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

News acorns

Guest speaker on climate change and equity

Rev. Mariama White-Hammond

On Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. at the First Parish Church in Weston (349 Boston Post Rd., Weston) join MetroWest Climate Solutions and special guest Rev. Mariama White-Hammond for “City and Suburbs: Addressing Climate Change and Equity Together,” a discussion on the intersection of climate change and questions of equity. A lifelong resident, pastor, and activist in Boston, Rev. Mariama will explore the question of how residents of the suburbs can most effectively take action to promote greater climate equity. If you prefer to join us online, click here to register.

Rev. White-Hammond was appointed as the City of Boston’s Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space in April 2021. She has supported the amendment of the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) to set carbon targets for existing large buildings and convened a city-led green jobs program. This event is supported by the First Parish in Lincoln, the First Parish in Wayland’s Lydia Maria Child Fund, and the First Parish Church in Weston.

Talk on Operation Desert Storm

Learn more about Operation Desert Storm from U.S. Army veteran Robert Lewis on Friday, May 12 at 3 p.m. in Bemis Hall. He’ll examine how deception played a key role and show actual leaflets used during one of the shortest and least costly of America’s military victories. Sponsored by the Lincoln Council on Aging & Human Services.

Ag Commission seeks new members

The Lincoln Agricultural Commission is seeking new members. The commission provides leadership, technical guidance, vision, planning, and coordination to support new and ongoing agricultural opportunities in town and foster strong community and regional support that will work to create a sustainable agricultural community in Lincoln. For more information, email louisebergeron@earthlink.net.

Edward F. Koehler, 1930–2023

Ed Koehler

Edward Franklin Koehler, age 92, of Lincoln, died peacefully at home on April 27, 2023 Koehler was larger than life. He was an architect and artist whose work can be seen over five continents. His art included numerous album covers and murals. He was particularly proud of his final murals created for the Veterans Administration in Bedford. He was an arts and sports enthusiast who revered Stan Kenton, Frank Lloyd Wright, Modigiliani, Humphrey Bogart, the New York Giants, and the Boston Celtics. He had a lifelong passion for Native American people and their causes. His enthusiasm was contagious. He impacted all who knew him.   

Koehler was born in Springfield, Mass., on August 29, 1930 and graduated from the University of Illinois before serving as a decorated Korean War veteran. He was prouder of his Combat Infantryman’s Badge than his Bronze Medal. 

Ed leaves behind his children, Art and Debbie Koehler of Harvard; Chuck and Karen Koehler of Mattapoisett, Michael Koehler and Abby Goldstein of Brooklyn, N.Y., Laura Koehler and Cary Pepper of San Francisco, Lee Koehler and Brian Ward of Rockport, and Jeanie Koehler and Ron Rice of Concord. He was the husband for 57 years of the late Meg Koehler, father of the late Niki Koehler, and brother of the late Paul Fox Koehler. 

Perhaps his greatest impact is his lasting influence on his seven children, seven grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren (with two more coming). He always loved his time with “the little ones.” 

Family and friends will gather for visiting hours in the Dee Funeral Home (27 Bedford St., Concord) on Wednesday, May 3 from 5–7 p.m. His funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 4 at 11 a.m. in the Farrar Chapel at Dee Funeral Home. Burial will follow with U.S. Army military honors at Lincoln Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory made be made to the American Indian College Fund or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  

Arrangements are entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord, which provided this obituary. To share a remembrance or to offer a condolence in Ed’s online guestbook, please click here.

Minute Man NHP being spruced up for 250th anniversary

One of the worn signs at Minute Man National Historical Park that will be upgraded.

Minute Man National Historical Park is in the early stages of getting a $27 million facelift, due to be finished in time for the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution in 2025.

The grant from the Great American Outdoors Act will fund repairs to the park’s buildings, structures, landscape, trails, signage, monuments, and statues. Phase 1 of the project includes interior and exterior rehabilitation and preservation work on 16 historic structures, including the repair or upgrade of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems in buildings including the 1740 Elisha Jones house and the 1692 Capt. William Smith House.

The Battle Road will also be repaired, and the landscaping will also get attention, such as pruning and replanting, repairing stone walls, and improving the “views and vistas,” according to this video about the project that began late last year.

In 2021, the park had 983,000 visitors who spent an estimated $64 million in local communities, according to the National Park Service.

Community center architects zero in on space needs

At an April 25 forum, ICON Architecture presented some preliminary figures for how much space would be required in a community center to accommodate the current needs of its two primary users. Based on those numbers, Principal Architect Ned Collier said they were “heading in the direction” of the 75% price option.

ICON is working on its charge from the town to develop design options at 50%, 75%, and 100% of the $26 million cost estimate from November 2022 based on a pair of 2018 design concepts by Maryann Thomson Architects (the square footages could not be immediately ascertained). Collier said a 100% option “might reflect more desires of the community vs. basic needs” and didn’t have an immediate answer for what a 50% option would look like in terms of capacity.

ICON estimates that the Parks & Recreation Department (PRD), the Council on Aging & Human Services, and LEAP will need about 18,000 gross square feet of space (the usable program spaces plus corridors, bathrooms, stairs, etc.). LEAP would require another 5,000 square feet in either new construction or in a renovated pod. The total gross square footage comes to 25,000 square feet, which would meet the current needs but does not account for future growth in programs and usage.

The current space used by the COA&HS is inadequate in both size and quality, but their initial square footage estimates have been “pared down” during ICON’s work this far, Collier said. As for the PRD, “the issue is the state of the building they’re in, not necessarily that they’re woefully short on space for program needs,” he said. “This is quantifying pretty much what they have now.”

In the coming weeks and over the summer, ICON will begin to formulate cost estimates for residents to consider at a Special Town Meeting in November 2023. “The team will need guidance on tradeoffs” based on residents’ priorities, said Community Center Building Committee member Tim Christenfeld. Some of those priorities, such as energy efficiency, were revealed in the 593 answers from a recent survey. The CCBC presented demographic and quantitative results from the survey’s nine ranked questions, but there were also 400 comments that the group promised to summarize and post on its website.

Residents asked a number of questions, including how many people use the spaces now, and what other spaces in town can be used for programs, including the basement of Bemis Hall, which was renovated in 2016 as a temporary measure to give the COA (now the COA&HS) more space. COA&HS Director Abby Butt noted that “the basement has terrible air quality” and the handicapped bathrooms on that floor “are about as far from the entrance as you can possibly hope to get.”

At the next CCBC public forum in May, architects will report on their analysis of the Hartwell campus site, including traffic circulation issues.

News acorns

Grants available to farmers who supply food pantry

The Lincoln Agricultural Commission is offering grants to Lincoln farmers to provide food for the Lincoln/Weston food pantry. This program allows the farmers to get money at the beginning of the season and deliver much-wanted fresh produce, eggs, etc., to the pantry. If you’re interested and produce enough of a given item to provide shares for about 150 people, please contact Louise Bergeron (louisebergeron@earthlink.net) or Karen Seo (kseo@alum.mit.edu) for an application or more information.

Parents’ nights out: “Conversations on Tap”

Leaders from the First Parish in Lincoln will pilot a series of “Conversations on Tap” gatherings over drinks and snacks at the Tack Room (145 Lincoln Rd.) focused on supporting and connecting parents through meaningful conversations. Open to the wider community — all spiritual backgrounds (and none) are welcome.

The discussion on Monday, May 1 from 7:30–9 p.m. with FPL co-minister Rev. Kit Novotny will be geared towards parents of toddlers and school-aged kids. The topic is “When Kids Ask Tough Questions,” sharing stories about the big questions that kids grapple with from a young age such as “Why do we die, and what happens when we die? What’s the future of our planet? Why is there injustice and racism? Where do babies come from? Is God real?” We’ll reflect on our role as parents in confronting big emotions and navigating our own uncertainties, values, and discomfort.

The event on Monday, May 22 from 7:30–9 p.m. with FPL co-minister Rev. Nate Klug will focus on “Launching Kids and Letting Go” for parents of older kids, teens, and young adults. We’ll dwell together on that tender (sometimes abrupt, sometimes extended) threshold of launching teens and adult children to college and/or next life chapters, and the various challenges and joys that go along with this monumental shift. All are welcome, including parents of current high school seniors, as well as parents of young adults continuing to navigate the push-pull of connection and independence.

Test-ride an e-bike

Come try out an e-bike and learn about a less expensive, greener, and more fun alternative for your transportation needs on Wednesday, May 3 from 6–7:30 p.m. at the Brooks gym parking lot (or inside the gym in event of rain). Jason Paige, co-owner of Wheelworks, will come with an array of e-bikes of different styles and sizes for you to test-ride. The Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Committee will also feature a panel of e-bike users whose motivations include a greener way to get around, staying fit while aging, riding with a faster spouse, or climbing hills on the way to work that would otherwise make one sweaty. Helmets available as needed. Demo open to adults aged 18+.

Gardening workshops focus on biodiversity

Lincoln Common Ground is hosting two gardening workshops this spring: “Biodiversity in Bloom” with eco-gardener Diana Rice-Sheahan on Sunday, May 7 from 2–4 p.m. at 219 Concord Rd., and “Insect-Friendly Gardens” with eco-gardener Robin Wilkerson on Sunday, June 4 from 2–4 p.m. at 31 Old Winter St.

On May 7, learn how to promote biodiversity in your yard by using materials you have on hand. When you remove an invasive shrub, replace it with a native shrub that will thrive. Cardboard and mulch one small patch of invasives and encourage rowdy, less loved native plant “party crashers” into your designed native plant gardens to knit together a layered team of plants that keep invasives at bay. Click here for information and registration. On June 4, come to Wilkerson’s garden sanctuary where has been gardening for years to create a diverse habitat for birds, bees and butterflies to learn her methods for gardening to support the ecosystem. Click here for information and registration.

Author talk: Lincoln’s Elizabeth Graver on “Kantika”

Lincoln author Elizabeth Graver and Judy Bolton-Fassman will discuss Graver’s latest novel, Kantika, on Wednesday, May 17 from 7–8:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. Kantika is a dazzling Sephardic multigenerational saga that moves from Istanbul to Barcelona, Havana, and New York, exploring displacement, endurance, and family as home, inspired by the story of Graver’s grandmother, Rebecca née Cohen Baruch Levy. Copies of the book will be on sale at the event.

Graver’s fourth novel, The End of the Point, was long-listed for the 2013 National Book Award in Fiction and selected as a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Her other novels are Awake, The Honey Thief, and Unravelling.

Downsize for Diversity evolves to raise funds for Boston initiative

The Lincoln MCC’s Joanna Schmergel interviewed for a piece on WBZ-TV that was broadcast on April 10.

After pulling in $170,000 in its earlier incarnation, Downsize for Diversity ART (Anti-Racists Together) is continuing to raise money for METCO in Lincoln in partnership with Boston Bridges Initiative — and the effort made the evening news recently.

From 2017-2022, Downsize for Diversity collected donated items including paintings, furniture, carpets, fine china, linens, dolls, estate jewelry, antiques, and other curiosities and sold them, with the proceeds going to Lincoln’s METCO Coordinating Committee. “I thought it was time to take Downsize for Diversity to another platform to see if it can spread and pollinate in other towns,” said METCO Coordinating Committee (MCC) fundraising chair Joanna Schmergel, who spearheaded DforD. Schmergel now heads up DforD ART, which is a scaled-down version of  DforD that accepts and sells only donated artwork and sculpture. She welcomes anyone who would like to help with or take over that effort, or who’d like help establish a similar fundraising effort in another town.

The Boston Bridges Initiative is a nonprofit that offers grants to programs that foster cross-racial social interaction and understanding between urban and suburban students. Its reach extends beyond the 29 towns that currently participate in METCO. DforD ART has raised $17,000 for the initiative thus far.

Interest from the fund established by the DforD sales covers about 30% of the annual need for financial aid to help METCO-enrolled students attend Lincoln Summer Day Camp, supplemented by other monetary donations. “Last year, applications [for financial aid] were so high that even though we were able to increase our giving amount, we still didn’t fully fund applications for financial aid from METCO-enrolled students,” said MCC President Kristen Ferris.

News acorns

Climate Action Plan forum for renters/condo owners

The Climate Action Planning team will host a community coffee hour on Tuesday, April 25 from 9:30–10:30 a.m. at the Rural Land Foundation office above the Lincoln Post Office at the mall. The focus of this discussion will be to hear from residents who are renters and condo owners about their concerns and priorities related to climate impacts and strategies for the Climate Action Plan. However, all members of the community are welcome. Please RSVP to curtinj@lincolntown.org if you plan on attending so we know to bring enough refreshments, but feel free to walk in as well. 

Nature journaling event for kids

The Lincoln Public Library invites children in grades 4-6 to a natural treasure hunt with author and educator Clare Walker Leslie on Thursday, April 27 at 4 p.m. Learn how to observe and preserve your thoughts about the natural world by creating a beautiful journal that integrates science, art, math, and writing. Clare’s nature journaling method inspires students to draw conclusions and make observations that instill a respect for the natural world around us and promote conservation into the future. This program will include classroom instruction and a low intensity outdoor walk, weather permitting. Leslie’s books will be available to purchase at the event. Space is limited; please email sfeather@minlib.net to register. The program is funded thanks to a partnership between the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

Sen. Mike Barrett comes to Lincoln on April 30

The Lincoln Democratic Town Committee invites all Lincoln residents regardless of political affiliation to join State Sen. Mike Barrett in conversation on Sunday, April 30 at 4 p.m. in Bemis Hall (sign-in will begin at 3:45 p.m.). Barrett, who has represented Lincoln since 2012, is coauthor of the legislature’s groundbreaking 2022 climate change law and is knowledgeable on issues that concern Lincoln residents. He’ll discuss his priorities and interests and answer questions.

Donate items for domestic violence victims

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites you to help families transitioning from a shelter or transitional housing establish a new home by donating new household items or gift cards during its annual Shower for Shelters campaign. All gifts collected will be donated to clients of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. New unwrapped gifts may be dropped off at Spirits of Maynard (4 Digital Way, Suite 3, Maynard) or at Sudbury Wine and Spirits (410 Boston Post Rd., Sudbury) through Friday, May 5. Requested items include diapers, twin-size comforters, sheets and pillowcases, bed pillows, towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, small kitchen appliances, and other household items. Gift cards ($20-$50) for Target, Walmart, CVS, Market Basket, Hannaford’s, Stop and Shop are also welcome.

Celtic music concert at First Parish

The First Parish in Lincoln will host a Celtic celebration concert with Celtic musicians Katie McNally, Caitlin Finely, Neil Perlman, and Will Woodson playing fiddle, keyboard, flute, and pipes at the Parish Hall (14 Bedford Rd.) Sunday, May 7 from 4-5:30 p.m. Great fiddle, keyboard, flute and pipes! FPL music/concert director Miranda Loud has organized this first concert in our Live in Lincoln Center series for 2023. Tickets must be purchased in advance online ($20 for adults, $12 for children 2 and under). Questions? Email Joan Mansfield, chair of the FPL Music Committee, at joanfmansfield@gmail.com.    

“Why Do Birds Matter?” on May 9

Birds have long been recognized as indicators of environmental change and the malign effects of pollution and habitat degradation, or used to assess the beneficial effectiveness of conservation and habitat restoration. Watch the “Why do Birds Matter? webinar with the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust and Trevor Lloyd-Evans on Tuesday, May 9 at 7 p.m. Lloyd-Evans is the retired vice president of the Manomet Bird Observatory and continues today as a senior fellow. Over the years he has worked at conservation research and education in avian biology, ecology, evolution, and habitat analysis. Click here for more information and registration.

Gardening workshops focus on biodiversity

Lincoln Common Ground is hosting two gardening workshops this spring: “Biodiversity in Bloom” with eco-gardener Diana Rice-Sheahan on Sunday, May 7 from 2–4 p.m. at 219 Concord Rd., and “Insect-Friendly Gardens” with eco-gardener Robin Wilkerson on Sunday, June 4 from 2–4 p.m. at 31 Old Winter St.

On May 7, learn how to promote biodiversity in your yard by using materials you have on hand. When you remove an invasive shrub, replace it with a native shrub that will thrive. Cardboard and mulch one small patch of invasives and encourage rowdy, less loved native plant “party crashers” into your designed native plant gardens to knit together a layered team of plants that keep invasives at bay. Click here for information and registration. On June 4, come to organic gardener Wilkerson’s garden sanctuary where has been gardening for years to create a diverse habitat for birds, bees and butterflies to learn her methods for gardening to support the ecosystem. Click here for information and registration.

Play softball this summer in Lincoln

Registration is now open for the Lincoln Co-Ed Summer Softball League for players 18 and older. Games will be on Sundays starting Sunday, May 14 and will expand to Sunday/Monday/Thursday starting June 25 at Codman Field. Check out our website, peruse our team pages, and register for one of our teams (or bring your own!). We currently have four teams, each with their own personality: Chiefs, Mighty Knights, Trailblazers, and Ottoman Umpires. Registration is $40 (10% discount for registering before May 31).

Meet “Portraits of Dementia” photographer

Joe Wallace and his mother Barbara.

An exhibit featuring local photographer Joe Wallace presented by the Liberty Alzheimer’s Partnership will kick off with a reception in Bemis Hall on Thursday, May 18 from 2-3:30 p.m. Joe will share the story of his book and traveling exhibit, “Portraits of Dementia,” created to destigmatize those living with dementia. Trained as a journalist, Wallace has been a portrait photographer and storyteller for 20 years, and like many, he has a deeply personal connection with dementia: both his material grandparents had dementia, and in recent years, his mother Barbara has begun her journey with the disease. Space is limited; please RSVP by calling the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 helpline at 800-272-3900.

Police log for April 10–18, 2023

April 10

Beaver Pond Road (6:28 p.m.) — A resident called regarding National Grid working nearby. The resident was advised to contact National Grid.

Battle Road Farm, Old Bedford Road (6:47 p.m.) — A resident called reporting a possible suspicious item in their yard. An officer responded and determined that the item was trash that had blown into the yard.

South Great Road (7:01 p.m.) — A motor vehicle collided with a dog on South Great Road by the Mt. Misery parking lot.

Beaver Pond Road (7:41 p.m.) — A resident requested an officer due to National Grid vehicles parked on the roadway. An officer responded and spoke to the National Grid employees, who were able to move their vehicles further down the roadway.

Wells Road (8:20 p.m.) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas in the area. The Fire Department responded and vented the building.

April 11

Brooks Hill Road (11:19 a.m.) — A caller reported observing two females walking topless on a conservation trail in close proximity to their residence. An officer was able to identify the females a short distance away and advised them that they could not walk the trails topless.

Summer Street, Maynard (12:55 p.m.) — The Lincoln Fire Department responded for mutual aid for ongoing brush fires.

Old Concord Road (1:19 p.m.) — A caller reported an item had been stolen from their mailbox.

Weston Road (2:28 p.m.) — The DPW asked Verizon to inspect a cracked utility pole.

Old Bedford Road (6:50 p.m.) — Report of a female walking in the middle of the roadway yelling at vehicles. Police checked the area and were unable to locate her.

South Great Road (7:14 p.m.) — A passing motorist called to report a small unattended child walking along side the road. An officer checked the area and located a family with several children in close proximity to adults.

April 12

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:24 a.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle that had pulled over. The operator was resting and was soon on their way.

South Great Road (4:18 a.m.) — A motorist reported that the railroad gates were stuck in the down position. Officer checked the other railroad crossings; there were no other issues. Keolis was on scene a short time later performing tests on the gates.

South Great Road (7:56 a.m.) — A deceased deer was reported along the roadside of South Great Road. An officer located the deceased animal and notified the DPW for removal.

Old Winter Street (8:02 a.m.) — An officer spoke to a resident seeking to file a police report.

Lincoln Road (3:57 p.m.) — The Fire Department assisted a resident with a residential lockout.

Meadowdam Road (4:02 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a resident regarding a false unemployment claim made in their name.

Tack Room restaurant (5:06 p.m.) — The Fire Department assisted employees with flooding in the basement.

April 13

Walden St., Concord (3:09 p.m.) — The Fire Department responded for mutual aid related to a motor vehicle crash.

South Great Road (4:32 p.m.) — A caller requested assistance with removal of a deceased raccoon from their yard. The contact information for Animal Control was provided.

Trapelo Road (6:50 p.m.) — Two individuals were advised not to fish at the Cambridge Reservoir.

South Great Road (9:59 p.m.) — A vehicle struck a tree and the operator was subsequently transported to the hospital for injuries sustained in the crash. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The operator was issued a citation for unlicensed operation and a marked lanes violation.

April 14

North Great Road (6:32 a.m.) — A motor vehicle-vs.-bicycle crash was reported. The cyclist was transported to the hospital. The operator of the vehicle was issued a citation for failing to slow when approaching a cyclist.

Canoe parking lot, 24 South Great Road (12:43 p.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual who was urinating in the overflow lot.

Lincoln Road (12:57 p.m.) — Police and fire units responded for a residential lockout.

Smith Road, Northborough (2:07 p.m.) — A Lincoln Fire Department brush truck responded for mutual aid to assist with ongoing brush fires.

Codman Road (2:50 p.m.) — A caller reported they had become separated from their spouse on the conservation trails. Police units were dispatched to the area. A short time later, it was reported that the two had been reunited.

Trapelo Road (3:33 p.m.) — A motorist reported seeing several individuals fishing in the Cambridge Reservoir. An officer responded, spoke to the individuals, and advised them that fishing was not allowed.

Old Sudbury Road (4:01 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a resident about a possible fraud incident.

South Great Road (4:48 p.m.) — A motorist spoke to an officer about a minor motor vehicle crash that had happened in the past. The motorist was advised to fill out a report.

South Great Road (9:07 p.m.) — Several callers reported the railroad gates at South Great Road were stuck in the down position for approximately 30 minutes. Keolis was notified.

Lexington Road (9:22 p.m.) — A resident reported seeing flames in the back yard of a neighboring residence. They reported the flames appeared to have been extinguished prior to the Fire Department’s arrival.

April 15

Transfer station (8:31 a.m.) — A minor motor vehicle crash occurred when a vehicle struck a dumpster.

Lyman Street, Berlin (12:18 p.m.) — The Fire Department responded for mutual aid for a residential explosion.

Bedford Road (12:29 p.m.) — A family member called for a well-being check. Contact was made with both parties.

Donelan’s Supermarket (2:09 p.m.) — A caller notified the police of a dog in a parked car in the Donelan’s lot. An officer arrived and spoke to the operator, advising them not to leave an unattended animal in their vehicle.

Sandy Pond Road (7:52 p.m.) — A caller reported an individual fishing at Flint’s Pond. An officer checked but was unable to locate anyone in the area.

April 16

Trapelo Road (3:49 p.m.) — A group of youths were advised not to fish at the Cambridge Reservoir.

Old County Road (4:05 p.m.) — A group that was fishing at the Cambridge Reservoir were advised to move from the area.

Bedford Road (6:01 p.m.) — Officers were dispatched to stop traffic for an annual reenactment.

Bedford Road (8:22 p.m.) — A resident reported that a neighbor’s dog attacked one of their chickens. An officer responded and spoke with the parties.

Town moves forward with firm to build solar installation at landfill

After years of stops and starts, solar panels may finally start appearing on the capped town landfill in late 2024. 

The town recently selected HESP Solar of Montvale, N.J., to build a solar voltaic facility that will provide 1 MW of electricity, which is about what’s needed to power town-owned buildings excluding the schools. The electricity will go directly to the electrical grid and the town will receive income from a power purchase agreement (PPA).

Although the firm is not based in Massachusetts, during the bid process they brought in a Massachusetts attorney to better understand the Commonwealth’s regulatory and incentive processes, an electrical engineering firm that has built solar projects atop landfills in the past, and a geotechnical firm to learn more about the landfill, said consultant Beth Greenblatt at the March 20 Select Board meeting. Greenblatt works for Beacon Integrated Solutions, which was also involved in creating the PPA for the Lincoln School’s solar installation.

“They will work to accommodate the town in all ways possible. I think they’ll be a very good partner for the town,” she said.

Lincoln won’t have to pay anything and will actually see three revenue streams from the deal. In addition to income from the PPA in the form of electricity savings — estimated at $170,000 to $200,000 per year — HESP Solar will make lease payments for use of the land and PILOT (payments in lieu of taxes) for their personal property on the site.

“Financially it’s an attractive proposition for the town,” observed Town Administrator Tim Higgins.The project was slowed by several factors including the pandemic and lengthy negotiations with Minute Man National Historical Park. The park owns the right of way on either side of Route 2A, so the town needed their approval to install power lines from the landfill out to the road. Before the facility can go on line, the interconnection process will need multiple approvals including Eversource and MassDEP, which will permit reuse of the landfill. Construction contracts could be signed in about a year.