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

Lincoln School lower grades change mascot to Foxes

The new Lincoln Foxes mascot for grades K-4 as created by Canva.

The lower grades at the Lincoln School are now the Lincoln Foxes rather than the Lincoln Knights, ending a winding process that began more than three years ago.

In the 2021-22 school year, school principals Sharon Hobbs (grades 5-8) and Sarah Collmer (grades K-4) surveyed the entire Lincoln School community to solicit feedback about whether the Lincoln School should have a new mascot. They got 482 responses from students, staff, parents and caregivers, and based on the results, they decided to go ahead. That spring, students and staff submitted suggestions for the new mascot.

In spring 2022, the school shared results on the survey with the school community. Responses cited “several positive characteristics as a reason to keep the knight: character, truth, honor, kindness, humility, self-discipline; they are protectors, brave, strong, they persevere, and show integrity, to name a few… One described how the knight chess piece is ‘a dynamic player’ that can move in unique ways and are ‘free thinkers, not pawns on the chessboard of life… willing to move outside the logical player pieces within a community and for the better of all’,” Collmer wrote in a letter to the school community.

But others said they didn’t see how the knight represents the grade K-4 CARES values (cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy, self-control) or the grade 5-8 4Cs (communication, commitment, cooperation, care).

“Many do not relate to the masculine, violent, or ‘scary’ characteristics of the knight. Commenters noted that the knight’s sword “is not a very friendly vibe when you walk into the building” and that ‘armoring oneself or hiding behind your armor’ doesn’t fit with ”being inclusive, more open, breaking down barriers, putting down our armor, seeing one another fully and celebrating what we see’,” Collmer wrote.

Despitr the split opinions, Lincoln School administrators decided to go ahead because the majority of respondents were in favor and “the most compelling feedback was around the alignment of our values and the desire to find a more inclusive mascot.”

Efforts were put on hold during the transition from modular classrooms to the newly renovated school building in summer and fall 2022. Then there was another delay in 2023 when Hobbs retired and Jay Peledge became the grade 5-8 principal. But in the meantime, grades 5-8 decided they wanted to continue having the knight as the mascot.

Finally, in September 2024, a staff team reviewed the mascot submissions from 2022 and narrowed it down to four that can be found right here in Lincoln: fox, salamander, owl, or monarch. In September after a student vote.

“We are now the Lincoln School Foxes!” Collmer announce and September 7. “We can’t wait to bring the fox spirit into our school community in fun and meaningful ways.”

Legal notice: Historic District Commission (53 Bedford)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, to consider the application of Seth Rosen, 53 Bedford Rd., M/P 134-17-0 to add two small dormers and alter roofline. Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

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

Correction

An item in the police log for September 14–22 was missing the final word. The September 15 incident at Codman House should have read:

A caller reported an altercation and subsequent assault that occurred on a trail behind the Codman House. Officers were able to identify and arrest Ronald Ward, 47, of Lincoln for assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Police said the attack was “unprovoked.”

Robert Solar passes away at 79

Robert Solar

Robert Louis Solar, a longtime resident of Lincoln passed away peacefully in the presence of family on the morning of September 17, 2025 at the age of 79.

He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Jane; his son Matt and his wife Lauren and their children Phoebe and Tyler; and his son Josh, his wife Danielle and their children Jackson and Sadie.

Bob grew up in Brookline as one of four boys. With the family’s boat moored in Boston Harbor, he developed a lifelong love of saltwater fishing from an early age. He attended the Belmont Hill School (’64), graduated from Colby College (’68), and later earned a graduate degree from the Wharton School (’70).

After Wharton, Bob spent time as a potter in New Hampshire, where he met Jane. They married in 1974 and lived in Chocorua, N.H., for several years before finally settling in Lincoln in 1979, where Bob joined his father, Hervey, at the family business in Boston.

In Lincoln, Bob and Jane kept busy caring for horses, dogs, cats, and chickens — and tending to all the yard work that came with them. In 1985, with the goal of spending more time as a family on the water, they bought a summer home in South Bristol, Maine, where Bob spent countless hours fishing for bluefish and striped bass and driving for the kids’ water sports.

When not enjoying the outdoors, Bob was a voracious reader, often finishing several novels a week. He loved napping on the couch with his dogs and was known for his quick wit and dry, sarcastic sense of humor.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust or to Damariscotta’s Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary.  To share a remembrance or offer a condolence on Bob’s tribute page, please click here.

Police log for September 15–22, 2025

September 15

Lincoln Road (6:01am) — An officer helped a resident get back to their home.

Carroll School (10:22am) — A person turned in two items marked for destruction.

Hanscom Drive (11:19am) — Hanscom AFB Security Forces requested assistance with a person who had an active arrest warrant. Theron Ferguson, 32, of Chelsea, was taken into custody, booked, and transported to Concord District Court.

Codman House (3:23pm) — A caller reported an altercation and subsequent assault that occurred on a trail behind the Codman House. Officers were able to identify and arrest Ronald Ward, 47, of Lincoln for assault and battery on a person over the age of 60. Police said the attack was “unprovoked.”

South Great Road (7:14pm) — A motorist reported a possible malfunction with the railroad crossing gates at South Great Road. An officer monitored the gates and communicated with the passing train conductor.

Page Road (7:57pm) — An officer performed a residence check. Everything appeared to be in order.

Garland Road (9:49pm) — A resident reported their dog was missing. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

September 16

Moccasin Hill (2:55pm) — A caller reported a large dog was roaming the neighborhood unattended. The owner was contacted and they were reunited.

Wells Road (4:56pm) — An officer spoke to a resident regarding a past incident.

Wheeler Road (6:07pm) — A dog and its owner were reunited after a motorist found the dog walking along the roadside.

Old Sudbury Road (11:56pm) — A motorist reported the Old Sudbury railroad gates were stuck in the down position. An officer was dispatched to monitor and Keolis was notified.

September 17

Old Sudbury Road (5:53am) — A motorist reported the Old Sudbury railroad gates were stuck in the down position. An officer was dispatched to monitor and Keolis was notified.

September 18

Lincoln Road (10:00am) — A caller reported damage to an exterior door. The damage appears to be the result of a mistake by a landscaper.

South Great Road (10:57am) — A motor vehicle crash took down a utility pole and closed the road for several hours. Click here for details.

Lincoln Road (1:02pm) — An officer spoke to a person and assisted them with an ongoing situation.

Lincoln Road (4:36pm) — An officer spoke to a delivery driver and resident after a dog injured the driver. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Wells Road (5:31pm) — Officers helped a person conduct a well-being check.

Oriole Landing (7:51pm) — An officer spoke to a person reporting a possible fraud.

Ryan Estate (8:15pm) — A caller reported a possible fraud.

September 19

Huntley Lane (9:42am) — A person was reported missing but was located a short distance away from their home and reunited with family.

Long Meadow (3:50pm) — A caller reported an unusually high volume of traffic traveling on Long Meadow Road. The caller was advised of a traffic detour.

Lincoln Town Hall (5:15pm) — A caller reported a damaged water valve near the Town Hall. The contractors were notified and a repair was made.

The Commons of Lincoln (8:42pm) — A caller reported an odor of natural gas in the café area. The Fire Department responded and metered the area but there were no measurable traces of natural gas.

September 20

Wells Road (12:35am) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a civil matter.

The Commons of Lincoln (4:46pm) — An officer spoke with staff regarding a past incident.

Morningside Lane (9:22pm) — A caller reported unknown people knocking on their door then running away. The area was checked but no one was found.
September 21

Sandy Pond Road (3:08pm) — A caller reported seeing two people fishing at Flint’s Pond. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate them.

September 22

Concord Road (11:40am) — A caller reported seeing a male, possibly sleeping, in the orchard behind St. Anne’s Church. An officer checked the area and spoke with the individual, who left the area.

Mount Misery parking lot (3:58pm) — Police and fire units responded to the area for two people stranded across the river after their canoe sank. The Fire Department conducted a boat rescue and returned the people to their vehicle.

St. Anne’s Church (4:51pm) — An officer spoke with a person who said they would be on their way after a service let out.

Moccasin Hill (5:19pm) — A caller reported a loose dog in the neighborhood. The owner was notified and they reported that the dog was back home.

Mackintosh Lane (7:13pm) — Callers reported a tree down on electrical and utility wires. Eversource and the DPW were notified. The tree was removed and power restored a short time later.

St. Anne’s Church (8:22pm) — An officer spoke with a person outside the church. The person said they were stopping briefly before moving on from the area.

News acorns

Session on family legend and lore

Historian/author Walter McClennen explores the importance of family legend and lore and how best to preserve them for future generations at “Adventures in History” on Friday, Oct. 3 at 12:30pm at Bemis Hall. Sponsored by the Council on Aging & Human Services.

Buy firewood, help rugby program

The Friends of L-S Boys Rugby is selling seasoned firewood (delivered and stacked) to benefit the team. Delivery will be on the week of October 13 and the boys will come and stack the firewood during the week on Sunday, Oct. 19. One cord of wood for $550, half-cord for $300. Click here to order (Lincoln and Sudbury addresses only).

Brain Games set for Oct. 19

The Doo family will hold its annual Brain Games, a fundraiser for moyamoya research, on Sunday, Oct. 19 from noon–5:00pm in Pierce Park. There will be cornhole tournaments for kids, teens and adults with prizes for the top three teams, food and craft beer, magic by Ed Popielarczyk, music from Jimmie’s Down, a raffle and silent auction, and more. Click here to see a video from the 2024 event as well as more information about this year’s. In January, Brain Games was honored at a Boston Children’s Hospital fundraising award ceremony with the award for Outstanding Philanthropist.

Church to hold new casual service

The First Parish in Lincoln is piloting “Hearth and Hope,” a new casual Sunday evening service based in storytelling, on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 5:00pm in the parish house (stone church). See the church’s events calendar for other happenings.

Author talk: “Thoreau’s God”

Richard Higgins, author of “Thoreau’s God,” will speak on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Walden Woods (44 Baker Farm Road, Lincoln). The book explores Thoreau’s personal religiosity and iconoclastic theological vision woven through his work as a naturalist and his philosophical thought and ethical commitments. Doors open at 6:15pm for a wine and cheese reception and the presentation will begin at 7:00pm. Free, but advance registration required.

Legal notice: ZBA (49 Stonehedge)

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Jessica and Timothy Donahue, 49 Stonehedge Rd., M/P 189-3-0 for transfer of a special permit for an accessory apartment.

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

Legal notice: ZBA (241 Old Concord)

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing on Thursday, October 2, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Joanne Wise, 241 Old Concord Rd. for a Section 6, 40A finding.

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

Planning Board approves blasting on Old Winter St. land

The Plaut property on Old Winter Street.

The Planning Board on September 23 gave the go-ahead for owners of an Old Winter Street property to use blasting to dig a utilities trench through rocky underground ledge. The owners, Timothy and Madeleine Plaut, sought permission for the alternative method after neighbors complained about weeks of noise from rock drilling and hammering.

Neighbors within 500 feet of the blasting area accepted an offer to have pre-blasting surveys done on their property so they could have evidence of previous conditions in case the blasting caused cracks. Maine Drilling & Blasting assured them and the board that any damage was highly unlikely but promised to pay for repairs if necessary. This mollified neighbors including Tim Christenfeld, who said, “I would whole-heartedly encourage” the board to give approval.

The company expects to do two “shots” of blasting per day over a period of five to seven work days.

The board also OK’d other changes to the plan they originally approved in May, including exteriors lights that comply with the town’s “dark skies” rules that were approved in 2016, as well as a larger driveway turnaround for fire trucks and a relocated septic field that’s necessary because of poor soil conditions in the original location

Hanscom developers get approval to renovate Navy hangar

The originally proposed project that would add more than a dozen hangars at Hanscom Field. The Navy hangar is the darker brown square.

A state agency has granted a waiver to allow developers to renovate a disused Navy hangar at Hanscom Field in Bedford while they await a final decision on a plan to significantly increase hangar space and other work in a larger surrounding area for private and commercial aviation.

North Airfield Ventures LLC and Runway Realty Ventures LLC will lease space to Merlin, which has teamed up with MIT Lincoln Lab, the FAA, and the U.S. Air Force to test systems that would enable military and commercial aircraft to operate with just one person at the controls — and someday, perhaps, with no one at all, according to a May 30, 2024 Boston Globe article.

The original plan — which was first proposed in 2023 and engendered significant opposition from hundreds of residents, officials, scientists, and others — calls for adding almost 500,000 square feet of new hangar space on a 47-acre parcel on the north side of Hanscom Field. The state issued a ruling in June 2024 saying that the developers’ Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the project that “does not adequately and properly comply” with Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office regulations. The developers are expected to file an amended environmental impact report later this year.

The subset of land that will be renovated to accommodate Merlin and other tenants.

In June 2025, the developers filed a Notice of Project Change with a Phase One Waiver Request  to allow them to renovate a smaller parcel including the Navy hangar while awaiting a decision on the rest of the property. The June request proposed a renovation of the hangar “consistent with its original R&D use dating back to the 1950s, including approximately 58,000 square feet of building space for office, research, and other similar uses, reuse of approximately 36,400 square feet of existing hangar space, creation of approximately 140 surface parking spaces, and reconfiguration of the access drive to Hartwell Road within an approximately 15.6-acre area in and outside the Navy Hangar Parcel.”

But five state lawmakers including Reps. Alice Peisch and Carmine Gentile, who represent Lincoln, wrote a letter to the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Office in June 2025 objecting to that proposal.

“While we don’t oppose the restoration and reuse of the historic Navy Hangar in principle, we urge [Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper] to consider this application in the context of the broader Hanscom development plans being pursued by this project’s proponents,” the legislators wrote. “Of particular note is the synergies of site work being undertaken in this project that would benefit the larger North Airfield Development project. This proposed work includes access and connectivity improvements, including modifying the existing curb cut and reconfiguring the existing site access drive from Hartwell Road, and expansion of the parking areas.”

On August 1, however, Tepper said the smaller hangar project does not require an Environmental Impact Report and granted a waiver that will allow the developers to proceed with the proposed Phase 1 work, including renovation of the Navy hangar, prior to conclusion of review for the full project.

ICE flights resume at Hanscom

In other Hanscom news, ICE has resumed flights in and out of the airfield for transporting arrestees as part of Patriot 2.0, its surge on alleged immigration violations in Massachusetts. WBUR reported on September 15 that flights were transporting people from the ICE intake center in Burlington to detention centers elsewhere in the country.

In response, Margaret Coppe, chair of the Hanscom Field Advisory Commission, called on Massport in a September 17 letter to “obtain and send us flight information in a timely manner, from both ICE and the Hanscom FBOs [commercial businesses that service aircraft], including dates, times, and type of aircraft.”

The HFAC acts as a liaison between Massport and the five towns surrounding the airfield and serves as an advisory body to review decisions concerning land use, noise abatement, and transportation needs. “In order for the HFAC to properly carry out our charge, we must have information in advance of any and all ICE activity on Hanscom Field,” Coppe wrote.

Patriot 2.0 followed “Operation Patriot,” when federal authorities arrested nearly 1,500 people in Massachusetts in May, according to WBUR.