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

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Hearing on tree removal

There will be a public hearing on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. at the Lincoln DPW Office, 30 Lewis St., held by the tree warden, deputy tree warden and/or their designees to consider the removal of the below trees in the public right-of-way. This meeting is consistent with the requirements of the Shade Tree Act (MGL,c.87) and the Scenic Road Act. The trees have been marked with hearing notices and are being considered for removal because they are dead, in decline, or otherwise posing a safety or operational hazard. The trees are marked as to size and type along the following roads:

  • 81 Weston Rd., south side of road, 32″ ash
  • 81 Weston Rd., north side of road, 36″ ash
  • Sandy Pond Rd. at Lincoln Road intersection island, 14″ tree
  • 56 Sandy Pond Rd., 16″ tree
  • 196 Sandy Pond Rd., 18″ and 20″ oaks

Anyone with questions may call the Department of Public Works at 781-259-8999.

Codman Community Farms cleanup kicks off season

Some of the volunteers who helped out at a past Codman Community Farms spring cleanup.

Codman Community Farms (CCF) is getting ready for the spring and summer activities starting with spring cleanup on Saturday and Sunday, April 21 and 22 from 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Grab your gloves and lend a hand for an hour or an afternoon, learn more about 2018 farm plans and upcoming events, and bring a picnic or enjoy our potluck of snacks. Click here to sign up. If you’re interested in other volunteer opportunities such as building projects, egg collecting, egg washing, events and educational programs, general farm chores, the PYO flower garden, haying, mowing, etc., click here and CCF will contact you as the tasks unfold.

CCF also has a new CSA card to help support sustainable food production. Those who purchase a card for a lump sum payment get free money added to their card based on the purchase level. The card can be used anytime in the CCF Farm Store and the card never expires.  All products in the store can be purchased with the card on our self-checkout iPad terminal. Offer ends on May 31.

Also on the event horizon: Club Codman on May 19 at 8:30 p.m. and the Codman BBQ and campout on June 9-10.

Film on Israel/Palestinian media coverage

The GRALTA Foundation will host a screening of “The Occupation of the American Mind,” a 2016 documentary narrated by Pink Floyd founder and human rights activist Roger Waters, on Sunday, April 22 at 2 p.m. at the Lincoln Public Library and Wednesday, April 25 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The film focuses how Israel-Palestine media coverage has both restricted and distorted our knowledge of the region. The film is especially timely in light of recent deaths in the Gaza Strip including that of 30-year-old photojournalist Yasser Murtaja, which was the subject of this New York Times editorial.

St. Anne’s screens “What Lies Upstream”

On Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m., the Climate Justice Film Series at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church continues with the documentary film “What Lies Upstream.” Investigative filmmaker Cullen Hoback travels to West Virginia to uncover the truth behind a massive chemical spill that left 300,000 people without drinking water for months. But when Hoback discovers a collusion between chemical corporations and the highest levels of government, the investigation spirals in a terrifying direction, and we learn the truth about what lies upstream of us all.

Newcomers’ dinner at First Parish

Whether you’re new to the First Parish in Lincoln community or have been coming for years, come to a festive, informal and informative Newcomers Dinner on Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. in the Donaldson Room of the Parish House (14 Bedford Rd.). Please RSVP to Joan Kimball at selenejck@gmail.com.

Correction

 

The articles headlined “Residents drill down on school, community center options before June vote” misstated Andy Payne’s position on the Finance Committee. He is vice chair, not the chairman. Also, the project to research long-term operating costs for a new school is being done jointly by the Finance Committee and the Capital Planning Committee, not just the CapComm.

There will be more discussion of this at two meetings on Monday, April 30. There will be a multiboard meeting starting at 6 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room to update the Campus Project Briefing Document and prepare for the June 9 Special Town Meeting, From 7:30–9 p.m. in the same location, the Finance Committee and Capital Planning Committee will host a meeting looking at campus projects costs.

 

 
 

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PMC Kids Ride is on April 29

The fourth annual Lincoln-Sudbury PMC Kids Ride to help raise money for the Jimmy Fund and Dana Farber Cancer Center will be held on Sunday, April 29 at the Lincoln School campus on Ballfield Road. Kids aged 2–12 ask for donations from friends and family and then ride their bikes around the center green of the schools (or for little ones, a “village” in the Hartwell lot). The event will take place from 7:30–10:30 a.m., with a bike ride, bouncy house, ice cream and other fun activities. Organizers also welcome volunteers to help with the event; to sign up, contact the Parks and Recreation office at 781-259-0784.

Preregistration is $20 ($25 on the day of the event), and each rider must raise a minimum of $30. For more information, see the Lincoln-Sudbury PMC Kids Ride website or email pattylevy.pmckidslincoln@gmail.com.

Barbershop chorus performs on April 29

The New Sound Assembly.

The New Sound Assembly will perform “The Spirit of America in Song” on Sunday, April 29 at 2 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The New Sound Assembly, a 23-man chorus of singers, presents musical programs all over the region and in England and Ireland. The free hour-long performance for all ages will be a mix of barbershop songs, patriotic, and modern favorites. All songs are sung a capella in four-part classical barbershop harmony.

This program is supported by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

Hyltons honored at BU School of Law

Professors Maria and Keith Hylton.

Lincoln residents Keith Hylton, the William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor at Boston University School of Law, and Professor of Law Maria O’Brien Hylton were honored with Trailblazer Awards from the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA) at the organization’s 45th anniversary gala. The awards recognize “leaders who have enriched the legal profession and created career pathways for black lawyers,” according to the MBLA.

Keith Hylton is a prolific scholar across a broad spectrum of topics in law and economics, including tort law, antitrust, labor law, intellectual property, civil procedure, and empirical legal analysis. He has published five books and more than 100 articles in law and economics journals and is president of the American Law and Economics Association. Maria Hylton teaches courses on employment law, ERISA, contracts, and insurance law, and has numerous publications to her credit. She is the co-author of Cases and Materials on Employee Benefits Law and Using Civil Remedies for Criminal Behavior: Rationale, Case Studies, and Constitutional Issues.

The Food Project stages “Big Shindig”

The Lincoln-based Food Project will kick off its 27th growing season with the Big Shindig on Wednesday, April 25 at the Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts. This fundraising event, supported by presenting sponsors Bank of America and Linda and Bill McQuillan, aims to raise $400,000 to support the Food Project’s critical work with youth, food, and community.

This year’s event will feature youth speakers from the Food Project’s Dirt Crew and Root Crew and Leadership Award honorees Cassandria Campbell and Jackson Renshaw, alumni of The Food Project and co-founders of Fresh Food Generation, a Boston-based food truck and catering company..

Proceeds from the Big Shindig will support the Food Project’s youth programming, sustainable agriculture on urban and suburban farms, food system change, promoting community economic strength, and the distribution of fresh produce to expand healthy food access throughout the Boston and North Shore regions. Tickets are on sale now. Visit thefoodproject.org/bigshindig to purchase tickets, get event details, and learn about sponsorship opportunities.

Since its founding, the Food Project has grown from a single two-acre farm in Lincoln to an organization that stewards 70 acres of urban and suburban farmland throughout greater Boston and the North Shore. To date, over 1,800 young people between the ages of 14 and 18 have served on the Food Project’s youth crews, and the organization has harvested nearly 4.5 million pounds of sustainably grown produce.

Little League T-Ball registration now open

Youth baseball in Lincoln starts with T-Ball, which is open to boys and girls currently in kindergarten and those starting kindergarten in the fall. Players will meet on the Smith School fields in Lincoln each Saturday morning from 10–11:30 a.m., right after in-town soccer. The basic mechanics of baseball are taught, and each week features a practice followed by a game. Opening day is Saturday, April 28 and the season runs through June 16. Registration and more information are available at www.LSBaseball.org, or contact Chris Andrysiak at 781-259-3719 or chriscoach33@gmail.com.

Residents drill down on school, community center options before June vote

This School Building Committee chart compares the six options on features and cost and also shows total estimated campus costs that include the community center. (click to enlarge).

Residents who packed two workshops on April 10 on the campus building projects were asked for feedback on six school concepts and three community center schemes in preparation for votes at a Special Town Meeting on June 9.

At that meeting, voters will be asked to choose from among the three community center ideas and an as-yet-unknown number of school concepts, though it will be at least two. Firm cost estimates for each will be presented, and there will be two votes in the fall to bond the project. To win approval, Town Meeting must approve by a two-thirds majority; a simple majority is required at the polls.

The footprint, features and cost of the school concepts are described in this six-page summary, which also includes an energy performance analysis for all but one of the concepts, and the added cost to bring each concept into compliance with the “stretch” code (a higher level of energy efficiency than the state’s base building code) and net-zero energy use.

The paper version of the six-page concept summary handed out at Tuesday’s meeting also listed the annual tax bill increase for the median Lincoln taxpayers based on a 4 percent of 5 percent bond interest rates:

School conceptEstimated costAnnual tax increase (4% interest)Annual tax increase (4% interest)Added cost for stretch code compliance/net zero energy efficiency, including solar
R
$49 million$1,329$1,494N/A
L1
$73 million$1,980$2,226N/A
L2
$79 million$2,142$2,409$0 / $6 million
L3
$89 million$2,413$2,714$0 / $6 million
C
$95 million$2,576$2,897$0 / $2 million
FPC
$109 millionAnalysis not yet performed for this optionAnalysis not yet performed for this optionAnalysis not yet performed for this option

Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall outlined the educational advantages of each of the six options:

Option R

  • There would be no educational improvement except for a more consistent temperature climate due to the heating system upgrade.

Option L1

  • The new dining commons between the Brooks gym and auditorium lobby could serve as a learning space for large groups.

Option L2

  • Bringing preK into the main school from Hartwell saves time for staff who serve both preK and K-8, as well as preK students who must sometimes cross the campus, and it also eases the integration of preK children into the school as well as faculty collaboration.
  • Two new flexible-use spaces on each side of the school.
  • Having a single, centrally located lower and middle school office and dining commons  also reduces travel time for students and staff.

Option L3

  • Hub spaces for grades 3-8 where classes can open out into larger collaboration or teaching spaces, and which allow more collaboration among teachers. At the new Hanscom Middle School, which includes hubs, “we find teachers are doing much more conscious planning together, and we see the impact of more integrated curricula being developed,” McFall said. For each grade, the hubs also “create a bit of a community within a community,” she added.
  • A larger commons space than previous concepts, and the space looks out onto the woods, which is less distracting for students.

Option C

  • Having two floors in part of the building reduces transition times for middle schoolers by shortening corridors. “The compactness helps with efficiencies and interactions for both faculty and students, as well as greater sustainability,” McFall said. “I feel like it’s a better design for education.”
  • More space for playing fields

Option FPC

  • Allows for the “optimal” educational program, with three more classrooms than the current school (or options L2, L3 and C), as well as hubs for all nine grades and more athletic field space.
  • This option was recently added at the request of residents who wanted to see what an “ideal” building would look like, so the design is still in flux and it may be more compact building with two floors in some places, McFall said.

Almost every elementary school in Massachusetts designs within the past 10 years includes small breakout rooms and/or larger hub spaces between classrooms, McFall said. The U.S Department of Defense’s education arm, which oversees construction of schools on military bases, mandated this type of design for the Hanscom school. “They did a lot of research, and they’re convinced of it—their analysis shows a true benefit,” McFall said.

Having hubs and breakout rooms “is the catalyst to change… an eruptor that makes you think something else is possible,” said resident Jen Holleran. “This is a generational opportunity.”

The Capital Planning Committee is now researching long-term operating costs for the various options, which would include estimating the financial value of making a greater up-front investment in a more sustainable design, Finance Committee chair Andy Payne said. Any savings on current utility costs would not help pay down the bond but would show up in slower growth in the school’s annual operating costs, he said.

Following the presentation, residents were asked to specify their two favorite options to help the School Building Committee gauge how many concepts should be presented for a vote on June 9. In 2012, the SBC offered only one option for an up-or-down vote that failed to garner the required two-thirds majority, “and we will not make the same mistake—we feel like we have to bring that choice to you,” said Selectman and former SBC chair Jennifer Glass.

Community center

Workshop attendees then saw the three latest concepts for a community center located on the Hartwell side of campus and were asked for feedback on paper. (The fourth concept on the Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee website—putting the facility in renovated Smith school space—is no longer being considered.)

All are 23,000 square feet and include renovation of any remaining standalone Hartwell pods. Scheme 3 calls for having the community center linked to all three pods, with a resulting total cost ($13.5 million to $16.5 million) lower than the estimate for the other two options (both $15 million to $18 million).

There will be a multi-board meeting to discuss more details of how to finance the campus projects on Monday, April 30.

Letter to the editor: support new efforts on diversity and inclusion

To the editor:

In the wake of the Boston Globe article on METCO’s experience in Lincoln-Sudbury, a group of parents met to talk about their racial experiences in Lincoln. Many were past members of the METCO Coordinating Committee (MCC), some were parents of Lincoln children of color, and some from First Parish.

The group learned of a day when Lincoln demonstrated in support of the METCO program as it tackled racial disparities and created opportunities for our children to receive a diverse education. We learned of social events with Boston parents and a robust MCC that fostered relationships among Boston and Lincoln children. While some residents still hold these aspirations for our town and some provide unusual support for refugees, those days are not these days.

For over eight years, only three or four volunteers have carried out the work of the MCC. These parents labor with few resources, fewer chaperones, and limited funds to create healthy relationships for our school children. Challenges around communication, permission slips, scheduling, and transportation burden their social planning. They work creatively, but the number of social-educational opportunities is declining.

From the Lincoln parents of children of color, we heard heart-breaking stories of hate speech and hurt on the athletic fields, in classrooms, in Lincoln play spaces, and within our family organizations. Lincoln children have been put on “the Boston bus” because their race or ethnicity matched; classroom discussions of the Civil War have presented slaves as “the workers,” and playdates were offered to a white family but not to a parent of color who was equally new to town.

This group was welcomed by Lincoln school and town leaders who listened to and resonated with the need for a new generation of advocates to rebirth Lincoln’s investment in equity and inclusion. Dr. Darnisa Amante of the Disruptive Equity Education Project (DEEP) trains advocates to facilitate difficult conversations about diversity, and Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall is working with DEEP to train her leadership team through self-reflective small groups.

Welcome, inclusion, diversity and equity, of course, are not just school issues; they are town values. Our churches, athletic teams, recreation programs, social clubs, and town government should be places that ensure safety and offer discussions on difference.

Lincoln needs a new generation of social advocates to support its values of equity and inclusion. The DEEP website describes this work. A local foundation is interested in supporting such an endeavor, but it is looking for a financial investment from the Lincoln community. This note is to ask for your help to raise $12,000 to support this important work.

The METCO Coordinating Committee will sponsor these groups and can receive your donations. Please make checks payable to LINCOLN MCC and mark it for “The DEEP Project” (to distinguish it from their summer camp scholarship fundraising), and mail them to PO BOX 393, Lincoln, MA 01773.

Thank you for your investment in helping to create this important resource.

Sincerely,

Nick Covino (15 Mackintosh Lane, Lincoln) on behalf of Pilar Doughty, Moha Desai, Erica Gonella, Erin Muirhead, and 20 Lincoln neighbors

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.

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Wine tasting benefits Domestic Violence Roundtable

Sudbury Wine and Spirits (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury) will host a complimentary wine tasting for the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable’s annual Shower for Shelters fundraiser on Friday, April 20 at 7 p.m. Please bring a new, unwrapped housewarming gift to the event.

New household items are vital for helping survivors of domestic violence establish new homes. Requested items include twin-size sheets and pillowcases, summer blankets, and comforters as well as bed pillows, crib sheets, bath towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, and small kitchen appliances. Gift cards are also welcome. Donations also help the Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs of Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence.

Learn about India’s golden period at daylong event

The India Discovery Center‘s next day-long on India’s cultural history will look at “The Golden Period of India: 200 BC to 500 AD” on Saturday, April 28 from 9:30 a.m.–4 p.m. in Bemis Hall. There will be survey talks on various aspects of Indian life during the period, including art and culture, language and literature, politics, philosophy and religion, and participants will celebrate the era with a church choir, a Sanskrit song, and a grammar recitation. Organizers request a donation of $20 ($15 for Lincoln residents). For more information, contact India Discovery Center president and Lincoln resident Bijoy Misra at misra.bijoy@gmail.com or 781-259-0029.

Talk focuses on “deeper learning” in public schools

Harvard Graduate School of Education professor and Lincoln resident Jal Mehta will discuss findings from his forthcoming book, In Search of Deeper Learning: Inside the Effort to Remake the American High School, in a talk on Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The talk, which is sponsored by the Lincoln School Foundation and the Bemis Trustees, will include audience interaction and Q&A.

Drawing on research in 30 schools across the nation, the talk will explore what it means to understand something deeply, why such learning is rare in American public schools, and how some teachers and schools manage to transcend these realities and create powerful, intellectually enlivening education. Mehta will suggest both reformist and radical ways to make the kind of powerful learning which is currently the exception in American public schools the rule.

Lecture series on FDR in May and June

President Franklin D. Roosevelt

The Lincoln Public Library and the Lincoln Council on Aging present a six-part lecture series on President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Great Depression and World War II on Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. in the library’s Tarbell Room starting Thursday, May 3. The lecture series is presented by Gary Hylander, visiting professor at Framingham State University and the Boston University School of Education. Come to one session or all; no registration required. The schedule is as follows:

  • May 3 — The Great Crash Turns into the Great Depression
  • May 17 — 1932: The Worst Year of The Depression and the New Deal; Could Roosevelt Meet the Challenge?
  • May 24 — The “100 Days” in Review
  • May 31 — A Growing Threat in Europe
  • June 7 — September 1, 1939: Hitler Invades Poland/the Arsenal of Democracy
  • June 28 — War on Two Fronts

Concert to raise awareness about campus projects

The Lincoln-based cover band Dadda (Mike Killick, Doug Carson, Bryce Wells, and Andy Ory) is hosting a musical event to “rock the vote” on Saturday, May 5 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall to raise awareness about the campus project vote that will take place at a Special Town Meeting on June 9. The event is free for Lincoln residents. There will be speakers and information available about the school and community center projects now under consideration.

Marijuana Study Committee hosts panel

The town’s Marijuana Study Committee will host a panel discussion on Wednesday, April 25 from 7–9 p.m. in Town Hall to consider the implications of the state law that legalized the personal use, cultivation, processing, lab testing, and retail sale of recreational marijuana.

Before November 2018, when a temporary town moratorium on marijuana businesses is set to expire, Lincoln must vote on whether or not to allow recreational marijuana cultivation, processing, and retail dispensaries in town. The issue first came up for local discussion at the 2015 State of the Town meeting in the context of medical marijuana dispensaries.

For the April 25 event, the Board of Selectmen has assembled a panel of legal, public safety, agriculture, medical, and industry experts to help Lincoln explore the issues and help inform residents’ thinking about our public policy options. Come learn more about the law, ask questions, and voice your opinions. The committee will also post a comprehensive FAQ document on its web page before the discussion.

DeCordova hosts Park Fest in June

On Saturday, June 23 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum hosts its second annual Park Fest, a campus-wide celebration of art, nature, and creativity. The event kicks off with a 5K trail run in the morning, followed by a day-long festival for all ages. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances, art-making activities, a local artisan market, mini golf, and food and beer for sale.

“Not only will we offer some of deCordova’s signature outdoor activities, but we’re also piloting some fun new creative activities for our visitors,” said deCordova Executive Director John B. Ravenal. This year’s festival will feature an expanded program of activities, including:

  • A 5K trail race through the Sculpture Park and surrounding conservation trails from 9:30–11 a.m. ($20 entry fee for deCordova members, $30 for non-members)
  • Collaborative art-making activities inspired by special exhibitions “Sculpting with Air: Ian McMahon and Jong Oh,” and “Lived Space: Humans and Architecture,” including a giant parachute painting project
  • The Sculpture Discovery Quest, a series of clues to explore, engage with, and learn about the artwork in the park
  • A curated arts and crafts market with local artists, artisans, and vendors (contact Sarah Oh at soh@decordova.org if you’re interested in being a vendor of small artful or edible items priced under $100)
  • Live music by the Crank-Tones and Melvern Taylor and His Fabulous Meltones
  • A special dance performance by Somerville dance company Weber Dance, inspired by art in the park
  • A mini golf course near Jim Dine’s iconic sculpture “Two Big Black Hearts“
  • Ceramic studio demonstrations by resident artist Bruce Barry
  • Food and drink for purchase, including Cambridge-based Compliments Food Truck, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, and beer from Acton’s True West Brewery

All activities take place outdoors in the Sculpture Park (rain or shine). Additionally, visitors will have free access to the museum to view the “Sculpting with Air” and “Lived Space” exhibitions. Tickets for deCordova members are $10 for adults and $5 for children 6-17; nonmember tickets are $20 for adults (including Lincoln residents) and $10 for children. Seniors over $65 are $15. Active0duty military families with ID and all children 5 and under are free. Park Fest tickets and details are available at decordova.org/park-fest.

There will not be any public parking available at deCordova during Park Fest except for accessibility needs; parking will occur offsite with shuttle buses running all day. Shuttle service for the 5K run begins at 8 a.m., and Park Fest shuttle service begins at 10:45 a.m. and ends at 5:30 pm.

Sponsored by Boston Properties, Cambridge Savings Bank, Keryx Biopharmaceuticals​, Inc., and Lincoln Tree and Landscape.

Property sales in February

18 Page Rd. — Michael Pehl to Boston Unibo Corp. for $4,000,000 (February 20)

15 Oak Meadow Rd. — Anne Neimi to Sean and Elizabeth Crovetti for $935,000 (February 23)

20 Hillside Rd. — Mary R. Gayley Trust to Gail O’Keefe and Emma Melton for $985,000 (February 27)