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

Group to show films on Israel-Palestine issue

September 15, 2016

The newly formed Lincoln-based GRALTA Foundation will show the first two films in a series exploring the Israel-Palestine conflict later this month and in October.

“1913: Seeds of Conflict” is a 2015 PBS documentary that offers insights into the events in Palestine that set the stage for the coming century of unrest, with perspectives from a wide range of Arab, Israeli and American scholars. Producer/director Ben Loeterman will lead a discussion and answer questions following both showings of the film at the following times:

Sunday, Sept. 18 at 2 p.m., Bemis Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., Lincoln Public Library

“The Other Son” (2012), directed by Lorraine Lévy, is the tale of two young men—one Israeli, the other Palestinian—who discover they were accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions facing them and their respective families. The revelation turns the lives of the two families upside-down, forcing them to reassess their respective identities, values, and beliefs. There will be audience discussions after the two screenings:

Sunday, Oct. 2 at 2 p.m., Bemis Hall
Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 7 p.m., Lincoln Public Library

The GRALTA Foundation (Grass Roots Awareness, Learning, Travel and Action) is a nonprofit established by Lincoln residents Steve and Barbara Low. Its goal is to raise awareness of the causes and current status of the Israel-Palestine conflict and investigate regional and international initiatives for ending it. The project includes opportunities for learning and travel, including a fact-finding trip to Israel and Palestine in January 2017.

GRALTA does not advocate a specific political stance or solution for the conflict. “This has become a battle over human rights—it’s as simple as that,” Steve Low said. “We hope that our model, if successful and expanded, will shift the conversation away from anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and partisan politics to an objective discussion of human rights, justice and peace not only for Israelis and Palestinians, but for America’s security as well.”

The Lows’ daughter Shaina Low, a law school student who spent the summer working for the BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights in Bethlehem, recently gave a well-attended talk in Lincoln about the conflict (click here to watch the video).

News acorns

September 14, 2016

Free ‘Positive Psychology’ classes begin Friday

The Lincoln Council on Aging is offering a new course on “Positive Psychology” this fall through a special grant from the Ogden Codman Trust. The free, eight-session course for all ages will be held on Friday mornings at 9:30 a.m. at Bemis Hall beginning Friday, Sept. 16. Participants will hear presentations and engage in discussions to learn strategies for being happier; realizing dreams; bringing about personal change; using mindfulness, exercise, sleep and nutrition to enhance quality of life; and improving relationships. The course will be taught by Alyson Lee, who recently led the “Being Mortal” series at the COA. She is a social worker and life coach and certified to teach Positive Psychology. To sign up, or for more information, call the COA at 781-259-8811.

The Lincoln Council on Aging is grateful to the Ogden Codman Trust for support of this course, as well as the many other projects it has funded, including the Emergency Assistance Fund, the Small Necessities program, Home Safe and ongoing wellness clinics.

Codman Community Farms Harvest Weekend

The Codman Community Farms Harvest Weekend will kick off on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 5 p.m. in the Codman barn with the Farmside Feast catered by Blue Ribbon Barbecue and Verrill Farm pies for dessert. Tickets ($35 for adults, $15 for children 12 and under) must be purchased in advance at the farm or online at www.codmanfarm.org. Codman’s Harvest Fair will take place Sunday, Sept.25 from 1-4 p.m. There will be children’s and family games, pony rides, farm exhibits and crafts, a produce and harvest competition, and a rooster run ($5 entry fee). Admission to the fair is $8 for children and adults. For more information, click here, call the farm at 781-259-0456 or email info@codmanfarm.org.

Hoedown Food and Music Festival to benefit Lovelane program

The Lovelane Special Needs Horseback Riding program in Lincoln will hold its annual benefit Hoedown Food and Music Festival on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 4-9:30 p.m. There will be 15 celebrity chefs donating their time, plus entertainment from the Marshall Tucker Band, David Foster and the Mohegan All-Stars, French Lick, and Jon Cohan and His Golden Rulers. All proceeds directly benefit the students and horses at Lovelane. Individual tickets are $500, a Young Professional ticket (age 21-35) is $200, and six or more tickets are $375 apiece. The event is at Duck Puddle Farm, just across the town line at 48 Lincoln Rd. in Wayland. Click here for more information, or call Eliza Wall at 781-259-1177 x24.

First Parish begins renovations

The First Parish in Lincoln (FPL) recently began the renovation of its sanctuary at 4 Bedford Rd., a year and a half after winning final zoning approval. The approval capped a lengthy and controversial review process mainly because the footprint of the Stearns Room at the rear of the church is expanding slightly. The work is expected to be finished by June 1, 2017. The Stearns Room will be replaced, and there will be some repairs and changes made inside, including providing three additional handicapped seating places. In preparation, the organ has been encapsulated by the Noack Organ Company to protect it from any damage during construction. The sanctuary has already been re-roofed to ensure no further leaks.

State grant will help town look at options for street safety

September 14, 2016

Lincoln residents can learn and offer ideas on how the town can best use a Complete Streets state grant at several public forums starting on October 19.

The Complete Streets program provides funding from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation that support projects providing safe and accessible transportation options for all travel modes—including walking, biking, transit and motor vehicles—for people of all ages and abilities. The goal is to improve the livability of communities by designing streets that contribute toward the safety, health, economic viability and quality of life in a community by improving the pedestrian and vehicular environments.

The town applied for a $50,000 grant last spring, before a series of bicycle/vehicle accidents resulted in two deaths over the summer. Wayland cyclist Eugene Thornberg was fatally struck by a vehicle on Route 126 just south of Hillside Road on June 16, and Westford cyclist Mark Himelfarb, 59, was killed in an August 17 accident on Virginia Road about 200 feet north of intersection with Old Bedford Road.

A third accident on August 19 occurred when a vehicle struck and injured a 30-year-old Somerville bicyclist whose name was not released by police. The accident happened on Route 117 near the entrance to the Mt. Misery hiking area when a vehicle allegedly crossed the white line on the right-hand side of the road and struck the bicyclist going in the same direction. Alexandros Kontsas, 48, of Lynn was charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle and operating with a suspended license. He was also issued civil citations for failure to stay within marked lanes and improper passing. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the criminal complaints in Concord District Court on October 6.

The two fatal accidents are still under investigation by various agencies, and official determinations of the causes of the accidents may not be released for several months.

Residents have also voiced concern in the past few years about overall roadway safety and congestion. Late last year, selectmen approved a new stop sign configuration at Five Corners next to the library at the recommendation of the Roadway and Traffic Committee.

“There has been a tremendous increase in both cars and bicycles,” Selectman Peter Braun observed at Monday’s Board of Selectman meeting. At that meeting, resident Edward Morgan asked the board to appoint a committee on bicycle safety “to see what actions can be taken to improve safety in a cost-effective and reasonable way.”

“This is a regional issue, not just a Lincoln issue,” Selectman Renel Fredriksen said. “I would like to talk to other communities and see what their needs are and what they’re thinking.”

Planning for Complete Streets projects

Lincoln learned earlier this year that it had received the Complete Streets grant, which will pay for a study to look at existing conditions of roadways and roadside and come up with an improvement plan. The town may also apply to have construction work funded by a separate grant (the maximum available is $400,000). Residents can learn more and make suggestions at any of the following forums:

Wednesday, Oct. 19 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Learn about the Complete Streets program and the type of projects that can be funded. Residents are invited to bring their ideas, participate in a panel discussion and take part in a breakout working session.
Saturday, Nov. 12 — Brief presentation at the State of the Town meeting
Wednesday, Dec. 7 (7:30-9:30 p.m., Town Hall Donaldson Room) — Presentation and discussion of the summary of ideas and recommended project list as a result of public forum in October
January/February 2017 — Presentation of prioritization project list to the Board of Selectmen

The town is eligible to apply for a separate Complete Streets grant of up to $400,000 for construction of whatever project(s) it decides to pursue. The list of potential projects will probably include some that are not eligible for funding under the Complete Streets program, however.

“I think we’re going to open up some eyes in town that if there is a real desire to make progress in a way that we’re hearing anecdotally from town, it’s going to be an expensive proposition,” Town Administrator said. “We’re going to have to step up as a community and think about public funds in that process also.”

Images capture drought in Lincoln

September 14, 2016

Evidence of the long drought is everywhere in Lincoln, and residents have taken photos showing the unusual conditions. Several local experts will talk about the drought on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in Bemis Hall (click here for details).

The pond in Pierce Park. (Photo: Susan Taylor)

This formerly submerged tree stump was photographed in the Farrar Pond area by Alaric Naiman. This is one of a series of remarkable closeup photos of wild animals and plants affected by the drought that Naiman posted on his website, farrarpond.org.

Greenery is growing in ares that used to be underwater in the Cambridge Reservoir off Old County Road.

Greenery is growing in areas that were once underwater in the Cambridge Reservoir off Old County Road. (Photo: Alice Waugh)

Where water used to flow in the Cambridge Reservoir, deer footprints and a clam shell can now be seen. (Photo: Alice Waugh)

Two letters to the editor: fund the new Minuteman school

September 13, 2016

To the editor:

On September 20, we will be asked to vote on funding a new Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School. You will recall that in the spring Lincoln voted to leave the Minuteman district, but as that change does not take affect until July of next year, we still have a voice in its governance.

As many of you are aware, this is a terribly complicated issue. As the Lincoln representative on the Minuteman School Committee, I have been pondering how to best present this issue to our voters here in Lincoln. Given that Lincoln chose to leave the district, is it best for us to sit this out and let what happens happen? Of course, we are still members of the district and as such, we have an obligation to see our membership through in a responsible manner. In addition, all but one of the remaining 10 districts have already voted in favor of funding the new school, so a “yes” vote will be supporting the will of the majority.

In order for the School Committee to authorize a new school building, all 16 towns in the district had to vote in favor of funding the project. All of the towns except Belmont approved the funding. The School Committee then exercised the option to implement a district-wide vote. If the collective majority of all 16 towns vote for funding the new school, the vote will stand. The state of the current building is such that the cost of refurbishing it is roughly equal to, or possibly greater than the cost of building a new school.

Let me be clear: we in Lincoln will not be responsible for funding the new school. This school will reside in Lincoln, and our children, if accepted, may opt to attend this school and the town will pay their tuition, but responsibility for paying to build the school will be on the 10 remaining towns, not Lincoln. On September 20, please vote yes to authorize funding of the new Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical School.

Sincerely,

Sharon Antia
165 South Great Rd.

To the editor:

On September 20, the 16 communities that comprise the Minuteman High School district will be asked to vote on whether or not to fund a new high school. This is a complicated issue which will have NO financial impact on Lincoln tax-payers.

In the spring of this year, Lincoln voters chose to leave the Minuteman High School District, but that will not take effect until July 2017. Meanwhile, as current members of the school district we are asked to vote on this important issue. If you feel strongly, as we do, that all kids should have an equal opportunity for an education which fits their learning style, we urge you to take the time to vote for the new school building. Polls will be open from noon to 8.

Sincerely,

B-J Scheff and Joan Seville
1 Harvest Circle

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.

News acorns

September 13, 2016

Session on town’s hazard mitigation plan

The Lincoln Hazard Mitigation Plan is being updated to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes and blizzards. The Board of Selectmen is hosting a public meeting to provide an overview of the plan and an opportunity for questions and public input on Monday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Town Hall’s Donaldson Room. For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at 617-933-0747 or mpillsbury@mapc.org, or Planning and Land Use Director Jennifer Burney at 781-259-2684 or burneyj@lincolntown.org.

Garden Club offers yoga and event for prospective members

The Lincoln Garden Club will host an informational coffee for prospective members on Thursday, Sept. 22 at 11 a.m. All Lincoln residents are invited. If interested, RSVP for the coffee’s lcoation to 781-259-0841 or 781-259-0276 or email membership@lincolngardenclub.org.

Melinda Bruno-Smith, certified hatha yoga instructor and Lincoln Garden Club member, will lead yoga sessions in the Station Park Garden (160 Lincoln Road, across from the train station) on Saturday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Oct. 1 from 9-10 a.m. A $5 donation is suggested; bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket to practice on and wear loose clothing. Lincoln Garden Club volunteers created and maintain the garden, which includes a native plant bed designed by the New England Wildflower Society and installed with help from horticulture students from Minuteman High School. For further information about the yoga classes, email Melinda Bruno-Smith at melindabruno@hotmail.com.

Horse show in Lincoln

The Old North Bridge Pony Club will hold its annual horse show in the Browning Field Riding Ring (Weston Road near Conant Road) on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for entries is September 21. The schooling show will award numerous ribbons and trophies. Proceeds will benefit the Browning Field Riding Ring. For more information, see the club’s website or email vlochiatto@verizon.net.

Preschool open house

Lincoln Country Day Preschool is hosting a Fall Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Our students range from 2.9 years of age in September through 5-6 years of age for pre-K. Parents and their children are invited to take a tour of the school, play in our Threes, Fours and Pre-K classrooms, and make a souvenir project to take home. Please RSVP to 781-259-8607. Lincoln Country Day is located at 147 Concord Rd. in St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church.

Insects, drought talk, Scarecrow Classic on offer from LLCT

September 12, 2016

The Lincoln Land Conservation Trust invites residents on a fall walk, a talk about the drought, and the annual Scarecrow Classic.

“Night-Singing Insects: A Fall Walk”
Sunday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., Lindentree Farm (10 Old Concord Rd.)
In the fullness of summer, we become aware of a swelling clamor of trills, ticks, and scrapes as the call of singing insects rise to a crescendo. By means of careful listening and song matching, using an audio field guide, participants will learn how to discriminate and identify, by ear, species of crickets and katydids. Lead by local naturalist Norman Levey. Dress for the weather (e.g., wet grass and dropping temperatures), and protect yourself from ticks and mosquitos. Rain date: Sunday, Sept. 25. Free and open to all. Pre-register for materials by emailing llct@lincolnconservation.org.

“The Drought: Brown is the New Green”
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m., Bemis Hall
Signs of drought are everywhere, from brown lawns to mosquito-free evenings. What is the impact on our flora and fauna? What actions have been taken and are recommended by the state and our town? What can we do as private citizens and a community? Come to a free panel presentation and discussion about the drought with:

Richard Primack, professor of biology at Boston University
Greg Woods, Superintendent of the Lincoln Water Department
Daniela Caride, member of the Lincoln Garden Club

Scarecrow Classic 5K Run/Walk
Sunday, Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. (registration opens at 8 a.m.), Mall at Lincoln Station
The Scarecrow Classic is a 5K road and trail race that winds through the scenic roads, fields and trails of our historic New England town. Proceeds from this event support the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT), a non-profit organization that helps manage over 2000 acres of land and nearly 80 miles of public trails as a regional recreational resource for the greater Boston area. Participants who register by October 3 get a tech shirt. There will be prizes for the top three runners in each category, as well as post-race food, drink and entertainment. Registration fee: $30 before October 16 (click here to register online) and $35 on race day. Register online now.

Agriculture Day blooms in Lincoln

September 12, 2016

Lincoln residents packed the parking lot in front of the Bank of America on September 10 for Agriculture Day to learn more about Lincoln’s agricultural and craft offerings. Click on any photo to enlarge. (Photos by Alice Waugh)

Ellen Raja demonstrates spinning wool form her farm's sheep, along with items she made from that wool.

Ellen Raja spins wool from her farm’s sheep at her table with items she made from that wool.

Sophie Vandebroek (right) buys some produce from Ellery Kimball of Blue Heron Organic Farm as Kimball’s niece Jackson looks on.

Mary Drouin displays her kitchen towels with hand-crocheted attachments.

Agricultural Commission co-chair Lynne Bower (left) with Conservation Commission member Jim Henderson and AgCom member Heather Korostoff Murray.

Letter to the editor: vote for new Minuteman school building

September 12, 2016

(Editor’s note: For more information, see “Minuteman project going to district-wide vote” (Lincoln Squirrel, July 14, 2016).

To the editor:

On Tuesday, Sept. 20, voters in the Minuteman District will go to the polls in a special election to determine the fate of the Minuteman High School building project. I urge my fellow citizens living in the towns of Acton, Arlington, Belmont, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Dover, Lancaster, Lexington, Lincoln, Needham, Sudbury, Stow, Wayland and Weston to join me in casting a vote on that day between the hours of noon and 8 p.m. (If you won’t be in town on September 20, please contact your Town Clerk’s office about getting an absentee ballot.)

As superintendent of the Minuteman district, I have been involved in this project since its inception. Working with the Minuteman School Building Committee, Minuteman School Committee, member towns and the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), I believe we have jointly designed a project that all of us can be proud of. For me, a new Minuteman High School:

Supports the continuation of high-quality career and vocational-technical education for our students that will improve the region’s local workforce and enhance our economic vitality
Provides a safe, modern facility specifically designed to provide 21st-century career and technical education along with relevant and rigorous academics
Addresses long-standing structural, mechanical and handicap accessibility issues that limit its educational effectiveness for all students
Safeguards the commitment of $44 million from the MSBA to keep down costs to local taxpayers
Enables Minuteman to charge out-of-district towns a capital fee to cover their portion of the costs of a new building
Retains Minuteman’s regional accreditation by the New England Association of Schools & Colleges (NEASC)
Avoids “Plan B,” a scenario that would require member towns to spend more than $100 million on repairs to the existing building without any financial assistance from the MSBA
Demonstrates a strong and unified commitment that may compel new cities or towns to join the district to provide access for their students
Represents the most affordable option for local taxpayers

To learn more about the project or to view a list of polling places in your town, please visit the Minuteman website at www.minuteman.org.

Sincerely,

Edward A. Bouquillon (Director/Superintendent, Minuteman High School)
10 Mill St.

Winter Street hospice construction underway

September 7, 2016

Artist’s rendering of the completed hospice facility.

Construction has started on the Greater Boston Hospice House at 125 Winter St. on the Lincoln/Waltham town line, with an opening expected in fall 2017.

The 18-bed, 27,500-square-foot inpatient hospice facility will provide a home-like setting for terminally ill patients who need hospital-level care for pain and symptom management where hospice physicians, nurses and support staff can provide 24-hour care.

“While the majority of hospice patients spend their final weeks in their own homes, a growing number have care needs that are simply too complex to be managed at home,” said Care Dimensions President and CEO Diane Stringer.

The hospice entrance as seen from the Lincoln/Waltham town line on Winter Street at the end of the white stripe (click any image to enlarge).

The Waltham side of the hospice construction site looking southwest.

Care Dimensions of Danvers originally proposed a 42,400-square-foot facility straddling the Lincoln/Waltham town line but scaled it back after residents and town officials said it was too big. The nonprofit company later submitted a scaled-down plan with 64 parking spots rather than the original 89.

Access to the facility will be from a new driveway on the Waltham side of the property where Winter Street is two-way. The Lincoln side of the property, where Winter Street becomes one-way heading into Lincoln, would have a gated emergency entrance that be opened only by Lincoln emergency vehicles. It’s currently being used as a second construction entrance.