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

News acorns

What happens after we die?

How do different religions understand the possibility of life after death? St. Anne’s invites the wider community to a lecture series on this crucially important topic by three local religious leaders from Jewish, Muslim, and Christian backgrounds. Informed by their respective faith traditions, each leader will speak on how their faith understands the afterlife, including the texts, traditions, and experiences which shape their understanding. 

All events will take place from 7–8:30 p.m. in Flint Hall at St. Anne’s-in-the Fields Episcopal Church (147 Concord Road, Lincoln). For more information, please email Rev. Joe Kimmel (joe@stanneslincoln.org).

LLCT pollinator plant sale

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will hold its annual pollinator plant sale on Saturday, May 18 in the commuter parking lot at Lincoln Station. Available on a first-come, first-served basis here will be more than 15 species of native perennials that bloom from early to late summer and provide important nectar to wild pollinating insects. Cash, credit card, check, and Venmo are accepted.

From 10–11 a.m., LLCT members are invited to the early-bird hour. The public is welcome from 11 a.m.–1 p.m., and all are welcome to join or renew their membership online before the sale begins. As an additional membership perk, while supplies last, LLCT members can choose a complimentary groundcover plant to add to their order. 

This year, as part of Lincoln Common Ground’s “No Mow May” effort, LLCT has included a selection of early-blooming ground-cover plants that make great lawn replacement or garden understory plants. LCG volunteers will be at the sale to answer questions and provide planting recommendations. Click here to learn more and see the offered plants.

Donate used children’s clothing

Cradles to Crayons is collecting gently used children’s clothing though Friday, May 31. Their greatest need is for summer clothing, but they gratefully accept clothing for any season. Donors may leave bagged items the garage door of Sarah Liepert at 108 Trapelo Road. Click here if you’d like to contribute items via the organization’s Amazon wishlist.

Hospice volunteer training

Care Dimensions will hold online training classes for those interested in becoming volunteers. Volunteers can make a difference in a patient’s life by engaging in a shared interest or hobby, helping with letter-writing or life review, visiting with your approved dog, reading aloud, or simply listening and by providing a supportive, comforting presence. Volunteers visit patients in their homes, in facilities, and at our hospice houses in Lincoln and Danvers. Alternatively, they can provide administrative office support or make check-in phone calls to current patients or bereaved family members.

Training will be held via Zoom on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9–11 a.m. from June 3–26 (register by May 24). For more information or to register, click here or email volunteerinfo@caredimensions.org.

Four L-S teachers receive FELS grants

FELS, the Foundation for Educators at Lincoln-Sudbury, awarded four grants at its awards ceremony on April 30. The 2024 grant recipients and their projects are:

  • Vicky Caburian, Wellness, “2024 Chronicle Adventures”
  • Kelly Gaudreau, English, “A Year of Wellness”
  • Tracie Lopez and Kendra Pavlik, Special Education, for “Gaining and Maintaining Equanimity”

FELS is a nonprofit organization that awards enrichment grants to L-S faculty and staff to pursue their professional and personal interests and passions. Proposals are often for course work or travel, all of which is undertaken during school vacation time and summer recess. Grants are funded from donations to the FELS annual appeal and proceeds from fundraisers including the annual FELS Thanksgiving Pie Sale and Prom Flower Sale.

Drumlin Farm receives grant

Drumlin Farm received a $2,500 grant in the Hunger Relief category from the Sudbury Foundation. It’s part of a total of $320,000 awarded in the first round for 2024.

Police log for April 27 – May 6, 2024

April 27

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (10:30 a.m.) — A caller reported a possible road rage incident on Route 2 west near the Concord town line. Massachusetts State Police and Concord Police were notified.

Tower Road (2:36 p.m.) — A caller reported the railroad gates at the Tower Road crossing were malfunctioning. An officer responded and monitored the gates. A representative from the MBTA/Keolis responded.

April 28

Lincoln Road (7:19 a.m.) — An officer assisted a caller in making contact with a family member.

Woods End Road (6:51 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot coming from a wooded area. Officers checked the area and spoke to several individuals but nothing was found.

April 29

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:00 a.m.) — Concord Police advised that they were pursuing a vehicle wanted out of the town of Acton. The pursuit came through Lincoln via Route 2. Lincoln officers did not join the pursuit.

Airport Road (7:48 a.m.) — Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces requested assistance with an individual who had an active arrest warrant. Nicholas Desrochers, 27, from Methuen was taken into custody, booked, and transported to Concord District Court.

Tower Road (9:38 a.m.) — A Great Dane was seen walking down Tower Road. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Old Farm Road (10:27 a.m.) — A raccoon was observed running across the road. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Conant Road (3:10 p.m.) — Several items were turned in to the Police Department for destruction.

April 30

Lincoln Road (11:31 a.m.) — The MBTA reported a disabled train near the Lincoln Road crossing. A second train arrived a short time later and removed the disabled train. An officer stood by until the crossing was clear.

Canaan Drive (10:30 a.m.) — An individual spoke with an officer regarding a vehicle that had repeatedly parked on a private way.

Wells Road (1:16 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak to an officer regarding an ongoing situation.

Ridge Road (6:36 p.m.) — A caller reported the possible theft of two bicycles. The bicycles were not stolen; they were moved in order to perform routine cleaning of an area.

May 1

Old County Road (11:26 a.m.) — The Animal Control Officer asked a police officer to assist with a sick raccoon.

May 2

Lincoln Road (12:55 p.m.) — Several vehicles were ticketed for parking in the commuter lot without paying the parking fee.

Bedford Road (2:30 p.m.) — Two separate traffic signal lights were out at the Bedford Road and Route 2 crossing. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation was notified.

Concord Road (5:31 p.m.) — A detour sign on Route 117 was struck by a passing motorist. There was no damage to the vehicle or sign.

May 4

Minuteman Commons, Virginia Road (7:57 a.m.) — The Fire Department responded for an odor of gas in a common hallway. The area was metered and no readings were detected.

Conant Road (10:16 a.m.) — A caller reported a dog running in the roadway. An officer responded but could not locate the dog. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Mary’s Way (3:28 p.m.) — An officer stood by a home at the request of a resident.

Lincoln Police Department (3:33 p.m.) — An individual reported an encounter with a party while in another jurisdiction. They were advised to contact the police from that jurisdiction.

Hanscom AFB Vandenberg Gate (5:16 p.m.) — An officer was called to Hanscom Air Force Base for an individual with an active arrest warrant. The warrant was relayed to the issuing agency and as a result, it was not extraditable. The individual was promptly released from Air Force custody.

May 5

DeCordova Museum (2:14 a.m.) — An officer came upon two parked, unoccupied vehicles while conducting a check of the museum.

May 6

Huckleberry Hill (2:41a.m.) — A caller reported hearing a knock at their door. The residence and area were checked by responding officers, who found nothing out of the ordinary.

Winchelsea Lane (8:25 a.m.) — A caller reported a vehicle had stopped in close proximity to their residence, exited the vehicle, then threw a bag containing empty beer bottles onto the property. An officer responded and checked the area but was unable to locate the vehicle.

Lincoln North office building (3:36 p.m.) — A caller requested assistance for an issue with a rental vehicle. The caller was advised to contact the rental company.

Town Meeting Study Committee to be formed in the fall

The Select Board outlined a plan for the Town Meeting Study Committee this week, starting with a September kickoff meeting.

The board expects to create a website over the summer with background material about local and state laws governing Town Meeting, information from the Massachusetts Moderators Association, and more. They will draft a charge and seek a broad range of potential members in the fall, though a number of people have already volunteered, according to Select Board member Jim Hutchinson. 

The study committee will do an initial study and gather feedback about the group’s initial ideas in December at the State of the Town Meeting, where voting clickers may be tried for the first time in one or more nonbinding votes on questions to be determined. Another presentation will take place at Annual Town Meeting in March 2025, with a final report and recommendations to the Select Board in November 2025.

Earlier, officials discussed having a spring forum headed by Town Moderator Sarah CannonHolden after the March 2024 Town Meeting where an unexpected amendment to the proposed Housing Choice Act was made on the floor. Controversy swirled during and after that day as residents argued over who was allowed to speak when and from where.

The timetable is longer than some had hoped, “but it would be a mistake for us to try to minimize this or pass it off as a forum or a single meeting kind of topic,” Hutchinson said at the board’s April 29 meeting. 

“I don’t want to have a meeting where we do all the talking,” Holden said. “From my perspective, what is it that the public wants? I want to hear from them.”

“I also have to insist that this committee does polling of as broad a spectrum of the population as possible,” perhaps including a townwide mail-in poll, Hutchinson said. “I don’t like the idea of the 20 or 50 or 100 people who show up at a forum to set the ideas that get pursued.”

Meanwhile, the Planning Board is also working on a set of policies and procedures for its meetings, particularly with regard to public comment. They expect to vote on their most recent draft at their meeting on May 14.

My Turn: Thanks from outgoing L-S School Committee member

Dear Lincoln-Sudbury community,

As my term on the L-S School Committee ends, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for the opportunity to serve over the past three years. It has been a privilege to put forth my best effort in doing what I felt was best for the students of Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School on your behalf and I am deeply grateful for this experience. The parents in this community are the single most important stakeholders when it comes to the success and well-being of our children. Whether it be supporting our schools, athletic programs, music and theater programs, or our local churches and Scout troops, the investment that the parents in this community make in the success of every child is awe-inspiring.

I started my term as a School Committee member in 2021 toward the end of the pandemic, with students in masks and taking a Covid test at the first sign of a sniffle. Fast forward to spring 2024 and “normal” life has returned to L-S. The energy that emanates from our campus this time of year is palpable and something I still cannot bring myself to take for granted.

Not only is there a new energy around the campus, there is also new leadership in place within the building. Last year the L-S School Committee conducted a successful superintendent/principal search and due to the hard work and dedication of so many, Dr. Andrew Stephens was hired in June of 2023. Dr. Stephens brings with him an exciting new energy which has been recognized by students, faculty, and the broader community alike. It has been my pleasure to welcome him and I look forward to seeing how his enthusiasm and fresh ideas move public high school education forward at L-S.

Along with acknowledging all that is exciting and new in the past three years, I would be remiss if I did not also recognize what has always been great about L-S. By this, I mean the teachers and faculty who are the bedrock of our school. Their dedication and commitment to the success and well-being of every student is second to none and I’m fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn far more deeply how they are continually collaborating in innovative ways to ensure that every L-S graduate reaches their full potential. Thank you, L-S teachers.

Lastly, I’d like to give special thanks to two of my colleagues on the School Committee. The first is former School Committee member Harold Engstrom and the second is current and veteran School Committee member Kevin Matthews. Both of you share an unwavering commitment to ethical decision-making and a steadfast determination to always stayed focused on what is best for L-S. Change is often challenging, but working with colleagues of such high moral and academic standards was truly an inspiration. With you and because of you, I feel secure in the fact that I am leaving the L-S School Committee with L-S in an incredibly hopeful place, where all students can continue to find success.

In closing I’d like to welcome Maura (Mo) Carty onto the School Committee as she is sworn into the seat I have vacated. Mo has an unparalleled history of public service in our community. She has served as a voice for parents, students, and staff in her roles on both the LSPO and the L-S School Council. In addition, she brings a solid understanding of both L-S and town-wide budget issues thanks to her work on the Sudbury Finance Committee. Most importantly, Maura holds a fundamental belief in our system of open government where concepts like integrity, transparency, and accountability are not optional, they are essential. This approach to public service has earned her the trust and respect of our community and I’m confident that the good work of the L-S School Committee will continue with Maura seated at that table. Even greater things are yet to come!

With sincere gratitude,

Mary Warzynski (Sudbury)

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnites. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Lorian Brown, 1941–2024

Lorian Brown

Lorian Rounsevell Brown of Lincoln died after a long illness due to a degenerative brain disease. She was the oldest child of Robert Vance Brown and Majorie Waldron Brown. Born on March 29, 1941, she is survived by her brother Richard Brown (Susan McClellan) and sister Dory Rice (Kate Olgiotti). She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Urner in 2011.

Lorian grew up in Washington, D.C., and Wellesley, graduated from Radcliffe College magna cum laude, and received her M.A. from Wheelock College. She had many careers, beginning as an editor at Houghton Mifflin, then a preschool teacher and social worker in Quincy, an instructor at Wheelock College, and finally a poet.

She also leaves behind her nieces Elizabeth Lindenberg (David), Susannah Scanlon (Jon), Laurel Rice, Shanti Rice, two great-nephews Zachary and Tate, her step-daughter Katharine Urner-Jones (Larry), and her dear friend and helper Margaret Harding. Her beloved dog Josie predeceased her.

Lorian and Joe lived in Lincoln and loved working in their garden and going to the theater in Boston and concerts at Symphony Hall and Tanglewood. They also greatly enjoyed spending time at their second home in Gilmanton, N.H., where they hiked the nearby White Mountains.

Lorian was a wordsmith and played a fierce game of Scrabble. She was an inveterate reader; when she could no longer focus on a book, she would read all of the book titles, memos, and name tags around her. Funny, stubborn, prickly, and smart, she was introspective and observant, with astonishing insight into the world around her.

There will be a private burial and gathering for friends and family in Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Doctors Without Borders.

Arrangements are under the care of Concord Funeral Home, Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please click here.

News acorns

COA&HS events coming up

Photo gallery talk
Tuesday, May 7 at 3 p.m., Bemis Hall
Photographer and Lincoln resident John Rizzo will talk about the images on display in Bemis Hall’s Map Room. Each image made over the last 45 years has a great story. Interested in learning more about techniques? Sign up for Photography Workshop with John on May 9, 16, 23, and 30. Call 781-259-8811 to sign up. Sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging & Human Resources.

Concord Traveling Players variety show
Friday, May 24 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
All ages are invited to a free show where local senior local actors and musicians will engage the audience with good-spirited humor, staged readings, music and skits. Sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging & Human Resources.

“Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady of the World”
Friday May 10 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Sheryl Faye portrays Eleanor Roosevelt, who was the longest serving First Lady of the U.S. She was the first presidential spouse to hold press conferences, write a syndicated column, and speak at a national convention as well as advocating for women in the workplace, civil rights, Asian Americans, and World World II refugees. Cosponsored by Friends of Lincoln COA & Friends of Lincoln Library.

Kyudo Zen archery demonstration
Friday, May 17 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Don Seckler demonstrates Kyudo (pronounced “cue-do”), an ancient Japanese moving meditation and noncombative martial art. The focus is on “cleaning the mind” rather than marksmanship. The target becomes a mirror reflecting the quality of one’s mind at the moment of the arrow’s release. The presentation demonstrates the form and discusses the practice as it relates to Zen.

Talk by Emerson Health CEO and president
Friday, May 31 at 12:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
Christine Schuster, RN, MBA, will share her journey in healthcare. 

Gift card drive, concert to benefit SVdP food pantry

The Town of Lincoln staff is sponsoring a grocery gift card drive from May 11–24 to benefit the food pantry run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) of Lincoln and Weston. How you can help:

  • Donate grocery gift cards of any amount from stores like Donelan’s, Market Basket, Stop & Shop, Walmart, and Target
  • Make a cash donation and we’ll purchase the gift cards for you

Donations will directly support local individuals and families in need during the critical summer months. Please drop donations in the collection jars at the Select Board’s Office in Town Hall or in the Lincoln Public Library. Your can also donate any time online or by check (click here for details).

SVdP of Lincoln and Weston will also host a family-friendly spring concert on Tuesday, June 4 at 5:30 p.m. on the Weston town green. Enjoy popular melodies performed by Weston High School vocalists and the bluegrass band the Ruta Beggars. Bring your chair or blanket and a picnic. Suggested donation: $25.

Tomashi Jackson to deliver Rappaport Lecture at deCordova

Tomashi Jackson

Artist Tomashi Jackson, recipient of the 24th Rappaport Prize, will present her Rappaport Lecture on Thursday, May 16 at at 6 p.m. at the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum. The event is free and open to the public. Jackson’s multimedia practice combines painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, video, fiber art, and performance to illuminate social histories of justice, resistance, and aesthetic theory.

The $50,000 Rappaport Prize is presented to a contemporary artist with strong connections to New England and a proven record of achievement. In 2010, it was endowed in perpetuity by the Phyllis and Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation, assuring the ongoing support of contemporary art and artists in New England. Click here for more information, and click here to register for the lecture.

Gropius House musical soiree

Lincoln’s Gropius House will host a musical soiree on Sunday, May 19 and celebrate Walter Gropius’s birthday with a musical event with musician, actor, author, and activist Kemp Harris. The performance will take place from 5:30–6:45 p.m. with a 15-minute intermission. This fundraising event supports the ongoing preservation and education mission of Historic New England’s Modern movement architectural icon and museum: the 1938 Gropius family home in Lincoln. Space is limited and reservations are required. Click here to purchase tickets ($100 for HNE members, $125 for nonmembers).

Pride Week kickoff on May 29

Join the Lincoln community at an event to kick off Pride Month to support LGBTQIA+ members of the Lincoln Public Schools and community on Wednesday, May 29 (rain date: June 5) from 1–3:30 p.m. at the green in front of the Mall at Lincoln Station. There will be speakers, live music by David Onigman, a performance by the LPS School Step Team, face painting and other activities. The Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), an organization of students from grades 5-8 in the Lincoln School and Hanscom Middle School), will lead a procession of students, caregivers, and others from the Lincoln School to the mall. Supported in part by the Parks and Recreation Department.

Codman Campout and Chili Night

Gather up your tent, sleeping bags, friends, and family for a night on the farm on Saturday, June 15 starting at 4 p.m. All are welcome for dinner even if you aren’t camping for the night. Campsites and dinner reservations are required for planning purposes. We’ll be serving Codman’s own grass fed beef chili, vegan/GF chili and cornbread. There will be campfires and the traditional singalong and dessert from the Reasons to Be Cheerful Chill Wagon (ice cream sold separately). Please bring your own camping/folding chairs, and headlamps and/or flashlights. A campsite ticket for $40 per tent also includes s’mores and breakfast in the morning (hot coffee, bagels, and orange juice). Click here to reserve. 

Archivist Matthew Lincoln

Matthew Lincoln named as town’s archivist

The Town of Lincoln has a new town archivist: Matthew Lincoln, who also serves as the archivist for the Worcester Historical Museum. He will split his time between the two town archives, working on Mondays at Town Hall and on Tuesdays at the Lincoln Public Library. To make an appointment to access materials, email archives@lincolntown.org. He succeeds the late Virginia Rundell.

Events at the library

“Reimagining the American Songbook” with jazz guitarist Abe Ovadia
Saturday, May 25 from 2–3 p.m., Tarbell Room
Along with his modern take on jazz standards, Abe Ovadia engages with listeners, sharing stories and answering questions about his music and career.

Button making for pride
Wednesday, May 29 from 2–3 p.m., Tarbell Room
Prepare for Pride Month at the library by designing and decorating buttons that show off who you are. All materials will be provided; for ages 7+. Space is limited; click here to register.

“Chomsky and Me: A Memoir” author discussion
Wednesday, May 29 from 7– 8 p.m., Tarbell Room
Author Bev Stohl ran the office of renowned linguist and social critic Noam Chomsky for nearly two and a half decades. Chomsky and Me: A Memoir is her account of those years, working next to a man described by the New York Times as “arguably the most important intellectual alive today.” There will be time for Q&A.

Eversource arborist explains roadside tree removal

One of several trees on Sandy Pond Road that’s been marked for removal.

Residents may have noticed temporary signs attached to numerous roadside trees in town that are being targeted for removal by Eversource. The town is required to hold a public hearing to invite comments or objections to removal of specific trees; it will take place on Wednesday, May 22 at 7 p.m. at the DPW office (30 Lewis St.). Anyone who can’t attend may email or call DPW Superintendent Chris Bibbo at bibboc@lincolntown.org or 781-259-8999 (he will read aloud the emailed comments at the hearing).

The Lincoln Squirrel asked Eversource Arborist Matthew Mitchell some questions about this process; here are his answers.

Why has Eversource not done this in Lincoln in several years?

A few aspects to this question. Our tree program is two-pronged; we have a trimming program and a removal program. The trimming program maintains space around the primary wires at the top of the electric poles, usually as close to 10 feet to the sides and bottom and 15 feet above as we can while following safety regulations and proper pruning practices. This program prunes each circuit every four to five years. There are several circuits in Lincoln that get pruned in different years, with a large Lincoln circuit having been pruned just last year. So we are around town regularly, even if the trimming work isn’t as dramatic as outright tree removal.

Our removal program is not cyclical and is a little more subjective. Circuits with recently poor outage rates are targeted, but we also try to do removal work on circuits that aren’t getting outages yet but in my opinion have a strong potential to see a spike in the future. We want to be removing potentially hazardous trees before they cause outages or cause a danger to general public safety. If I do my job correctly, nobody will have known there was a possible issue at all.

It has been a while since we have removed public trees in Lincoln, but last year we were fairly active in town removing hazard trees on private property. The motivation for this project happening now is that I think the Lincoln forest is aging out of a young forest into a more middle-aged one, and part of that process involves trees accumulating injuries or poor structure that make overall failure more likely. Tree injury, mortality, or failure is a natural part of the forest life cycle, and it is all well and good when it happens in the middle of the woods, but when these trees are situated next to power lines, sidewalks, and homes then human action is needed to intervene and prevent them from interrupting the power we depend on or causing property or bodily injury.

A specific issue in the Lincoln forest is that in the last few years, Lincoln has lost the majority of its ashes to emerald ash borer (EAB). This bug is an invasive species from eastern Asia and because our native ashes did not evolve alongside it, they do not have the evolutionary adaptations of Asian ashes. The beetle causes a near 100% fatality rate in native ash in any locality it has been introduced, and it is why when you go camping you will often see signage asking campers to not bring off-site wood for campfires as this is the beetle’s main avenue of spreading. Other than expensive pesticide treatments on individual large and significant trees, the only cure for EAB is preventing it from arriving. Ashes with EAB make up the single most common species on our Lincoln removal list.

What are the criteria for selecting trees to remove?

Circuits are profiled by our certified arborists to assess trees along the power lines for removal and then reviewed and edited by myself. Obviously, dead standing trees are immediately added. When the tree is still alive, it is visually assessed from root to shoot for signs of stress, poor stem structure that makes failure more likely, open or hidden rot cavities that could be a breakage point, the presence of tree pests that pose significant risk to the tree’s survival such as EAB (but there are others that affect more than just ashes), and overall form and vigor. The majority of non-undergrowth, larger diameter trees on the list are on there because I believe they are likely to fail in the short to mid term future and I would like to get them removed before they do.

I specified size in that last point because a lot of the trees on this list are small undergrowth trees. They are healthy in and of themselves, but they have been selected for removal because they are of a species that have characteristics that make them unsuitable to be located under the wires. Cherries and elms are the two most common. These species grow faster than average, sprout aggressively when they are pruned, and usually do not take to being pruned to grow out and around the wires but stubbornly keep trying to grow straight upwards. These trees are difficult for our pruning program to control and even when pruned to arboriculturally correct and healthy standards are frankly an eyesore. It is more effective to have them removed outright as well as improving the aesthetic of the roadway.

There is a small handful of healthy, moderately sized trees on the list that do not have significant biological or structural defects. They are on there because they are actively touching our primary lines which carry thousands of volts. If/when friction wears away the wire coating, these trees will cause an outage by catching fire themselves and potentially (although very unlikely) acting as an electrical conductor for anyone who happens to be touching the tree.

What’s the timeframe for removal?

It depends on the contractor’s workload from other areas Eversource services, but I expect work to begin a few weeks after the tree hearing

What happens to all the wood?

The logs will usually linger for a week or two as the log crew is a separate crew to the removal crew. Because the trees we are targeting are often unhealthy to begin with, there is not much value in their lumber. Usually they are given to facilities that process them into chips for resale or industrial use, sometimes the town wants the wood themselves for whatever reason. It depends on each of our contractor’s individual system and geographical location, and it is not a part of the process I am much involved in.

If any abutters to trees being removed would like to keep the logs themselves or if they want chips for organic mulch, that is also an option if they let us know. Chips are measured by the truckload or so, if anyone wants them they usually need to have a full-sized garden or several yard trees.

Minute Man park cited as endangered by historic preservation group

Minute Man National Historical Park and nearby landmarks have been designated as one of America’s 11 most endangered historic places by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Trust chose MMHNP due to threat of private jet hangar expansion at nearby Hanscom Field, which would significantly increase the number of private jet flights along with noise and greenhouse gas emissions. The jets would use the runway that directly overflies Minute Man Park, Walden, Great Meadows National Wildlife Refuge, and historic homes in Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, and Bedford. Hanscom is the only airport in the country that abuts a national historic park and a national wildlife refuge.

The park and surrounding area designated by the Trust includes the site of the first battle of the American Revolution on April 19, 1775; the homesteads of the authors Thoreau, Emerson, Hawthorne, and Alcott; Walden Pond and Walden Woods, and properties connected with the Underground Railroad and Brister Freeman and Caesar Robbins, two enslaved men who were emancipated after their service in the Revolutionary War.

“Against the dire backdrop of our warming climate and the climate disasters that result, causing so much suffering for millions, it is utterly appalling to consider a massive development for luxury private jets in the midst of the landscape that inspired the founding of our democracy and the American environmental movement,” actor and activist Ashley Judd said at the May 1 announcement ceremony in Concord. “We must take responsibility for protecting both our historic sites and our planet by firmly opposing this completely senseless development.”

“Today’s announcement reminds us of the enduring responsibilities we bear: to preserve our national treasurers like Walden Pond and Walden Woods through vigilant advocacy and devoted stewardship. Without both, we face the very real possibility that these national treasures could be lost for future generations. Critical choices lie ahead. We must choose wisely by prioritizing what is essential for the preservation of the special places that inspire us, embody our history, reflect our values and define us as Americans,” said Don Henley, musician and board chair of the Walden Woods Project.

The Trust encourages residents to sign their petition urging Gov. Healey and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg them to stop expansion of Hanscom Field. 

The project’s draft environmental impact report and other documents can be found here. The public comment portal is here (project 16654, login/registration required). The deadline for comments on the DEIR has been extended to June 14, 2024.

Police log for April 17–26, 2024

April 17

Lincoln Road (12:03 p.m.) — An officer responded to the commuter lot for an illegally parked motor vehicle.

Conant Road (12:37 p.m.) — Administrative paperwork was served in hand to a resident.

Lexington Road (12:42 p.m.) — A caller reported the gates to the cell tower appeared to be open. An officer checked the area; the open gates appeared to be the result of neglect.

Winter Street (5:24 p.m.) — Officers responded to a vehicle that was occupied, parked, and running. The operator was a food delivery driver who left the area a short time later.

North Great Road (6:30 p.m.) — Officers responded to a call reporting a suspicious incident. They spoke to all parties involved and confirmed the incident was a misunderstanding.

April 18

Lincoln Road (1:05 p.m.) — A parking ticket was issued to an illegally parked motor vehicle.

Lincoln Road (4:18 p.m.) — An officer conducting a radar assignment stopped a vehicle for speeding. The officer subsequently arrested the operator, identified as Diego Guadagnano, 35, of Marlborough, for an outstanding warrant for failure to appear for unlicensed operation and failing to stop. He was bailed and ordered to appear at Concord District Court on April 19.

April 19

Public Safety Building (8:49 a.m.) — A party turned in fireworks for destruction.

Bedford Road (12:53 p.m.) — A caller reported that several men were filming individuals by the library. Officers responded and spoke with the individuals.

Old Concord Road (5:36 p.m.) — An individual asked to speak with an officer regarding a possible scam.

Mount Misery parking lot (9:27 p.m.) — An officer spoke with occupants of a parked and occupied motor vehicle. The parties left the area a short time later.

April 20

Virginia Road (9:06 a.m.) — Officers responded to the civil air terminal to assist the Massachusetts State Police with a protest.

April 21

Boyce Farm Road (3:47 a.m.) — Officers assisted a caller with checking a property.

Lincoln Road (11:12 am.) — A caller reported unauthorized leaf blower usage. An officer checked the area and found no violations.

Lexington Road (5:31 p.m.) — A caller reported possible graffiti on their property. The area was checked; the markings appear to be from a contractor.

Food Project office, Lewis Street (6:22 p.m.) — An officer came upon a vehicle parked, occupied, and running. The operator had pulled off to take a quick power nap. They were on their way a short time later.

April 22

Old County Road (5:18 a.m.) — A caller reported seeing light from a flashlight in an area behind their residence. The area was checked but nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

April 23

Conant Road (8:10 a.m.) — A caller reported a possibly sick raccoon in their yard. Animal Control was notified. The raccoon made its way back into the woods.

Mount Misery parking lot (2:43 p.m.) — A caller reported that their dog was missing. They reported a short time later that their dog had been found.

Beaver Pond Road (10:38 p.m.) — A caller reported that a brush fire had grown too big and requested assistance. Police and fire units responded and regained control.

April 23

Old Sudbury Road (7:28 a.m.) — Police responded to the railroad crossing for a report of the gates stuck in the down position. Officers remained on scene for approximately 20 minutes until MBTA personnel arrived and resolved the issue.

April 24

Mount Misery parking lot (2:30 a.m.) — An officer checked on a tow driver who had stopped in the parking lot to check their GPS.

Lincoln Road (1:35 p.m.) — A two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Codman and Lincoln Roads when a vehicle had failed to stop at the stop sign. Neither of the operators were injured. One of the vehicles became engulfed with flames that were extinguished a short time later.

Bedford Road (8:31 p.m.) — An individual found several items at a trailhead and turned them in to police.

Canoe landing parking lot (11:22 p.m.) — An officer found an individual sleeping in their vehicle. They were sent on their way a short time later.

April 25

Old Winter Street (12:37 p.m.) — A caller turned in several items to the police for destruction.

April 26

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (12:35 a.m.) — A small fire was reported. Police and fire units responded and knocked down the remnants of the flames.

The Commons in Lincoln (10:18 a.m.) — A caller misplaced several items initially reported stolen but located them a short time later.

Sandy Pond Road (2:06 p.m.) — Officers assisted Concord police with a single-vehicle crash.

Lincoln Road (3:22 p.m.) — An individual found a suspicious item on their property and turned it over to the police.

Lincoln Road (4:35 p.m.) — A minor two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection of Lincoln Road and Route 117 when one vehicle rear-ended another. There were no injuries reported. A written warning was issued to the operator of the vehicle responsible for the crash.

Lincoln Road (6:39 p.m.) — A caller reported observing a white male in his mid-30s with brown/black hair, a mustache, and wearing khaki shorts who had exposed himself. The area was checked but no one matching the description was found. An investigation is ongoing.

LincolnTalk guidelines for town officials are clarified

An earlier prohibition on town officials participating in LincolnTalk for fear of open Meeting Law violations has been loosened and clarified by Town Counsel Joel Bard.

Planning Board members were advised at their April 16 meeting that they were no longer allowed to post emails to LincolnTalk or even subscribe to the listserv. Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie said this was the advice of Town Counsel Joel Bard and accompanied a recent public records request by resident Barbara Peskin for emails and other communications relating to the March 23 Town Meeting.

“The one-sentence summary is that town officials may participate and post on social media, but they must avoid any discussions or ‘deliberations’ with fellow board members and should limit their posts to simple factual points,” Town Administrator Tim Higgins told the Select Board on April 29.

Board and committee members may post information about meeting schedules and other basic administrative matters on LincolnTalk as well as basic factual information, including offering corrections to misstatements, Higgins wrote in a memo to the Select Board, which makes reference to the Attorney General’s Office FAQs on the Open Meeting Law. However, they may not post a response to the posting of another member, “as doing so risks becoming a deliberation outside the confines of a properly convened public meeting,” and they also may not use LincolnTalk to “engage in debate with fellow board members or the public.”

“‘Deliberation’ is defined broadly,” Higgins said at the meeting. “If we start to respond to one another’s posts or even respond to a post by a resident other than to clarify basic factual information, it’s a slippery slope, and [Bard] has seen a number of clients slide down that slope.”

At the heart of the matter is that LincolnTalk should not be viewed by residents as a primary information source about town government. “Lincoln Talk has a limited place among the town’s communication and outreach strategies. It is not the primary vehicle through which the town communicates with its residents. Residents who post questions or concerns to LincolnTalk should not expect that a town official will be responding,” Higgins’s memo notes.

Instead, residents who have questions should contact the relevant department listed on the town website (hover your mouse over the Government link at the top of the page). Those who aren’t sure where to start may contact the Town Administrator’s Office.

“My takeaway is that there’s frustration on this side of the table that more folks don’t reach out directly to us,” Higgins said. “LincolnTalk is valuable in its own way but it’s not an official communications vehicle for the town.” There is no staff member whose job includes monitoring LincolnTalk, “and none of us is authorized to respond on behalf of the town in an official way” on that platform.