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

Letter to the editor: Jay Flanagan supports Cannistraro

letter

To the editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Vin Cannistraro as Selectman. I have worked with Vin on the LSRHS School Council for two years and was impressed by his ability to communicate openly and effectively with a wide range of people and generate fresh ideas.  Vin’s contributions to the team were essential in uniting us to create a thoughtful initiative that is being implemented in Sudbury to bring attention to the crucial role that the high school plays in our community. His work on the technology infrastructure and academic supports subcommittees is helping to ensure L-S remains one of the best high schools in the country. His presentations to the faculty at the end of the school year make the teachers feel supported and appreciated for their invaluable impact on our children’s lives.

I also believe that Vin’s substantial experience in construction would be a tremendous benefit to a town with many capital projects desperately searching now for a pathway to success. Vin’s unique combination of education, corporate, and community-based experience will help our great community be even greater, and I encourage you to vote for him on Monday, March 31.

Sincerely,

Jay Flanagan
74 Cambridge Turnpike

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 Letters containing personal attacks, errors of fact or other inappropriate material will not be published.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.

Letter to the editor: Gary Davis supports Braun

letterEditor’s note: The headline on this letter was corrected on March 25.

To the editor:

I have attended the forums, spoken with the candidates and other voters, and facilitated a policy discussion between Selectman candidates about Hanscom AFB and Hanscom Civil Airfield with some of us who are Hanscom abutters. Based on those conversations, I was able to come to a conclusion about my personal choice in the race for Board of Selectmen.

While I admire Mr. Cannistraro’s general observations that focus on citizen empathy and strategic planning, Mr. Braun illustrated a depth of knowledge, understanding and experience that he brings to both aspects of Hanscom issues. I now find that I agree with those who have previously submitted letters in support of Peter Braun for reelection to the Board of Selectmen.

Particularly, as an abutter of Hanscom Civil Airfield and Hanscom AFB, it is important to me that our town leadership completely understand the history of positions and policies taken over time by the wide range of public and private entities who play roles in this continuing drama. They must be able to provide enlightened continuity.

Mr. Braun also understands that building relationships and working together with neighboring HATS [Hanscom Area Town Selectmen] communities is our best means of achieving our mutual goals. In this, he has participated regularly in Hanscom related committees and boards almost always out of the spotlight.

Community support is one of the primary criteria used by the Air Force to make decisions relative to base evaluation. HATS, through Mr. Braun, provided that support in his participation with the Hanscom tour and mission briefing with General Mark Welsh, Air Force Chief of Staff last November and more recently with new Congresswoman Katherine Clark.

The Lincoln Conservation Commission is currently reviewing a proposed expansion of facilities at Hanscom Civil Airfield which is operated by Massport. Mr. Braun understands that the town has a limited responsibility in this particular review to conservation issues. However, he clearly understands the debate that has been raging for several years over long-term protection of surrounding historic and environmental assets, air and noise pollution, and the incremental growth this current expansion represents.

Based on his valuable knowledge, experience and understanding of town and Hanscom issues, I encourage Lincoln citizens to vote for Peter Braun on March 31.

Sincerely,

Gary Davis
20R Indian Camp Lane, Battle Road Farm

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.

Letter to the editor: Apsler supports Braun

letterTo the editor:

Lincoln has been fortunate to have a long history of competent, caring, and collaborative leadership in the Selectmen who have served the town through the years. Peter Braun continued that tradition of thoughtful and intelligent stewardship during his first term as Selectman and should be reelected to maintain and enhance the knowledge and momentum he has attained with so many projects vital to Lincoln’s well-being.

Peter thoroughly and methodically researches every issue. He listens carefully to all aspects of an issue, clearly articulates his understanding, and encourages questions and concerns with his positions. In serving with Peter on the Capital Planning Committee for the past few years, I have come to appreciate Peter’s willingness to listen to opposing views—often my own—with civility and respect. He models gracious discourse always with the goal of reaching the best solution for the town as a whole. Let us ensure Lincoln’s tradition of robust debate, respectful disagreements, and creative problem solving that meets the needs of our town through intelligent dialogue and continued good will. Reelect Peter Braun.

Jacquelin Apsler
84 Mill St.

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.

Deadline for Town Meeting/election letters to the editor

letterThe deadline for submitting letters to the editor that discuss warrant articles for the March 29 Town Meeting or candidates running in the town election on March 31 is Wednesday, March 26 at 8 p.m. No letters on these topics will be published after Thursday, March 27. Letters to the editor on other topics may still be submitted whenever you like and will be published at the discretion of the editor.

Letter to the editor: Community Preservation Committee request

letterEditor’s note: The following letter from the Community Preservation Committee is addressed to the Lincoln community. It was updated on March 24 to reflect a correction to the street address given for CPC member Margaret Olson.

To the editor:

Massachusetts passed the Community Preservation Act (CPA) in 2000. Lincoln voted to join in 2003 with a 3 percent property tax surcharge. Since then the state has matched the town’s revenues anywhere from 100 percent to the low 30 percent level. This past year the state match was 66 percent due to a provision in the state budget which required the first $25 million of any surplus to be deposited into the CPA trust. Hopefully this requirement will be renewed in the ongoing state budget process, but it is not guaranteed.

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Letter to the editor: Glass on school funding

letter

Editor’s note: The author of this letter, Jennifer Glass, is chair of the School Committee. She is running unopposed for reelection on March 31.

To the editor:

At the March 29 Annual Town Meeting, one of the warrant articles citizens will be asked to consider is whether or not they will approve funds to study a range of Lincoln School renovation choices. Following is some information about the warrant article.

Article 11: The School Committee is requesting that up to $250,000 be withdrawn from the Stabilization Fund to be used for commissioning cost estimates for a range of potential Lincoln School renovation projects.  

Up to $200,000 would be used to contract design and cost-estimating services. $50,000 would be held in reserve in case unexpected study services are required. The funding for the warrant would come from money already put aside by the town, and would not increase property taxes.

Q:  Why is the School Committee asking for this money?

A:  The last major renovation of the school was in 1994. At that time, the library link and kindergarten classrooms were built, and some renovations were made to the Smith building. However, Brooks was not renovated, and the entire Lincoln School has reached a point where the basic infrastructure of the building needs renovation: 

  • The “Univent” heating system is inefficient, distracting, and difficult to regulate.
  • The Smith boiler room is below ground and prone to flooding; the four boilers are 20-40 years old.
  • The Brooks smoke stack is deteriorating and needs replacement.
  • The roof is at the end of its useful life. It has been patched and re-seamed, but will need replacement.
  • Windows/window walls: About half of the windows are still single-pane glass and/or in uninsulated wood framing.
  • Reed Gym exterior wall panels are porous and need replacement.
  • Plumbing/drinking water: Some plumbing fixtures require high water usage and some new piping is required to deliver potable water if drinking fountains are to be reinstalled (currently the school uses bottled water). When fixtures are replaced, walls must be opened as new fixtures require a different interface with piping.

There are additional renovations that would improve the educational environment:

  • Cafeteria/kitchen—Currently students use half of each gym for lunch, making them unavailable for physical education classes for about three hours a day. The size of the kitchen facilities makes it challenging to prepare fresh foods; all meals must be served using disposable dishes, utensils and trays.
  • Original Smith Building (1948) and second-grade classrooms (1955)—the second-grade classrooms are inadequately sized, and the 1948 building is not constructed in a way that is today considered adequate for a public building.
  • Special education and support spaces—spaces have been carved out of hallways or closets, are inadequately sized and sometimes not ventilated. Also, there are students who specifically require environments that are temperature controlled (for heat and cold) and have good acoustics and lighting. It would be helpful to have at least one classroom at each elementary grade level that meets all those requirements.
  • Spaces for differentiated learning—It is important to have smaller spaces where groups of students can work together while remaining under the supervision of teachers. Currently, unsupervised hallways are frequently used for this purpose. 

Q:  How will the money be spent?

A:  The money will be used to get cost estimates for a number of renovation concepts, ranging in scope from the most urgent repairs to a comprehensive renovation (including limited new construction) that would address both infrastructure and educational needs. All solutions will keep the building in its current, “L-shaped” configuration.

For each of the concepts, we must consider the following:

  • Swing space—where will students learn while work is being done? For how long and at what cost? Should we collaborate with the proposed Community Center Study to look at solutions that might serve both purposes?
  • Code compliance—concepts must address code issues such as fire suppression/safety, accessibility, snow load, and seismic stability.
  • What is the life span of the proposed work? What is the value for what we are spending?

Q:  What about state funding? Is the $21 million from the state still available?

A:  After the failed 2012 school project vote, the town forfeited the $21 million. Lincoln reapplied for state funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) in April 2013, but was not invited back into the funding pipeline.

  • The School Committee decided not to reapply to the MSBA in 2014 in order to take time to determine if that is the direction the town wishes to go. Demonstrated town support is important to an application’s success.
  • In February, the School Committee, Finance Committee, Capital Planning Committee, and Board of Selectmen held a joint public meeting. The School Committee noted that only a renovation that addresses all of the infrastructure and educational needs would be eligible for MSBA funding. 
  • The boards received feedback from the community that it wanted to be given a range of renovation options before deciding whether or not to reapply to the MSBA.

Q:  What happens next?

A:  If the warrant article passes at Town Meeting, the Lincoln Public Schools will hire a firm capable of refining the five concepts and providing cost estimates. The School Committee is committed to community participation, and will seek public input throughout the process. When the study is complete, the committee will ask the town to vote on which concept it would like to develop into a renovation project, and, if relevant, whether or not the town would like to reapply for state funding.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Glass
11 Stonehedge

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.

“Just another week at L-S”

L-S logoBella Wong, the interim superintendent/principal at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, writes a column for the L-S website called Bella’s Corner. Recently she told readers about the wide variety of student goings-on during one week at the high school, including appearances at several regional competitions in areas including a capella singing, foreign languages, and ocean science quiz and Ocean Quiz Bowls, a flamenco and  Spanish classical guitar concert, and post-season boys’ and girls’ hockey, to name just a few:

I have just come away from listening to Christina Agapakis, LS ’02, address an auditorium full of our students on the dichotomy of art and science, synthetic and biology, from her perspective as a scientist working with bacteria. It was fascinating to say the least. At the MLK assembly on February 14 I heard Gerald McElroy, LS ’05, illustrate how a single person can make a difference as he described his work on behalf of migrants in the Dominican Republic now embodied in a non-profit organization Espaniola. Both alum speakers were truly inspirational and models of individuals who have pursued their passions across multiple modalities for a cohesive productive end while further forwarding notions of social responsibility. What great outcomes for these LS grads! How does that all happen?

…continue reading “Just another week in March”

Letter to the editor: Kudos to office-holders and volunteers

letterTo the editor:

I feel most of Lincoln tremendously admires our town volunteers and elected personnel. The time and effort they expend on our behalves is tremendous. Mr. Braun is certainly one we admire. While MassDOT has the only authority on the Route 2 project, town and citizens’ voices count in our democracy, or should. My admiration also extends to Mr. Cannistraro who has the fortitude to question. It is always good to have new blood in any situation, if democracy is to flourish. I do hope he will consider running for town office at a more auspicious time.

Sincerely,

Claire L. Mount
123 Tower Road

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.

Lincoln Gearticks earn top award at state competition

The Lincoln Gearticks earned the top award at the state championship at Bridgewater State University on March 8. Front row, left to right: Evan Glenn, Caleb Sander, Irene Terpstra, Calvin Terpstra, Dante Muzila, Claire Telfer and Catherine Appleby. Back row, left to right: Thom Quirk, Andrew Lee, Amelia Brown, Jack Hutchinson, Austin Brown, Logan Engstrom Abby Payne. Photo by Victor Terpstra

The Lincoln Gearticks earned the top award at the state championship at Bridgewater State University on March 8. Front row, left to right: Evan Glenn, Caleb Sander, Irene Terpstra, Calvin Terpstra, Dante Muzila, Claire Telfer and Catherine Appleby. Back row, left to right: Thom Quirk, Andrew Lee, Amelia Brown, Jack Hutchinson, Austin Brown, Logan Engstrom Abby Payne. Photo by Victor Terpstra

By Caleb Sander, Claire Telfer, Abby Payne and Irene Terpstra
Lincoln Gearticks team members

The Lincoln Gearticks robotics team of 14 middle and high school students from Lincoln and Westwood took the top award at the Massachusetts FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Robotics Championships on March 8 and will be heading to the Eastern Super-Regional in Pennsylvania next month along with five other teams from Massachusetts.

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