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

Letter to the editor: Thanks for L-S funding

letter

To the editor:

The Lincoln Sudbury School Committee and administration thank the citizens of Lincoln and Sudbury for approving the capital requests, for this year’s technology infrastructure improvements at the high school, at the respective town meetings. We also thank officials from both towns for providing feedback and encouragement through the capital request.

The high school is preparing for the installation of an improved network backbone and the upgrading of some critical servers by the time the school reopens this fall. In future years, we want to address educational technology in the classroom, continue to upgrade critical servers, and return to funding annual scheduled upgrades of the educational technology infrastructure.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Radha Gargeya, Sudbury (chair), on behalf of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District School Committee

Letters to the editor must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Letters must be about a Lincoln-specific topic. Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published. Letters may be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

New School Building Advisory Committee convenes tonight

schoolThe new School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) will hold its first meeting tonight at 7 p.m. in the Hartwell multipurpose room, when they will begin preparations for hiring a consultant, choose a co-chair and confirm the schedule for upcoming meetings.

The roster for the new SBAC is almost identical to the first version of the committee, which was dissolved after presenting its report to the School Committee in November 2013. Members are Doug Adams, Ken Bassett, Owen Beenhouwer, Vincent Cannistraro, Tim Christenfeld, Steven Perlmutter, Maggy Pietropaolo, Hathaway Russell, Peter Sugar, Gary Taylor, Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall, and Buck Creel, administrator for business and finance for the Lincoln school district.

As per the School Committee’s charge, McFall will be one of two co-chairs; the other will be elected tonight in a vote by all members except McFall and Creel.

 

 

Drumlin Farm presents “Wild About Wildlife” day

owl-smGet an up-close look into the life of New England’s native wild animals at the Wild About Wildlife festival on Sunday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mass Audubon’s Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary.

Look a raptor in the eye, learn how we enrich the lives of our captive animal ambassadors, and go on a hunt for animals tracks of all kinds. Kids and parents of all ages will enjoy an up-close look at some of our favorite native New England animals, along with family-friendly stories and crafts. For this festival day only, we will also be offering special behind-the-scenes tours of our wildlife care facility normally closed to the public.

All activities are free with paid admission. Admission is free for Mass Audubon members and Lincoln residents. Event takes place rain or shine. Most programs last 45 minutes. For more information, visit this Drumlin Farm web page.

Spotting Spot – 10 a.m.
Take a peek through our high-powered spotting scope at what’s flying by.

Wildlife Care Tours – 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 1:30 pm, or 2:30 pm (additional $5 fee applies)
Join our staff for a special behind-the-scenes tour of our wildlife care facility, usually closed to visitors, and see the animals we use for educational programs (potentially including snakes, turtles, owls, hawks, opossum, rabbits, skunk, and woodchucks)

Animals and Their Keepers: Deer – 11 a.m.
Get an up-close look at the care and feeding of our white-tailed deer from our wildlife care staff.

Big Birds – 11:30 a.m.
Meet the top of the food chain with some of New England’s largest owls and hawks.

Wetland Wildlife – noon
Learn about the unique habitat of our vernal pool and see which critters make it their home.

Crafts and Story Corner – 1-4 p.m.
Need a quieter spot for a quick break? Drop by for a story or two and make a small animal friend to take home with you.

Animals and Their Keepers: Fox – 2 p.m.
Get an up-close look at the care and feeding of our fox from our wildlife care staff.

Making Tracks – 2:30 p.m.
Interpret the prints and signs animals leave behind and make a few of your own.

Meet the Moms – 3 p.m.
Meet some of our favorite mammal moms and learn how they care for their babies.

Animals and Their Keepers: Fisher – 3:30 p.m.
Get an up close look at our fisher and experiment with making an enrichment item for her to explore.

Click here for more information on Drumlin Farm programs.

Kennedy eyed as next Lincoln police chief

police logoLt. Kevin Kennedy, a longtime member of the Lincoln Police Department, is in line to become the town’s next chief of police and will be formally interviewed by the Board of Selectmen at its May 12 meeting.

Kennedy, who has been with the Lincoln police for 22 years, would succeed retiring Chief of Police Kevin Mooney if the board votes to hire him. There are no other candidates being considered, according to Town Administrator Tim Higgins.

“The board and I feel he’s uniquely qualified for the position,” Higgins said of Kennedy. “He’s committed himself to Lincoln for his entire career, and the police chief has done a fantastic job of cultivating him [for the chief’s role] over the years.”

The selectmen have received letters in support of Kennedy’s candidacy from many organizations in town, including the Parks and Recreation Commission, the Council on Aging and the schools, according to Higgins. “He’s very well known and well regarded for his work in Lincoln,” he said.

Kennedy has served in several roles in Lincoln including that of juvenile officer. He has also completed leadership training with the FBI and the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association, Higgins said.

Yet more things to learn and do in Lincoln

Attorney general candidate forum

Meet Attorney General candidates Maura Healey and Warren Tolman will appear at a forum on Saturday, May 10 in Bemis Hall sponsored by the Lincoln Democratic Town Committee and the 3rd Middlesex Area Democrats. Note: The portion of the original forum featuring candidates for state treasurer has been rescheduled for June 7). More info…

flowersPlant sale and free gardening workshops

The Food Project hosts its second annual plant sale and free gardening workshops on Mother’s Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Lincoln farm at the intersection of Concord Road and Baker Bridge Road. In addition to selling dozens of varieties of vegetables, herbs and flowers grown using high-quality organic potting soil at the plant sale, assistant grower Allison Houghton will teach free 30-minute workshops twice each day at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on “Five Tips for Home Gardening Success.” Topics will include maximizing your yield in a small space, pruning tomatoes, growing herbs and other useful tips to make your garden a success. More info…

In conjunction with the plant sale, the Lincoln Garden Club will also host its biennial Perennial Plant Sale on Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Codman barn. There will be a children’s project just in time for Mother’s Day, container gardens and a wide assortment of perennials from club members’ gardens.

[Read more…] about Yet more things to learn and do in Lincoln

Cows try “Escape from Alcatraz”

The escapee cows as photographed by Old Sudbury Road resident Julie Brogan though her window.

The escapee cows as photographed by Old Sudbury Road resident Julie Brogan though her window.

cows2

A Lincoln police cruiser was on hand to keep order until the cows came home.

A group of adventurous bovines apparently took “spring break” to a new level, briefly escaping from their pasture on Old Sudbury Road before being returned to their enclosure with no harm done.

The cows were photographed by alert resident Julie Brogan after they apparently escaped from their enclosure and strolled down the road on a stormy day in late April. Lincoln police were called and responded quickly, though fortunately there was no need for a high-speed chase. Police arrived at about the same time as the cows’ farmer, who herded his charges back home.

“They decided to take a little nature walk in a rainy day,” said Lincoln Police Officer Ian Spencer. “I guess they needed a change of scenery and decided to break out.”

Drumlin announces days for kids with special needs

Drumlin accessibility

Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary announces new Family Farm Days—free, accessible explorations for families with children with special needs throughout the spring and summer. Family Farm Days will offer a fun and engaging way to build community within a setting that welcomes and encourages people of all abilities to participate in a variety of farm and nature activities. Discover life on the farm at your own pace through accessible nature trails, garden and barn chores, hands-on activities with our teacher-naturalists and much more.

Many Family Farm Days take place at times when the farm is not open to the general public (indicated on the schedule with a “Q”), allowing those who need a quieter, less busy atmosphere to enjoy our working farm. An ASL Interpreter will be available on select dates (indicated below with “ASL”).

  • Monday, May 5—9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Q)
  • Sunday, May 11—1-4 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 9—5:30-8 p.m. (Q, ASL)
  • Monday, August 11—10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Q)
  • Wednesday August 13—5:30-8 p.m. (Q)
  • Sunday, September 14—1-4 p.m. (ASL)
  • Monday, September 15—10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (Q)

Pre-registration is requested. You can register online or by contacting Erin at 781-259-2247 or epitkin@massaudubon.org.

Three chances to get your hands dirty and help the land

Codman garden

The garden at the Codman estate.

It’s garlic mustard pulling season!

Please help eradicate this invasive plant. There are several “group pulls” you can join:

  • Neighborhood pull—April 26 through May 31
  • Conservation pull—Saturday, May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon
  • DeCordova Sculpture Park pull—meet at the far end of the parking lot. To volunteer, contact Jane at 781-259-2612 or laytonj@lincolntown.org.

Get free paper leaf bags on Saturday, May 3 at the transfer station or any time at the Conservation/Lincoln Land Conservation Trust (LLCT) offices over the post office, courtesy of the Lincoln Garden Club. Drop off bags of weeds Monday through Friday (plus Saturday May 3 from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. behind the DPW on Lewis Street near the cell tower. Bag pickup is available now through May 31. Call the Conservation Department at 781-259-2612 or email laytonj@lincolntown.org. For more information, see the Lincoln Conservation Department website. This event is sponsored by the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Lincoln Garden Club and the LLCT.

Garlic mustard weed.

Garlic mustard weed.

Volunteer in the garden and learn about landscaping

Volunteer alongside Historic New England’s staff experts and members to care for and learn about historic gardens and landscapes at the Codman Estate. Work includes seasonally appropriate tasks, such as weeding the gardens and paths, dividing plants, planting new materials, removing invasives, and other cleanup activities. You may choose ongoing participation or just try it out for a day. You’ll also get a $10 discount on membership to Historic New England. The next volunteer opportunity is Wednesday, May 7 from 10 a.m. to noon. Other dates (same time) are May 7, June 4, July 2, August 6, Sept. 3 and Oct. 1. Meet at the estate’s Italian Garden.

Lindentree Farm looking for new members

Lindentree Farm is looking for new members this summer. Buy a share of delicious, certified organically grown vegetables, berries, flowers and fruits for 20-22 weeks starting in June. Pickup is at the farm in Lincoln.  Choose from among  two share sizes and three pickup days (Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday). All adult members do four hours of work each total during the season from April through end of October, and children are encouraged to help as well. All new members must attend a preseason orientation on one of three dates. For more information and an application, call 781-259-1259 or email lindentreecsa@gmail.com. Lindentree is also looking for a full-time or part-time crew member who is experienced in growing, planting, tractors, is willing to work in all weather conditions, and is in good physical condition.

Lindentree Farm has served the Lincoln Farmer’s Market for 25 years and has been offering CSA (community-supported agriculture) shares for 21 years. The farm hosts the Field of Greens (volunteers welcome), which grows fresh food for hunger relief organizations in Cambridge. For the last five years, it has been practicing biological, nutrient dense growing methods which help with soil and vegetable and ultimately human health.