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

News acorns

Correction

An item in the September 3 issue of News Acorns incorrectly stated that Rep. Alice Peisch would hold online office hours on Friday, Sept. 12 from 10:00am–3:00pm. While the date and time were correct, the office hours will be conducted by Peisch’s staff, not Peisch herself. The original item has been corrected.

Bedford Road closure

To accommodate water main work, Bedford Road will be closed from the five-way intersection to Canaan Drive from Monday–Wednesday, Sept. 8–10, from 7:00am–3:00pm.

Get your antiques assessed for free

Do you have an item whose value you’ve always wondered about? Rick Keller of Perfect Pastime 617 is offering a community-wide collectibles appraisal event and will be at the Lincoln Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 20 from 1:30–4:30pm. Registration for a 10-minute time slot is required beforehand, and registrants must supply photos of what they plan on bringing in before the event. Similar events in other towns are listed here.

Babysitter/parent meet & greet

Are you a teen interested in babysitting or a parent looking for a reliable sitter? Come to a babysitter meet & greet at the upcoming PTO meeting on Monday, Sept. 29 from 7:30–9:00pm in the Lincoln School Learning Commons. Teen sitters are encouraged to bring a short bio or flyer with your availability, experience, and contact info. This is open to teens ready for independent babysitting or pre-teens interested in mother’s helpers opportunities. Sign up here.

Volunteers needed for CapCom, Pierce House

The Select Board is seeking two volunteers to serve as at-large members on the Capital Planning Committee and another two as at-large members on the Pierce House Committee.

CapCom helps the town identify and prioritize current and future capital needs in light of the town’s fiscal constraints. The committee seeks members who have interest/experience in building and facilities management, grounds and infrastructure maintenance, technical systems development, and strategic planning. The Pierce House Committee seeks residents with experience or interest in historic building maintenance and restoration, budgeting and financial oversight.

For CapCom, address letters of interest and a volunteer application to Town Moderator Sarah Canon Holden by Friday, Sept. 26; for Pierce House, address them to Pierce House Committee Chair Anne Crosby by Monday, Sept. 22. In both cases, email them to Peggy Elder, Administrative Assistant in the Select Board’s Office, at elderp@lincolntown.org. Questions? Call the Select Board’s Office at 781-259-2601.

Talk on geothermal energy

On Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m., MetroWest Climate Solutions and Green Newton will offer a free webinar on geothermal technologies. In 2017, Boston-based HEET.org proposed that gas utilities, which have millions of miles of gas pipes laid under streets, replace those pipes with water-filled geothermal pipes. The warmed pipes would transfer their warmth to ground-source heat pumps designed to both heat and cool homes. Last year, Eversource launched the first geothermal network in Framingham built by a gas utility that moved over 130 customers onto geothermal energy for all heating and cooling. It is believed to be the first project of its kind in the world. Angie Alberto Escobar, HEET’s gas-to-geo transition director, will provide an overview of geothermal technology and an update on the Framingham project and will discuss what’s next for this energy source. Register here for the webinar.

Down on the farm

Coming up at Codman Community Farms (click on an event title for details and registration):

Service on Wednesday for Mary Herman, 1946–2025

Mary Herman

Mary G. (McPhee) Herman, age 79, a former longtime resident of Lincoln, died on Sept. 5, 2025 in New Horizons at Marlborough. She was the loving wife for 59 years of Peter P. Herman.

Mary was born in South Boston on March 5, 1946, as the daughter of the late Henry and Mary (Arrigal) McPhee. She was a graduate of South Boston High School, class of 1963. Later in life, she attended classes at Becker College. For nearly 30 years, Mary was an Executive Secretary for New England Telephone Company, and later, Verizon.

Throughout her life, Mary enjoyed knitting, gardening, reading, cooking and traveling extensively. Above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

In addition to her husband, she leaves behind four children: Mary Elizabeth Duffey of Clinton, Kristin White and her husband Chris of Marlborough, Theresa Shephard of Hopkinton, and Thomas Herman and his wife Rachael of Marlborough, as well as her grandchildren Kayla, Sean, Paige, Jaimie, Madison, Connor, and great-granddaughter Brynnley. Mary was predeceased by her granddaughter, Cheyenne, and her brother, Kenneth McPhee. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to gather for visiting hours at the Dee Funeral Home, 27 Bedford St., Concord on Tuesday, Sept. 9 from 4:00–7:00pm. Mary’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at 9:00am from Dee Funeral Home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 am in St. Joseph Church, 142 Lincoln Road, Lincoln. Burial will follow at Lincoln Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mary’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Legal notice: Property Tax Classification Hearing (Sept. 15, 2025)

Public Hearing — Select Board
Property Tax Classification Hearing

The Select Board of the Town of Lincoln will conduct a public hearing on Monday evening, September 15, 2025, at 6:30 pm, for the purpose of determining for fiscal year 2026 the percentage of the real estate property tax burden that shall be borne by the residential and commercial classifications of property respectively.

General inquiries prior to the hearing may be directed to the Assessors’ Office, Lincoln Town Offices (781 259-2611).

Pursuant to the extension of the remote meeting authorization of the Open Meeting Law through June 30, 2027, under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the Select Board will be conducted as a hybrid meeting, providing the public the opportunity to participate in-person or remotely.

Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Lincoln website, at www.lincolntown.org.

Topic: Lincoln Select Board Meeting

Time: September 15, 2025, 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91832375325?pwd=aXRpdnlJWHJINnZzd0xOQW9ZTjIvdz09

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: Planning Board hearing (0 Mary’s Way)

PUBLIC HEARING — LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7:01 PM on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 via hybrid meeting to review an application for a Renewal of a Special Permit for an existing wireless communication facility located at 0 Mary’s Way, Parcel 111-10-0, under Section 12.6 of the Zoning Bylaw. The applicant, T-Mobile LLC proposes to maintain the existing wireless communication facility by Special Permit for a new term. The application is available for review by e-mailing Jennifer Curtin at curtinj@lincolntown.org. The agenda with the Zoom information and meeting location will be posted to the Town website at lincolntown.org/Calendar.aspx at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Anyone wishing to be heard may be present at the designated time and place, written comments will also be accepted.

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.

Road project list is focus of upcoming public forums, survey

The Transportation Coalition will hold a pair of public forums on Tuesday, Sept. 30 to share its five-year project plan and discuss funding opportunities and constraints for various road improvement projects. The group is also gathering feedback and support via this survey about roads, roadside paths, and trails.

The Select Board approved the formation of the Transportation Coalition in 2023 with members from the Roadside & Traffic Committee, the Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC), the Select Board, town staff and engineering consultants. In June 2024, the board approved a five-year plan listing 12 projects identified as priorities by the group. Those items were drawn from a more comprehensive master plan created by the BPAC that included a wide range of recommendations for safety improvements on roads and roadside paths in Lincoln.

The question, as always, is how to pay for what residents decide to do. As noted in a flyer recently sent to Lincoln homes, funding for most road work comes from the state’s Chapter 90 program, but that doesn’t cover the cost of significant upgrades or repairs, which are usually paid for via bonding. A $5.5 million major road repaving project was bonded in 2010, but “the roads are approaching the end of useful life and will soon need repaving, which will require a significant bond. Another upcoming project that may require bonding is the reconstruction of Ballfield Road currently slated for 2026,” the flyer notes.

The five-year project plan (whose order of priorities was adjusted in November 2024 in the table cited on the Transportation Coalition web page), also took into account the priorities in 2023’s Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. In past years, MassDOT’s Complete Streets grant program funded a crosswalk with pedestrian islands at Route 117 and Lincoln Road, the-ADA accessible route from Lincoln Station to Codman Farm, and improved signage at Lincoln Station, Codman Farm, and Drumlin Farm. It will also fund a new crosswalk with pedestrian islands at the intersection of Old Sudbury Road and Route 117 expected to be completed by this winter.

“Many residents have requested roadside paths and/or crosswalks for their neighborhood [but] the town’s ability to improve the infrastructure is limited by available funds, staff capacity, and easement challenges,” the flyer notes. In light of limited funding and a plethora of projects that could be tackled, residents are invited to one of two forums on September 30: a Zoom session from 9:00–10:30am and an evening event from 7:00–8:30pm in the Lincoln School Learning Commons.

The survey is open until October 9.

News acorns

SSEF celebrates end of summer

The South Sudanese Enrichment for Families community gathered at the end of August at Codman Pool to celebrate the end of summer with swimming, basketball, books and socializing. Donelan’s provided fruit, vegetables, and cakes, while L-S students helped out. See more photos here.

First Parish kicks off new year

The First Parish in Lincoln invites residents to two events:

Yoga at Pierce Park

The Lincoln School Foundation and The Nest Yoga Lincoln are offering yoga sessions at Pierce Paek on two Sundays, Sept. 7 and 14 from 9:00-10:00am. Requested donation: $20 cash (100% of proceeds benefit LSF). Bring your own yoga mat and water bottle. Park at Lincoln Town Hall.

Meet new COA&HS staff

Come to Bemis Halll on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at noon for a free pizza lunch to welcome new town social worker Lily Sonis and Transportation Coordinator Katherine Kmetz to the Council on Aging & Human Resources. Lily holds master’s degrees in both social work and public health and was VP of Refugee and Disability Services at JVS Boston. Katherine most recently worked at McLean Hospital and is completing her master’s in social work.

Rep. Peisch schedules office hours

State Rep. Alice Hanlon Peisch’s staff will hold virtual office hours on Friday, Sept. 12 from 10:00am–3:00pm for constituents of Wellesley, Weston, and Precinct 2 in Lincoln, to discuss matters pending before the Legislature, issues they may be having with an executive agency, or any other district matters. Register for the link using this SignUp Genius page. Questions? Email wesley.stanton@mahouse.gov. Any constituent who wishes to speak to Peisch but can’t attend office hours may make an appointment by calling 617-722-2783 or emailing Alice.Peisch@mahouse.gov.

Author discusses book about Royal Tar

Jane Gardner will discuss her latest book, “The Wreck of the Circus Ship Royal Tar: Tragedy in Penobscot Bay,” on Friday, Sept. 26 at 12:30pm in Bemis Hall. This true story involves a maritime disaster in 1836 involving a steamship, circus animals, and a desperate rescue off the Maine coast. Sponsored by the Friends of the Council on Aging & Friends of Lincoln Library.

Woman arrested in Lincoln after incident in Concord

A doorbell camera recorded this image of April Grueter before she was arrested after a search in the woods. (Image courtesy Rick Watkins)

A woman who allegedly pulled two fire alarms and intentionally left a suspicious package in Concord was captured by police in Lincoln late last week after fleeing the scene in her car and on foot.

Concord Police and Fire Departments responded on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 7:12pm to the Dunkin Donuts at 1641 Sudbury Road for a report of a fire alarm activation. Upon arrival, police said they discovered that two pull stations within the store had been pulled maliciously by a woman who then left the store. That same woman then went next door to the Nine Acre Farm Convenience Store, where she made threatening statements, then left a suitcase inside the store and fled in a vehicle, police said.

The convenience store and Dunkin Donuts were both closed, and all businesses within 300 feet were evacuated as a precaution while a State Police bomb squad responded to the scene to evaluate the suitcase.

While Concord Police and Fire secured the stores with assistance from mutual aid partners, they also began searching for the suspect who left the suitcase behind and located her crashed vehicle on South Great Road in Lincoln a short time later.

Meanwhile, Rick Watkins, who lives on South Great Road close to the Concord town line, went to answer his doorbell, but by the time he got there, the person was gone. However, his doorbell camera caught an image of her. She had apparently walked up his driveway from her car around a gate, then fled into the woods after ringing the bell.

“I was going to go outside but my wife and son said to call the police because it seemed odd — no one ever comes up our driveway,” Watkins said.

Police and K-9 units arrived within two minutes and arrested the woman after searching around his house for about an hour, he said. April Grueter, 48, of Webster, was charged with causing a false fire alarm, tampering with a fire call box, disorderly conduct and possession of a hoax device.

The State Police Bomb Squad determined the suitcase did not contain any explosives or incendiary devices.

Watkins praised the police response and search efforts, saying, “they were unbelievable… it was pretty impressive to see them work.”

Legal notice: Property Tax Classification Hearing (Sept. 15, 2025)

Public Hearing — Select Board
Property Tax Classification Hearing

The Select Board of the Town of Lincoln will conduct a public hearing on Monday evening, September 15, 2025, at 6:30 pm, for the purpose of determining for fiscal year 2026 the percentage of the real estate property tax burden that shall be borne by the residential and commercial classifications of property respectively.

General inquiries prior to the hearing may be directed to the Assessors’ Office, Lincoln Town Offices (781 259-2611).

Pursuant to the extension of the remote meeting authorization of the Open Meeting Law through June 30, 2027, under Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025, this meeting of the Select Board will be conducted as a hybrid meeting, providing the public the opportunity to participate in-person or remotely.

Specific information and the general guidelines for remote participation by members of the public and/or parties with a right and/or requirement to attend this meeting can be found on the Town of Lincoln website, at www.lincolntown.org.

Topic: Lincoln Select Board Meeting

Time: September 15, 2025, 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting:
https://zoom.us/j/91832375325?pwd=aXRpdnlJWHJINnZzd0xOQW9ZTjIvdz09

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.

Police log for August 15–21, 2025

August 15

Lewis Street (12:52pm) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a possible larceny.

Conant Road (1:28pm) — An individual turned in multiple items marked for destruction.

Trapelo Road (6:16pm) — An officer spoke with a person who appeared in distress after having an encounter with another person on Trapelo Road. The officer provided a courtesy transport to the train station.

August 16

Old Cambridge Turnpike (7:56pm) — An officer spoke to a person who had been bitten by a dog. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

August 17

Nothing of note.

August 18

Conant Road (10:30am) — An officer made a notification at a residence at the request of an outside agency.

Greenridge Lane (12:39pm) — An officer attempted to serve court paperwork but was unsuccessful.

Weston Road (4:01pm) — An officer served court paperwork.

Tower Road (5:17pm) — An officer assisted a person with retrieving a lost item.

August 19

Hanscom Drive (8:08am) — An officer assisted a motorist after their vehicle was struck by a lawnmower.

Wells Road (12:22pm) — Officers attended a community event.

August 20

Oriole Landing (4:05pm) — A caller reported a past noise complaint related to a neighbor’s dog. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

August 21

Baker Bridge Road (9:00am) — A person reported a missing item that had been inadvertently left on a walking path.

Lincoln Road (11:10am) — An officer conducted a follow-up investigation related to a past incident.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (1:10pm) — A caller reported that pieces of a ladder were in the roadway. The Massachusetts State Police and Mass. Highway were notified.

Indian Camp Lane (2:02pm) — A tree fell onto a gas meter at a residence. National Grid was notified and responded shortly thereafter.

Hanscom Drive (4:07pm) — Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces requested assistance for a person with an active arrest warrant. Intabikangwa Farjanie, 28, of Andover was taken into custody.

Legal notice: Historic District Commission (7 Lincoln Rd.)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, to consider the application of 7 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-8-0 to repoint or repair missing or crumbled mortar on the front of the house. 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.