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

Residents offer thoughts on school project priorities and goals

The School Building Committee has released a summary of the hopes and priorities for the school building project expressed by residents at the committee’s kickoff meeting on June 14.

About 40 residents at the meeting answered a series of four questions during a participation activity after the SBC outlined its timeline and asked for community input. Since then, the committee has also received more than 250 responses to an online survey on “Shaping Our Town’s Evaluation Criteria,” which is open until July 15. The video of the meeting (minus the activity session) is here.

The questions and most frequent answer are below.

Question 1: The Lincoln School is important to the community because…

  1. it is the heart of the community
  2. education is a core value
  3. the physical campus is an important meeting place for both young families and older adults
  4. it generates civic pride
  5. it educates our future leaders
  6. education is the foundation of the community and central to the quality of life

Question 2: I would like the opportunity to…

  1. improve the educational environment
  2. have an environmental sustainability in building
  3. see the total town coming together to make a decision
  4. have significant input at several points along the way
  5. understand decisions; understand how input is handled
  6. to get all school information to all Lincoln citizens at all times

Question 3: When developing the design of the Lincoln School, the primary focus should be on…

  1. a welcoming, comfortable, safe atmosphere. Affirm student, faculty, and community dignity through use of materials, natural light, textures, color, etc.
  2. flexible space in support of student and faculty experience
  3. a structure that encourages community and collaboration
  4. design—effectiveness for variety of needs at acceptable cost
  5. educational program augmented by well-designed spaces which promote Lincoln’s values of community, conservation, and history
  6. integrating the building into the greater campus (roads, sidewalks, fields, etc.)

Question 4: I hope that the School Building Committee will consider ….

  1. the educational mission that Becky McFall has been sharing regarding 21st-century learning spaces
  2. making sustainability a top priority from the get-go
  3. a building that supports the progression of grades and makes sure all kids have access to the outdoors
  4. practicality—”do not let perfection be the devil of getting it done”
  5. really listen to the input from the town and all the past work that has been done
  6. having the project design led by energy efficiency

To obtain the full set of responses, email sbc@lincnet.org.

The next SBC meeting is Wednesday, July 12 at 7 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room. The agenda will be posted here.

Public hearings coming up

Zoning Board of Appeals

Thursday, July 6 at 7:30 p.m. to hear and act on the following requests:

  • Gail Alden, 240 Concord Rd., for a special permit to build a two-story detached garage.
  • Lloyd Dahmen, 10 Grasshopper Lane, for a special permit to construct a garden shed.
  • Daniello Jeha, 170 South Great Rd., for a special permit to sell used cars.
  • Stephen Gladstone, 67 Winter St., for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
  • Deborah Race and James LaPlante, 41 South Great Rd., for a special permit for an addition and expansion with a two-car garage.

Planning Board

  • Tuesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. to review an application for Site Plan Review. The applicant, Robert Pace, proposes to construct a new home at 169 Lexington Rd.

Conservation Commission

  • Wednesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m. in response to the Notice of Intent by Edward and Ellen Julian for a replacement septic system in the Outer Buffer Zone Resource Area at 104 Todd Pond Rd.
  • Wednesday, July 12 at 8:15 p.m. in response to the Notice of Intent by F. Douglas Adams for construction of a new home and associated landscape elements in the Outer Buffer Zone Resource Area at Granville and Llanover Roads.

Criminal justice speaker, film draw dozens to Bemis

Ex-con Clarence Bevins speaks to the crowd in the Bemis Hall basement.

By Laura Berland

Clarence Blevins gave face and voice to the prison population, sharing his experience of spending almost 25 years in Massachusetts’ prisons (including significant time in solitary confinement) at a presentation and film on criminal justice attended by about 70 people in Bemis Hall.

After being incarcerated at a young age, Blevins described prison as a place where no one cares, rehabilitation efforts are virtually nonexistent, and waiting lists for counseling and work programs can be up to three years. But while in prison, he began to read and study and ”help himself because there is no other help offered,” he said at the June 11 event. Today he is a motivational speaker who addresses students, at-risk youth, community-based organizations, and others about his experiences and criminal justice reform and is passionate about helping young people avoid bad decisions that result in incarceration.

The documentary 13th (the title refers to the 13th amendment which forbade involuntary servitude—thus ending slavery—except as a punishment for crimes) was also shown. Through interviews, photos, music and video clips, director Ava DuVernay’s film looked at the effects of convict leasing, lynching, Jim Crow laws, and the war on drugs on minority communities which, by the late 20th century, resulted in a disproportionate incarceration of people of color.

Afterwards, State Senator Mike Barrett opened the floor to responses and questions from the audience. One participant sharing feelings of “shame;” others talked of the need to do something and asked Barrett and Blevins for suggestions.

Barrett discussed the bill he’s sponsoring that aims to restrict “fine-time” sentences—numerous fees that burden low-income defendants and may result in incarceration for failure to pay. He also advocated ending mandatory minimum sentences for all but murder, along with other legislative proposals regarding bail reform and solitary confinement.

Blevins spoke about the Massachusetts Bail Fund which assists those who can’t afford to post bail by paying up to $500, and a number of organizations including Span, Inc., which assists former prisoners to achieve healthy, productive and meaningful lives.

A follow-up session is planned for the fall.

Police, CRANE warn about Snapchat feature

Sudbury Police Chief Scott Nix, Lincoln Police Lt. Sean Kennedy and Sudbury Lincoln CRANE wish to inform parents and guardians of a new feature on the Snapchat social networking tool that allows users, including children, to share their exact location with others on the mobile phone app.

The Snap Map feature is automatically included in the latest update of Snapchat, and it allows users to view the locations of their “friends” while they’re active on the app. The feature also includes the ability for users to share their photos and videos publicly, even if their profiles are otherwise private.

“The community should be aware of the potential dangers associated with this update to the Snapchat app,” Nix said. “The ability for other users to track a person’s exact location is a big concern for us, and we highly recommend that parents disable this feature on their children’s phones.”

The Snap Map’s tracking capability can be disabled by activating “Ghost Mode.” Here is how to enable “Ghost Mode” and disable pinpoint GPS tracking:

  • Pinch the screen on the main camera portion of the app
  • Once the map is activated, click on the icon in the upper right-hand corner of the screen
  • Press the slider next to the “Ghost Mode” label at the top of the menu
  • If left active, the Snap Map will pinpoint and display a user’s location whenever they are actively using the app, and will also display a person’s most recent known location.

“This new Snapchat feature is extremely concerning as it allows anyone, including strangers, to access an individual’s location,” Kennedy said. “Parents are strongly encouraged to deactivate this feature if their children use the social media app to ensure they aren’t putting them in any danger.”

“This recent update is obviously worrisome, as Snapchat is extremely popular among students and young people,” said Dan Pereira, president of Sudbury Lincoln CRANE and director of the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department. “We are encouraging parents and guardians to talk to their children about the importance of privacy and never sharing personal information with strangers, especially your location.”

Property sales for May

160 Tower Rd. — Edmond E Charrette III Trust to Spencer and Lane Lauren for $915,000 (May 26)

19 Moccasin Hill — The Ruth J. Wales Trust to Neal H. and Kimberly A. Rajdev for $1,105,000 (May 26)

25 Morningside Lane — Maria Martha Hanafin Pearson to Alexander J. Nicholas and Ann Feng Cheung for $741,000 (May 19)

177 Concord Rd. — The Food Project to Jackson A. and Carolyn Caine for $601,000 (May 19)

7 Silver Hill Rd. — Edmund Turowski to the Rong J. Guan Trust and the Minping Liu Trust for $2,100,000 (May 12)

20L Indian Camp Lane — The Jack W. Carpenter Trust to Ernest L. and Yana A. Fisher for $469,000 (May 8)

21 Greenridge Lane — Jack E. Bossom to Tanicia Choice for $500,000 (May 3)

Obituaries

Herbert Haessler, 91 (June 20) — senior warden of St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Church, member of Lincoln Board of Health.

Thomas P. Beal, 88 (June 13) — teacher at the Rivers School in Weston and the Fenn School in Concord.

Anne Marie (Broderick) Mahoney, 83 (June 9) — longtime health aide in the Lincoln schools.

Robert McCart, 81 (June 8) — brother-in-law of Anthony and Lucy Cotoia and Charles and Jean Stankard, all of Lincoln.

Thomas P. Beale

Herbert Haessler

Robert McCart

 

Selectman mull another sign request from Old Winter St.

Undeterred by an earlier denial by the Board of Selectmen, some Old Winter Street residents have asked the board to restrict evening commuter traffic on their road, though members were at best noncommittal at their June 19 meeting.

The Roadway and Traffic Committee (RTC) fielded a complaint from the road’s residents in 2015 that some commuters traveling north on Winter Street from Waltham to Lincoln were using the Old Winter Street loop as a cut-through to “jump the line” of traffic backed up at the intersection with Trapelo Road. The RTC recommended that the town install a sign banning left turns onto Old Winter Street from 4–7 p.m. for a six-month trial period.

However, the Board of Selectmen voted by 2–1 margin later that year to deny the request. Selectmen Peter Braun and Renel Fredriksen were reluctant to restrict use of a public road in general and were concerned about setting a precedent for similar situations in Lincoln.

Earlier this year, the RTC reiterated its recommendation for a no-left-turn sign, but RTC members also plan to write a memo with “a detailed rationale and explanation of what makes this circumstance unique as compared with other cut-through traffic circumstances elsewhere in town,” said Town Administrator Tim Higgins.

“If nothing has changed and we’re getting the same request again, it’s almost akin to judge-shopping or forum-shopping,” Selectman James Craig said. “Previous colleagues who’ve sat in these seats have already studied and carefully, thoughtfully, and painfully deliberated this. For me that’s concerning.”

Selectmen deferred action pending the memo from the RTC.

Other highlights of the June 19 Board of Selectmen’s meeting compiled by former Selectman Peter Braun:

  • After interviewing four additional candidates, the board appointed the four at-large members of the Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee: Douglas Crosby, Owen Beenhouwer, Sarah Chester, and Ellen Meyer Shorb. The board also approved committee members who were nominated by their respective boards or committees: Steve Gladstone, Jonathan Dwyer, Eric Harris, Dilla Tingley, and Margit Griffith.
  • Town Administrator Tim Higgins reported on the current status of staff’s conversations with a new advocacy organization called Mothers Out Front that is focusing on natural gas leaks.
  • Higgins reported on the recent Route 2 celebration event and his intention to invite to a future board meeting certain residents who were unable to attend the event, so their efforts could be recognized in person.
  • The board approved the concept of forming a housing options working group with the Housing Commission and other agencies to coordinate consideration of opportunities to enhance affordable housing in Lincoln.
  • The board discussed ideas for enhancing communications with the public in general, including enhancing coordination and public outreach concerning proposals that are intended for Town Meeting presentation.

News acorns

Fourth of July schedule set

Lincoln’s Fourth of July festivities kick off at 8:30 a.m. with the Firecracker Run (registration is from 7:45–8:15 a.m.) and continue with the children’s bike parade, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, the main parade, the Boy Scout cookout, and town-wide swim at the Codman Pool. The evening concert, barbecue and fireworks start at 7 p.m. Click here for a detailed schedule.

12 Lincolnites to ride in PMC

On August 5 and 6, a dozen riders from Lincoln will cycle up to 192 miles in the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) with the goal of raising $48 million for critical research and cancer care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. The event draws more than 6,200 cyclists from more than 40 states and eight countries who can choose from 12 routes of varying mileage that run through 46 towns. To learn more about riders’ teams and to donate, type the rider’s name into the “PMC Search” box on the PMC website. Lincoln’s participants are Don Alden, James Alden, Mark Deck, Jack Fultz, Keith Gilbert, Richard Glanz, Weston Howland, Carol Lu, Ed Morata, Julia Parrillo, Dan Pereira, and Tom Wilmot.

Connors receives lifetime achievement award from charity

Agnes Connors of Lincoln recently received the 2016 Top Individual Fundraising award and the Light the Night Walk Lifetime Achievement award from the Massachusetts chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LSS). For the past several years, she has been the top individual fundraiser for LSS’s Boston Light the Night Walk, and this year she raised $20,559.

Connors first became involved with LLS after being diagnosed with diffuse B cell lymphoma in 2003. After successfully being treated with chemotherapy, she began helping LLS by volunteering in its peer support program for patients and participating in the walk. Since then, she’s raised a total of $136,431 for Light the Night.

Lincoln group helps fund Hanscom field trips

Hanscom Middle School students break for a photo op in the MFA’s Egypt exhibit.

The Hanscom Middle School seventh-graders were able to visit the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Fine Arts this year, thanks to support from the Bedford and Lincoln Cultural Councils. During the June 9 trip to the MFA, students were able to view first hand many of the artifacts they studied in their Ancient Civilization class as museum docents offered an overview of the Art of the Ancient World collection, including works from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece and Rome. Most of them had not been to the MFA before and were pleased to learn that their military discount is valid every day, so many will return this summer with their families.

 

 

Council on Aging activities in July

Coping with change: a new group
July 6 at 1 p.m.
As we age, we confront change in many forms. It may be dealing with physical or cognitive changes in loved ones, friends or in ourselves. It may be moving to a different living situation or a joyful reveling in the freedom and time to pursue new skills and interests. Claire Gerstein, LICSW, a social worker with many years of experience helping people navigate the changes of later life, will be facilitating a group which will give people the opportunity to talk about these issues in a supportive environment. The three-week group will run on Thursday afternoons at 1 p.m. on July 6, 13, and 20 at Bemis Hall. If there is interest the COA will schedule three additional sessions in August. No need to sign up.

Tai chi in the park
July 11 at 9:30 a.m.
You may sign up now for tai chi in the park, which will begin on July 11 and continue each Tuesday morning at 9:30 a.m. (Tai Chi I) and 10:30 a.m. (Tai Chi II) until August 8 at a cost of $5 per day. The class will meet at Pierce Park. Bring a water bottle, lawn chair and a hat! In inclement weather, the class will meet under the tent. Participants may use the Pierce House restroom. The class is for continuing students only. Sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Outdoor drawing with Bernadette Quirk at Lincoln Tree Tour sites
July 12 at 9 a.m.
Enjoy the outdoors while learning to draw nature’s glory outside with the COA’s new class, “En Plein Air Drawing” with Bernadette Quirk. The class will take place on six Wednesdays at 9 a.m. beginning on July 12. Meet at Bemis Hall the first week. Then each class will take place at each of the five Garden Club Lincoln Tree Tour locations. Bernadette will e-mail you the list of materials needed for this class. No previous experience necessary, beginners encouraged! The cost is $20 per session. Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811 and leaving your contact information.

Paint a colorful flower pot to take home
July 12 at 10 a.m.
A painted flower pot is a colorful, cheerful way to express your love of both art and nature. All are invited to join Karen Halloran, Community Liaison of CareOne at Concord, in a fun, free workshop to paint a lovely flower pot for you to take home on Wednesday, July 12 at 10 a.m. at Bemis Hall. No painting experience necessary and all materials are provided. All you need to bring is yourself and your imagination! Please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

Sizzle your summer style with an accessory swap
July 19 at 10 a.m.
Go through your accessories—clean out any jewelry, handbags, hats, scarves, etc that you just don’t use anymore. Then come on down to Bemis Hall on Wednesday, July 19 at 10:00 a.m. for an accessory swap! Bring one or more pieces (not more than five)—scarves, jewelry, etc.—put them on a table, and then pick out some to take home! It’s fun and it’s a great way to swap out what’s OLD to you and breathe some new life, color and style into your wardrobe!

Canal and mill tour: Lowell National Historic Park
July 25
Join the COA on Tuesday, July 25 for a fascinating day at the Lowell National Historic Park. Find out about the famous Mill Girls, the technology that powered the mills, and how immigrants have contributed to the industrial city. First, you’ll hop a trolley to the Swamp Locks. There you’ll board a canal boat and cruise the Pawtucket Canal, maybe even all the way to the Pawtucket Falls. Then, you’ll have lunch at one of the many ethnic restaurants in the area. Finally, you’ll visit the Boott Cotton Mill Museum and Mill Girls and Immigrants Exhibit. The air-conditioned air-ride bus will leave Donelan’s parking lot at 9:15 a.m., returning at approximately 4 p.m. This trip is rated moderate for physical ability, as there will be some walking and entering/exiting the canal boat entails steep steps. Non-refundable cost, including lunch is $32, and drinks are on your own. This trip is funded by the Hurff Fund, and is therefore open to Lincoln seniors only. To reserve a space, send a check made out to FLCOA/Trips to Donna Rizzo, 22 Blackburnian Road, Lincoln MA 01773. Be sure to include your phone number and email address. Your reservation is complete when your check is received. Questions? Contact Donna at 781-257-5050 or donna@ecacbed.com.

Savor summer and be healthier with delicious, nutritious summer salads
July 26 at 10 a.m.
Salads can be exciting and scrumptious while giving your body the nutrients you need. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy crisp, tasty ingredients from your own garden or a local market. Get a fresh take on salads and how to make them when Jamie Parsons, the chef at Lincoln Kitchen/Trail’s End Cafe, comes to Bemis Hall on July 26 at 10 a.m. Chef Parsons will tell you how to get the best vegetables and fruits from local farms and then walk you through creating the most delicious salad you’ve ever made! Please call the COA at 781-259-8811 to sign up as space is limited to 15.

What programs would you like the COA to offer?
July 27 at 10 a.m.
The COA would like to know what you would like them to offer as new programs and services or what you would like more of that they already provide. They would love suggestions for one-time presentations, ongoing classes and workshops, one-to-one services, and more. Come have coffee with COA Director Carolyn Bottum at Bemis Hall on Thursday, July 27 at 10 a.m., call her at 781- 259-8811 or email her at bottumc@lincolntown.org.

Coffee with Lincoln’s town administrator
July 31 at 1 p.m.
Come to Bemis Hall on Monday, July 31 at 1 p.m. for Coffee with Town Administrator Tim Higgins. Tim will update you on some of the projects going on around town and news—including the results of Town Meeting, the state of town finances, the Wang property, the Community Center Planning and Preliminary Design Committee, and more, and answer your questions. He would also like to know your ideas and suggestions. Get to know Tim in an informal setting and chat about those aspects of the town that are most important to you.

Memoryopsis? (Lincoln Through the Lens)

Allen Vander Meulen captured this closeup of a forget-me-not (click to enlarge).

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.