The police log for March 13-25 published on March 27 was missing a link to an earlier story about two arrests made after gunshots were heard on the night of March 15. The post has been updated.
Reenactors portray a controversial Town Meeting vote in 1775
Added April 2: Here are the transcript and video of the skit.
Most Town Meeting attendees dress casually, but seven of them in less comfortable colonial period costume rose in turn at last week’s meeting to argue for or against a 1775 funding measure, based on sentiments that their real-life counterparts expressed 250 years ago.
Lincoln historian Rick Wiggin and others examined minutes from the meeting on March 20, 1775, when voters were asked to approve “the sum of fifty-two pounds four shillings… to provide for those persons who have enlisted as minute men, each one a bayonet belt, cartridge box, steel rammer, gun stock, and knapsack; they to attend military exercise four hours a day twice in a week till the first day of May next.”
The measure had failed to win approval on two previous tries, but it finally got a thumbs-up at a gathering held in the old meeting house where the stone church now stands. Now in 2025, Town Moderator Sarah Cannon Holden called on each speaker as her counterpart would have done 250 years ago.
“How grave does the crisis have to be before we respond?” said the first speaker, Captain Eleazer Brooks, played by Wiggin. But Deacon John Gove (Hafner) countered, saying this would “drag us into war without our consent… belligerence of this sort will only inflame the situation.”
“The tyranny is upon us now!” declared Abijah Pierce (Tom Risser). “It is unreasonable that Parliament will restore our charter rights unless we make clear” our intention to fight if necessary.
But others objected. Ben Soule, playing Zechariah Wesson, noted that adopting the proposal would increase the town’s tax burden by one-third (the total town budget that year was £165). And the larger patriot goal of raising an army of 15,000 would mean that one in four men of military age would have to serve — including Wesson’s five sons.
The widow Ruth Gage (Bev Malone) tried to speak and was initially shouted down by Gove/Hafner, who objected that “it has never been our custom” to allow women to speak at Town Meeting. But Holden overruled him, noting that Gage’s late husband held property and therefore she had the right to speak and vote as long as she didn’t remarry.
In the wake of the Boston Tea Party two year prior, colonials had been asked to promise not to buy or consume British tea. “I took quill in hand and signed that pledge,” Gage said. “As a widow, I can ill afford to pay this extra tax… and as a mother, I worry about my son going to war,” she said. “But if our sons and husbands and brothers as Minute Men must face this danger, we need to assure they are properly equipped, for their own safety.” m.
“What will become of our town if declare as enemies those with whom we disagree?” said Ebenezer Cutler (Liam Lewis).
Nonetheless, when Holden called for the vote, the measure “passed” resoundingly, followed by a standing ovation. Select Board Chair Kim Bodnar noted the “poignant arguments” that are still relevant today, especially in light of the turmoil within the federal government.
The reenactment can be viewed in the Town Meeting video that will be posted on the Lincoln TV website soon.
News acorns
“Inundation District” screening and Q&A with director
MetroWest Climate Solutions will screen the award-winning documentary “Inundation District,” which explores the environmental implications of Boston’s decision to spend billions of dollars on building a new waterfront district, on Tuesday, April 1 from 7-9pm at First Parish Church in Weston (349 Boston Post Rd.). The city called its new quarter the Innovation District, but with seas rising inexorably, others are calling it the Inundation District. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with David Abel, one of the film’s directors. Abel is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter who covers climate change for The Boston Globe. He is also a professor of the practice at Boston University.
Concerts sponsored by the COA&HS
All are welcome at these upcoming music events sponsored by the Council on Aging & Human Services.
- Abla Shocair and her grandson, Zaineddeen Kawaf, will play a classical piano concert including music composed by Schubert, Chopin, and Liszt on Wednesday, April 2 at 3:15pm in Bemis Hall.
- The Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra Chamber Players will perform great musical works by Bach, Debussy, Haydn, and more, along with historical and contextual background of the works/composers, on Friday, April 4 at 12:30pm at Bemis Hall.
Library events on local farms, Lexington/Concord battle myths
A growing number of people are buying their produce, meats, and dairy products from local farms. Ashland Sustainability Coordinator Samantha Riley and a panel of farmers will explain the benefits of shopping locally grown and offer suggestions for growers in our area on Monday, April 7 from 7:00-8:00pm. Register here for the Zoom link.
On Thursday, April 10 from 7-8pm on Zoom, Lincoln Minute Man and Historian Rick Wiggin will discuss what truly happened in Lexington, Concord, and most importantly, Lincoln, on April 19, 1775 and how it became mythologized over time. The day was a one-sided massacre without return fire. By the centennial anniversary, the idea of the battle had become accepted history. Rick will dispel many of the popular myths of this pivotal day on Battle Road. Click here for the Zoom link.
Laura Vecchione
Talk on benefits of native plants
Soil ecologist and Lincoln Land Conservation Trust member Rachel Neurath will explore the potential of native plants to support pollinators, store carbon, and restore soil health in “Planting in Community and Planting for the Future,” a Zoom talk on Thursday, April 10 from 7:30-8:30pm. She’ll explore the above and below ground communities supported by some of the plants that LLCT will sell this year in their plant sale, as well as planting techniques that nurture soil health while helping plants thrive. Click here to register for the Zoom link.
Laura Vecchione at next LOMA
Laura Vecchione will be the headliner at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, April 14 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall. LOMA is a monthly open mike night event with mikes and instrumental pickups suitable for individuals or small groups playing acoustic-style. Come and perform (contact loma3re@gmail.com to sign up) or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Free admission.
Time to pull garlic mustard weed
Garlic mustard season is right around the corner and there are lots of ways to get involved. Paper bags will be available at the transfer station on Wednesday, April 16 and Saturday, May 3 from 10am-noon. Starting on April 16, bags are also available from the Conservation Department and LLCT offices. If you’re pulling these invasives and bagging on your own, you can drop off bags at the DPW (30 Lewis St.) Monday through Friday from 7:30am-3:00pm. Leave bags in the designated bay at the base of the cell tower, not in the large brush pile. Paper bags only.
Conservation Department Land Manager Ryan Brown is also organizing several pop-up pull days. Join other volunteers to make a difference on conservation land on pop-up pull days on Friday, April 18; Thursday, May 1; Thursday, May 15; Friday, May 30; and Friday, June 6, all from 1:00-3:00pm. Email Ryan at brownr@lincolntown.org for locations.
“Eyes on Owls” at Farrington Nature Linc
Co-hosted with LLCT. Marcia and Mark Wilson of Eyes on Owls will introduce the audience to six owls found in New England, along with a hooting lesson, on Monday, April 21 at 1:00pm at Farrington Nature Linc (291 Cambridge Turnpike, Lincoln). This is a ticketed event ($12.50) with a family rate available; click here to purchase.
“Sprouting Up” for kids marking Earth Day
Celebrate Earth Day at the library with a hands-on gardening activity where kids will enjoy stories about the magic of gardening and nature on Tuesday, April 22 from 2-3pm. Afterwards, each child will have the chance to plant seeds in an upcycled egg carton perfect for taking home and watching their plants grow. Perfect for kids ages 3-8, this program combines reading, crafting, and a love for nature! Registration is required. This program is funded by the Friends of the Lincoln Library and LLCT. Please bring your own clean, biodegradable egg carton to the program (there will be extras on hand if needed). Register here.
Service on Sunday for Lester Gordon
Lester Gordon
Lester Ira “Les” Gordon, of Lincoln passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025.
For 52 years, he was the beloved husband of Dafna Krouk-Gordon. Loving father of Ilana Gordon Brown and son-in-law Craig, and Alexis Vichniac and son-in-law Avi. Adored grandfather of Tyler, Lily, Nate, Ella, Jeremy, and Zach.
Services at the Levine Chapels (470 Harvard St., Brookline) on Sunday, March 30 at 12:30pm with livestream viewing available using the following link: www.levinelive.com/lestergordon. Burial will follow at the Shara Tfilo Cemetery, 776 Baker St., West Roxbury. Shiva at his late residence following the burial through 7:00pm and continuing Monday, March 31 from 5:00-8:00pm.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to TILL, Inc., 20 Eastbrook Rd., Dedham MA 02026, www.tillinc.org
Police log for March 13–25, 2025
March 13
Harvest Circle (8:32am) — A caller spoke with an officer regarding a potential internal incident.
Trapelo Road (March 13, 8:48am) — Officer Seth Gordon had a partner this morning after police received a report that the dog was running in traffic. Officer Gordon finished his shift solo after his partner was reunited with its owner, a contractor from Maynard who was working in town when his dog got away from him.
Horseshoe Lane (6:54pm) — A caller reported a large amount of smoke in the area. Officers checked and confirmed that the smoke was emanating from a nearby chimney.
March 14
Baker Farm Road (2:10pm) — A caller reported a solicitor in the area without proper credentials. An officer located the person and advised them of the bylaw requirements.
Lincoln School (6:59pm) — Individuals came to the station to report possibly being followed. An officer met with the individuals.
Concord Road (9:16pm and March 15 at 10:49am) — Attempts to serve court paperwork were unsuccessful as the person no longer lives in Lincoln.
Concord Road (11:53pm) — A caller reported striking a raccoon on Concord Road. An officer arrived and confirmed the animal had been struck in the town of Wayland. The Wayland DPW was notified.
March 15
Tower Road (3:28pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on a resident.
South Great Road (11:10pm) — The sound of gunshots was reported. A police investigation resulted in two arrests. See this Lincoln Squirrel story for details.
March 16
DeCordova Museum (10:49am) — An odor of natural gas was detected in the area. National Grid was notified.
Tower Road (6:57pm) — A caller reported that an outside structure was unsecured. An officer checked the area; the open door appeared to be a result of the strong wind.
March 17
Hanscom Drive (10:30am) — Officers assisted members of the Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces.
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:51pm) — Officers assisted Massachusetts State Police with a two-vehicle crash.
Bypass Road (7:19pm) — A dead deer was removed from the side of the road.
March 18
Kelly Lane, Hanscom AFB (5:24pm) — An officer assisted with employment fingerprints.
March 19
Wells Road (9:45am) — A rabid raccoon had to be put down by the wastewater treatment facility.
Lincoln Road (12:52pm) — A caller reported seeing a coyote near their property.
Lincoln Road (3:23pm) — An officer conducted a follow-up investigation to a previous incident.
Wells Road (9:47pm) — A caller reported a dispute with a neighbor. Officers responded and spoke with the involved parties.
March 20
South Great Road (1:12am) — An officer conducted a motor vehicle stop for a marked lanes violation. The operator, Frank Kovalcek, was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor, marked lanes, and license not in possession. He was subsequently bailed and ordered to appear at Concord District Court.
Deerhaven Road (8:38pm) — Officers assisted a person with a well being check on a family member.
March 21
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (4:53am) — The Lincoln Police and Fire Departments assisted Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.
Bedford Road (12:41pm) — A caller reported seeing someone in the area of the Birches School. Officers checked the area. The individual may have been attending an event in the area.
Bedford Road (5:33pm) — An officer had an encounter with an individual who was waiting for a ride from a family member.
Stratford Way (8:09pm) — Officers checked a residence after an individual was observed approaching the front door. The area was checked but the person was not located.
March 22
Trapelo Road (1:16pm) — A large groups of youths were advised fishing was not allowed at the Cambridge Reservoir.
Reiling Pond Road (2:31pm) — A caller reported a coyote sighting. The Animal Control Officer was notified.
March 23
Nothing of note.
March 24
Nothing of note.
March 25
Sandy Pond Road (3:30pm) — A caller asked to speak with an officer regarding an incident.
What you need to know for Town Meeting on Saturday
(This information is provide by Assistant Town Manager Dan Pereira.)
Annual Town Meeting is this Saturday, March 29. The Town is providing as much information as possible in advance to ensure a smooth experience for all.
Website
Please visit our Annual Town Meeting web page for up-to-date meeting information. It contains links to meeting procedures and materials, services, and background on the key articles being presented.
Logistics
- Voter check-in begins at 8:30am and Town Meeting begins at 9:30am sharp!
- View our Ballfield Road parking map, which highlights available parking locations as well as the entrance to Town Meeting, so you can plan accordingly.
- View our auditorium seating map, which provides an overview of the room layout and handicap seating as well as public microphone locations. Microphones can also be brought to your seat if you are unable to get to a microphone.
New this year — voting clickers
Electronic voting devices or “clickers” will be introduced this year in order to expedite hand counts, if necessary.
- You will receive your clicker when you check in, along with your voter card. You need both to vote.
- Article 3 will include a few fun questions to demonstrate the electronic voting process.
- You should not leave the school building with your clicker! When you leave, please drop your clicker in a designated receptacle.
- If you want to leave and return later, please return your clicker to an attendant at check-in and they’ll provide you with a “clicker ticket,” which will allow you to get a new clicker when you return.
Food
- Coffee and treats will be served by the Lincoln Girl Scouts throughout the duration of the meeting.
- Twisted Tree Cafe will be offering lunch in the school cafeteria; view their menu here. We are planning a 45-minute lunch break at some point around midday.
- If you are new — or still feel new — to Town Meeting, please join the Newcomers Lunch Table in the cafeteria, sponsored by the same IDEA Committee that organized the Newcomers’ Party in January. We will be glad to see you! Look for the blue tablecloth and friendly faces.
Services
- We have reserved parking close to the entrance for handicap and mobility-impaired residents.
- Assisted listening devices are available — just approach AV personnel at the console in the middle of the auditorium and they will assist you.
Broadcast
The meeting will be broadcast (for viewing only) on your local Cable TV channel (Comcast Channel 8/Verizon Channel 33) as well as on the Town of Lincoln TV website.
My Turn: Residents support Ryan and Morton for L-S School Committee
We write in full support of Charles Morton and Jack Ryan, both candidates in a contested race for two vacant at-large seats on the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee (LSSC). Please make an effort to get to know them both and meet Jack and Charles before Lincoln Town Meeting on Saturday, March 29, and to vote for both of them at the polls on Monday, March 31 in the Reed Gym.
How Lincoln turns out to vote on March 31 will critically impact the final outcome for our shared high school. In past elections, Lincoln has been the deciding block of votes in the election for LSSC members.
Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School is one of three things for most Lincolnites: it’s a full-on enigma to families with children younger than eighth grade; it’s the most frequently taken seven-to-25-minute daily driving route for families with high school-aged children; or it’s a wistful glimpse in the rear-view mirror for those who have LSRHS graduates who are “grown and flown.” Much of this has to do with LSRHS not being right here in Lincoln, where daily life is focused on much that is more local. It also has to do with most teens being given more freedom to grow, flourish, and learn a great deal from personal success and occasional failure.
When election time rolls around, reminders are needed of (1) the critical and special value LSRHS has in preparing our high schoolers for life after graduation, and (2) the impact of our vote for School Committee members who will serve the LSRHS students and broader communities’ best interests.
We support Charles Morton (CharlesMorton.com) because:
- He comes with a strong academic background and is an academic by profession, and he has a deep understanding of the wide array of learners and continued need for a wide array of programs at LSRHS to educate and support those learners.
- He understands that LSRHS is not a cookie-cutter high school; it is incredibly innovative in its curriculum and encourages teachers to be their best selves in crafting and implementing curriculum.
- Charles is in it for the long haul, with four children who will attend LSRHS between 2026 and 2036. He chose to live in Sudbury because of LSRHS.
- He grasps the value and perspective of all communities who are part of LSRHS, Lincoln, Sudbury, and Boston.
We support Jack Ryan (RyanforLS.com) because:
- Jack’s institutional memory of LSRHS from his prior tenure on the L-S School Committee will serve all of us well, particularly since all the remaining members on the LSSC have served for two years or less. He has remained connected and has two grandchildren preparing to attend LSRHS.
- Jack has a 360-degree lens on so much of Sudbury, our vital partner at LSRHS. A retired lawyer, he has an ongoing list of almost four decades of volunteer service in Sudbury, serving on the Sudbury Finance Committee, on the LSSC for four terms, and as chair of the L-S Building Committee for the now 20-year-old LSRHS, as well as myriad other civic organizations.
- Jack knows and respects Lincoln’s partnership in our shared high school. He will work collaboratively with both towns to solve problems, craft policy, and report out to constituents.
- Jack is also committed to serving Lincoln, Sudbury, and Boston in his work on the LSSC.
Both Jack and Charles are committed to putting in the time and hard work of being a School Committee member. Their skill sets and perspectives are distinct from each other but complementary. Particularly in these days of uncertainty around funding for public education, these candidates both want to hold steady what is valued and critical for our high school children, in line with LSRHS’s four core values:
- Fostering caring and cooperative relationships
- Respecting human differences
- Pursuing academic excellence
- Cultivating community
Please remember to vote for Charles and Jack next Monday and reach out to friends and neighbors and encourage them to do the same. Thank you!
This letter reflects the personal views of those named below. Any below-named person who also holds elected or appointed office in Lincoln is expressing their personal view, not the view of the committee(s)/board(s) on which they participate.
Abigail Adams
Murat Arslan
Alex Benik
Becky Bermont
Hans Bitter
Rebecca Blanchfield
John Bordiuk
Brian Burns
Ted Chan
Nancy Donaldson
Michelle Doyle
Joe Doyle
Carolyn Dwyer
Jonathan Dwyer
Kristen Ferris
John Ferris
Nancy Finke
Jim Fleming
Nancy Fleming
Trintje Gnazzo
Andy Gnazzo
Laura Cuozzo Guarnotta
Murat Arslan
Alex Benik
Becky Bermont
Hans Bitter
Rebecca Blanchfield
John Bordiuk
Brian Burns
Ted Chan
Nancy Donaldson
Michelle Doyle
Joe Doyle
Carolyn Dwyer
Jonathan Dwyer
Kristen Ferris
John Ferris
Nancy Finke
Jim Fleming
Nancy Fleming
Trintje Gnazzo
Andy Gnazzo
Laura Cuozzo Guarnotta
Brian Jalet
Kim Jalet
Joan Kimball
John Kimball
Jonathan Light
Sara Lupkas
Feyza Marouf
Nancy Marshall
Peyton Marshall
Sally Maulsby
Libby Maynard
Nick Maynard
John Mendelson
DJ Mitchell
Kenny Mitchell
Matt Mitchell
Tara Mitchell
Staci Montori
Brooks Mostue
Tris Oakley
Patty Mostue
Joe O’Connor
Kim Jalet
Joan Kimball
John Kimball
Jonathan Light
Sara Lupkas
Feyza Marouf
Nancy Marshall
Peyton Marshall
Sally Maulsby
Libby Maynard
Nick Maynard
John Mendelson
DJ Mitchell
Kenny Mitchell
Matt Mitchell
Tara Mitchell
Staci Montori
Brooks Mostue
Tris Oakley
Patty Mostue
Joe O’Connor
Tony O’Connor
Kara Prince
Ginger Reiner
Kurt Reiner
Cathy Rogers
Aldis Russell
Barbara Slayter
Vicky Slingerland
Anne Sobol
Jonathan Soo
Kara Soo
Rob Stringer
Chris Taylor
Gary Taylor
Laura Taylor
Susan Taylor
Peter Van Winkle
Prudy Van Winkle
Krystal Wood
Jen Zeis
Louis Zipes
Tanya Zipes
Kara Prince
Ginger Reiner
Kurt Reiner
Cathy Rogers
Aldis Russell
Barbara Slayter
Vicky Slingerland
Anne Sobol
Jonathan Soo
Kara Soo
Rob Stringer
Chris Taylor
Gary Taylor
Laura Taylor
Susan Taylor
Peter Van Winkle
Prudy Van Winkle
Krystal Wood
Jen Zeis
Louis Zipes
Tanya Zipes
“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.
Addendum
A video of the PTO candidate forum on March 24 is now available online here.
My Turn: Kanner touts experience on Board of Health
By Dr. Steven Kanner
Although I run unopposed for the Lincoln Board of Health this year, some policy and personal information may still be of interest to voters.
I have been privileged to serve on our Board of Health since 2013. My work, along with that of my colleagues Dr. Fred Mansfield and Trish Miller, is to keep Lincoln residents safe as possible from infectious diseases, environmental dangers, and other health hazards, as well as to provide informed, science-based counsel around any health issues of community relevance.
Originally, I was asked to join the board after engaging in public discussion about the public health importance and safety of using low levels of water fluoridation in the runup to the resounding vote of support at Town Meeting for community water fluoridation that year.
During the early Covid-19 pandemic, just five years ago this month, we faced a rapidly spreading severe disease for which we had no tests, no treatment, and no prevention, while the initial Massachusetts death rates from Covid were an astonishing 5%. This was a scary and very fraught time.
More recently:
- I worked with other board members to simplify septic approvals, saving time and money for homeowners.
- I took the lead to arrange for radon meters to be available free for home testing (with the major aid of another Lincoln resident) and wrote educational materials about our significant radon risk in Lincoln.
- I wrote science-based informational materials on disease and vaccination relative risks for the Board of Health website (“Influenza and Covid-19 Vaccine Risk and Benefit in 2024 – On Health and Health Care” in left-hand column).
Going forward, I plan to work with my other board members to widen our public health information initiatives to include home sanitation topics such as kitchen cleanliness and proper maintenance of septic systems, while maintaining our primary focus on community infectious diseases and environmental risks.
My qualifications for this public health role include education at Harvard College (A.B.) and Harvard Medical School (M.D.), an MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, several years work in the U.S. Public Health Service and in Massachusetts state government improving mental health medical systems, and 50 years of primary care medical practice. I have happily lived in Lincoln with my wife, Linda, since 1996, where we developed the Kanner Family Orchard to grow apples and peaches. We provide these to the Lincoln food pantry and Codman farm among other nearby nonprofit food organizations.
“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.
Legal notice: Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing
The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing if the law allows or at 16 Lincoln Rd., Donaldson Room on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 7:00pm to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:
New:
John Doyle, 30 Old Sudbury Rd., M/P 179-20-0 for transfer of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
Erin Kelly and Lionel McPherson, 2 Forester Rd., M/P 167-7-0 for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.
Note that legal notices often must be posted more than once by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.