall at Lincoln Station’s newest eatery.

Lincoln residents C.J. and Christine Doherty began working on renovations and permitting in the late spring, about three months after the Trail’s End Cafe closed. They will be open on weekends from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

The menu will feature gourmet coffees and teas, toast and pastries, sandwiches, salads, bento boxes, and more. Among the new features: cooking facilities that will allow the restaurant to serve foods including eggs, breakfast burritos and grilled sandwiches; and online ordering for commuters and others. The furnishings include a countertop for those who want to work, as well as tables and chairs. 

The Dohertys, who hope the Twisted Tree will serve as a neighborly gathering place, may apply for a liquor license in the future. “We’re just excited to open the doors and start serving good coffee and food,” Christine Doherty said.

Latest cost estimates for school project are well over budget

Town officials were chagrined Wednesday night to learn that preliminary cost estimates for the Lincoln School project are substantially higher than the $93.9 million budget approved by residents at a Special Town Meeting in June.

At its meeting Wednesday evening, the School Building Committee (SBC) and others heard the two independent estimates for the project—one at $102 million and one at $109 million—in shocked silence. Those numbers are 8.6 percent and 16 percent higher than the original figure, respectively.

On Friday, architects and representatives from Daedalus, the owner’s project manager representing the town, will have an all-day meeting to go over the cost estimating figures in detail and try to reconcile the two estimates by making sure they used the same set of assumptions as to scope, quantities and costs of materials, etc.

“We need to understand why” both figures are significantly higher than the earlier estimate, said Delwyn Williamson, director of cost estimating at Daedalus.

The gross square footage of the project has changed slightly in design tweaks since June, but square footage “is not really making a difference at this point,” Williamson said. One of the contributing factors for the increase may be in the cost of modular classrooms, because early proposals incorrectly assumed that the Hartwell pods could be used for some of the swing space during the two phases of construction, she said. The cost of reusing the modular classrooms from the recent Hanscom projects is also higher than anticipated, but it’s still unclear exactly how much these issues affected the estimates.

Between this Friday and the next SBC meeting on October 3, SMMA will come up with a list of “value engineering” items for the SBC to look at as they consider what aspects of the project to change or remove in order to meet the mandated budget.

“We have a very high level of sensitivity to the community’s need to have that price as low as possible while still preserving the program,” said SBC member Kim Bodnar.

On a hopeful note, Buck Creel, the Lincoln Public Schools administrator for business and finance, noted that the initial estimate for the 2012 project came in at more than $60 million, but the SBC was able to get that amount down to $49 million (although the project eventually failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority at Town Meeting). Part of that reduction came about when the SBC elected not to relocate preK from the Hartwell building to the main school—a move that is also in the current plan, at least for now.

More meetings coming up

The SBC is scheduled to approve a final cost figure on October 17. The group may add another meeting on October 10. There will be a multiboard meeting on October 18 (two days before the annual State of the Town meeting) to gather questions from other town boards, and a second multiboard meeting/community forum on November 15.

A two-thirds majority is required at a Special Town Meeting on December 1 to approve bonding for the project. There will also be a December 3 town-wide ballot that must win a simple majority for the project to advance.

The $93.9 million Option L3 was the mid-priced choice among the three options presented to voters in June. In the final vote, 74 percent of residents voted to move ahead with Option L3, compared to 17 percent for Option C ($94.3 million) and 9 percent for Option L2 ($83 million).

George Hatsopoulos, 1927-2018

George Hatsopoulos

Lincoln resident George Hatsopoulos, founder of Thermo Electron and a life member emeritus of the MIT Corporation (its board of trustees), died on September 20 at the age of 91. By the time he retired in 1999, Thermo Electron (now Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.) had over 24,000 employees in 23 countries and worked in industries ranging from medical devices and environmental systems to bomb detectors and biomass electric generation. Click here for the full obituary on the MIT website. Click here for a video interview with Hatsopoulos for MIT’s Infinite History project.

LSB Players announce 2018-19 season

The LSB Players at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School will stage several plays this year and invite area residents to subscribe.

  • The season begins with the energetic, family-friendly musical Once Upon A Mattress, a goofy take on the classic fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Performances are November 14–17 at 7:30 p.m.
  • The second main-stage offering, the annual theater-for-young audiences production, is Lion and Mouse Stories. This production will employ audience participation, lobby activities for young children, and a sensory-friendly performance at the Saturday matinee. Shows are January 18–20, with early evening shows at 6 p.m. and weekend matinees at 2 p.m.
  • Two L-S seniors will direct winter one-acts: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fifth Period and The Insanity of Mary Girard. They will be performed ion February 1 at 7:30 p.m., and on February 2 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
  • The LSB Players will explore a sobering moment in U.S. history with Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. This historical drama is a compelling examination of the American obsessions with health, wealth, and the commercialization of science. Radium Girls will be performed on April 5–6 at 7:30 p.m., and April 6–7 at 2 p.m
  • The year will end with COLLAGE XXV, a collection of scenes, one-acts and original pieces selected and directed by students on June 7–8 at 7:30 p.m. (free admission for all).

Tickets for all shows are $8 for students and senior citizens, $15 for adults. Benefactors and season ticket holders receive advance notice and reservation opportunities before tickets are available to the general public. Season tickets are $40 for adults, $20 for students and senior citizens. Benefactor tickets are $60. All season ticket holders and benefactors are named in each program of the year. (For the 2018-2019 season, they may use their tickets for only one of the two winter shows.) To​ ​become​ ​a​ ​subscriber,​ please fill out this form and send in payment.

Volunteers are instrumental in keeping the LSB Players vibrant and thriving. The group welcomes help with sets, lights, costumes, makeup, tickets, publicity and more. If interested, please email Carly Evans at carly_evans@lsrhs.net.

News acorns

Talk on Lincoln and the Revolutionary War

“April 19, 1775: The Battle of… Lincoln?” is the subject of a talk by author/historians Rick Wiggin of Lincoln and Don Hafner on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. in the Minute Man National Park Visitor Center in Lincoln. How did the people of this small farming community respond to the April 19 alarm? What effect did a prolonged war have on them? Wiggin and Hafner will discuss the distinctive features of the town of Lincoln, its leadership, and the historical quirks that placed it at the center of American history. Free and open to the public.

Kids invited to apply for philanthropy program

The Foundation for MetroWest is currently accepting applications for its Youth in Philanthropy (YIP) program for seventh- and eighth-graders interested in learning about philanthropic outreach in their community and becoming civic leaders. Students from any town in the area are eligible to participate in the program, which meets at the Lexington Community Center on Wednesday nights beginning November 28. Applications are due by Friday, Oct. 5 and are available online at www.yipmetrowest.org.

Twenty students will work together to evaluate grant applications and distribute funds to nonprofits as they learn about understanding budgets, public speaking, reaching consensus, and case-making. Lincoln School students in the program selected Save a Dog and Lucy’s Love Bus to receive grants in 2017. Since 1997, YIP has educated over 1,250 students who have granted over $1.1 million to over 200 MetroWest youth development organizations.

Join others in biking to school

The Cycling Safety Advisory Committee is organizing Bike/Walk to School days each Friday this fall. Organizers hope Lincoln kids will join their friends to get to school under their own power in order to get some exercise, help the environment, and have fun. Anyone interested in being reminded of Bike to School days, finding out who in your neighborhood bikes to school, or contacting other family biking enthusiasts in Lincoln to discuss routes, gear, etc., may join an email list by clicking here.

Monthly book sale benefits library

Support the Lincoln Public Library by shopping at the Friends of the Lincoln Library (FOLL) book sale on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 9 a.m.–noon in the basement of Bemis Hall. New books are added each week from the donation box in the bemis Hall entryway. Hardcovers are $2 and paperbacks are $1. The FOLL has also added a book sale cart in the first-floor hallway at the library. Bemis Hall book sales take place on the second Saturday of each month except August.

Workshops on special ed at the high school

SEPAC (the Special Education Parent Advisory Council at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School) is hosting four workshops this fall. Each begins at 7 p.m. and offers a chance to ask questions about the special education process and services, transitioning into or out of high school and chat with like-minded parents. For more information, email lssepac.chair@gmail.com.

  • Tuesday, Oct. 2 (L-S conference room B) — An overview from the Federation for Children with Special Needs of the transition planning process for families of students with disabilities ages 14-22 who are on IEPs.
  • Monday, Oct. 15 (Goodnow Library, Sudbury) — “Strategies for Reducing Academic Stress and Creating Successful Students.” Learn how to help your child get “unstuck” when he/she has trouble initiating tasks, help your child keep track of his/her belongings and schoolwork, enhance working memory and sustain attention.
  • Thursday, Nov. 1 (L-S conference room B) — Victor Hernandez, deputy assistant commissioner at the Department of Developmental Services, will review resources available to families of students with special needs, regardless of income.
  • Tuesday, Jan. 29 (Goodnow Library, Sudbury) — “The Impact of Anxiety and Depression on Learning.” Diagnoses including depression and anxiety can significantly alter cognitive functioning, particularly memory retention and the absorption of knowledge. 

Churches host environment-related events

Two churches in Lincoln are sponsoring events focusing on environmental and sustainability issues.

On Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m., the climate justice film series at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church continues with the documentary film Eating Animals. Based on the bestselling book by Jonathan Safran Foer, narrated by co-producer Natalie Portman, and directed by Christopher Quinn (God Grew Tired of Us), Eating Animals looks at the environmental, economic, and public health consequences of factory farming and spotlights farmers who have pushed backed against industrial agriculture with more humane practices. There will be a light vegetarian supper at 6:30 p.m., followed by the film at 7 p.m. and discussion to follow as time allows. Free and open to the public; donations accepted to defray the cost of screening rights.

The First Parish of Lincoln’s Green Committee (FPL Green), in partnership with the Green Energy Consumers Alliance (formerly Mass Energy), will host the FPL Green Fall Rollout and Green Energy Challenge on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 11:15 a.m. in the sanctuary building (4 Bedford Rd.). This event launches the partners’ Renewable Wind program. Under the initiative, current customers of Eversource will be able to reduce their carbon footprints by switching from fossil fuels to wind for the electricity used in their homes. On hand to describe the program and answer questions will be Erin Taylor from Green Energy Consumers Alliance.

Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, a minister and climate change activist, will lead worship at First Parish in Lincoln on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. and will speak on “Rising Up with a Faith: A Christian Response to Climate Change.” Bullitt-Jonas serves as Missioner for Creation Care in the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ. Her latest book, Joy of Heaven, To Earth Come Down, is a collection of daily Advent-Christmas meditations on the sacredness of the natural world.

Obituaries

John Hammond

John Hammond, 81 (September 16) — Harvard business professor and management consultant who championed environmental causes. A celebration of his life will take place on Sunday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Pierce House. Feel free to come in your gardening clothes to enjoy ice cream and hear a few John stories.. Click here for full obituary.

Julianne Etcheverry

Julianne Etcheverry, 57 (August 19) — goldsmith and jewelry designer. Click here for full obituary.

South Lincoln “welcome center” under construction

Work has begun on a visitor-friendly “pocket park” at the entrance to the residents’ commuter lot.

Construction has begun on a small outdoor welcome center in South Lincoln next to the entrance to the resident commuter rail lot, and officials are seeking more input on the area through an online survey.

The “pocket park” is one of the projects suggested by the South Lincoln Planning and Implementation Committee (SLPIC) to revitalize the area near the train station/mall and make it more welcoming to visitors and pedestrians. When complete, the park will have a welcome kiosk with maps, a bike repair system, bike racks and a granite bench donated by the DPW.

After the pocket park/welcome center is completed, a wayfinding system will be installed that will lead pedestrians and cyclists from there to Drumlin Farm, with stops along the way at Codman Farm and Codman Estates. Future funding will allow the town to expand this system and complete Phase II of the pocket park/welcome center, which will include pavers to replace stone dust as well as a a trail connection to Codman Farm.

An image of the signs that will be installed in South Lincoln.

As it thinks about ways to encourage a vibrant, mixed use, pedestrian-oriented village center in South Lincoln, SLPIC is asking residents to offer their opinions about various design options. This survey includes summaries and questions on a series of images of things like business frontage, housing and business architecture, bike and pedestrian routes, signage, and more. The deadline for participating in the survey is Sunday, Sept. 30.

Part of SLPIC’s work includes developing a proposed zoning bylaw amendment to encourage mixed-use, transit-oriented development that can accommodate a variety of housing choices. The group is also conducting a feasibility study of the town-owed Department of Public Works site on Lewis Street for look at opportunities to consolidate public works functions that could free up some or all of the four-acre site for a potential housing development.

With the help of state grants, the town has already completed improvements to some sidewalks and roadside paths and installed a new pedestrian island on Route 126 at Lincoln Road. The town is hoping for more funding to make several improvements to the train stops on either side of Lincoln Road.

Public hearings coming up

Planning Board

There will be a public hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. on two proposed changes to the zoning bylaws relating to marijuana businesses in Lincoln. Residents will be asked to vote on the measures at a Special Town Meeting on October 20.

Zoning Board of Appeals

The Zoning Board of the Appeals will hold a public hearing on Thursday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions:

  • Myra Ferguson, 14 Baker Bridge Rd., for transfer of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Richard Hermann, 25 Bypass Rd., for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Alex MacLean, 23 Conant Rd., for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.