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

Town resolved HCA issues soon after receiving letter from state

Alongside the controversy about how and when the HCA zoning amendment was composed and introduced, some residents on LincolnTalk have raised a hue and cry about a January document saying that the Lincoln’s proposed bylaw would not be compliant with the HCA, and that residents were not informed of this before the March 23 Town Meeting vote. But Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie said this week that the town had made the necessary changes in time.  

The letter from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) dated January 12, 2024 was in reply to the town’s pre-adoption review application submitted on October 17, 2023. Governments of MBTA communities are required to submit that draft before residents vote on their HCA bylaw at Town Meeting.

“The EOHLC has determined that the Application as submitted does not demonstrate that the 3A District will meet the requirements of Section 3A and the Guidelines if it is adopted,” the letter says. Specifically, they said, Lincoln’s draft:

  1. Did not include GIS data in the correct format
  2. Did not include street and rail right of way areas
  3. Showed some parcels that did not have sufficient frontage to meet the district’s minimum requirement,
  4. Needed wording to satisfy watershed protection rules without special permits or discretionary zoning approvals
  5. Incorrectly includes language suggesting that minimum parking can be required for non-residential uses
  6. Included an Economic Feasibility Analysis requiring that 15% of housing units be affordable, rather than the HCA’s maximum 10%. “EOHLC has not yet reviewed the Economic Feasibility Analysis, but can do so at your request, should the town want to include a requirement for more than 10% of units to be affordable.”

On April 1, Vaughn-Mackenzie told the Lincoln Squirrel that “all iterations of the zoning bylaw and changes were sent to the Planning Board and discussed in meetings” and that the issues in the letter were resolved in a Zoom meeting with the OEHLC on January 18 that included consultant Utile and town counsel. Specifically, she said:

  • Items 1 and 2 were resolved by Utile. Nothing changed as a result of these two items. 
  • Item 3 was resolved by submitting a screenshot to Lincoln’s GIS map to show a private right of way that did not show up on the state’s GIS map. Item 3 was resolved with town counsel.
  • The town’s Aquifer Protection & Watershed Protection Overlay districts require a special permit process although special permits are not allowed in HCA districts, so the language in the HCA bylaw was changed to “permit” instead of “special permit.” “This was acceptable to EOHLC and Lincoln’s town counsel because it is consistent with HCA and protects the town because an applicant must comply with all requirements contained in Lincoln’s bylaw,” Vaughn-Mackenzie said.
  • Since the town can’t require commercial parking in the Village Center District, “the language was softened and the [wording] ‘the applicant shall demonstrate that the proposed parking is sufficient to meet the needs of the development’ was removed. The Planning Board can still review parking under site plan review. EOHLC said this change was acceptable.”
  • Regarding minimum affordability, “the town is committed to submitting a revised study to see if we can obtain EOHLC’s approval for 15% affordability.”

Changes to the bylaw language regarding items 4 and 5 were made prior to the Planning Board public hearing and were included in that draft,” Vaughn-Mackenzie said, adding that she had received no other feedback in writing from EOHLC other than the January 12 letter.

Officials scrambled before Town Meeting as HCA amendment took shape

The Housing Choice Act rezoning measure passed by a thin margin last month — but not until after the last-minute introduction of an amendment (ultimately approved) that blindsided many at the March 23 Town Meeting. Town officials say there was not a coordinated behind-the-scenes plan to spring the amendment on residents. But their recollections reveal a rushed series of actions and decisions demonstrating that detailed procedures for Town Meeting should be clearly agreed on and publicized in advance — something the Select Board and Town Moderator have promised to do with public input this spring.

In the weeks leading up to Town Meeting, Lincoln Residents for Housing Alternatives spearheaded a push to vote “no for now” on Article 3. The group wanted more time to collaborate with officials on an alterative plan that would have reduced housing density in the mall subdistrict. Meanwhile, several residents, including but apparently not limited to Planning Board members Lynn DeLisi and Ephraim Flint (who had earlier voted against endorsing the plan), were preparing to submit an amendment on the floor of Town Meeting that aimed to achieve the same goal.

Michelle Barnes, chair of the board of the Rural Land Foundation, which owns the mall, was actually the one to propose the amendment — even though she and the RLF executive director Geoff McGean were taken by surprise  when they learned that an amendment of some sort was coming just nine days before Town Meeting. (Both are also members of the Housing Choice Act Working Group, which headed the process of writing new bylaw language.) DeLisi herself was also apparently surprised by Barnes’s move at Town Meeting.

The original draft approved by the Planning Board called for 20 units per acre in the mall subdistrict. The amendment passed at Town Meeting reduced that to 15 units per acre while also increasing the maximum density of the Lincoln Woods subdistrict from eight to 10 units per acre, and the Lincoln Road/Lewis Street subdistrict from 11 to 12. The amendment also struck language that would have given the Planning Board leeway under certain strict conditions to reduce the required percentage of commercial use at the mall from the required 33 percent.

Who knew what and when?

“There seems to be an effort to put a single timeline together that specifies when everyone decided on amendments and that everyone knew what everyone else was doing. This is not the case,” Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-Mackenzie told the Lincoln Squirrel on March 26. “There were several people who were thinking about an amendment, not one initiative. There was not one timeline. It was different parties making their own decisions on their own timelines. Nonetheless, here is an incomplete sequence of events:

Sometime before March 14: Town officials learn that an amendment to the zoning bylaw was probably going to be proposed on the floor of Town Meeting. “I recall that I heard that there were several people thinking about an amendment,” Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden told the Squirrel on April 1. “I have no idea when I heard that the RLF had an amendment. It seems to me it was just one of many.”

Timing unclear: Planning Board Chair Margaret Olson asks Vaughn-Mackenzie to draft a 15 units/acre amendment and have planning consultant Utile to review it. Utile reportedly tells them that it would meet the state’s HCA guidelines.

“Margaret had mentioned at public meetings that she thought it would be a good idea to have a couple of possible options vetted with Utile before Town Meeting in case an amendment was made,” Vaughn-MacKenzie said on March 26.

“The amendments were prepared at my request because I had heard from some citizens that they were considering making a density amendment on the floor of Town Meeting. I did not want Utile (who was present at Town Meeting) to try to validate a density amendment on the fly,” Olson wrote on LincolnTalk on March 24. “The slide with the density chart was prepared so that Town Meeting could assess the changes. The RLF (and several others) asked for the text of the 15 units/acre amendment.”

March 14 (morning): Vaughn-Mackenzie tells the Housing Choice Act Working Group that an amendment is expected. The group initially assumes that the Planning Board will discuss it at its scheduled March 19 meeting, as McGean notes that not having any public input from the Planning Board “puts RLF in a really difficult position.” 

Vaughn-MacKenzie initially says that the board could have that discussion because its March 19 agenda had not yet been posted, although the town calendar web page indicates it was in fact posted on February 27. Later in the meeting, she acknowledges the concerns about whether the board should discuss it before Town Meeting and said she would convey HCAWG’s recommendation that it not do so.

March 14 (evening): At the final HCAWG preview of Article 3, residents continue to express concern about housing density and commercial occupancy at the mall and float the idea of proposing an amendment at Town Meeting. Olson says that an amendment cannot change the boundaries of the subdistricts or add or subtract subdistricts or parcels or it risks not meeting state HCA guidelines.

“I think a lot of people would be pretty unhappy [if you reduced housing density at the mall] because of what you wind up having to do in other districts” to compensate, she says. “The numbers have to work but it’s not impossible.”

March 18: Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden says that opposing viewpoints or amendments must be made from the floor of Town Meeting without slides, saying that other parties such as “the RLF may speak if they’re responding to a question, but I don’t know that they’re going be up there on their own.”

March 19: The Planning Board does not mention the possibility of a mall-related amendment at its meeting. Agricultural Commission Chair Louise Bergeron advocates for changes to restrict lighting and impervious surfaces in the HCA district. The board is generally receptive but says they can’t set requirements for the HCA district that don’t also apply to the entire town, and they’ll tackle those issues separately after the HCA issue is behind them.

“We can take this up right after Town Meeting,” board member Gary Taylor says. “We’ll get someone working on this. Right now we don’t have anything to pass… I’m glad you brought this up.”

Ironically, the board does vote to endorse Article 28, which would requires residents with property in areas under consideration for rezoning to be individually notified by mail at least 14 days before the meeting at which that discussion is expected to begin. “For something this significant, we really should not be springing votes on people,” Olson said in that context.

March 20: Holden affirms that the LRHA and Article 3 proponents would each get 10 minutes from the floor to present their positions.

March 23: On behalf of the RLF, Barnes proposes the amendment at Town Meeting. DeLisi herself is apparently surprised by the move, saying she “had the same [type of amendment] in her purse” to offer if had Barnes not done so.

Holden allows Barnes to present her amendment from the podium and show slides created by the RLF.

“Slides at Town Meeting are not reviewed by the moderator or the IT team. We send [IT Director] Michael Dolan a file and he makes sure it is available on the laptop. Nothing about the content of slides is coordinated ahead of time,” Olson says on March 27. Vaughn-Mackenzie confirms on March 28 that “the town did not make slides for the RLF.”

“The RLF was allowed to speak from the podium with slides because it is the largest property owner affected by the zoning amendment,” Holden tells the Squirrel on April 1. “They have worked closely with town officials throughout the process to come up with a plan. The voters needed to hear directly about that plan. In addition, the viability of the town’s commercial center has been a prominent concern of town residents.”

March 25: In response to the March 25 story about the HCAWG’s March 14 meeting, DeLisi writes in the Lincoln Squirrel that “none of what is being reported here was shared with both Eph Flint and myself.” She also says that she and Flint had decided “that an amendment was not the way to go — even though it was a step in the right direction and relieved some of the density we feared at the mall. The reason is that there were many other issues not yet discussed and still not, and there has been no consensus yet in town about how to do this right.”

On March 28, Vaughn-MacKenzie says, “The HCAWG meeting on March 14  was a public meeting which was properly noticed. No one — not Lynn, Eph, the RLF or anyone else who was thinking of bringing an amendment — needed to tell the Planning Board or each other what they were thinking of doing.”

March 27: “RLF and other parties, including Lynn DeLisi, who mentioned it on the floor of Town Meeting, requested the amendment language from the Planning Board,” McGean tells the Squirrel. “Without an advertised Planning Board public meeting, the RLF did not think it was correct to discuss with individual Planning Board members our possible intention. In the spirit of compromise, the RLF Board of Trustees decided to make the amendment on density at Town Meeting. In addition, we proposed to strike the special permit exception for the 33% commercial requirement. These two compromises were the result of significant public feedback we had received from some residents at RLF’s public forums, the numerous Planning Board meetings, and comments on LincolnTalk.”

My Turn: What happened at Town Meeting?

By Barbara Peskin

We expect our elected officials to be fair and the Town Meeting moderator to be impartial. Whether you were “No for Now” or “Heck Yeah” at the March 23 Town Meeting, make a note of the following (you can watch the recording of the meeting here):

  1. Two elected Planning Board members, a resident group (Lincoln Residents for Housing Alternatives or LRHA) supported by 311+ signatures, and a town board (the Agricultural Commission or AgCom), requested and were denied podium time or use of slides. The decision maker was the moderator. The Select Board supported the moderator’s decision.
  2. The issue of podium time was hotly discussed at the March 18 Select Board meeting (illuminating recording here). The Selects, Planning Board chair, moderator, and many members of the public engaged in two hours of discussion. Residents shared that the visual impact of slides is powerful.
  3. A moderator’s meeting was held on March 20. It was open to the public, in person only, not hybrid, and not recorded despite requests. Anyone who would speak from the podium was required to be present. The moderator assigned a minute by minute presentation run down, including who would speak from the podium, for how long and whether they could have slides. Article 3 would be presented by the Planning Board chair. The Rural Land Foundation (RLF) was not on the presenter list, nor did they speak at the moderator’s meeting. Representatives of LRHA and Heck Yeah groups were present and were allotted 10 minutes from floor mikes (no podium, no slides).
  4. The March 23 Town Meeting recording shows that when the chair of the board of the RLF rises from the audience and stands at the podium, the moderator does not appear surprised. This is contrary to the schedule outlined to the public at the March 20 moderator’s meeting, and to the public discussion at the March 18 Select Board meeting. The RLF is a private entity, with a financial interest in the outcome of the vote, yet the moderator watches the RLF chair walk up to the podium and say, “Good morning. [I am c]hair of the board of trustees for the Rural Land Foundation.” The RLF chair speaks for close to three minutes, supported by slides, uninterrupted by the moderator. She closes with “…the RLF would like to offer a compromise on the HCA. Madam Moderator, may I have permission to amend the proposed bylaw of Article 3?” The unsurprised response from the moderator: “Yes.” A slide of the RLF amendment is then placed on the screen and read.
  5. Next, the town counsel states the “printed version of the motion” he had been given was technically different from what was read, and corrects it for the record. Both the printed version and slide of the amendment had to have been submitted to town counsel and the technology coordinator prior to the start of Town Meeting, since the RLF chair did not hand either of them anything when she arrived at the podium.
  6. Next, the Planning Board chair, without asking for a turn, appears to be expected by the moderator as the scheduled speaker after the RLF. The Planning Board chair goes to the podium and says the amendment “is compliant. It has been vetted” [by Utile, the town’s consultant].
  7. After an HCAWG member, Planning Board Chair, Finance Committee member, Select Board member, a second HCAWG member, and then the RLF chair speak from the podium, the moderator calls for comments from the floor. The first mike comment comes from a “No for Now” supporter completely surprised by the amendment. The second person the moderator calls on is a “Heck Yeah” resident whose prepared statement supports and includes reference to details of the RLF amendment.

When you watch the recording of the Town Meeting, notice that the proponents associated the RLF’s Amendment with the word “compromise.” The proposed amendment was not a “compromise.” A compromise is defined as “an agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions; an ability to listen to two sides in a dispute, and devise a compromise acceptable to both.”

A tactical surprise by one side is not a compromise. The LRHA residents, who were always open to compromise and discussion and who attended almost every Select Board and Planning Board meeting since the State of the Town in September, were not told about nor asked for input on the RLF amendment. The dissenting Planning Board members and the AgCom were also kept in the dark. This does not bring the town together in compromise. It exacerbates the town division. Just repeating the word compromise does not make it so.

Here is what the LRHA, AgCom, and No for Now residents hoped for: green space and tree protection, increased setbacks, and reducing density both at the mall and in the Lincoln Station area by finding another parcel in Lincoln to include for compliance. The compromise they sought demonstrated respect for the land and people that live and work in the rezoned area. There was time to come to true compromise.

The moderator gave the private RLF access to the podium yet denied it to elected officials and other residents requesting to balance information presented. Is that impartial?

The presentation of the amendment appeared to be tightly controlled and coordinated behind the scenes. The orchestrated amendment tactics worked in favor of the proponents. Article 3 passed by a slim margin: “Heck Yeah” at 52% to “No for Now” at 48%. These last-minute machinations may well have affected the outcome of this very close vote. The loss will be most palpable to the people who live and work in the rezoned area.

I have been a proud resident of Lincoln for 29 years. I am not proud of the way our town leaders pulled the strings to squeak out an affirmative vote on the HCA in March, when we had plenty of time remaining this year to respond to public feedback and reach a real “compromise.” We can do better, and going forward, we must do better.

“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.

News acorns

Council on Aging & Human Services activities

Here are some of the April activities hosted by the Lincoln Council on Aging and Human Services. Most events are open to Lincoln residents of all ages. For a full list — including clinics, exercise classes, regular meetings of interest groups, and online chats with town officials — see the COAHS’s calendar page or latest newsletter. Call 781-259-8811 or email gagnea@lincolntown.org for Zoom links and other information.

Concerts:

    • Lincoln Doo-Wop concert — Friday, April 19 at 12:30 p.m.
    • Wanda Paik classical piano — Thursday, April 25 at 2:30 p.m.

Lincoln Academy:

    • “Partakers College Behind Bars Mentoring Program” — Friday, April 5 at 12:30 p.m.
    • “Getting to Know Your Feathered Neighbors” — Friday, April 12 at 12:30 p.m.
    • “Ellen Garrison and Her Road to Social Activism” — Friday, April 26 at 12:30 p.m. 

GearTicks open house

The Lincoln GearTicks are hosting a free event for students in grades 1-3 on Saturday, April 6 from 10–11 a.m. in the Lincoln School Learning Commons. There will be Lego robot demos, Segway bot battles, Lego free play, and FLL Explore team models. See what the FLL Explore teams were working on this season.

Events commemorating Patriots’ Day at national park

Minute Man National Historical Park has several upcoming Patriots’ Day events in Lincoln, Lexington and Concord starting on Saturday, April 6 in Lincoln. See the Friends of Minuteman Park website or the MMNHP website for details.

Paul Revere Capture Ceremony
Saturday, April 6 from 3–4 p.m.
Paul Revere Capture Site, 180 North Great Rd.
Partner event hosted by the Lincoln Minute Men. Observe the historic capture of Paul Revere with fife and drum music, a theatrical performance, and a musket fire salute.

Battle Road Tactical Demonstration
Saturday, April 13 — various times and locations along Battle Road
A full schedule of living history programs and demonstrations, including a fast-paced tactical demonstration along a restored stretch of the original Battle Road. Talk with volunteers portraying colonial civilians forced to leave their homes, minute men who answered the sudden call to arms, British soldiers fighting for king and country and Loyalists who saw the struggle differently from their neighbors.

Erin Ash Sullivan at next LOMA

Erin Ash Sullivan will be the headliner at the next Lincoln Open Mic Night on Tuesday, April 9 from 7–10 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. LOMA is a monthly open mike night event with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Registration for additional performers opens here on Tuesday, April 2 at 9 a.m.

Get a free fir sapling

The Lincoln Builder’s Club, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts Freemasons, and the Mass. Tree Wardens & Foresters Association are giving away small fir saplings statewide. Visit their tent on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Simon W. Robinson Masonic Lodge at 3 Bedford St. in Lexington while supplies last. Sponsored by the 14th Masonic District representing Ayer, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, and Littleton.

Help shape library’s five-year plan

The Lincoln Public Library encourages you to comment on library services and indicate those you’d like to see in the future as it develops a new five-year strategic plan. The online survey will be open until April 26.

Police log for March 12–24, 2024

March 12

Lincoln Road (1:38 p.m.) — Several parking citations were issued to vehicles illegally parked in the commuter lot.

Virginia Road (4:09 p.m.) — An officer performed a check on a vehicle that was pulled to the side of the road in order for the operator to use their phone.

March 13

Sandy Pond Road (11:18 a.m.) — An individual spoke to an officer regarding an encounter they had with a person on the trails by Sandy Pond.

March 14

Tower Road (8:47 a.m.) — A caller requested a well-being check on an individual who was out of state. An officer was able to make contact with an outside agency to perform the check.

Virginia Road (3:35 p.m.) — A resident reported an issue with a smoke detector. The Fire Department was dispatched and assisted the resident.

Something Special (3:48 p.m.) — An employee of Something Special called for advice related to a woodpecker that had infiltrated the store. The caller was put in contact with Animal Control.

March 15

Codman Road (1:41 p.m.) — A motorist reported a road rage incident on Concord Road involving a green pickup truck. The area was checked and surrounding communities were advised.

March 16

Lincoln Road (8:11 a.m.) — A two-vehicle crash occurred when a vehicle failed to yield at the stop sign heading north on Lincoln Road and was struck by a vehicle traveling west on South Great Road. The operator of the vehicle that failed to yield was issued a written warning. There were no injuries associated with the crash and both vehicles were able to be driven from the scene.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:46 p.m.) — A caller reported a piece of furniture in a travel lane on Route 2 west by mile marker 122.2. Massachusetts State Police were advised.

March 17

Wells Road (12:39 a.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual who had been reportedly knocking on doors requesting connection to Wi-Fi. The officer drove the individual to their home.

Food Project field, Concord Road (1:42 a.m.) — Officers responded to the Food Project greenhouses for a report of a noise complaint. Officers discovered a large gathering. Individuals were advised that they were trespassing and left the area.

Lincoln MBTA Station (12:45 p.m.) — A cell phone was turned in to the police after being found at the inbound train platform.

Wheeler Road (1:01 p.m.) — An individual spoke to an officer regarding suspicious internet activity.

Indian Camp Lane (7:41 p.m.) — An individual called regarding a wellness check. The caller was advised that the individual was fine.

March 18

Minuteman Technical High School (9:30 a.m.) — A caller spoke to an officer regarding an item that was missing and possibly located at the school.

Ryan Estate (2:24 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak to an officer regarding some items that were possibly missing.

Old Sudbury Road (3:03 p.m.) — An individual reported being the victim of identity theft.

Wells Road (5:27 p.m.) — An individual spoke to an officer regarding a possible extortion scam.

March 19

Baker Bridge Road (9:38 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak to an officer regarding the well-being of an individual.

March 20

Codman Road (8:13 am.) — An officer spoke to an individual who reported receiving a concerning letter in their mailbox.

North Great Road (2:25 p.m.) — Police and fire units were dispatched to North Great Road near Hanscom Drive for a single-vehicle rollover crash. The operator was extricated from the vehicle and transported to the hospital.

Lincoln Police Department (5:12 p.m.) — A lost identification card was discovered at the train station. The owner was contacted and reunited with their ID.

MMNP Visitor Center parking lot (5:40 p.m.) — A motorist reported their vehicle was on fire. There were no flames seen upon arrival. It appeared that the vehicle’s brakes had been smoking.

Codman Community Farms (4:00 p.m.) — An officer assisted two motorists with exchanging information after a minor motor vehicle crash.

March 21

Canoe landing parking lot, South Great Road (5:27 p.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle and operator in the parking lot.

March 22

Lincoln School (4:07 a.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle that had briefly pulled into the school lot to make a phone call.

Mary’s Way (9:34 a.m.) — An officer spoke to a caller regarding a dog barking for a prolonged period of time. The caller was given the Animal Control Officer’s number.

Twin Pond Trail (11:55 a.m.) — A caller reported seeing a Great Dane out for a walk with no one in sight. Weston Police reported the same on their side of town by the Twin Pond trails. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Baker Bridge Road (1:44 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a caller regarding an ongoing well-being issue.

Eglin Street (5:10 p.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual regarding a past assault and battery.

Conant Road (9:43 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing a vehicle following a female who appeared in emotional distress. The officer spoke to all parties involved.

March 23

Noting of note.

March 24

Bedford Road (3:27 p.m.) — A resident reported their political signs had been removed from their property.

Wells Road (5:20 p.m.) — An individual spoke to an officer regarding possible harassing messages.

Hanscom AFB Law Enforcement (6:02 p.m.) —Lincoln Police were called to Hanscom Air Force Base to assist with an assault and battery involving civilians.

Wells Road (9:55 p.m.) — A caller asked to speak with an officer regarding an ongoing issue.

My Turn: Kudos to Jonathan Soo and those with campaign signs

By Susan Taylor

Thanks to everyone — especially to Jonathan Soo — who braved Monday’s chill winds to encourage voters at the polls. Dozens of us gathered on Lincoln School grounds with camaraderie and commitment to democratic choice. But Jonathan did more. He supported us all.

Jonathan arrived before 8 a.m. with a hot-water maker supplied by a portable battery so all of us — no matter our candidate or issue — could have a hot drink on such a cold day. And Jonathan came back at lunchtime with a crock pot of yummy noodle soup when we most needed sustenance. And then, Jonathan came back again after sunset and helped us clear out as wind chills fell well below freezing.

Thank you to all who cheered, held campaign signs, shared sun screen and sandwiches, and made new friends in the frigid wind! But most of all, thank you to Jonathan who came with a smile and warmth for everyone. Let us all take a bit of his spirit as we move forward together!

“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.

My Turn: Postlethwait says thanks, lauds rezoning adjustments made before Town Meeting

By Sarah Postlethwait

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Gary Taylor on his victory. It was a huge turnout and you have a strong following! Thank you for the years of service you have given this town already and will continue to offer in the future.

I would also like to thank the nearly 700 of my neighbors, friends, and complete strangers who went out on a limb to vote for me. I am incredibly grateful for your support!

I know many of those people voted for me because they were also frustrated with the lack of community collaboration and transparency experienced in the past few months. I hope that Mr. Taylor will consider the voice of the 42% of residents who cast a vote in my favor and push for changes in the process going forward. Doing so will ensure 100% of the town wins.

I was moved by a group of seventh-graders who came over to speak to our crowd of sign holders Monday. Those children were very concerned about the Lincoln that may be awaiting them when they are adults, and they felt their voices were also unheard. I informed them of their ability to bring a citizen’s petition to town meeting on any topic that they felt passionate about, and had an idea of how to improve. They were intrigued and invigorated to learn that their voices could actually count. They could have a say in their future, too. I hope they feel compelled to actively participate in our town government, and I hope that is a theme we can see continuing in the adult population, as well. An active engaged community makes a better end product.

  • I am incredibly grateful for the work that hundreds of my fellow residents who are associated with the LRHA accomplished in the past seven months to help protect our town. Due to their keen observations and unwavering persistence, the HCA rezoning that passed on Saturday was a vastly different article than what it was intended to be in September. They have also greatly contributed to democracy in our town at the same time.
  • The total number of housing units that could be built was reduced from over 1,400 to 800. A 67% total housing increase within a half-mile radius would have been detrimental to our town.
  • The state changed its model used by all towns to take into account wetlands, and allow for less density around them — helping preserve Lincoln’s environment, but also the environment of countless other towns in our state.
  • They brought attention to the bylaw that allowed a developer to count any “street-activated use” as commercial — including lobbies, residential gyms, common spaces, and leasing offices — which could have been detrimental to retail business at the mall if left in the wrong hands.
  • They brought attention to the lack of affordable housing being required, and as a result, the Planning Department promised to resubmit a new feasibility study that can support 15% affordable housing. This will help save our limited affordable housing trust funds, so it can be used to create a more diverse affordable housing stock.
  • They helped shed light on the negative impact on our beloved businesses if a hundred housing units would have been allowed to be built on the mall, resulting in the amendment presented by the RLF at town meeting.
  • They brought attention to the lack of environmental protections in both the HCA and general zoning bylaws, which will hopefully result in protections for open undeveloped space and mature trees in the near future.
  • Their push for clickers at Town Meeting resulted in this article being brought to Town Meeting and approved. As a result, much smoother and shorter Town Meetings will hopefully be in our future, allowing even more residents the ability and desire to participate.
  • They made residents aware of buses that helped many citizens have access to town meeting. Hopefully the town will continue the bus service in the future due to the limited parking available at the school for town meeting.
  • They advocated for people with disabilities to be able to participate in town meetings remotely, resulting in a town policy change that will continue into the future.
  • They advocated for the Town Meeting process to be reevaluated, including having a written set of Town Meeting rules, a policy for relevant town boards to be permitted to speak from the podium, and a request for more balanced presentations that include any dissenting voices of the presenting board to have equal podium time. As a result, the Select Board has promised to establish a committee that will address these concerns and look into making Town Meeting more fair and balanced, giving residents real choices rather than asking for a rubber stamp of approval.

While our work is not done, I can’t but help feel grateful for all that we have accomplished, and I hope that all of our fellow residents feel the same. I especially hope that all residents, no matter their view or age, will feel motivated to continue being active and engaged citizens, positively contributing to our beautiful town.

Thank you again for your support, Lincoln.

“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.

My Turn: Thank-you from Jennifer Glass

By Jennifer Glass

Thank you. 

No matter how you voted at Town Meeting or in the election, thank you for the ideas, time, and energy that you dedicate to our town.  We have just made some big decisions together, the conversations have been passionate, and I know that we have each spoken from a desire to make Lincoln a stronger community. We will continue to have discussions about how we want to express our vision for the town, and I trust that we will continue to find ways to collaborate, compromise, and balance multiple viewpoints.

I really appreciate that Frank stepped up to run.  In the course of the past few weeks, he and I have spent a lot of time talking to people, and those conversations have not only been thoughtful and informative — they have also helped to forge connections and build community. 

I am very thankful for the opportunity to continue to serve on the Select Board, I encourage you to stay or become involved in the many and varied town boards and committees, and I look forward to the work we will do together.

In gratitude,

Jennifer

“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.

Carol W. Quimby, 1954–2024

Carol Westlake Quimby

Carol Westlake Quimby, 69, of Acton passed away at home on March 11 after gracefully living with MS for most of her adult life. Attending were her husband of 47 years, John Westlake Quimby, and their son, Paul Westlake Quimby, of Hayward, Calif. Together they have been long-standing members of St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Church in Lincoln.

Carol was born on Sept. 2, 1954 to Sarah Lance Westlake and Merle T. Westlake in Harrisburg, Penn. After her family moved to Lexington, Mass., Carol attended Dana Hall and graduated with honors from the University of New Hampshire studying studio fine arts. It was at UNH she fell in love with fellow art student, dancing partner, and husband-to-be John. After graduating they were married in a large garden party at her parent’s home in Lexington in 1976.

Carol’s professional career and studio art were always connected to her skills in drafting, graphic and three-dimensional design, and color. While living in Portsmouth, N.H. she was an exhibit designer in historic buildings at the Strawberry Banke Museum, presenting archaeological artifacts and the history of the buildings. Her extensive computer and design skills led to work in a graphic design company in Cambridge where she tested their custom graphic software and using their software, designed what today are web sites on standalone kiosks. One such project exhibited an introduction to American life in Russian that toured Russia in a cross-cultural exchange program sponsored by the State Department.

Carol ran her own business, WQDesigns in Acton. She designed and made custom jewelry on commission out of her home studio and designed personal and corporate identities. Carol also did professional computer graphics layout of several books and artist catalogues as a part of her business. She was an excellent water colorist, doing both precise still life and gestural landscapes of her many travels, and made abstract color works on paper. Later, Carol studied the tradition and techniques of religious art and wrote (painted) beautiful icons. She loved music of many forms, played alto recorder, and sang for many years in community chorus and in her church choir.  

A memorial service celebrating her life will be held at St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Lincoln on May 11 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the St. Anne’s Music Fund.

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

Glass, Taylor defeat challengers in town election; community center vote fairly close

In the two contested races in the March 25 town election, Select Board member Jennifer Glass defeated Frank Clark to win a third term, 64%–36%, while Gary Taylor bested Sarah Postlethwait to retain his seat on the Planning Board, 58%–42%. 

The ballot question on funding for the community center, which required a simple majority, passed by a margin of 57%–43%. The gap was much narrower than the corresponding Town Meeting vote two days earlier, when residents approved the measure 81%–19%, easily surpassing the required two-thirds threshold.

Voter turnout was 35% as 1,744 of the 5,018 Lincoln residents cast ballots.

Precinct 1Precinct 2Total
Select Board (one opening)
Jennifer Glass7053821087
Frank Clark407196603
Write-in/blank391554
Board of Assessors
Edward H. Morgan8364291265
Write-in/blank315164479
Board of Health
Patricia Eileen Miller8524341286
Write-in/blank299159458
Cemetery Commissioner
Douglas Harding8644371301
Write-in/blank287156443
Commissioner of Trust Funds
Write-in6943112
Blank1,082550550
Housing Commission
Terry Perlmutter8264111237
Write-in/blank325182507
L-S Regional School District Committee* (two openings)
Catherine Bitter8244101234
Maura Carty544282826
Write-in/blank1,867987987
Parks and Recreation Committee
Brianna Doo8404271267
Write-in/blank311166477
Planning Board (one opening)
Gerald Taylor641311952
Sarah Postlethwait459240699
Write-in/blank514293
School Committee (two openings)
Susan Taylor7593961155
Yonca Heyse592304896
Write-in/blank9514861437
Trustees of Bemis
Miriam Borden8304241254
Write-in/blank321169490
Water Commissioner
Patrick Lawler8474261273
Write-in/blank304167471
Question 1 (community center funding)
Yes646289935
No428271699
Blank7733110

* Sudbury results were not available on Monday night.