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

LSSC write-in candidates’ night on March 5

The decision by Gerald Quirk of Sudbury to withdraw as a candidate for the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School District School Committee leaves only one candidate, Carole Kasper of Lincoln, in the race with two seats open. The League of Women Voters of Sudbury will invite write-in candidates for that race to participate in Candidates Night on Monday, March 5.

Anyone who sends written notification of his or her intention to be a write-in candidate to the Sudbury or Lincoln town clerk or the Lincoln-Sudbury registrar by the end of the business day on Friday, March 2, will be invited to participate in Candidates Night. Closing hours on Friday are noon for the Sudbury town clerk, 5 p.m. for the Lincoln town clerk, and 3 p.m. for the Lincoln-Sudbury registrar. Write-in candidates are not required to file their intention with town clerks or the registrar and may enter the race at any point, but will not be included in Candidates’ Night unless they file a written intention to run by that deadline.

If there are three or more candidates for the two seats, the League will offer a panel in that race with the chance for all the candidates to introduce themselves and respond to questions. If there are only two candidates for the two seats, the race will be treated as uncontested and the candidates will have a chance to introduce themselves.

Candidates’ Night will be held in the auditorium at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on Monday, March 5 at 7:30 p.m., with a chance to meet the candidates starting at 7:15 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. The program also includes candidate panels in the races for Sudbury Board of Selectmen and Sudbury School Committee (K-8). For more information, please contact Nancy Brumback at 978-440-8304 or nancy.brumback@gmail.com.

Council on Aging activities in March

Lincoln Trad Jazz Band
March 2 from 12:30–1:30 p.m.
Come hear the Lincoln Traditional Jazz Band on Friday, March 2 at Bemis Hall. Enjoy old-time trad jazz that will have you up on our feet dancing and your hands a-clapping!

Painting in pastels with Juliet
March 5 at 10 a.m.
Express your vibrant self with the brilliant colors of pastels with Juliet Rago. She will begin with a short introduction to drawing for those who feel they need it. The class will meet from 10 a.m.–noon on March 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, and 23 at Bemis Hall. No experience is necessary. All materials furnished. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. Limit of six. Cost is $40.

Lincoln Academy with Karin Flynn: A family divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989
March 5 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 5 at 12:30 to hear Karin Flynn discuss “A Family Divided by the Berlin Wall, 1961–1989.” Karin will talk about the effect of the Berlin Wall on her family and how they held together despite political pressure trying to divide them. She will also read a few of her poems and tributes to people who helped her and her two brothers when they decided to come to the US and become American citizens. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

World hand drumming
March 6 at 9:30 a.m.
Hand drumming is a fun way to express yourself and enhance well being. Come learn the joy of drumming with acclaimed drummer Mike Connors from the Concord Conservatory of Music on 12 Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. beginning March 6. Cost is $156. Sign up now by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. No need to bring a drum.

Piano class with Wanda Paik
March 6 and 20 at 10 a.m.
Dust off your piano music books, and come to the piano class at the COA led by Wanda Paik. This class is open to all pianophiles, whatever your level, to play, share, and learn more about how to play and practice to help reach your goals. This class will meet for 6 sessions, every first and third Tuesday of the month (March 6 and 20) from 10–11:15 a.m. at Bemis Hall.

Mindfulness walks in nature
March 6 at 1 p.m.
Early spring can be a very special time to connect with nature through walking in a mindful way. Join naturalist John Calabria for a series of walks in some of Lincoln’s most beautiful places on Tuesdays March 6, April 3, and May 1 beginning at 1 p.m. Where the walks will take place are to be determined. Unplug, disconnect from the world for a while and let our senses come alive in nature. These are co-sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the COA. For more information, including locations of the walks, go to lincolnconservation.org. If there’s snow on the ground, you may wish to bring pull-on grippers, walking sticks, or walking poles.

Surviving and thriving through life’s challenges
March 7 at 9:30 a.m.
No matter what your phase of life or what you have encountered in life, you can learn and apply the scientifically proven tenants of Positive Psychology to become more resilient and happier. Come to the COA at 9:30 on Wednesdays, March 7 and 21 and then every other Wednesday to learn practical strategies, share practices, build connections and support each other. Facilitated by Alyson Lee, social worker, life coach, certified and licensed facilitator of positive psychology. Funded by the Friends of the COA.

Declutter and get organized
March 7 at 10:30 a.m.
Decluttering and getting organized can seem overwhelming, but you can do it with some help. Come to a new decluttering group facilitated by Pam Mizrahi on March 7 from 10:30–11:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall to talk about why we clutter and learn strategies.

Selectman drop-in
March 7 from 2–3 p.m.
Drop by and visit with a member of the Board of Selectmen. Bring your ideas, feedback, questions, or favorite Lincoln anecdote. Whether you stop by for a minute or stay for the hour, the selectmen hope to see you between 2–3pm on Wednesday, March 7 at Bemis Hall.

Caring for loved ones at home after death and green burial
March 9 at 10 a.m.
For millennia families have cared for loved ones at home after death and buried them directly in the earth with simplicity and dignity. You can do the same today. Come to Bemis Hall on March 9 at 10 a.m. to hear Peg Lorenz  discuss reclaiming these beautiful traditions. Did you know that embalming is not required; the deceased can be kept at home (two to three days is usual); a family can do the paperwork and transport the deceased; a cement vault is not required by law; both cremation and conventional burial have serious environmental consequences. Get the information you need to make an informed decision.

Proposed Town Meeting plastic water bottle and bag ban
March 6 at 3:10 p.m.
Students from the L-S Environmental Club will be at Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 6 at 3:10 p.m. to discuss the two proposals they are sponsoring at the Annual Town Meeting to ban plastic bags and plastic water bottles in Lincoln. Get information about the impact of plastic water bottles and bags in our environment and why the students are proposing the bans, ask questions, and give your thoughts and ideas.

Town Meeting resolution on gas leaks
March 9 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Friday, March 9 at 1 p.m. to hear information about a resolution to be proposed at Town Meeting by Mothers Out Front Lincoln to support a bill before the state legislature, “Protecting Consumers of Gas and Electricity from Paying for Leaked and Unaccounted-for Gas.” If Lincoln passes this resolution, we will join many other Massachusetts towns which have also passed similar resolutions in an effort to motivate the utilities to fix the largest gas leaks.

Lincoln Academy with Steve Low—Jerusalem & At Tuwani: international law & local action
March 12 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 12 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Steve Low who will discuss “Jerusalem & At Tuwani: International Law & Local Action.” A retired business consultant, Steve Low’s frequent travels to the Holy Land have brought the Israel-Palestine conflict into sharper focus. His talk will address two timely questions: (1) Why is moving the American embassy to Jerusalem so contentious? and (2) Can Lincoln play a role in promoting peace? The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome!

Free elder law clinic
March 12 at 3 p.m.
Got a question about issues such as estate planning, MassHealth, protecting assets for a loved one with a serious disability, guardianship, conservatorship, or probate? The COA is pleased to provide a monthly legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 12 from 3–4 p.m. at Bemis Hall. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Free wellness clinic for all ages
March 13 at 10 a.m.
PLACE: Lincoln Woods
Meet with a nurse at 50 Wells Rd. in Lincoln Woods on Tuesday, March 13 from 10 a.m.–noon. Blood pressure, nutrition and fitness, medication management, chronic disease management, resources, and more. Funded by the Ogden Codman Trust and provided by Emerson Hospital Home Care.

Explore what’s next in a new group
March 14 at 10:30 a.m.
Explore simple ways to have greater joy and meaning in your life in a new group, facilitated by Pam Mizrahi, that will be held every other Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. beginning March 14 in Bemis Hall. This group will help you discover what is truly important to you and how you want to spend the next chapter of your life. People in the group will share their in-depth knowledge and wisdom, do some brainstorming, and be supported in their endeavor to get more out of life. What you discuss in the group will be confidential.

“The Irish and How They Got That Way”
March 14 at 12:45 p.m.
Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Wednesday, March 14 at the Stoneham Theatre. Trip-goers will attend the matinee performance of The Irish and How They Got That Way by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt (Angela’s Ashes). This revue is a celebration of a heritage that confronts adversity with determination, good humor, music, and love of life. It is a fabulous show, with excellent reviews, an uplifting musical that will leave you smiling. A comfortable air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 12:45 p.m., returning at approximately 5:30 p.m. This trip is rated easy, as it entails a short walk from the bus to the theater with no stairs to climb. Complimentary refreshments are served at intermission. The cost of the trip is $29 and is non-refundable. Space is limited. To reserve a seat, send your check made out to “FLCOA Trips” to Virginia O’Brien, 4 Linway Rd., Lincoln, MA 01773. Please include your phone number and email address. If you have questions you can call Virginia at 781-259-1291 or email her at vobrien39@yahoo.com.

Coffee with the candidates
March 14 at 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, March 14 from 1:30–3 p.m. at Bemis Hall, meet all the Lincoln Sudbury High School Committee Candidates who will speak about the issues facing our High School. Two LSRHS School Committee seats are up for election on March 26. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.

New group for spouses of veterans
March 16 at 10 a.m.
All spouses of veterans (whether the vet is living or deceased) are invited to join a group to be led by Priscilla Leach, Lincoln’s Veterans Service Officer. We hope that the spouses will benefit from getting to know each other, discussing common concerns, and having fun together. This month’s meeting will be held on Friday, March 16 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall, and subsequent meeting places will be at The Commons and Lincoln Woods. No need to sign up, but if you would like more information, please contact Priscilla at 781-259-4472 or leachp@lincolntown.org.

What you need to know about Oriole Landing and zoning proposals
March 16 at 1 p.m.
Important new changes related to planning and land use will be voted on at Town Meeting. Come find out more and have a chance to ask questions at Bemis Hall on Friday, March 16 at 1 p.m. Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney and Assistant Director Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie will discuss a site plan review zoning amendment. Then, members of the Housing Coalition and Civico Development will give information about a bylaw amendment to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development Overlay District and a Preliminary Development and Land Use Plan. Civico Development is proposing Oriole Landing, a 60-unit mixed-income rental community adjacent to the Rt. 2 interchange, Mary’s Way and the Commons including 15 units (25 percent) reserved for those earning a maximum of 80 percent of the Area Median Income.

Lincoln Academy with Jonathan Ammen—Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine: overview, modern research, and integration
March 19 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to the Lincoln Academy on Monday, March 19 at 12:30 p.m. at Bemis Hall with Jonathan Ammen who will discuss “Acupuncture and Traditional Asian Medicine: Overview, Modern Research, and Integration.” Acupuncture and traditional Asian medicine have become popular and enjoyed increasing acceptance in the western world over the last two decades. Today, many hospitals and academic medical centers are integrating acupuncture services with conventional care. This talk will include a quick overview of traditional Asian medicine followed by an up-to-date chronicle of the science behind acupuncture, how it works and what it can treat. Jonathan Ammen has practiced and researched traditional Asian medicine for 37 years. He currently sees patients and conducts research at Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Lexington, and Peabody. The lectures last about an hour, including a Q&A period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Senior dining is free in your birthday month
March 20 at 11:30 a.m.
Lincolnites 60 and older are invited to enjoy a delicious gourmet meal with new friends and old at 11:30 on Tuesday, March 20 at St. Anne’s Church. Please reserve by calling the COA at 781-259-8811. The cost of each meal is $5. Caregivers are welcome to come with those for whom they are caring. Let them know when you call if you need transportation or a seating partner. The lunch is co-sponsored by the COA, the Friends of the COA, Minuteman Senior Services, Newbury Court, St. Anne’s, and the Lincoln Garden Club. Enjoy a lunch free during your birthday month—just let them know!

Coffee with artist Owen Beenhouwer
March 20 at 2:15 p.m.
Come have coffee with Lincoln artist Owen Beenhouwer on Tuesday, March 20 at 2:15 p.m. to celebrate his exhibit of photographs in March and April in the Bemis Artists Gallery. Born in Amsterdam, Owen has lived in Lincoln for 45 years, as well as New York City and four other New England states and taught architectural design at the University of Washington. Owen has done photography in black and white, then color, then slides, and now digital. He has been fascinated with patterns and structure and their beauty, both in nature and man-made, and urban oddities including water tanks, and reflections. So come see shots of buildings, bridges, stairs, flowers, glass and windows, overhead wires and more.

Coffee with the candidates
March 23 at 10 a.m.
Get to know the candidates running for local offices at the March 26 election by coming to Coffee with the candidates Ask them your questions, and hear their approaches to the issues facing our community. Come to the Bemis Hall on March 23 at 10 a.m. to meet with candidates for Lincoln offices including Board of Selectmen, Board of Assessors, Board of Health, Housing Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, Planning Board, School Committee, and more. This is your opportunity to meet the people who will be making the decisions that affect your life and that of your family and community before you enter the voting booth.

Donating your stuff locally after you declutter
March 23 at 1 p.m.
Your 2018 decluttering resolution can be easier than you think. Come learn the best choices for giving your possessions a local home while making great strides to de-clutter your home at a panel discussion on March 23 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Hear about the transfer station with Laura Berland, the library book sale with Sally Kindleberger, Old Town Hall Exchange with Dot Taylor, and Household Goods Recycling in Acton with Linda Svetz.

Lincoln Academy with Evelyn Harris—Music: understanding the art of repetition
March 26 at 12:30 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, March 26 at 12:30 to hear Evelyn Harris discuss “Music: Understanding the Art of Repetition.” Evelyn Harris invites you to spend an hour with her as she discusses (mostly performs) music by four different composers (Beethoven, Liszt, Debussy, and Gershwin) and their creativity regarding repetition. The COA provides beverages and dessert. The lectures last about an hour, including a question and answer period. Participants are welcome to stay after the program to continue their discussion. All ages welcome.

Access investment information free through the library
March 27 at 2:15 p.m.
Did you know that all you need to access subscriptions of investment information worth hundreds of dollars for free is a library card? Having a card allows you to get information at your home computer on mutual funds and stocks from Morningstar, Valueline ratings, reviews of stocks, and more! Find out what’s available in the Minuteman Library Network databases and how to use them when Lincoln Reference Librarian Laura Paryl comes to Bemis Hall on Tuesday, March 27 at 2:15 p.m.

The Fireside Chat: coping with grief, sadness and disappointment
How do you handle grief or deep sadness, disappointment? Do you have any strategies to share, or tips to help others who may be struggling? Come to the Fireside Chat on Wednesday, March 28 from 10–11:30 at Lincoln Woods and engage in a lively conversation. Sharon Antia will facilitate the discussion.

School Building Committee update
March 30 at 10 a.m.
Please join the School Building Committee on March 30 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall for an update on the latest building concepts and cost estimates as well as a review of the SBC’s presentation at Town Meeting. The gathering at Bemis provides another important checkpoint for our community in moving collectively closer to a town-wide vote on June 9 for a preferred school building concept. For the latest information on the Lincoln School project, visit www.lincolnsbc.org. Questions or comments, email us at SBC@lincnet.org.

Healing motion for life: a free movement workshop
March 30 at 1 p.m.
Being in touch with the way our bodies move, and working to keep our movements unrestricted and fluid help bring health and clarity to every aspect of our lives. Join Susanne Liebich on Friday, March 30 at 1 p.m. at Bemis Hall to experience a variety of sustainable exercises including expressive movement, breathing and relaxation in a program sponsored by Deaconess Abundant Life Services and Newbury Court. Susanne’s movement practice helps you achieve body awareness, presence, physical strength, balance, focus, and serenity.

The International Museum of World War II in May
In May, the COA will have a trip to the International Museum of World War II in Natick with lunch at a delicious Thai restaurant. The museum hosts over 500,000 artifacts, letters, and documents including the famous enigma machines, letters, diaries, magazines, photos, secret items used by the resistance, and much more. Check the April COA newsletter for more information.

News acorns

Climate change film on Maldives shown Tuesday

The film The Island President will have a free showing on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Lincoln, part of its ongoing Climate Justice Film Series. The film chronicles the presidency of Mohamed Nasheed, who served as the first democratically elected president of the Maldives during a tumultuous period from 2008–2012. During his presidency, Nasheed gained world attention for his activism related to climate change. Though it has put a relatively tiny amount of carbon pollution into the atmosphere, the Maldives (the world’s lowest country, with an average elevation of five feet) will be one of the first to disappear due to the rising sea levels caused by the warming effect of man-made greenhouse emissions.

A light vegetarian supper will be served at 6:30, followed by the film at 7 p.m. All are welcome. Donations will be accepted to defray the costs of public screening rights.

Monthly book sale coordinator sought

The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library are looking for a volunteer to help oversee the monthly book sale held at Bemis Hall the second Saturday of each month. The sale is the largest on-going fundraiser that the Friends run and plays a crucial part in helping the Lincoln Library offer wonderful programs for both adults and children. For more information on volunteering for this position, please contact outgoing coordinator Susan Richards Hallstein at reerichards1@gmail.com.

Arbo and Mayhem at next LOMA

Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem

Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem are the featured performers at the next LOMA (Lincoln Open-Mike Acoustic) night on Monday, March 12 in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. The event runs from 7-10 p.m., and Arbo and Mayhem will perform a half-hour set starting around 8:30. The duo has five albums out; their latest, Violets Are Blue (2015), is an eclectic bouquet of love songs infused with poetry and groove.

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.

Group hosts discussion on role of men in a time of #MeToo

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable will commemorate White Ribbon Day by hosting a discussion of “The Role of Men in the Time of #MeToo” on Tuesday, March 13 at 3 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Wayland Public Safety Building (38 Cochituate Rd., Wayland). After an opening ceremony featuring the raising of the White Ribbon flag, two short films will be screened. One features local men and boys sharing their thoughts on the #MeToo Movement. The second screening will feature a segment of the CBS program, “A Panel of Men on the #MeToo Movement.” The films will be followed by a moderated discussion on the issues raised by the films. Participants will be encouraged to identify ways in which they, as individuals, can be allies in creating change.

Forums planned for Town Meeting and election issues

Oriole Landing update on Tuesday

Residents are invited to hear reports from town officials, boards, and committees on the proposed Oriole Landing mixed-income housing development on Tuesday, Feb. 27 from 7–9 p.n. in Town Hall. Hosted by the Housing Options Working Group. There will be ample time for questions, discussion, answers, and suggestions in preparation for the Planning Board public hearing on March 6 and the Town Meeting vote on March 24.

Kasper to appear at three events

Lincoln’s Carole Kasper is running for the seat being vacated by Nancy Marshall on the Lincoln-Sudbury RHS School Committee. There are three public events upcoming in Lincoln at which citizens will have an opportunity to meet Kasper, learn about her involvement with various Lincoln institutions, and get a sense of her views and goals for L-S. Coffee and light refreshments will be served. The election is Monday, March 26; the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

  • Friday, March 9 — Lincoln Woods Community Room, 9:30–11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, March 14—Lincoln Library Tarbell Room, 9:30–11 a.m., and Bemis Hall, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

Green Energy Committee sessions on Town Meeting articles

At Town Meeting, there will be several articles and citizens’ petitions related to the environment and sustainability. In one article, the Green Energy Committee (GEC) will be asking residents to consider supporting a Lincoln “Community Choice Aggregation” program. Aggregation programs can provide advantages for price, price stability, and renewable energy content that is included in our electricity purchases. A “yea” vote would start the process involving about a year of planning, bid solicitation, and staff review. Pending the Board of Selectmen’s approval, the town would sign a formal contract with an electricity supplier on behalf of the town.

To learn more about this and the other “green” initiatives that will be voted on at Town Meeting, come to the Green Energy Committee Forum on Wednesday, March 14 from 7:30–9 p.m. in Hartwell Pod B. On the agenda:

  • “Community Choice Aggregation,” sponsored by GEC
  • “The Regulation of Sale and Use of Bottled Water,” sponsored by the Lincoln-Sudbury Environmental Club
  • “The Regulation of Sale and Use of Bottled Water — Alternative,” sponsored by Jim White, owner of Trail’s End and Lincoln Kitchen
  • “Protecting Consumers of Gas and Electricity from Paying for Leaked & Unaccounted-for Gas,” sponsored by Mothers Out Front

The forum is a chance to meet and talk with sponsoring groups and others engaged in sustaining the environment. Immediately before the forum from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Hartwell parking lot, residents can meet owners of electric vehicles, ask questions and learn more.

Property sales in January

36D Indian Camp Lane — Stephen Dirrane to RBGB LLC for $470,000 (January 5)

113 Tower Rd. — Jennifer Leaning to David K. and Kate K. Bruenner for $1,041,000 (January 5)

6 Brooks Rd. — John G. Zornig to Michael Preshman and Yuliya Tsaur for $750,000 (January 8)

0 Oxbow Rd. — Omar N. White to St. Peter’s Parish of Weston for $855,000 (January 11)

58 Weston Rd. (formerly known as 64 Weston Rd.) — Walter Cannon Trust to Joachim Fruebis for $800,000 (January 12)

48 Todd Pond Rd. — Daniel W. Ladd Trust to Michael Luneau for $320,000 (January 22)

80 Tower Rd. — MCH 80 Tower LLC to Richard and Wendelin Nelson for $1,300,000 (January 25)

1 Moccasin Hill — Torin Fitton to Bradley and Candace Pearson for $976,000 (January 26)

Huckleberry Hill (three parcels at #0, #0, and #8) — Steven A. Justi to Ramana Lagemann for a total of $2,100,000 (January 31)

Report: Oriole Landing will boost revenue by up to $115,000 a year

A fiscal analysis performed for the developer of the proposed Oriole Landing project says the housing will result in a net boost to town revenue of at least $75,000 per year.

The report for Civico Development done by Fougere Planning & Development, Inc., looked at increased revenue from property and excise taxes as well as costs from added school-age children and emergency services. The Milford, N.H. company is also doing a fiscal impact analysis for the proposed 180-unit LCB Senior Living development in Lexington.

With an estimated value of $16 million, Oriole Landing would be expected to generate first-year tax payments of $217,870 based on Lincoln’s current property tax rate of $12.60 per $1,000 valuation, the report says. Another $32,813 in revenue would come from automobile excise taxes and $6,536 in the 3 percent property tax surcharge that funds the Community Preservation Act. The added estimated revenue totals $257,219.

Fourgere analyzed three years of emergency call data from 1,582 apartment housing units to project annual increases of 29 calls a year and 14 more calls for fire and ambulance services. Based on Lincoln’s Public Safety Department call records and budgets, the town would pay an additional $18,641 for Oriole Landing services. There will be no added road maintenance costs because the development’s road maintenance and garbage removal will be paid for by the apartment complex operator.

The report analyzed the school impact of the 30 proposed two-bedroom units, disregarding the 30 one-bedroom units since those tenants would presumably not have children living with them. Using the Lincoln Woods units (minus its three-bedroom units) for comparison, Fourgere projects that 9–16 school-age children may live at Oriole Landing, with 70-80 percent of them in grades K-8.

Oriole Landing’s fiscal impact according to the Fougere report (click image to enlarge).

Based on Lincoln’s class size policies, this will result in less than a single additional class, meaning an extra teacher costing about $100,000 probably would not have to be hired. However, the firm included a figure of $60,000–$100,000 “to account for some school-related costs… to cover potential teacher salaries.” K-8 school enrollment is down 12.5 percent since 2011-12, according to school data cited in the report, so “given the declining enrollment trend, the need for additional staff is unlikely.”

When everything is added up, the net fiscal impact will be an estimated $75,437–$115,437 in additional revenue for the town.

The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Civico’s preliminary site plan on Tuesday, March 6 at 7 p.m. in town hall. Residents will also be asked to amend zoning bylaws to establish a North Lincoln Planning Development District and approve the prelininary site plan at Town Meeting on March 24.

On Thursday, Feb. 22, Civico Development will host a presentation and Q&A for the Council on Aging at 2:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall and an open house in the Lincoln Public Library from 6:30–8:30 p.m. There will with additional open houses on March 8, 15, and 22 and another COA session on March 16. A full list of meetings can be found here.

News acorns

Lincoln’s Shepard discusses book on black Civil War soldiers

Lincoln’s own Ray Anthony Shepard will speak about his book, Now or Never: Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts Infantry’s War to End Slavery on Thursday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library. It’s the story of George Stephens and James Henry Gooding, members of the all-black regiment and the war’s first black correspondents. Stephens and Gooding wrote eyewitness reports exposing the dangers and tragedies they experienced on and off the battlefield, as well as the shocking injustices they endured in their own army, providing an intensely personal perspective on the Civil War.

Shepard is the grandson of a slave and was the first African American editor-in-chief of a major educational publishing house. He has taught at Phillips Academy Andover and Brandeis University. Now or Never was picked by the New York Public Library as a “Best Book For Kids & Teens” and included on Kirkus Reviews’ “Best Books (Teens)” list. Copies will be available for purchase and signing.

Rev. Jim Antal

First Parish hosts climate-change book talk

The First Parish in Lincoln will host a book discussion and Q&A with Rev. Jim Antal, conference minister and president of the Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ and author of Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change, on Sunday, March 11 at noon in the church sanctuary (4 Bedford Rd.). First Parish in Lincoln’s Outreach Committee will also share the activities of its new environmental concerns group. In July 2013 Antal wrote and championed the UCC’s resolution to divest from fossil fuel companies. In 2010 he founded NEREM (New England Regional Environmental Ministries), and continues to write the Ecumenical Lenten Carbon Fast.

Dr. Robert Thorson

Talk by author of book on Walden Pond

The Walden Woods Project and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will host a Stewardship Lecture with Dr. Robert M. Thorson, who will discuss a new guidebook to Walden Pond, on Thursday, March 15 at the Walden Woods Project at 44 Baker Farm Rd. in Lincoln. The reception begins at 7 p.m. and the talk begins at 7:30 p.m. Free and open to the public. The Guide to Walden Pond: An Exploration of the History, Nature, Landscape and Literature of One of America’s Most Iconic Places is the first guidebook to Henry David Thoreau’s most defining place. Thorson is a professor of geology at the University of Connecticut and is the author of several books on Thoreau and his landscape. For more information, click here or email education@walden.org.

Job search group continues through March

The Networking and Job Searching Group, an open drop-in group to exchange ideas and tips on employment opportunities, has been extended through March 28. It meets on Wednesdays from 10 a.m.–noon in the Lincoln Public Library Tarbell Room. For more information, contact Mary Stechschulte at steckstudio@yahoo.com.

Meet electric car owners

Learn about electric vehicles from Lincoln owners and go for a ride on Wednesday, March 14 from 6:30–7:30 p.m. in the Hartwell School parking lot. The event happens immediately before the Green Energy Committee forum, which will look at articles on the Town Meeting warrant that address sustainability.

 

Letter to the editor: more input on school planning is vital

To the editor:

I am motivated to write this letter as a result of recent discussions about the school project. Following the January 23 public forum, the outreach committee conducted a survey which brought in 156 responses. While this is a good number related to the number of attendees, it is not a large enough number to give one confidence as to the eventual outcome of the effort put in by the School Committee, the School Building Committee, and the committee working on the community center.

The projects are progressing apace, but the resultant budget will cause a significant increase to our taxes. We are talking of options for the school ranging from $70–$90 million. When adding the community center’s $12–15 million, the resulting amount approaches $100 million. Thus, I believe it is critical that as many of you as are able and are interested should attend our discussions to ensure that the end result will truly reflect the wishes of our community and thus not fail at the ballot box.

Our meetings are well publicized on the School Building Committee website: lincolnsbc.org. We look forward to seeing you at our next meetings.

Sincerely,

Peter Sugar (School Building Committee member)
133 Chestnut Circle

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.

Community center planners mull input including a Smith site

A group of Lincoln design professionals wrote a memo to campus planners urging that they consider locating the community center on the current Smith school site rather than on the Hartwell side of campus, but the reaction among community center planners was lukewarm last week.

At its February 14 meeting, the Community Center Preliminary Planning and Design Committee reviewed feedback collected on the initial set of six concepts for a community center. Most popular with residents at the community workshops on January 30 were Schemes 2, 3A, and 3B. The latter two options call for retaining and renovating all three Hartwell pods, but 3B put some of the parking between the main Hartwell building and Lincoln Road where the Strat’s Place playground used to be. Residents and the CCPPDC liked the building shape and location of Scheme 3B and the parking in Scheme 3A, so architect Maryann Thompson will include an illustration with that combination in the next round of designs she’ll present at the March 13 CCPPDC meeting.

The CCPPDC also decided that, regardless of which option is selected, there will not be parking on the Strat’s Place site, and any pods not folded into the community center will be renovated (work that would have to include new windows and bathrooms as well as fire code and handicapped accessibility upgrades). However, that renovation work could be done separately from the community center construction.

“We’re waiting to see what the school [which owns the pods] is going to do with these buildings,” CCPPDC Vice Chair Margit Griffith said. “The community is not necessarily aware of who owns them and who has the right and the budget” to demolish or renovate them.

The Smith idea

The February 12 memo addressed to both the CCPPDC and the School Building Committee addressed several issues with the school and community center proposals. Among its recommendations: putting the community center on the space currently occupied by the old Smith building. That space would be freed up if the town chooses for school option B6, which concentrates the building on the north side of the ballfield. The authors note that there is community interest in preserving the 1953 Smith gym, which has historically appealing wooden rafters and floors as well as a stage.

Sketches of two concepts for a community center on the Smith side of the campus (click to enlarge).

In response to the memo, Thompson presented two options for a west-wide community center, one with 35,400 square feet and the other with 28,600 square feet. A 19,000-square-foot building would be sufficient to meet the needs of the Council on Aging and the Parks and Recreation Department, according to 2014 estimates.

Both plans would be more expensive than any of the east-side proposals due to higher construction and renovation costs associated with the larger footprints, though Thompson did not have exact cost estimates as of last week. Reusing some of the Smith building is also less than ideal for seniors because of the long hallway they would have to traverse. The gym’s acoustical properties also make it problematic for use by seniors, Council on Aging Director Carolyn Bottum noted. Furthermore, despite the larger total footprint, the rest of the community center might actually be a bit squeezed since the gym takes up so much of the space, Thompson added.

“Programmatically this doesn’t work well, according to the earlier community center study committee,” resident Sara Mattes commented. “To spend more money on rehabbing something that doesn’t meet programs needs and requires additional parking, paving over what was going to be green space, seems to be a bit of an anathema.”

“If it was cheaper [than the Hartwell options], then maybe the town would say it’s worth suffering some of the challenges that go along with it, but learning that it’s at least as expensive and maybe more, as well as more expensive on the operating side—I don’t know how we could justify it to the town,” CCPPDC member Tim Christenfeld said.

Of the Smith building, resident Owen Beenhouwer (also an architect) said, “I think it’s a candidate for coming down. I think we need to be building for the future and not just keeping the past half alive.”

Thompson acknowledged that “you would never get a gym like that now” with its wooden rafters and natural light. “I don’t think it should get torn down, but I don’t know what to do with it.”

The memo authors urged the school and community center planners to hold a joint charrette as soon as possible to better coordinate campus planning and discuss possible ways to keep the Smith gym.

The memo was written by Doug Adams, Gary Anderson, Ken Bassett, Lucretia Giese, Ken Hurd, Judith Lawler, Brooks Mostue, David O’Neil, Steven Perlmutter, Dana Robbat, and Peter Sugar. Adams, Bassett, Perlmutter, and Sugar were members of the School Building Advisory Committee that was formed after the 2012 defeat of the school plan that had been accepted for funding by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). Giese and Robbat are among the founders of Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln.

Adams and Bassett were also members of the “Fireside Seven,” a group of Lincoln architects and designers who developed an L-shaped design alternative after the 2012 vote in hopes of retaining MSBA funding. That alternative was rejected by the agency as being too different from what it had approved originally.

Nature-themed events at Farrington Nature Linc

Farrington Nature Linc will host several nature-themed events for children and adults this spring. They take place at 295 Cambridge Turnpike in Lincoln unless otherwise indicated.

Owl Prowl
Saturday, March 3 — 4:30–6 p.m.
Have you ever seen or heard an owl in the woods? We’ll begin our “Owl Prowl” with an owl craft and a short discussion about owls. Then we’ll head outside for a guided walk around Farrington’s property, where we’ll we do some “owling” (learning about owl calls and keeping our eyes out for owls). When the sun sets, we’ll head inside for hot cocoa and a reading of the children’s book Owl Moon. $10 per person, $20 for a family of four; click here for tickets.

Galileo Star Party
Saturday, March 10 — 7–9:30 p.m.
Join Farrington Nature Linc for an evening performance by talented and professional actor Mike Francis as Galileo. His performance is perfect for all ages to learn about astronomy. Afterward, we’ll follow Mike Francis outside to our fire circle to enjoy s’mores. We’ll also set up and use telescopes to stargaze. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Lincoln Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. Free; click here to register.

Art on the Wing
Saturday, April 28 — 9:30 a.m.–noon
Join Farrington Nature Linc and Wingmasters for an interactive program with five live birds of prey. Each bird is displayed by the Wingmasters presenter for 10-15 minutes while the audience has the opportunity to draw and ask questions. The Wingmasters presenter will point out each bird’s characteristics, guiding the audience toward a fuller understanding of what defines a bird of prey. 9:30–10:30 a.m.: Children’s drawing time (parents/guardians may join). 11 a.m.–noon: adults’ drawing time. $10 for children, $15 for adults; click here for tickets.

Farrington Nature Linc will also host a talk and Q&A with Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, at the Kickstand Café at 594 Massachusetts Ave. in Arlington on Wednesday, April 18 from 7–10 p.m.  Attendees must be 21  or older, as there will be alcohol at the event.