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

News acorns

Film: “The Draft”

On Thursday, May 21 at 6:00pm, the Lincoln Film Society presents “The Draft” (2016, unrated, directed by Peter Snoad), a film of an award-winning documentary play that tells the story of the Vietnam War era through the real-life stories of 10 young Americans whose lives were shaped and forever changed by the military draft. 

Webinar on trees

The Lincoln Tree Preservation Study Group and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will host a Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 21 from 7:00–8:15pm on “Trees and People Around the World: A Historic Perspective.” Matt Foti of Foti Tree and Landscape in Lexington will share knowledge gained from years of exploring the relationship between trees and people, including the historic significance of some of our own native trees. He’ll also talk about how people’s lives depend on trees for food, protection, fuel, medicine, religion, shelter, and even transportation. Click here to register for the webinar.

Juneteenth volunteers sought

The METCO Coordinating Committee (MCC) will host a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 6 from 1:00-4:00pm at Codman Field and are looking for volunteers to help with setup, grilling, activity monitoring, breakdown, and more. Shifts are available throughout the day, including before and after the free, family-friendly community event that will feature live performances, a step team, poetry, dance, a DJ, bouncy houses, and local vendors. Click here to sign up for a time slot. Questions? Contact Jessica Tranchino of the MCC at jwtranchino@gmail.com.

St. Anne’s summer music series

SoHIP (the Society for Historically Informed Performance) will present its Early Music Concert Series at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on Tuesdays at 7:30pm in June and July. Click here for details on programs and performers, and to purchase tickets and seasons passes.

  • June 2 — Nova Vetera, “On the Move: Italian Style Beyond Borders”
  • June 9 — The Pandora Consort, “The Fire Within Her: An American Folktale About Women’s Liberation”
  • June 16 — Hesperus, “The Wild Kingdom: A Book of Beasts”
  • June 23 — Silentwoods Collective, “Lessons for a King”
  • June 30 —  Concerto Incognito, “An Outburst of Improvisors: The 17th-century Invention of Modern Music”
  • July 7 — Sempervirens, “Fantasies and Fugues, Modes and Moods”
  • July 14 — Duo Tarasque, “Esperance et Croyance: Hope and Belief in the French Middle Ages “
  • July 21 — The Berry Collective, “May the Fours Be With You”

Lincoln history: “Did you know…”

… that one of the greatest orators in Congress once taught in one of Lincoln’s five schoolhouses in 1776? Read more here on the Lincoln Historical Society’s website.

My Turn: SVdP scholarship program expands to support more Lincoln neighbors

By Pat Burns

Dear Lincoln neighbors,

We’re excited to share some good news: the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston is expanding our scholarship program to help even more neighbors pursue education, training, and new opportunities.

For the past ten years, thanks to the generosity of the Ogden Codman Trust, we’ve provided need-based scholarships of up to $2,500 per term to adults looking to improve their job prospects, train for a new career, or return to the workforce after time away. Scholarships are available to Lincoln residents, non-residents who work at least half-time in Lincoln, and families with children in the Lincoln public schools.

Now, we’re opening the program to younger learners in as well — including:

  • College juniors and seniors whose families can’t afford rising college costs
  • Public high school graduates pursuing vocational or technical training programs that may not be available free through community colleges or other programs

We know many families are navigating financial challenges right now, and we hope this program can make a meaningful difference. Please help us spread the word to anyone who might benefit.

To learn more, visit SVdP Lincoln and Weston Scholarships or reach out through our contact page. You can also leave us a message at 781-899-2611, extension 4. We’d love to hear from you!

— Pat Burns (president, The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Lincoln and Weston)

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. 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.

Correction and clarification

  • The May 18 legal notice about a proposed 20-unit housing development at 109 Page Road, 279, 283, and 295 Cambridge Turnpike had an incorrect headline. The Lincoln Squirrel website post’s headline of “Legal notice: Planning Board hearing (Civico)” was correct, but the headline within the body of the notice should have read “TOWN OF LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD — NOTICE FOR DEFINITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND USE PLAN.” The notice has been corrected.
  • The May 18 story headlined “Fate of trees to be announced on June 8” included a final paragraph about an upcoming webinar on trees, but that event is not related to the rest of the story on the removal and/or pruning of roadside trees. It is republished here: 

The Lincoln Tree Preservation Study Group and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust will host a Zoom webinar on Thursday, May 21 from 7:00–8:15pm on “Trees and People Around the World: A Historic Perspective.” Matt Foti of Foti Tree and Landscape in Lexington will share knowledge gained from years of exploring the relationship between trees and people, including the historic significance of some of our own native trees. He’ll also talk about how people’s lives depend on trees for food, protection, fuel, medicine, religion, shelter, and even transportation. Click here to register for the webinar.

Legal notice: Planning Board hearing (Civico)

TOWN OF LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE FOR DEFINITIVE DEVELOPMENT AND USE PLAN

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 via hybrid meeting to review an application for a 20-unit housing development at 109 Page Road, 279, 283, and 295 Cambridge Turnpike — parcels, or parts thereof, 132-25-0, 132-26-0, 132-27-0, and 132-28-0 as shown on the submitted plans. The review will be pursuant to the Zoning Bylaw, Section 12.5.8 Special Permit and Site Plan Review and the General Bylaw, Article XXXII Stormwater Management. The application is available for review on the Town of Lincoln website at www.lincolntown.org/252/Planning. 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.

Lynn DeLisi and Gary Taylor, Co-Chairs
Lincoln Planning Board

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.

Fate of trees to be announced on June 8

Faced with objections at an April 22 hearing to the proposed pruning or removal of numerous roadside trees by Eversource, town officials will now give their final decision to the Select Board on Monday, June 8 at 6:45pm (Zoom link here).

There were actually two lists of trees released last month, one with trees identified by Eversource and another with trees targeted by the town. At the hearing, residents asked the town to spare more than two-thirds of the trees it proposed to trim or remove. The DPW then extended the comment period to May 11.

“Based on our initial inspections, the list of approximately 270 trees has already been reduced to 207,” Tree Warden Ken Bassett said in a statement released on May 18. An updated list of trees approved for removal will be posted to the Tree Warden’s web page in advance of the Select Board meeting. “We have authorized Eversource to remove a limited number of trees that are clearly dead or in severe decline and present an immediate concern. No additional removals will proceed until the town’s review process has been completed.”

In come cases where officials decide to trim rather than cut down a tree, “removal may be considered at a later date if the tree’s health declines following pruning,” Bassett said, adding that any future removal would require a separate Chapter 87 tree hearing.

The tree warden has a “modest budget” for tree planting, and Eversource has also offered to submit a mitigation planting plan. The town is also hoping that the state will pass recently filed legislation establishing a $20 million tree-planting fund.

The town intends at some point to draw up bylaw amendments regarding tree removal, Planning Board chair Lynn DeLisi said at a meeting in May 2025.

Police log for May 5–13, 2026

May 5

Commuter rail parking lot (11:00am) — A citation was issued to an illegally parked vehicle.

May 6

North Commons (5:08pm) — An outside agency requested assistance with contacting a resident.

South Great Road (7:46pm) — An officer checked on a vehicle stopped on the side of the road. The motorist was attempting to get directions to their destination.

Paul Revere lot, North Great Road (8:11pm) — An officer checked on a parked and occupied motor vehicle. The party was in the process of leaving the lot at the time of the interaction.

Hartwell lot, North Great Road (8:15pm) — An officer checked on a parked/occupied vehicle. The occupants were advised the lot closes at sunset and they left the area.

Minuteman Visitor Center lot, North Great Road (8:22pm) — An officer checked on an unoccupied vehicle.

Police station (3:28pm) — A staff member assisted a party who had asked to speak with an officer.

Concord Road (6:13pm) — An officer spoke to a person regarding an ongoing matter.

May 7

Heritage Road, Hanscom AFB (10:29am) — A person spoke to an officer about possi-ble credit card fraud.

Commuter Rail parking lot (11:35am) — A citation was issued to an illegally parked vehicle.

Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (3:26pm) — An officer gave a person a courte-sy transport.

Birchwood Lane (4:24pm) — An officer served a person with court paperwork.

May 8

Sunnyside Lane (8:13am) — An officer spoke with a person who reported that a family member wad been overdue for several hours. Officers were ultimately able to make contact with the person, who made their way home a short time later.

Old County Road (11:19am) — An officer helped the Massachusetts State Police with a crash on Route 2 near Old County Road.

Lexington Road (8:59pm) — An officer spoke to a person about a person who ap-proached their residence earlier in the day.

North Commons (5:55pm and 6:32pm) — Officers responded to a residence regarding an ongoing neighbor dispute.

May 9

Nothing of note.

May 10

deCordova Sculpture Park (6:11pm) — An officer checked on two parked and unoccu-pied vehicles.

May 11

Brooks Road (10:17am) — A resident reported a low-hanging wire. Police and fire units confirmed it was a communications wire and contacted the appropriate utility.

Lincoln Road (7:07pm) — Officers were called to a residence to assist with a civil mat-ter.

May 12

The Commons of Lincoln (11:58am) — A resident spoke with an officer regarding a possible missing item.

Page Road (6:43pm) — A caller reported an interaction with a motorist and asked the police to get involved.

May 13

Tabor Hill Road (3:18pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding possible identity theft.

Codman Road (4:13pm) — An officer helped two drivers exchange information after a minor accident.

Wells Road (8:12pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a possible harass-ment incident.

Wells Road (6:29pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a past harassment incident.

Tremont Street, Somerville (7:24pm) — A person from another jurisdiction called to provide information about a relative living in Lincoln.

Board accepts $1.35 million in donations for community center

At the meeting at which the Select Board accepted to community center donations were (left to right) Town Administrator Tim Higgins, Select Board member Kim Bodnar, Community Center Building Committee co-chair Sarah Chester, Friends of the Lincoln Council on Aging chair Rhonda Swain, Patrick Lawler of the FLCOA, Select Board member Jim Hutchinson, Peter von Mertens, donors Faye and Peter Speert of the FLCOA, Select Board member Jennifer Glass, and CCBC co-chair Jonathan Dwyer.

The Select Board on May 11 formally accepted donations totaling $1.345 million in donations to defray the cost of the community center now under construction.

It was the culmination of the previously announced donations of $1 million from the Friends of the Council on Aging and the Odgen Codman Trust ($500,000). The FLCOA donation was jump-started by bequests many years ago from the Pascoe and Hurff families.

The FLCOA also contributed another $345,000 it raised from about 100 private donors, with significant sums from the Desai family and Dilla Tingley and her late husband Fred, as well as the Hammett Ory family and Faye and Peter Speert.

The $1.345 million total was supplemented earlier this month by a donation of $40,000 from Peter von Mertens for a rain garden that had been cut earlier from the project due to cost. 

“This is just the best news I’ve had in a long time, and your generosity is amazing and so welcomed by the town,” Select Board member told the donors at the meeting.

News acorns

Outdoor watering restrictions in effect

The state has upgraded the Drought Status for the Northeast Region, where Lincoln is located, from a Level 1 (mild drought) to a Level 2 (significant drought). This means that outdoor watering is limited to two days a week. Click here for details. Water Department staff will be monitoring all sprinkler use in town and will stop to remind residents of the new restriction policy. A first offense will result in a $100 fine, and subsequent violations
will result in a $200 fine. Questions? Contact Water
Superintendent Richard Nolli at nollir@lincolnma.gov or 781-259-2669.

Appreciation event for Peter Sugar

There will be an appreciation event for Peter Sugar who is stepping down from the library’s board of trustees after more than 20 years of exceptional service to the library, on Friday, May 22 from 11:00am–1:00pm in the Tarbell Room. Sugar chaired the board’s Building and Grounds Subcommittee using his expertise as an architect, historian, and artist to help the board maintain the facility in as pristine a manner as possible. Anyone who knows him and enjoys the historic library in invited to join in saying “thank you” to Peter for his years of service with food, beverages, a few stories, much laughter, and camaraderie.

Soup and video at St. Anne’s

Enjoy a soup dinner and watch a video by Prof. Doug Tallamy, co-founder of Homegrown National Park, entitled “What’s the Rush?” on how small changes in our yards can have huge impacts on biodiversity, on Tuesday, May 26 at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church. starting at 6:30pm. Sponsored by St. Anne’s Social Justice Commission.

Volunteers needed

  1. Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee — The Select Board is seeking a volunteer to serve a two-year term as an appointed member on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee beginning immediately. Lincoln residents who have demonstrated interest or engagement in issues concerning bicycle and pedestrian safety, accessibility, active transportation, or related topics are encouraged to apply. BPAC meets once a month, generally on the first Thursday of the month at 7:30 pm via Zoom. For more information, contact BPAC chair Ginger Reiner at ginger.reiner@gmail.com. Applicants are also encouraged to attend the June 4 BPAC meeting. Letters of interest should be addressed to the Select Board and sent to Peggy Elder, administrative assistant in the Select Board’s Office (elderp@lincolntown.org), along with a completed applicationby June 9.
  1. Lincoln Water Level Monitor — The Charles River Watershed Association (CRWA) is looking for a dedicated volunteer in or near Lincoln to help with their Water Level Monitoring Program. Once a month, volunteers will go out to their assigned stream and take a depth reading and photo. This data is then used to help with the state’s drought management task force’s drought status determinations for Massachusetts, as well as providing CRWA with reliable water levels for tributaries we know are at risk for drying up due to drought. Contact CRWA Volunteer & Outreach Manager Ryan S. at rsmith@crwa.org if interested.

Police log for April 16 – May 5, 2026

April 16

145 Lincoln Road (11:50am) — Three illegally parked vehicles were cited.

Police station (3:44pm) — A person individual asked to speak with an officer regarding speed limit signs on Concord Road.

April 17

Hanscom Vandenberg Gate (1:14pm) — An officer stood by for the regular ICE protest on Hanscom Drive.

Mary’s Way (2:39pm) — An officer conducted a well-being check on a person. Contact was successfully made.

Eglin Street (5:10pm) — An officer responded for a report of a past assault.

Lincoln Woods (5:15pm) — A caller reported a concern they had with a potentially unlicensed motorist. An officer was able to confirm that the motorist was licensed.

Offutt Road (6:04pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding a civil matter.

Minebrook Road (11:36pm) — A caller reported seeing a possible fire in a neighboring driveway. An officer checked the area but discovered no fire.

April 18

Lincoln Road (11:07am) — Officers checked streets near the Wayland town line for vandalism. None was found.

April 19

South Great Road (9:59am) — A crash occurred at the intersection of South Great Road and Concord Road when a vehicle failed to stop for a red light and struck another vehicle that was passing through the intersection. There were no reported injuries. The operator that failed to yield was cited for the same.

April 20

Huckleberry Hill (1:34pm) — A caller reported that a trailer was left on the side of the road. The contractor was contacted and removed the trailer.

Mt. Misery lot Rt. 117 (9:55pm) — A caller reported that their dog was missing. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the animal.

April 21

The Commons of Lincoln (3:35am) — A caller requested assistance for a resident. Assistance was rendered a short time later.

Weston Road (1:52pm) — An officer spoke with a pedestrian after they reported a volatile encounter with a motorist. The area was checked but the motorist was not located.

April 22

Care Dimensions, Winter Street (6:08pm) — A caller reported a tree that appeared to be leaning on some wires. An officer checked the area and asked Eversource to respond. There was no impediment to the roadway.

Bowles Terrace (6:33pm) — A caller reported a large plume of white smoke coming from a chimney. The fire department was able to confirm the smoke was the result of a controlled fire.

South Great Road (7:17pm) — A motorist reported seeing a driver stop in front of several mailboxes and apparently remove items. The area was checked but the vehicle was not located. Area towns were also advised. There were no subsequent reports of missing items from mailboxes.

April 23

Bemis Hall (10:49am) — A tree fell close to Bemis Hall, cutting the building’s power. Eversource responded to the area and restored power several hours later.

Sandy Pond Road (4:54pm) — Several people were observed fishing at Sandy Pond. They were advised fishing was prohibited and moved from the area.

Lincoln Road (7:22pm) — A person spoke to an officer after reportedly being bitten by a dog. They refused medical attention. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

April 24

Old Bedford Road (4:21pm) — An officer instructed a person to move to a safer location while waiting for a ride-share driver.

Offutt Road (6:13pm) — Officers conducted a well-being check after a scheduled meeting did not occur. They were able to make contact with the person a short time later.

Lincoln Town Hall (7:00pm) — An officer helped a turtle crossing the road. The escort was flawlessly executed and traffic resumed its normal operation.

Tower Road (10:16pm) — A caller was walking their dog and detected the odor of smoke. The area was checked but nothing out of the ordinary was found.

April 25

Harvest Circle (9:55am) — An officer collected unused/expired medications and delivered them to the Newton Police Department as part of the National Drug Take-Back Day.

Deerhaven Road (11:10am) — Officers were advised of an increase in activity in the area. The caller was advised to call the police should they notice any suspicious activity or breach of the peace.

April 26

Harvest Circle (10:10am) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a possible fraud incident.

Route 2 Gas (12:50pm) — A motorist struck a support structure at Tracey’s Gas Station. The motorist was not injured and was taken to the police station to make transportation arrangements as the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Conant Road (4:33pm) — A caller reported a loose dog in the area. An officer checked but was unable to locate the dog.

April 27

Wells Road (1:22pm) — An officer responded for a motor vehicle that was struck by a fire engine. There were no injuries reported and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Bedford Road (1:37pm) — An officer responded to the stone church parking lot for a minor motor vehicle crash. There were no reported injuries and operators exchanged information on site.

Lincoln Public Library (3:29pm) — An officer responded to a crash that occurred when a vehicle traveling the wrong way on Library Lane struck a parked, unoccupied motor vehicle. There were no reported injuries and the operator was cited for unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.

Indian Camp Lane (10:15pm) — A caller reported hearing a man yelling in close proximity to their residence. Officers checked the area but discovered nothing out of the ordinary.

April 28

South Great Road (9:53am) — An officer helped a person with transport back to their residence.

April 29

Page Road (12:52pm) — Officers responded for a tree obstructing the roadway. Eversource was called to the scene and the tree was removed a short time later.

April 30

Codman Road (6:48pm) — An officer responded to the area for a reported deer strike. A deceased deer was found in the roadway and the DPW was called to collect the carcass.

Chestnut Circle (7:23pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding an ongoing incident.

May 1

Wells Road (9:14am) — An officer spoke to a person regarding an ongoing incident.

Police station (10:30am) — A person asked for help from an officer with some Registry of Motor Vehicles paperwork.

Lincoln Road (12:14pm) — The police and fire departments responded to the area for an accident when a vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree. The operator was transported to the hospital and the vehicle was towed.

Sandy Pond Road (6:54pm) — An officer responded to check on two vehicles reportedly parked near the roadway. The vehicles had left the area prior to the officer’s arrival.

May 2

Ripley School, Concord (3:22pm) — An officer responded to the town of Concord to assist with an ongoing incident.

Wells Road (5:11pm) — An officer spoke to a resident regarding an ongoing incident.

Red Rail Farm (7:44pm) — A caller reported seeing someone walking in a field near their residence. The area was checked but nothing was found.

Tack Room (10:50pm) — An officer responded to a shared space for the report of graffiti vandalism. The scene was documented.

May 3

Tabor Hill Road (6:05pm) — An officer responded to a residence to help two individuals with an outdoor structure.

May 4

North Commons (5:58pm) — An officer responded to a residence for an ongoing civil matter.

May 5

Commuter rail parking lot (11:00am) — An illegally parked vehicle was cited.

DeCordova galleries to remain closed for two more years

The deCordova Musuem building (2013 photo).

The galleries inside the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum — closed for extensive HVAC renovations in 2023 and originally slated to reopen after two to three years — will now remain shuttered until 2028 as the organization works through major structural changes.

“We look forward to improving climate control in our gallery spaces, devising new, creative ways of integrating indoor and outdoor locations, and enhancing educational and community spaces,” said the invitation to the deCordova’s annual fundraising gala on May 9 in describing future plans.

“DeCordova and the Trustees have experienced significant change since 2023 that has prepared us for this moment,” D.A. Hayden, vice president for the MetroWest region, said in an email to the Lincoln Squirrel. In June of that year, the organization named Katie Theoharides (who served as the state Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs under Gov. Charlie Baker from 2019–22) as its president and CEO.

The Trustees laid off 10% of its staff in February 2024 to address “an ongoing multimillion-dollar structural deficit,” according to several news reports. The organization then “restructured… shifting to a regional model,” Hayden said, which apparently means organizing staff, resources, and stewardship efforts into specific geographic regions across Massachusetts rather than managing each of their  properties in isolation. The Trustees owns and manages about 27,000 acres on 122 reservations in Massachusetts and holds conservation restrictions on another 410 parcels totaling 20,500 acres

At the deCordova, The Trustees promoted Sarah Montross to museum director and chief curator  while also launching a new five-year strategic plan in 2025. Montross has worked at the deCordova since 2015, advancing through a succession of curator roles.

“The launch of the strategic plan gave us an opportunity to step back and look at deCordova in a more holistic manner,” Hayden said. “Rather than focusing simply on HVAC in a building, we looked at how to update our facilities while also focusing on targeted improvement to our campus for visitor experience. Elevating stewardship of our land and buildings is a key pillar of the strategic plan, as is inspiring climate hope and welcoming and connecting people.”

The current plan is to begin inside construction in the winter of 2026-27, with galleries to open to the public in spring 2028. “This work will not expand the existing footprint of the building; rather it will improve how these spaces function for art and people. We look forward to building improvements which share the beauty of the outdoors with the indoor spaces,” Hayden said.

The building is open for visitor programs including the Rappaport Art Prize lecture and Cronin lecture, and it also continues to host private events and operate a retail store and cafe in separate buildings.