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

Town water is safe to drink, Woods says

water-smBecause of a recent  notification that coliform bacteria had been in part of the town’s water system, some residents have expressed concern that their water may be contaminated, but Lincoln Water Department Superintendent Greg Woods assures residents that the water is safe to drink.

Standard monthly testing showed the presence of coliform bacteria within the plumbing fixtures at the Tower Road well pump-house. Species of coliform bacteria include E. coli, which often indicates contamination with fecal matter. Most strains of E. coli are harmless but some can cause illness in humans.

The plumbing fixtures  have  been treated and have tested bacteria-free, Woods said. “As stated in the state-required notice that was mailed to customers, the water distribution piping tested completely free of coliform bacteria.” As an extra precaution, the water at the first house on the line that would receive water from the well was also tested and was found to be free of bacteria, he said.

“The Lincoln water remains completely safe to drink; in-home treatment or filtering is unnecessary,” Woods said. Anyone with questions may call him at 781-259-8997.

Town may have to resubmit school building document

As reported earlier today in the Squirrel, Lincoln’s statement of interest (SOI)—the first step in the process for getting state funding for a school building project from the Massachusetts School Building Authority—is still under review. The next MSBA board meeting at which it could make a decision is on January 29, 2014, but MSBA press secretary tells the Squirrel that the authority expects that letters will go out in early December notifying school districts whose SOIs will not be acted on this year.

“If our staff decides not to invite a district in, the district would then have to resubmit its SOI for consideration in 2014. The submission period for 2014 SOIs runs from January 10 to April 11, 2014,” Collins said. Resubmitting an SOI online is not labor-intensive, but districts would still have to get local approval from school and/or town officials, he said.

Dems invited to Dec. 7 event for Katherine Clark

Katherine Clark

Katherine Clark

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee (LDTC) will hold a Get Out the Vote reception and rally for Katherine Clark, the Democratic nominee for Congressional District 5, on Saturday, Dec. 7 from 2-5 p.m. in Bemis Hall in preparation for the Dec. 10 special election to fill the Congressional seat previously held by Sen. Ed Markey.

All registered Democrats and Independents are invited to hear and offer their support for Clark, join in the Get Out The Vote rally, and learn more about the mission and goals of the LDTC and increase participation.

The committee will also kick off a campaign to recruit new members with a surprise guest speaker.

“Clark will stress the value and importance of voting in a democratic society, and the critical need to avoid the complacency that progressive voters witnessed in U.S. Senate election in 2010. She will define her progressive philosophy and discuss her policy priorities including family economic security, combating climate change, and passing of common sense gun safety measures,” said a press release from the LDTC.

Light refreshments will be served. Anyone with questions may contact Gary Davis, LDTC chair, at garyddavis04@gmail.com.

Thanksgiving Night contra dance

contradanceCome to Smith School from 7-10 p.m. and dance off some of that turkey! Live music with Larry Unger and Julie Metcalf, with caller Chris Ricciotti. Sponsored by the First Parish Church.

Admission: $6 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under. For more information, call 781-259-0692.

Self-defense classes for women in December

The Lincoln Police will offer a three-session self-defense class for women on December 4, 11 and 18 from 7-9 p.m. The class is free and will take a total of six hours.

  • Session 1: Getting to know you; Introduction to basics of defense in everyday life
  • Session 2: Learning and practicing hands-on tactics of defense
  • Session 3: Practicing and full defense against a “red man” (an officer in large attacker padding)

To sign up, please email jenasalon@gmail.com.

Holiday events include “Gift Local” this weekend

wreathGet handmade items at “Gift Local”

Buy your holiday gifts from a local artisan, chocolatier, jeweler, painter, clothier, felter, glass artist, book artist, fabric artist, wood turner, hatter, neighbor, friend at Gift Local at Bemis Hall on  . Sponsored by Old Town Hall Exchange.

“An English Christmas” choir concert

Live from Lincoln Center! Vox Lucens, a 13-member choir Renaissance choir, will present a full-length concert of English Renaissance polyphony on Sunday, December 15 at 3 p.m. as part of the new concert series at the First Parish in Lincoln. This concert will include works by Gibbons, Byrd, Parsons and other English masters, and the choir will collaborate with organist Ian Watson, music director at First Parish and principal keyboard player of the Handel and Haydn Society Orchestra. Suggested donation: $20.