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

Legal notice: ZBA (141 South Great, 29 Lincoln)

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7:00 P.M to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Almut Werminghausen, 141 South Great Rd., M/P 173-12-0 for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.

Jane O’Rourke, 29 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-4-0 for a special permit to build a 8’ x 12” shed and roof canopy over front door. 

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Legal notice: Planning Board public hearing (wetlands)

LEGAL NOTICE — PLANNING BOARD

In accordance with the provisions of MGL, Chapter 40A, Section 5, the Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, at 7:00pm to review the following proposed changes to the Lincoln Zoning Bylaw:

  • Amend the town’s Zoning Bylaw, Section 12.2, W-Wetland and Watershed Protection District, by deleting the section in its entirety.

The section is proposed to be deleted because it has been superseded by current wetlands permitting and is therefore obsolete.

Details of the proposed changes are also available in the Planning Department, Town Offices, 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln, Massachusetts, between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday. Copies will be provided upon request.

This meeting of the Planning Board will be held in a hybrid manner pursuant to Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2025 which extends through June 30, 2027 the ability of public bodies to meet in a fully remote or hybrid manner. This meeting will be converted to a fully remote meeting if the weather so dictates and appropriate notice will be provided. The agenda with the Zoom information will be posted to the town website at lincolntown.org/calendar two days prior to the hearing date.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

News acorns

Town offices closed Monday

All non-essential town departments/offices will be closed Monday due to the snowstorm. Some of our employees will be available by e-mail. Normal hours of operation will resume Tuesday morning.

The public safety and public works operations will be fully staffed throughout the storm. The Public Works Department can be reached at 259-8999. The Police Department can be reached at 259-8113 for routine matters (and of course, for emergencies, dial 911). In case of power outages, our public safety team will attempt to coordinate with Eversource to ensure that any emergency conditions receive priority attention.

Activities hosted by the library

“Creating a Modern Homestead”
Monday, Jan. 26 from 7:00–8:00 pm via Zoom
Modern-day homesteader, blogger, and author Victoria Pruett will chat about her book Creating a Modern Homestead: Traditional Skills for Real, Everyday Life. She’ll walk through various aspects of homesteading and cover simple life changes to get closer to nature and less dependent on large commercial organizations. This program is in partnership with the Ashland Public Library. Register here.

The Dudleys and the Howards with Authors Joanne Paul and Nicola Clark
Thursday, Jan. 29 from 10:00–11:30am via Zoom
Join authors and historians Joanne Paul and Nicola Clark as they discuss their books, The House of Dudley:  New History of Tudor England and The Waiting Game: The Untold Story of the Women Who Served the Tudor Queens. This program is in partnership with the Ashland Public Library. More information and registration here.

February Fiddle Fun
Saturday, Feb. 7 from 2:00–2:45pm, Tarbell Room
Fiddlers Julia Sullivan and Alanna Widman will play music from Ireland and other Celtic countries. Julia and Alanna (Tryder) both grew up in Lincoln and they have been fiddling since they were 5. Julia’s sons Finbar and Owen will make a special appearance, as will Alanna’s son Walter. This event is designed for families, but music lovers of all ages are welcome.

Steve Heck with Teri Coate at next LOMA

Steve Heck

Noted piano player Steve Heck with Teri Coate are the headliners at the next Lincoln Open Mic Acoustic (LOMA) on Monday, Feb. 9 from 7–10 p.m. in Bemis Hall. Here’s a video of him at Berklee College with Chris Emkey playing an intricate, boogie-woogie duet, “Rockin’ Pneumonia.” 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 (email loma3re@gmail.com to sign up) or just come listen to acoustic music and spoken word. Free admission.

Weston Nurseries on South Great Road has closed for good

Weston Nurseries, formerly Stonegate Gardens. (Photo courtesy Weston Nurseries)

Weston Nurseries has announced it will be closing the former Stonegate Gardens on South Great Road it took over in 2023 on a two-year lease.

Bruce MacDowell and his late wife Lynne Bower-MacDowell ran Stonegate Gardens for nearly 25 years, succeeding McKnight’s Nursery. Bower-MacDowell died in March 2023 and Bruce eventually asked Weston Nurseries to assume operation of the business. That company leased the property in January 2024 with an option to terminate in 2026, according to Weston Nurseries president Peter Mezitt.

The timing wasn’t ideal since the usual timeframe for ordering the next year’s plants had already passed.  “We’re very close to Bruce and Lynne,” Mezitt said. “For us to make a decision like that wasn’t easy at all, but we felt obligated to keep it open… we realized what an asset it is to the local area and we hope it can still be a garden center in the future.”

Part of the issue was that Stonegate Gardens and Weston Nurseries had different business models. Stonegate offered home visits for plantings and plant care while Weston Nurseries, (which has locations in Hopkinton, Chelmsford, Hingham, and Middleborough), did not, “and it’s important for our brand to be consistent throughout our company,” Mezitt said. “When we went into it at the last minute, we knew it didn’t fit our model… and the revenue wasn’t where it needed to be

The closure is not a reflection on the staff, who have been offered jobs in other locations, he emphasized.

Stonegate Gardens occupies one of four adjacent lots owned by MacDowell. He lives in the home on the parcel directly abutting the Weston town line.

Weston Nurseries was founded in 1923 and is in its fourth generation of Mezitt family ownership.

My Turn: McCLure is running for L-S School Committee

By Jason McClure

I want to announce that I’m running for Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School Committee to succeed Lucy Maulsby, who is stepping down after three years of thoughtful and dedicated service to the school and our community.

For those who don’t know me, I’ll share a bit of my background. My wife Tessa and I moved to Lincoln in 2022 from St. Louis and have two children at L-S. The high school was a major factor in our decision to live in the area, and I am heavily invested in its success.

While here, I’ve been involved in Lincoln Youth Soccer, First Parish Teen Service Committee, L-S Graduation Late Night and the Lincoln School promotion committee, which helped restore the D.C. trip for Lincoln’s eighth-graders.

You might have also seen me marching in the Lincoln Fourth of July parade with the Lincoln Minutemen, flipping burgers at L-S football games, or chasing fly balls in the Lincoln Co-ed Softball League.

Professionally, I’m a journalist for a nonprofit investigative news outlet that covers global health. Previously, I worked for Bloomberg News, Reuters and a number of other media organizations. I also taught journalism for six years at the University of Missouri.

I believe that L-S is an amazing school, and I want to help sustain its momentum. If elected, my priorities would be to:

  • Support L-S’s diverse course offerings that allow our teachers to teach classes they’re passionate about and give our students course options that rival those at many colleges.
  • Bolster initiatives that foster community at L-S among students of different grades and backgrounds.
  • Aid the school committee’s commitment to transparency and open communication with staff, parents, students and the community.
  • Work to keep the L-S Regional School District on a sound financial footing.

The district faces challenges that will require careful planning. The school’s roof requires a major repair or replacement that will likely necessitate a new bond issue. Federal funding for our special education programs is uncertain due to changes in Washington, D.C. Like many public schools, L-S’s enrollment has been gradually declining, necessitating spending and staffing adjustments.

If elected, I’m committed to addressing such issues with the long-term health of our high school in mind ­– while remaining mindful of the growth of property taxes.

I’ll work to continue the current committee’s record of collaboration, respect for differing viewpoints and reasoned debate. Finally, I’m eager to hear your thoughts on how we can improve our school and how the committee can better serve the community.  Please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at  jmclure@yahoo.com. I would be grateful for your support at the polls on Monday, March 30.

Jason McClure
191 Concord Road, Lincoln

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. 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: Historic District Commission (several)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION

The Historic District Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, to consider the following applications. Anyone wishing to be heard on these matters should be present at the designated time and place.

  • Jane O’Rourke, 29 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-4-0, to replace the existing roof and build a new shed in the backyard.
  • Codman Community Farms, 58 Codman Rd., M/P 161-23-0, to make alterations to Barn B to support converting the store to this location, adding a timber canopy, new storefront, loading dock and new windows.
  • Historic New England, Gropius House, 68 Baker Bridge Rd., M/P 141-1-0, to replace the thirty year old roof with a EPDM rubber roof on the main house and Ati’s porch, and repairs to the porch decking.
  • Elinor Hardigg, 99 Tower Rd., M/P 170-27-0, to remove an existing shed.
  • Donald and Regina Halsted, 145 Tower Rd., M/P 180-21-0, to add a garage, restore front entrance, add a connector to the garage, window bump out and remediate and preserve the barn.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Legal notice: ZBA (141 South Great, 29 Lincoln)

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7:00 P.M to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

Almut Werminghausen, 141 South Great Rd., M/P 173-12-0 for renewal of a special permit for an accessory apartment.

Jane O’Rourke, 29 Lincoln Rd., M/P 143-4-0 for a special permit to build a 8’ x 12” shed and roof canopy over front door. 

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.

Police log for Jan. 7–20, 2026

January 7

Nothing of note.

January 8

Moccasin Hill (7:28pm) — A officer spoke with a person regarding an ongoing civil matter.

South Great Road (5:54pm) — Officers assisted a person in reporting several missing items.

Baker Bridge Road (3:37pm) — A caller reported a utility wire down in the road. The Fire Department moved the wire and notified the utility company.

Hanscom Drive (2:00pm) — An officer responded to Hanscom Air Force Base to assist Hanscom Security Forces.

January 9

Sweet Bay Lane (6:18am) — Officers checked the area at the request of an outside agency for a possible missing person. The person was not at the address provided.

Donelan’s Supermarket (3:22pm) — An officer checked the area for a person who was approaching customers and asking to do body work on their vehicles. An officer was unable to locate the person.

Marrett Street (2:40pm) — A person spoke to an officer regarding a missing/destroyed item.

Stratford Way (4:27pm) — Officers responded to a residence at the request of the homeowner who reported suspicious activity.

Fox Run Road (5:17pm) — An officer spoke to a person about a missing item.

January 10

Concord Road (7:19am) — A motorist reported slick roads in the area. The DPW was notified.

Stratford Way (1:52pm) — An officer followed up with a resident regarding a past call for service to the area.

January 11

Mill Street (11:21am) — A caller asked an officer to stand by while they retrieved some items from a work site.

Silver Birch Lane (1:25pm) — The police received two reports of a dog running loose in the area. The Animal Control Officer was notified.

Mill Street (4:47pm) — A caller requested that an officer respond to a work site due to an ongoing civil matter.

January 12

Hanscom Drive (8:11am) — Hanscom Security Forces called requesting assistance with a person who had taken a vehicle without the owner’s permission. Officers followed up with the owner of the vehicle and the police department where the vehicle was taken.

Round Hill Road (3:52pm) — A caller reported that a possibly fraudulent check had been cashed. An investigation is ongoing.

South Commons (7:38pm) — A caller spoke with an officer about a missing item from their home.

January 13

Nothing of note.

January 14

Scott Circle, Hanscom AFB (8:55am) — A person spoke to an officer regarding possible credit card fraud.

Old County Road (2:16pm) — An officer found a package that was apparently discarded. The package was brought to the appropriate address.

Davison Drive (4:15pm) — An officer attempted to serve court paperwork but was unsuccessful.

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (4:33pm) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a two-vehicle crash.

January 15

Davison Drive (9:46am) — An officer attempted to serve court paperwork but was unsuccessful.

Donelan’s Supermarket (3:06pm) — An officer spoke to the drivers of two vehicles that were involved in a hit-and-run.

Weston Road (3:52pm) — An officer checked the area for a runner who had an encounter with a motorist.

January 16

Mary’s Way (11:03am) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person. The person was not there but was eventually located, and everything was fine.

Andrews Circle, Hanscom AFB (9:08pm) — Officers assisted Hanscom Security Forces in searching for a missing person who had left the base. Lexington Police were able to locate the individual a short time later.

January 17

Fridolin Hill (2:25am) — A caller requested a well-being check on an overdue motorist. An officer found the vehicle and its occupant, Aidan Needleman, 23, of Halifax, MA. He was arrested for operating under the influence of liquor and was bailed a short time later and ordered to appear at Concord District Court on Jan. 20.

Lincoln Road (8:30am) — The MBTA called to notify that a disabled train was stuck at the Lincoln Road crossing. MBTA and an officer remained on scene until the train could be moved.

Weston Road (10:25am) — An officer spoke to a person regarding a stolen check/check-washing incident. An investigation is ongoing.

Concord Road (11:24am) — An officer spoke to a person about possible identity fraud.

Birchwood Lane (6:30pm) — An officer performed a well-being check on a person at the request of an outside agency.

Page Road (10:05pm) — A caller reported the odor of natural gas inside of their residence. The Fire Department determined the odor was coming from a boiler and advised the caller to contact a repair service.

January 18

South Great Road (8:47am) — The Lincoln Police and Fire Departments responded to Route 117 for a crash that occurred when a vehicle crossed the roadway and struck a tree. The operator, who was injured and transported to the hospital, was issued a citation for operating a motor vehicle without a license, speed, and a marked lanes violation.

January 19

Lincoln Library (1:13am) — The DPW called requesting assistance in moving a vehicle that was hindering snow removal operations.

Lincoln Road (3:02pm) — A caller reported the railroad gates appeared to be malfunctioning. An officer responded to the area and Keolis was called. A short time later, Keolis addressed the malfunctions at the Lincoln Road and Old Sudbury Road crossings.

Lincoln Road (6:05pm) — A person reported an observation related to an ongoing civil matter.

January 20

Hanscom Drive (8:56am) — Officers assisted Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces with a person suffering from a mental health crisis.

Davison Drive (1:32pm) — An officer was able to serve court paperwork.

South Great Road (6:26pm) — A caller reported a suspicious motor vehicle in the driveway. The vehicle was a delivery vehicle that was stuck in the snow, and the driver had made their own arrangements to free it.

Legal notice: Conservation Commission (infrastructure)

LEGAL NOTICE — CONSERVATION COMMISSION

The Lincoln Conservation Commission will be seeking public comments on January 28, 2026 at 7:05 p.m. regarding two infrastructure projects: (1) replacing the Lincoln Road/Stony Brook culvert to improve roadway safety, restore aquatic connectivity, and increase climate resilience and (2) constructing a boardwalk to improve a section of the Bay Circuit trail between the Lincoln Canoe Landing and main Mt. Misery parking lot along Route 117 (Parcel 159-20-0). Information on how to log onto the virtual public meeting will be included in the LCC Agenda posted on the town’s website at least 48 hours prior to the hearing.

Note that legal notices often must be posted twice by law. For previous legal notices and details on how to submit a legal notice to the Lincoln Squirrel, click here.