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

Ms. G, Drumlin’s weather-savvy groundhog, pops up on Feb. 2

Drumlin Farm's resident groundhog, Ms. G.

Drumlin Farm’s Ms. G, the official state groundhog of Massachusetts.

Will Ms. G predict an extended winter or an early spring? Come see Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary’s famous groundhog decipher the weather clues and deliver her forecast on Monday, Feb. 2 starting at 10 a.m.

Drumlin Farm’s own resident groundhog, Ms. G, will make her first major public appearance since being designated “Official State Groundhog of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.” Ms. G will give her live forecast at 10 a.m., followed by fun winter activities to celebrate this festive day. Learn about hibernation, winter wildlife, and how to identify animal tracks in the snow, accompanied by children’s crafts and hot cocoa by the fire.

Drumlin Farm will be open for special holiday hours on February 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This special event is free with paid admission to the wildlife sanctuary of $8 adults and teens; $6 children 2-12 and seniors, and free for Mass Audubon members. Featured programs:

  • Learn the forecast for spring’s arrival from our woodchuck weather expert
  • Visit with more of our resident wildlife and farm animals, and explore the trails
  • Attend special nature and farm programs
  • Warm up by the fire with a story and make some winter crafts to take home

Former WBZ-TV weather personality Mish Michaels will be on hand to share the story of the Wellesley school students who joined Mass Audubon in submitting the bill to the Massachusetts state legislature to declare Ms. G the Official State Groundhog. The bill was successfully enacted into law and signed by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick on July 13, 2014.

School architects present final report; warrant articles mulled

Bschooly Alice Waugh

Reporting on results from previous school building forums, architects noted that residents seem to be converging on a “price point” of $35 million to $40 million for the town’s net spending on a school project.

At the fourth and final School Building Advisory Committee public forum on the school building project on January 12, consultants from Dore & Whittier recapped the previously presented three families of renovation and construction options and their estimated prices (see the Lincoln Squirrel, Dec. 8, 2014):

  • Option 1 – facilities needs only: $12–$29 million
  • Option 2 – facilities needs plus “a la carte” educational enhancements: $29–$47 million
  • Option 3 – facilities needs plus comprehensive educational enhancements: $54–$66 million

The architects added a seventh choice to the Option 2 family called Option 2G, which is the same as 2F but without $7.7 million in deferred facilities work such as a girls’ locker room in Reed Gym, improvements to playing fields, paving and curbing, etc. Option 2G would cost an estimated $39.9 million, said Jason Boone of Dore and Whittier.

At the State of the Town meeting in November and again this week, architects and school officials explained that Lincoln could apply to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) for funding to offset some of the project’s cost. The town could be eligible for a reimbursement of 35 to 40 percent, but only for a project that was approved and overseen by the MSBA. The agency will support only projects that meet all of a school’s demonstrated educational needs, which for Lincoln would mean one of the choices from Option 3 or perhaps an upper-end Option 2.

More than 76 percent of residents at the State of the Town expressed a preference for the Option 3 family, while 20 percent voted for Option 2 and 4 percent for Option 1.

Applying again for MSBA funding would also add at least 18 months to the project timeline and about $3.3 million in cost escalation associated with that delay, as well as a requirement to conform to the state’s requirements and procedures. The MSBA would also require another feasibility study as well as a “clear distinction” between the school project and a community center that might be built, said Jon Richardson of Dore & Whittier.

Homing in on options

Since state funding is far from certain, residents at the third SBAC forum in December were asked which specific project options they would support, depending on the MSBA situation. The options that received the most votes, along with the net costs to the town after a state reimbursement of 40 percent, were:

  • 2E—without state funding ($36.9 million), 17 votes
  • 2F—without state funding ($47.6 million), 17 votes; with state funding (Lincoln’s share would be $28.6 million), 7 votes
  • 3B—without state funding ($55.8 million), 19 votes; with state funding (Lincoln’s share would be $33.5 million), 10 votes
  • 3C—with state funding (Lincoln’s share would be $35.3 million), 44 votes

Option 2G, which was not one of the voting options at that forum but was discussed verbally, would cost about $39.9 million overall, or $23.9 million with state funding.

“What we came to realize is that there is a price point the town is maybe organizing around” of $35 to $40 million as the town’s net cost for a project, Boone said.

What will the MSBA say?

Although there is some uncertainty as to the state’s willingness to fund a project , “we feel that a well-crafted statement of interest and strong support from the town would lead the MSBA to reengage,” Richardson said. “Their primary interest is in successful projects. They would love to take what at the moment is an unsuccessful project and turn it back into a successful project.”

In 2013, the MSBA approved a reimbursement of $21 million for a $49 million project, but the pledge was withdrawn after voters failed to approve the project by a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting.

Applying for state funding “is not just filling out a form and hoping for the best. Lincoln has to find a way to demonstrate its support for an MSBA project,” said School Committee chair Jennifer Glass. The committee would therefore seek a two-thirds majority at Town Meeting this March and a simple majority at the ballot box on the question of whether to apply, as well as support from all town boards and commissions.

To submit a statement of interest to the MSBA, the School Committee and Board of Selectmen are not required to gather a two-thirds voter majority or have any town-wide vote at all, “but that’s not how we want to do this.” Glass said. “If we can’t get two-thirds now, when there isn’t any money on the table,” it will be even harder to do so once voters are asked to approve a specific expenditure, she added. “It is a risk but, it’s a self-imposed risk.”

Deciding on the questions

The School Committee must now come up with wording for Town Meeting warrant articles to find out whether voters want to (1) support a project with a net cost to the town of $30 million to $48 million, (2) reapply for MSBA funding, and (3) approve spending for a feasibility study. The cost of that study would depend on the results of the first two votes. Glass presented three possible ways to frame these questions. Her full presentation also included potential construction timelines that would vary according to the various voting outcomes, with construction beginning anywhere from fall 2016 to mid-2018.

Some residents at this week’s forum worried that the price range voters might be asked about ($30 to $45 million) is too broad, or that multiple questions would be too confusing.

Resident Sara Mattes suggested dividing the various questions between the regular Town Meeting in March and a special Town Meeting in June. “You’re going to really jam a Town Meeting, and it will be very complicated and people may get frustrated,” she said.

Asked about the impact on homeowners’ tax bills of the various options, Glass said that the Finance Committee was working on estimates. At the State of the Town meeting, the FinCom offered figures for estimated property tax increases ranging from 2.5 to 7.3 percent, or $321 to $2,254, based on the median tax bill of $12,503 in fiscal 2015. The estimates assumed different scenarios such as the amount borrowed ($10 million to $50 million), the interest rate (3.6 percent or 4.6 percent) and the time span of the bond (20 or 30 years).

Lincoln phone book getting updated

directory2015The Lincoln Telephone Directory (sort of a paper-based search engine for the town) is in the process of being updated by the Friends of the Library (FOLL). Every other year, the FOLL compiles the telephone numbers of residents, local businesses, town offices and the Healthy Communities Pink pages, which list resources for mental, physical, and spiritual health. Look for a yellow card in the mail with instructions on adding or updating your information, or a brochure about advertising opportunities for businesses.

“Lincolnites love the small-town feel of the book,” says Julie Brogan, vice president of the FOLL.

Businesses can profit from the local nature of the directory as well, a listing in the Lincoln Telephone Directory is a sure sign that vendors have patrons from Lincoln. A growing trend started by Library Trustee Jacquelin Apsler is to purchase an advertisement on behalf of a favorite business. Non-profits also benefit from advertising space. In our previous directory, Phinney’s Friends, which helps families in need take care of their pets, advertised for volunteers, and t\The Domestic Violence Services Network used advertising space to increase its visibility.

The Lincoln Telephone Directory is mailed free to every household in Lincoln. For residents, it’s an easy way to contact neighbors, and advertisers know that every Lincoln home has a copy. Extra copies are sold throughout the year at the library and the Old Town Hall Exchange, so new residents or those wanting a copy for their car or the office can purchase one. “It’s a popular item which we regularly need to restock,” says Stacy Osur, manager of the Exchange.

Businesses interested in advertising or anyone who would like to volunteer with the project may email LincolnPhoneBook@gmail.com.

Squirrel patrol (Lincoln through the lens, 1/13/15)

Bucky and Daisy, who own the Tatlocks on Winter Street, keep an eye out for squirrels on the deck. —Photo by Jane tatlock

Bucky and Daisy, who own the Tatlocks on Winter Street, keep an eye out for squirrels on the deck. —Photo by Jane Tatlock

Readers may submit photos for consideration for Lincoln Through the Lens by emailing them to news@lincolnsquirrrel.com. If your photo is published, you’ll receive credit in the Squirrel. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and include the date, location, and names of any people who are identifiable in the photo. Previously published photos can be viewed on the Lincoln Through the Lens page of the Lincoln Squirrel.

News acorns – 1/12/15

acornFinal School Building Advisory Committee forum on Jan. 13

At a School Building Advisory Committee public forum on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 7-9 p.m. in Reed Gym, Dore & Whittier Architects will present a summary of the work carried out this fall related to the development of renovation options to address the facility and educational needs of the Lincoln School. Also at the meeting, information will be shared and solicited regarding the Town Meeting presentation and possible warrant articles. The last public forum was held in December (see the Lincoln Squirrel, Dec. 9, 2014).

Chimney scam alert

The Lincoln Police Department would like Lincoln residents to be aware of a scam that has victimized a number of residents recently. The scammers call saying they will clean your chimney for half price and use high-pressure selling tactics. When they arrive, they tell you that you need several hundred dollars of work that you really don’t need. If you receive a call or if they come to your home, please call the police at 781-259-8113.

Kindergarten registration beginning soon

The Lincoln School is beginning kindergarten registration for the 2015-2016 school year. Children who are residents of Lincoln and 5 years old before October 1, 2015 are eligible. Letters and registration forms will be mailed to families starting February 1. Please call the school if you do not receive a letter and your child is kindergarten-eligible. Registration requires your child’s birth certificate and proof of residence in Lincoln. Please call the Smith office at 781-259-9404 if you have any questions about these requirements. A Parent Orientation night will be held on April 15 from 6:45-8:30 p.m. Families will learn about the kindergarten curriculum, program setup, placement process and have an opportunity to ask questions.

Letter to the editor: leaf blower committee responds

letter

To the editor:

I am writing on behalf of the town’s Leaf Blower Study Committee to respond to Squirrel’s recent article on 1) our proposal to restrict leaf blower use and 2) on our interactions with the Board of Health (“Board of Health: residential areas don’t need leaf blower regulations,” January 9, 2015). We object to the term “crackdown,” you used to describe our recent proposed regulation and think it is premature to entitle your article “…residential areas don’t need leaf blower regulations.” Our reasoning is explained below.

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Letter to the editor: leaf blowers can be used year-round appropriately

letter

To the editor:

We were not able to be in town on the evening that the Leaf Blower Study Committee held an open forum to discuss its proposed regulations on leaf blower usage, but we were able to view the proposal that was distributed online. Since the recommendation goes far beyond guidelines and education to outright restrictions on summertime use and penalties for violation, we felt compelled to speak up about the proposal.

We thank the LBSC for making us aware of the environmental impacts from the use of these devices in terms of noise, air quality, and in some cases, safety. We understand that their current use by contractors and private citizens doesn’t always take these impacts into account. There are times when overuse, use at inappropriate times, and improper use cause problems.

That being said, leaf blowers do serve useful purposes despite their drawbacks—uses that include more than just fall leaf cleanup, which appears to be the only time that the committee believes their use is legitimate:

  • They make it possible to remove leaves in late spring and early summer from difficult-to-reach places to allow proper growth of useful vegetation without damage from raking
  • They make debris removal possible without strenuous raking for those less capable or for those with large areas to work
  • They make it possible to remove pine needles from decks, roofs, and other areas that can’t be raked or easily swept (pine needles in the many forested areas of Lincoln seem to fall all summer long)
  • They make it possible to blow debris from summer lawn work off of walkways and back onto lawns to aid mulching and keep walkways safe
  • They make it possible year round to keep porches and decks clear of debris that blows in from yards and from trees

The proposal to prohibit their use absolutely in Lincoln from May until September is far more restrictive than the committee may believe. Leaf blowers provide useful time and labor-saving benefits year round.

The committee needs to find a way to help people use them appropriately, not to prohibit their use. Many of the cited problems are more acute in the fewer denser areas of town and not on the prevailing larger tracts of land. With two-acre zoning, most homeowners who are using leaf blowers safely and with regard for their impacts should be able do so without harm to others. Perhaps restrictions on use should be focused on their use in denser areas of town.

While we are not in favor of any restrictions, we could imagine some kind of permitting process that would at least require users in certain areas of town to conform to usage guidelines in order to be allowed to use them. This kind of approach would still allow usage while requiring that users understand and comply with the need to use them properly.

We believe that most citizens of Lincoln are intelligent, reasonable, environmentally conscious, and highly wary of regulations that limit individual rights. We encourage the committee to find ways to help Lincoln residents become more aware of the conditions under which leaf blowers are harmful, and to trust us all to make informed and respectful decisions about their use.

Sincerely,

Mark and Tricia Deck
11 Boyce Farm Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Letter to the editor: leaf blower proposal adds to overregulation

letter

To the editor:

We are increasingly overregulated in this town. Our zoning restrictions appear to increase every year and are time-consuming and expensive to comply with. Restrictions on water use are cumbersome and excessive. The average American uses more water than we do. Restrictions or regulation of leaf blower use in the densely built-up areas makes sense, but should not be imposed on the whole town.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Fitzgerald
Juniper Ridge Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Letter to the editor: Taylor running for Planning Board

letter

(Editor’s note: Taylor is challenging incumbent Bob Domnitz for a seat on the Planning Board. Domnitz’s letter to the editor announcing his candidacy can be found here.)

To the editor:

With election season approaching, I would like to let people know that I shall be running for a position on the Planning Board. For those of you who do not know me, I have been involved in various aspects of town governance for many years, serving on the Finance Committee, the Capital Planning Committee, the Housing Commission, the Board of Selectmen and the School Building Committee. I was one of the principal developers and authors of Lincoln’s first Housing Production Plan and the At Risk Properties Report, planning documents that helped the town move forward successfully in affordable housing and in shaping development of key parcels of land.

I feel strongly that it is time for a change in orientation for the Planning Board. Much of the success in maintaining Lincoln’s small-town rural character is attributable to leaders in the past who kept their eyes on the future and prepared for what they saw coming. We need that same foresight now. Unfortunately, the focus of the Planning Board seems to have drifted towards minutia in site plan reviews, while important matters like building consensus around a plan for the South Lincoln Mall area receive insufficient attention.

From observing the board in action, I also believe that it could be much more efficient and user-friendly. Although there are on occasion proposals that are well out of bounds, most applicants before the Board are land owners seeking to improve properties in reasonable ways. The board’s approach should be to help them achieve their goals while honoring bylaw requirements, and this should not require numerous appearances before the board, as is often the case now. Problems with applications should largely be worked out with the Planning Board’s staff in advance of any hearing to save everyone time and spare applicants the expense of yet another round with an architect. Spending less time reviewing applications would leave more for actual planning.

There are several other areas for improvement such as better coordination with the Zoning Board of Appeals and more attention to implementation of the town’s Comprehensive Plan, and I look forward to discussing all these issues with Lincoln voters in seeking their support.

Sincerely,

Gary Taylor
2 Beaver Pond Road

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to news@lincolnsquirrrel.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic, 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.

Board of Health: residential areas don’t need leaf blower regulations

leafblower-compositeBy Alice Waugh

The Board of Health, which is on record as saying airborne particles and noise from gas-powered leaf blowers are a health hazard, has issued a statement distancing itself from a crackdown on use of the machines by homeowners, saying that in Lincoln, leaf blowers cause the most problems on paved surfaces, especially in the business district.

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