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

Officials outline needs and implications of school funding vote

School and town officials made their case for voting to move ahead with a town-funded school project at a multi-board meeting and public forum on March 8.

School Committee chair Jennifer Glass urged residents at Town Meeting on March 25 to vote yes on Article 33, which would allow the town to spend $750,000 on a feasibility study. That money was previously allocated in 2014 with the stipulation that the study would be for a project involving the Massachusetts State Building Authority (MSBA); a “yes” vote would remove that condition. The MSBA has turned down several grant applications from Lincoln due to competition from other schools that are in much worse shape, either structurally or due to severe overcrowding, she explained.

If Article 33 is not approved, residents will be asked to vote on Article 34, which authorizes the town to apply once again for MSBA funding. However, the School Committee and other boards have recommended that voters approve #33 and pass over #34. Theoretically the town could do its own feasibility study while also reapplying to the MSBA, but this runs the risk of wasting the town’s time, effort and money, since the MSBA (even if it granted funding) would require yet another new feasibility study as well as an MSBA-approved architect and owner’s project manager.

“Obviously it’s hard to think about turning away the possibility of millions of dollars,” Glass acknowledged. But the unlikelihood of actually getting that money unless things get much worse—along with other factors like the greater flexibility of a town-only project (especially in conjunction with planning for a community center, which was not permitted in an MSBA-funded school project)—makes this the best way to go, she said.

The new Hanscom Middle School’s layout, with many multipurpose spaces of various sizes,  shows how a building’s design can have educational benefits, officials said. “We are seeing amazing things happening in terms of the way faculty are collaborating on an integrated curriculum and students are collaborating with each other,” said Superintendent Becky McFall.

Even without factoring educational enhancements into a new or renovated building, a project costing at least $30 million is urgently needed just to upgrade worn roofs, boilers and plumbing, HVAC systems and energy-inefficient single-pane windows, Glass said. The school also lacks sprinklers, has cramped kitchens and uncontrolled entrances, and is using converted closets for special services, she added.

If everything goes without a hitch, the earliest that construction could begin is late summer or fall 2019, with completion taking at least two years depending on the scope of the project, Glass said.

Future votes

After this month’s Town Meeting, there will be two more town-wide votes: one to choose a project concept and budget range (probably at Town Meeting a year from now), and another vote to bond the project in fall 2018 after final plans are developed.

“No solution gets chosen without a town vote—this is full-on town participation,” Glass said.

The second vote to choose a design concept was not undertaken in 2012. “We know that that is a really important step for the town to make,” she said, noting that the school campus “has a certain feel and is the heart of the community in many ways.”

Some of the data from the previous school studies can be used again, including data on the current facilities conditions, the educational program needs, possible building footprints and the optimal orientation of the building, the number of classrooms needed, etc. Still to be determined is the exact building layout and room configurations, site planning on roads, parking and pathways (especially as they may also affect a possible community center on the Hartwell side of the campus), and choosing major systems and construction materials, Glass said.

Tax implications

Finance Committee chair Peyton Marshall outlined Lincoln’s property tax situation now (generally favorable compared to eight peer towns) and how it would change after a major bond issue. He showed how much tax bills would go up depending on how much money the town borrowed and the interest rate (either 4% or 5%). The numbers assume that the town will use its debt stabilization fund to smooth the impact.

Bottom line: there would be a median annual tax increase of $275 to $300 for every $10 million that the town borrowed. The median tax bill in fiscal 2018 is $13,613.

Lincoln women gather to honor International Women’s Day

A group of 16 Lincoln women decided to honor International Women’s Day on March 8 by getting together for lunch at Lincoln’s new woman-owned restaurant, Lincoln Kitchen. The 16 have participated in the Lincoln Marchers and the Lincoln Grannies (Grandmothers for a Brighter Future). Both of these groups are engaging in advocacy and activism on a variety of issues of both local and national concern. Clockwise from front: Rachel Mason, Emily Lovering, Barbara Slayter, Lucia MacMahon, Beth Ries, Ginny Lemire, Rosamond Delori, Selina Rossiter, Jean Palmer, Lucretia Giese, Joan Kimball, B.J. Scheff, Elizabeth Heinicke, Dilla Tingley, Elizabeth Cherniak and Laurie Dewey. (Click to enlarge)

 

Another response for candidate forum

Following is a another candidate response in preparation for the town-wide candidate forum on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lincoln Woods Community center (50 Wells Rd.). Previous responses can be seen here and here.

Stanley Solomon (Bemis Trustee)

What I like best about Lincoln—While my wife Susan and I moved from Lexington to The Commons only about six years ago, I have been hiking and leading hikes in Lincoln for more than 40 years. From this, you might surmise that I rate Lincoln’s integrated conservation effort a gem. We see it as the town’s leading attribute.

What I would like to see changed—Town transportation, sewers, more restaurants, increased retail opportunities—these would all be nice to have, but they all come with consequences that, at best, change the appearance, operation and charm that Lincoln now exudes. From following LincolnTalk, it seems that a number of Lincolnites feel that spending one day a year on town government and/or two hours per election exceeds the time they have allocated to being Americans. I indeed would like to see this change.

Conservation Commission hearings on Wednesday

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will hold public hearings on Wednesday, March 8 at the following times:

  • 8:30 p.m. — regarding Notice of Intent from Joseph and Dana Robbat for conversion of an existing garage into an accessory apartment and associated landscape features at 151 Old Concord Rd.
  • 9:15 p.m. — to review a proposed change clarifying the definition of “structure” in the buffer zone regulations, implemented under the Lincoln Wetlands Protection Bylaw.

News acorns

Information evening on water bottles, plastic bags

In preparation for upcoming Town Meeting votes on banning some plastic bags and disposable water bottles in Lincoln and Sudbury, residents are invited to see Tapped, a film about bottled water, and learn about BYOBB—Bring Your Own Bags and Bottles—on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. in the high schools’ Kirshner Auditorium.

Lecture on gardening with native plants 

The Lincoln Garden Club is sponsoring a free lecture on native plants on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 p.m. at Bemis Hall. Claudia Thompson, founder and president of the nonprofit Grow Native Massachusetts, will explain the differences between native, naturalized and invasive plants, and explore the food web that links plants to insects, birds, wildlife and humans.

Fundraiser for Lincoln summer camp scholarships for METCO students

Last summer, the METCO Coordinating Committee (MCC) collaborated with the Lincoln Parks & Recreation Department, the Lincoln METCO Director and the Codman Trust to provide nearly full scholarships to 26 Boston-based children, enabling their full participation in the Lincoln Summer Day Camp. This pilot program was made possible through the Lincoln community’s generosity and the MCC would like to offer the opportunity again this year. Click here to learn more about the MCC’s $10,000 goal and how you can donate.

Panel with former L-S students who have fought addiction

Connections at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School presents “Fighting Addiction: Success Stories from Former L-S Students” on Wednesday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the L-S Lecture Hall. The high school has lost some former students to the disease of opioid addiction, and has had a number of students battle and/or continue to battle with addiction. This event features three former students who struggled with addiction while attending L-S but who are now winning their fights. There will be time for questions.

Sleep seminar on March 15

Searching for the elusive good night’s sleep? Join Lincoln resident, nurse practitioner and health educator Catherine Collins on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room for an evening of tips on  healthy, helpful ways to fall asleep and sleep the whole night through. Sponsored by The Friends of the Lincoln Public Library.

Volunteers sought for kindergarten reading program

The METCO Coordinating Committee will resume its fun and rewarding Kindergarten Reading Program on Thursday, March 30. The program provides both Boston and Lincoln-based students with additional opportunities to benefit from listening to adults read aloud. Reading aloud encourages language development, strengthens emerging literacy skills, lays a foundation for a life-long love of reading, and strengthens intergenerational relationships. Volunteers are needed to read to pairs of children on Thursday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. in the school library. Contact Pilar Doughty at pilar73@icloud.com or 617-320-9306 to volunteer and/or obtain more information.

Property transactions in January

  • 20 Brooks Rd. — John B. Collins to Erik Larsen and Jeannie Chun for $935,000 (January 17).
  • 118 Lexington Rd. — Patrick T. Davis to John Yee and Chung-Yee Mia for $1,460,000 (January 18).
  • 28 Old Concord Rd. — Clifford C. Cort to Keith M. Gilbert for $2,430,000 (January 31).

Letter to the editor: time to move forward with a school project

letter

(Editor’s note: There will be a multi-board meeting and forum on Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Brooks Gym. This is the second such meeting in recent weeks about the school project; click here for coverage of the first multiboard meeting on January 30.)

To the editor:

Last April, Lincoln again applied for state funding for a school building project from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). In December, the town learned that we were not invited into the 2016 funding pipeline. After careful consideration, we, the members of the Lincoln School Committee (LSC), have voted unanimously to recommend that the town move forward independently and begin planning a Lincoln-funded school building project. This is an opinion that we have shared openly with other boards and that we introduced to the public at the January 30 multi-board meeting. It has since been endorsed by multiple town boards and committees.

The purpose of the January 30 meeting was to launch a community process that we hope will bring the town to consensus on a Lincoln School building project. The first decision will be made at the March 25th Annual Town Meeting. The LSC is bringing forth for the town’s consideration two warrant articles that represent two different pathways:

  • Article 33: Using the money we already set aside in 2015, will the Town permit the School Committee to begin planning a Lincoln-funded project? OR
  • Article 34: Should the Town continue to re-apply to the MSBA?

The LSC views these articles as an either/or choice representing two distinct pathways and timetables. The School Committee recommends voting “yes” on Article 33 and passing over Article 34.

Article 33

As stewards of the school, we believe the time has come to act independently for the following reasons:

  • The Lincoln School’s building systems are at increasing risk of failure, and the fiscally responsible approach is to address the deficiencies with a thoughtfully planned single project.
  • We are committed to creating a learning environment that supports the town’s educational vision.
  • There has been considerable community engagement over the past five years, and a growing consensus that a school project is one of the town’s top priorities.

Certain systems in the school, such as the roof and boilers, are on borrowed time. With immediate action, the earliest completion date for a renovation project is late 2021. Waiting to act lengthens the timeline and increases the risk of a costly infrastructure failure that would force us to reactively spend millions of dollars.

Since 2002 when the Capital Planning Committee first recommended a comprehensive approach to addressing the school’s capital needs, the town has conducted five studies of the facility. Each study has confirmed the idea that it is fiscally prudent to thoughtfully plan a project that holistically addresses the school’s infrastructure needs.

For the past several years, because we sought to maximize the impact of the town’s investment, the LSC asked for town support to seek MSBA funding. Yet, since we applied last April, we have learned more about the current competitiveness of the MSBA process. The MSBA uses weighted criteria to evaluate proposals, including:

  1. Is the building structurally sound?
  2. Is there severe overcrowding?
  3. Is there a threatened loss of accreditation?
  4. Does the district foresee future overcrowding?
  5. Are the major systems obsolete?
  6. Will there be short-term enrollment growth?
  7. Are the educational spaces outdated?

The Lincoln School, like many around the Commonwealth, falls firmly into categories #5 and #7. Many districts around us, however, are also facing severe overcrowding, and there are some facilities around the Commonwealth that are considered unusable. The MSBA is using its limited resources to fund projects around the state that fall squarely within categories #1 and/or #2. We believe that with the current focus on these top two criteria, we are unlikely to receive state support in the foreseeable future, and that given the condition of the building, the responsible financial choice is to move ahead on our own.

Supporting high-quality public education is one of Lincoln’s core values. This goes beyond academic rigor, encompassing a vision of education that is innovative, engaging and inspiring. To realize that vision, we know we need highly effective educators in an environment that supports teaching and learning. Lincoln consistently supports the educational program, and now it is time to invest in our infrastructure. Our goal is a school facility that fosters collaboration and communication, is flexible and sustainable enough to meet educational needs for decades to come, and is safe and accessible to, and supportive of, all our learners.

Finally, for the past five years the LSC has worked with the citizens of Lincoln to cultivate a shared vision of education, and an understanding of the Lincoln School building’s deficiencies. Among the several hundred people who have engaged in this process, the public has indicated consensus on several points:

  • Maximizing educational benefits is the community’s first priority when evaluating a potential project.
  • A minimum investment of $30 million (2014 estimate) is required to achieve a responsible repair project that addresses basic infrastructure and meets current safety, structural and accessibility codes.
  • In order to achieve an education-focused transformation of the building, a significantly greater investment will be required. According to several studies, the potential cost is $40-$65 million.
  • This cost range is based on the 2014 Dore & Whittier estimates commissioned by the School Building Advisory Committee II (SBAC II); the total cost of the project proposed in 2012 was $50 million.
  • When asked at the 2014 State of the Town Meeting, those present demonstrated strong support for a transformative project, even if we need to pay for it on our own.
  • Many residents are also interested in building a community center on the Lincoln School campus and favor a parallel planning process.
  • A school project will be a major community investment. It is important to build on the community’s demonstrated engagement in planning these projects.

Approving Article 33 is the first of three votes the town would take to plan and achieve a revitalization of the Lincoln School. Community input has been and will continue to be crucial in planning for the choices the Town will make at each of these stages. The following “feasibility study” process is based on a standard project management model:

  1. After a “yes” vote on Article 33, the School Committee appoints a School Building Committee to choose an architect, hire an owner’s project manager, and develop a series of project concepts and budget estimates from which the town will choose.
  2. The town votes to choose a project concept and estimated budget range. This determines key components of the project such as the number and types of spaces needed, and the footprint of the building.
    — Preliminary design phase: After the town chooses a concept, the architect and Building Committee will do preliminary site planning and choose major systems and materials such as heating/ventilation, roofing, exterior materials, windows, insulation, lighting, and plumbing.
    — Two independent cost estimates are commissioned and reconciled.
  3. The town votes to bond the project, beginning the final phase:
    — Final design development: The Building Committee and architect choose interior finishes, finalize site plans, and create construction drawings.
    —The construction contract is put out to bid, is awarded, and the project begins.
Article 34

Article 34 asks whether the town should re-apply for funding from the MSBA. The LSC has advocated for this pathway over the past couple of years, but now believes that our near-term acceptance into the funding pipeline is highly unlikely given both the level of need around the state, and the MSBA’s available resources. As outlined above, large infrastructure items such as the roof and the heating system are at an increased risk of failure, and even the most ambitious project schedule takes four years. The LSC recommends voting “yes” on Article 33 and passing over Article 34.

Why not vote “yes” on both articles?
  • One advantage of funding a project on our own is that we are not constrained by MSBA limitations on building and site use, thus facilitating parallel planning with a community center.
  • Potential waste of taxpayer money: If we spend money to develop a project on our own and then receive an invite from the MSBA, we would have to put that work aside and begin a new, state-approved process. This would mean appropriating more money, hiring a state-approved architect and owner’s project manager, and starting the work again. This also delays planning for a community center project.
  • Respect for the town’s human capital. During the most recent study of the Lincoln School, SBAC II meetings consumed over 110 hours of our educators’ and fellow citizens’ time. The LSC wants to ensure that we are using our human resources judiciously and productively.

Questions? Want more information? Please join us at the multi-board meeting and forum on March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Brooks Gym.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass, chair (on behalf of the Lincoln School Committee)

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.

Correction

The first paragraph of the March 6 article headlined “More candidate answers before March 11 forum” gave an incorrect date for the upcoming candidate forum at Lincoln Woods. It is March 11, not March 27 (that’s the date of the election). Also, the last word in Laura Sander’s response was cut off. Both errors have been corrected in the original article.

News acorns

Absentee ballots available

Absentee ballots for the March 27 town 2017 election are now available in the Town Office Building. Residents can come in and vote over the counter or apply by mail. Under state law, the town cannot allow anyone to deliver a physical ballot to a voter. A family member may apply for an absentee ballot to be mailed to another family member. Click here for more information on absentee voting.

Haitian dance performance at L-S

The Jean Appolon Expressions dancers.

On Friday, March 10, there will be a performance by the Haitian dance company jean Appalon Expressions at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. The performance, “Angaje” (which means “engaged” or “committed” in Haitian-Creole) is inspired by the struggle against homophobia and the power of Haitian cultural tradition in the fight for justice. It is a reflection of various forms of social oppression and more particularly the violence against LGBTQ people in Haiti, who are not only victims of discrimination, but also the targets of violence by anti-gay groups.

There will be a reception starting at 6:30 p.m. and the performance will start at 7:30 in Kirshner Auditorium. The performance is free, but donations will be accepted to benefit Partners in Health. The event is hosted by the L-S French Department and the METCO program and sponsored by SERF (Sudbury Education Resource Fund).

Also as part of World Language Week next week, the public is invited to the 14th Annual World Language Declamation Contest in the L-S Auditorium on Thursday, March 9 during block 4. Students including Lincoln residents Zoe Belge, Marissa Cannistraro, Cal Hamandi and Irene Terpstra will recite pieces they have memorized in the languages they are learning. World Language Karaoke will take place on Friday, March 10 in Kirshner Auditorium during blocks 6 and 7 with singing in French, Mandarin, German and Spanish (karaoke lyrics will be supplied). Email World Language Department Coordinator Joan Campbell at joan_campbell@lsrhs.net for more information.

Free after-school classes for kids

The Learning Hub at the Lincoln Public Library is offering free Friday afternoon classes for children ages 7-11 on four Fridays this month from 3:30-4:40 p.m. Topics include:

  • Picasso Cubism Paper Bag Art  (March 10)
  • Catapulting with Marshmallows (March 17)
  • Make a Simple Glider (March 24)
  • Build a Bubble Rocket (March 31)

To sign up for any or all of the classes, contact the library at 781-259-8465 ext. 4 or email jflanders@minlib.net. Classes are provided by The Learning Hub in Worcester.

Elder law clinic on March 13

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 Council on Aging is offering a legal clinic with elder law attorney and Lincoln resident Sasha Golden on Monday, March 13 from 2-4 p.m. There is no charge for the 30-minute consultation, but please sign up by calling the COA at 781-259-8811.

More candidate answers before March 11 forum

In preparation for the town-wide candidates forum on March 11 (see the Lincoln Squirrel, March 2, 2017), three more candidates have submitted answers to the two questions posed by the event’s organizers: What do you like best about Lincoln? What would you like to see changed? The forum will take place on Saturday, March 11 from 10 a.m. to noon in the Lincoln Woods Community Center at 50 Wells Rd. Each candidate will make brief opening and closing statements and take one or two questions in between.

Melinda Abraham (Bemis trustee)

What I like best about Lincoln: I love the amazing people who are quite engaged in the community.
What would I like to see changed: I’d like to see funding devoted to a community center and to a elementary/middle school.

Lynn DeLisi (Planning Board)

What I like best about Lincoln: Living in Lincoln is wonderful because it has a serene natural environment filled with wildlife of all kinds, beautiful farms, and with many well maintained paths through the fields so its residents and visitors can enjoy all it has to offer. Despite its rural atmosphere, it is still amazingly close to Boston for work and enjoying all the city has to offer.

What I would like to see changed: I look forward to facilitating the revitalization of a Lincoln Center where local residents can meet and share interests over coffee or meals and having many of their daily needs met. I would also like to see enforcement of our bylaws so that what I like most about Lincoln can be preserved.

Laura Sander (Board of Assessors)

What I like best about Lincoln: I like best the feeling that Lincoln is an oasis of peace and calm. I find it refreshing to step off the train at the end of the workday and be in this place that we together as a community work to maintain. I find the access to the outdoors restorative.

What I would like to see changed: I would like to ensure that the oasis that we work hard to maintain is not an enclave that is separate from the rest of the world and its concerns. I appreciate the efforts many make to encourage diversity of people and thought and would like to see us work even harder to promote both.