In the March 29 piece headlined “My Turn: See author Bill McKibben at the First Parish or on livestream,” the date and time of Bill McKibben’s talk was omitted. It will take place on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. The original article (which also includes the live-streaming link) has been updated.
My Turn: See author Bill McKibben at the First Parish or on livestream
By Barbara Slayter
If you live in Lincoln, chances are you are deeply concerned about the environment, distressed about the polarization afflicting our nation, alarmed about climate change, and disturbed about the rise of right-wing authoritarianism. Come hear Bill McKibben, who will discuss his childhood experiences and his reflection on transformations in our country as they are revealed in his latest book, The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks back at his Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened, on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. (event details below).
Bill McKibben is an eminent environmentalist, Professor of Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, and author of more than a dozen books, including the best sellers Falter: Has the Human Game Begun to Play Itself Out?, Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future, and The End of Nature, which was the first book to warn the general public about the climate crisis. Recipient of several prestigious prizes, he founded the global grassroots climate campaign 350.org, an international movement of ordinary people working to end the age of fossil fuels and build a world of community-led renewable energy for all. His new project, organizing people over 60 for progressive change, is called Third Act.
McKibben grew up next door in Lexington, where he moved when he was ten years old. He rapidly became enmeshed in Lexington’s cherished heritage of colonial farmer-patriots who fought to secure the independence of this country. He was confident in the patterns and certainties of his family’s participation in the Hancock United Church of Christ, an institution central to the religious life of his family. He reveled in the opportunities made possible in an affluent suburb by the automobile, the mechanism for connecting home, work, schools, church, shopping, vacations, and various and sundry other destinations.
Now, 50 years later, he is asking a lot of questions about past policies that shaped contemporary life in America. He is looking around at vast inequalities in wealth, an extraordinary dependence on fossil fuels, sharp racial injustices, and a widespread collapse of trust in our long-treasured institutions. He asks, “What went so suddenly sour with American patriotism, American faith and American prosperity?”
And we ask, how do McKibben’s questions, his experience, and his reflections relate to our small New England town? We may find that they do so in more ways than we could have imagined. Can we seize the opportunity to learn from this scholar/activist who is probing for ways that Americans – all of us — can build a sustainable and just future?
McKibben’s talk is on Sunday, April 2 at 3 p.m. Reservations are not required, so arrive early at the First Parish in Lincoln, go to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church to watch it simulcast live with others (enjoy light refreshments and informal discussion afterwards), or watch on livestream here. This event is sponsored by the First Parish in Lincoln and its committees: Racial Justice Advocates, Outreach, Green and Adult Education.
“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.
My Turn: CCBC has tight timeline for gathering public input
By Lynne Smith
(Editor’s note: writer Lynne Smith indicates her personal opinions in italics.)
The March 22 evening meeting of the Community Center Building Committee was disappointing for public attendees, many of whom hoped to hear detail on programming needs, alternate spaces, and a process for soliciting community opinion. About 30 Lincoln residents attended the meeting virtually and in person and were paying close attention. Committee Chair Sarah Chester started the meeting at 7 p.m. and opened it for public comments around 8 p.m.
The topics covered include the following.
- Timeline — The committee intends to have ICON, the architectural firm, design several options by June, spend the summer refining costs, and then do further review and refinement prior to a vote for a preferred choice at a fall 2023 Special Town Meeting. Apparently, much work has been happening behind the scenes. Now that the public is engaged, the committee needs to issue updates at the beginning of each meeting. It is late March and the timing seems tight for bringing the town into the discussion.
- Community survey and forum — The committee has not prepared a survey but hopes to create, conduct, analyze, and get the results back in time for a community forum on April 25. As Alison Taunton-Rigby of the Communications Subcommittee pointed out, these steps take about one month. During the meeting, the committee brainstormed whom to survey and what sorts of things would be included: Lincoln values, programming wishes, open-ended comments, raw feelings.
The subcommittee agreed to draft the survey at a public meeting on Wednesday, March 29 and mentioned that several other surveys would be conducted this spring, although no specifics were pinned down. There was little discussion of what the community forum would include other than a report by ICON and the survey results. When the meeting opened up to the public, attendees requested that the survey and the forum be used to give the community an opportunity to comment. This suddenly seemed to remind the committee that residents had opinions that should be solicited, both in survey form and in public meetings. To be meaningful, a survey needs thoughtful content and a large sample and a forum needs to attract a large audience. Both take time.
- “Stakeholders” and “open mic” night — The CCBC frequently used the term “stakeholders,” meaning COA&HS, Parks and Recreation Department (PRD), the School Committee, and liaisons from the Historical and Conservation Commissions. During public discussion, a consensus was reached that town organizations — such as the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the Lincoln Family Association — and ordinary citizens are also stakeholders. Consequently, the committee decided to give representatives from 20-30 town organizations and members of the public the opportunity to speak for two minutes or submit a written brief at the CCBC’s April 4 meeting. Assistant Town Administrator Dan Pereira offered to invite these representatives and post the invitation for the public. It appears that the committee will begin soliciting public outreach in April — tight timing as it is already late March.
- Programming needs and alternate spaces — The committee presented no analysis of programming needs. At the prior meeting on March 8, [Select Board member] Jonathan Dwyer and [Town Administrator] Tim Higgins reassured some of us that the committee would explore “existing available spaces” for programs, and the committee agreed that an inventory of potential available spaces would aid the architect. At this meeting, however, no mention was made of this until the public discussion. ICON architect Ned Collier said that Chester graciously gave him a “driving tour” of the school and other buildings around town. That sounds insufficient to the expressed desire of many people in town to see a full evaluation of these spaces and how they might be used to flesh out the program needs. It is time for the committee to share a programing analysis with the town as well as with the architect.
* * *
I believe a community center is more than a building — it is a coordinated set of activities and places for residents, both young and old. I want to see an analysis of programming needs and an inventory of available spaces that might serve those needs. I would vote for investment in a modest new building on the Hartwell site. I would also vote for an additional sum allocated to improvements/modifications to make existing spaces in Bemis Hall, Pierce House, and the Hartwell Pods more suitable for programs.
The CCBC and town staff may be hard at work on the community center, but this work needs to be more transparent to the town. Public meeting dates need to be announced broadly. I am on the CCBC mailing list but have yet to receive information about scheduled meetings. I urge residents to respond to the survey and attend the April 4 and April 25 meetings, when these opportunities are announced. I urge the committee to seek broad public input from the town prior to the vote next fall.
“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.
Newcomers win seats on School Committee, Planning Board
In the March 27 town election, Matina Madrick and Jacob Lehrhoff won the two open seats on the School Committee, beating out incumbent Adam Hogue and Peter Buchthal. In the other contested race, the two openings on the Planning Board went to incumbent Lynn DeLisi and Craig Nicholson.
Nicholson, who is currently a Planning Board alternate member, won the most votes (736) of the three candidates, followed by DeLisi at 602 and Mark Levinson at 417. Longtime member Bob Domnitz originally planned to run for reelection but subsequently dropped out and endorsed Levinson.
Lehrhoff and Madrick soundly defeated Buchthal and Hogue, a two-term incumbent who voted against the last school budget. Buchthal campaigned heavily on LincolnTalk and the PTO candidate forum on claims that Lincoln spends too much per student and that too many students are one or more grades behind in their studies. Lehrhoff received the second-highest vote total of the four even though he was not able to appear at the forum.
In an uncontested race at the top of the ticket, Kim Bodnar (currently School Building Committee vice chair) will take over for outgoing Select Board member Jonathan Dwyer.
Following are the unofficial results for the election. Scroll down for the uncontested Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee results, which resulted in victories for newcomers Lucy Maulsby of Lincoln and Ravi Simon of Sudbury.
- School Committee candidate Q&A
- Planning Board candidate Q&A
- Uncontested candidate Q&A (partial)
- PTO candidate forum
- “My Turn” posts by and about the candidates
| Offices & Candidates | Prec. 1 | Prec. 2 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select Board | |||
| Kimberly A. Bodnar | 592 | 332 | 924 |
| Write-ins | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Blank | 148 | 90 | 238 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Board of Assessors | |||
| Ellen B. Meadors | 584 | 319 | 903 |
| Write-ins | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Blank | 156 | 107 | 263 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Board of Health | |||
| Frederick Lawton Mansfield | 575 | 314 | 889 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Blank | 166 | 111 | 277 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Cemetery Commissioner | |||
| Manley B. Boyce | 592 | 319 | 911 |
| Write-ins | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Blank | 147 | 106 | 253 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Commissioner of Trust Funds | |||
| Derek Paul Fitzgerald | 562 | 301 | 863 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Blank | 179 | 125 | 304 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Housing Commission (3-year term) | |||
| Neil Michael Feinberg | 518 | 299 | 817 |
| Write-ins | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Blank | 220 | 124 | 344 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Housing Commission (2-year term) | |||
| Julie A. Brogan | 563 | 306 | 869 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Blank | 178 | 120 | 298 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Moderator | |||
| Sarah Cannon Holden | 579 | 318 | 897 |
| Write-ins | 13 | 10 | 23 |
| Blank | 150 | 99 | 249 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Parks and Recreation Committee | |||
| Robert Stringer | 574 | 313 | 887 |
| Write-ins | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Blank | 166 | 112 | 278 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Planning Board | |||
| Lynn E. Delisi | 394 | 208 | 602 |
| Mark Levinson | 271 | 146 | 417 |
| Craig M. Nicholson | 458 | 278 | 736 |
| Write-ins | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Blank | 356 | 222 | 578 |
| Total | 1,484 | 854 | 2,338 |
| School Committee | |||
| Adam M. Hogue | 235 | 144 | 379 |
| Peter M. Buchthal | 163 | 103 | 266 |
| Jacob Lehrhoff | 404 | 208 | 612 |
| Matina Madrick | 489 | 277 | 766 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Blank | 192 | 121 | 313 |
| Total | 1,484 | 854 | 2,338 |
| Trustees of Bemis | |||
| Rachel Marie Schachter | 562 | 300 | 862 |
| Write-ins | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Blank | 178 | 127 | 305 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Water Commissioner (3-year term) | |||
| Matthew Bio | 562 | 302 | 864 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Blank | 179 | 124 | 303 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Water Commissioner (2-year term) | |||
| Stephen Rees Gladstone | 559 | 299 | 858 |
| Write-ins | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Blank | 182 | 127 | 309 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
| Water Commissioner (1-year term) | |||
| Patrick J. Lawler | 573 | 300 | 873 |
| Write-ins | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Blank | 167 | 126 | 293 |
| Total | 742 | 427 | 1,169 |
Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee results
| Prec. 1 | Prec. 2 | Lincoln total | Sudbury total | Grand total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucy Mason Maulsby (Lincoln) | 574 | 317 | 891 | 1,977 | 2,868 |
| Ravi Simon (Sudbury) | 418 | 216 | 634 | 1,996 | 2,630 |
| Write-ins | 3 | 2 | 5 | 17 | 22 |
| Blank | 489 | 319 | 808 | 2,662 | 3,470 |
| Total | 1,484 | 854 | 2,338 | 6,652 | 8,990 |
Hanscom runway repaving will affect nearby Lincoln residents
Starting in June, part of a Hanscom Field runway will be repaved, causing disruptions for Virginia Road residents.
The routine 20-year repaving of the runway that runs from southwest to northeast is not related to a recent proposal to add hangars and reconfigure a taxiway at Hanscom Field.
Massport officials said at a recent Hanscom Field Advisory Commission meeting that paving trucks will be routed along Virginia Road in Lincoln to Hanscom Drive to Route 2A and Route 128, according to HFAC member Chris Eliot and a March 24 article in the Bedford Citizen. During a 37-day period, the paving trucks will operate for 20 days (daytime Monday through Friday), with about 100 truckloads (50 round trips) for each of those days.
There will also be some changes to flight patterns resulting from the monthlong closure of the runway, so some residents will hear more flights and some will hear less during this period.
Residents of the nearby Battle Road Farm condo development, which is accessed from Old Bedford Road (which runs between Virginia Road and Hanscom Drive) are also worried about dust and construction debris that may be shed by trucks leaving the construction area.
The northern segment of the runway will be repaved in 2024, but the truck traffic for that work will be routed through Bedford.
The 2023 project will also include restoration of more than nine acres of grass along the sides of the runway, which was originally sized for larger military aircraft.
News acorns
L-S superintendent finalists to meet with community
The three finalists for Lincoln-Sudbury regional high School superintendent/principal will meet the community at forums at 7:30 p.m. in the L-S auditorium on the following days:
- Tuesday, March 28 — Andrew Stephens
- Wednesday, March 29 — Allyson Mizoguchi
- Thursday, March 30 — Jamie Chisum
Click on a date to see the agenda for that forum. Biographies of the candidates are available here. During the day, the candidates will visit the L-S campus and meet with faculty and staff, administrators and students, and on Friday, March 31, with the L-S School committee.
González is next speaker in “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces”
José G. González
The final session in the “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, March 29 at 7 p.m. José G. González, founder of Latino Outdoors and co-founder of the Outdoorist Oath, will speak on “Wayfinding and Belonging in the Outdoors.” As a Partner in the Avarna Group and through his own consulting, his work focuses on equity and inclusion frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor, and conservation fields. The series is organized by the Walden Woods Project, Mass Audubon, Farrington Nature Linc, The Food Project, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust. Click here to register.
Sonic Liberation Players concert on Sunday
The Sonic Liberation Players present “Parable” on Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 p.m. in Bemis Hall. The works and composers include Marti Epstein’s “See, Even Night” with guest clarinetist, Yhasmin Valenzuela-Blanchard, John Luther Adams’ “Red Arc/Blue Veil” for percussion and piano, John Cage’s “Litany for the Whale” with guest vocalist, Maya Bloom, and Alvin Lucier’s “Love Song” for two violinists. Tickets are $25 (cash or check at the door, or online in advance). The Sonic Liberation players include Lincoln resident Joshua Jade and former Lincolnites Trevor Berens, and Jessica Tunick Berens.
McKibben author talk at First Parish
Bill McKibben
The First Parish in Lincoln will host a talk by Bill McKibben on his book, The Flag, the Cross, and the Station Wagon: A Graying American Looks Back at His Suburban Boyhood and Wonders What the Hell Happened at the white church and online on Sunday, April 2 from 3–4:30 p.m. McKibben helped found 350.org, the first global grassroots climate campaign, and recently helped found Third Act, which organizes people over the age of 60 for action on climate and justice. Click here for more information.
Learn about food at Codman Estate and farm
Historic New England is hosting two consecutive events at the Codman Estate and Codman Community Farms on Sunday, April 23 starting at 1:30 p.m. During “Sort Apples, Make Butter – Country Life!” Family Food Fun, adults on a special outdoor/indoor tour will learn what was grown and preserved on the estate and visit with Codman lead guide Camille Arbogast, who will discuss how the Codmans’ approach to food connects to present culinary attitudes. Meanwhile, kids age 6 and up will have fun in the kitchen with Codman site manager Wendy Hubbard, shaking, making, and stamping butter while eating apples. They can take home their work along with some tasty shortbread cookies from the Codman family’s recipes. Admission is $5 for kids and $10 for adults. Advance registration required; click here to register.
At about 2:30 p.m., the “Sow Seeds. Make Broth – It’s Spring on the Farm!” tour will highlight Codman Community Farms’ innovative and sustainable farming approach, highlighting its no-till market garden and historic barnyard, livestock, egg-washing process, and commercial kitchen. Participants will take home a seasonal farm treat. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children.
Volunteer sought for Conservation Commission
The Conservation Commission is seeking to fill a vacancy with a Lincolnite who is interested in wetland permitting and land management discussions and favors open space protection. For information about the commission’s roles and responsibilities, please visit the LCC website. Interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Conservation Department staff at 781-259-2612 or conservation@lincolntown.org.
Corrections
There were several errors in the March 26 story headlined “Annual Town Meeting is (mostly) controversy-free” (the video of the entire meeting is available here):
- The description of the Housing Commission incorrectly implied that all five members currently serve five-year terms. In fact, three members are elected to three year terms and two members are appointed to five-year terms.
- In that same section, a quote about how running for election to a town board or commission “is not for everyone” was misattributed to Select Board member Jim Hutchinson. It was actually Select Board member Jonathan Dwyer who made the remark.
- Also, the description of how the proposed amendment to the motion came into being was not sufficiently detailed. In a March 27 email to the Squirrel, Housing Commisson member Allen Vander Meulen wrote that Town Counsel Joel Bard “proposed we craft an amendment that addressed Sara [Mattes’s] concerns — and he did so with my thanks and approval. My intent was to propose the amendment should Sara’s concerns be raised and an amendment actually proposed, while making it clear I personally did not support it, which is exactly what I did.” That paragraph has been reworded in the original article.
-
The paragraph on accessory apartments mischaracterized the differing requirements for apartments within the main dwelling vs. in a separate accessory structure. The change approved at Town Meeting allows homeowners to create an accessory apartment by right within the main dwelling as long as they follow the rest of the bylaw’s requirements. Accessory apartments in accessory buildings (a small separate building) do still require a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals.
- In the paragraph after the “Fond farewells” subhead, the name of Bobbie Miles, who is retiring as longtime director of the Lincoln Public Library, was omitted.
In the March 25 “News Acorns,” the wrong link to register for the talk on vegetable gardening in containers was given. The correct link is lincolngardenclub.org.
Annual Town Meeting is (mostly) controversy-free
(Editor’s note: This article was updated on March 27 to reflect several corrections.)
Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting on March 25 sailed along with little discussion and quick approvals of dozens of warrant articles — until the very last one.
Article 31 asked voters to approve a petition to the state legislature to change the Housing Commission makeup from five members to seven, all of whom would be appointed by the Select Board. Currently the commission has five members — three elected and two appointed as non-voting liaisons from the Council on Aging & Human Services and the cohort of affordable housing residents. The measure also sought to change the term of office from the current five years to rotating three-year terms.
- Town Meeting links including article list, warrant, consent calendar, motions, annual report
Running for election to a town board or commission “is not for everyone,” Select Board member Jonathan Dwyer said. Making all members appointed rather than elected and shortening the term of office would “make the on-ramp easier for people to participate.”
The measure “doesn’t take the people’s voice out of peoples hands” because any housing policy changes would still need Town Meeting approval, Housing Commission Chair Rachel Drew said. But several residents spoke out against the idea of having the entire commission appointed. “I would be a lot more comfortable” in keeping some members elected,” Barbara Low said.
“It’s sending a message that we do not trust the voters, though I do not think that was intentional at all and not what was compelling this,” said Sara Mattes. She proposed an amendment increasing the membership to nine, with seven appointed and two elected. Vander Meulen responded by saying that Mattes had spoken with him and Rachel Drew before the meeting and thanked her. He added that he had worked with Town Counsel Joel Bard to draw up an amendment that addressed Mattes’s concerns, calling for a group of up to seven members (four appointed and three elected). Mattes agreed to use the proposed language in place of her own amendment’s wording.
However, more disagreement arose because the bylaw would still specify the old composition of the board, and the Town Meeting measure would have only authorized the Select Board to work with the legislature to amend the law. “That takes it very far from the voters,” said Bob Domnitz.
“We should go to the legislature with the bylaw we want to submit, not one that needs to be fixed. This feels like it’s getting a little lazy here,” said Stephen Binder. A voice vote on whether to accept the amendment was inconclusive, leading to a standing vote. Residents in the auditorium and gum rejected the amendment by a margin of three votes, and the original motion passed with about a dozen “no” votes.
Fond farewells
Before that final article, the most notable aspect of the Town Meeting was acknowledging the retirements of several fixtures among town officialdom: Superintendent of Schools Becky McFall, Town Counsel Joel Bard, Lincoln-Sudbury Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong, Lincoln Public Library Director Barbara Myles, and longtime Water Commission member Ruth Ann Hendrickson, who also received the annual Bright Light Award.
Hutchinson praised Hendrickson’s “ability to calmly and reassuringly give not great news to the public” during a time of Water Department turmoil and rate hikes, as well as her “scientific background, curiosity, and devotion to public service, which included memberships on several other boards in past years. Hendrickson donated the $500 stipend to the St. Vincent de Paul food pantry.
An emotional McFall thanked the many School Committee members, faculty, and teacher’s union representatives she worked with over the past 11 years. “I can honestly say that working here in Lincoln is the greatest honor and privilege of my career,” she said. “I will forever consider myself part of Lincoln and am just grateful for the opportunities I’ve had.”
Other Town Meeting highlights
- Every spending measure was unanimously approved, as was a larger-than-usual transfer from free cash to the debt stabilization fund of $1.64 million, bringing the fund to a new total of more than $5 million. The fund will play an important part in defraying the cost of a future community center. “This is the most exciting item on the consent calendar,” said former Finance Committee Chair Peyton Marshall. “$1.6 million is not trivial.”
- Voters approved adopting the Specialized Energy Code (Article 29), which goes further than the current “stretch code” for environmentally friendly construction, and adopted rules (Article 30) that prohibit new buildings and major renovation projects that are not fossil fuel-free, with some exceptions. The second measure makes Lincoln one of 10 “demonstration” towns in Massachusetts designated by the legislature. Click here for links to more information about Articles 29 and 30.
- Changes intended to encourage more accessory apartments were approved. Residents may now create accessory apartments within their main dwelling by right as long as they follow the rest of the bylaw’s rules. Accessory apartments in small separate buildings still require approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. The amended law also requires a parking space for the apartment and prohibits split ownership of the property to prevent condo conversion.
- Several articles on the warrant were passed over:
- Article 23 — motion to rescind a Water Department bond authorization,
- Article 25 — motion to amend the wording about cluster development proponents being required to give the town and/or the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust interests in land as part of the approval process. “We decided law was adequate and no changes are needed,” Planning Board Chair Bob Domnitz said.
- Article 27 — motion to amend zoning rules to allow certain residential, business and mixed uses by right in the Lewis Street/Doherty’s area. “The Planning Board has recognized for some time that the zoning for the B2 business district needs updating,” Domnitz said. However, in August the state issued revised guidelines to the Housing Choice Act that could affect that area, so the Planning Board will wait until the town has an “integrated plan” for whether it will comply with the HCA and whether the B2 district will be part of that plan.
- Article 32 — motion regarding the proposed property tax circuit breaker that requires authorization from the legislature,
Police log for March 10–18, 2023
March 10
Lincoln MBTA station (5:39 p.m.) — An individual reported seeing someone deflating a vehicle’s tires at the commuter lot. An officer is investigating.
Bradyll Road, Weston (6:35 p.m.) —Lincoln Police responded to a request for mutual aid for an incident in their jurisdiction.
Old Road, Weston (6:47 p.m.) — The Weston Fire Department requested a mutual aid ambulance.
Lexington Road (8:52 p.m.) — A caller reported hearing a vehicle revving its engine on Lexington Road and in the cemetery. Police responded but were unable to locate the vehicle.
Cherry Brook Road, Weston (10:03 p.m.) —Weston Police requested a mutual aid response for an additional Lincoln officer to assist with a residential burglar alarm.
March 11
North Avenue (1:20 a.m.) — A caller requested a tow company’s information.
Newbury Court, Concord (9:41 a.m.) — A Lifeline activation was received for an individual no longer living in Lincoln.
South Great Road (3:15 p.m.) — A caller reported a possible abandoned vehicle. An officer checked the area but discovered no vehicles parked or abandoned.
Weston Road (8:28 p.m.) — A resident reported that their doorbell was rung multiple times but no one was present when the resident answered. The area was checked but nothing was found.
March 12
Old Sudbury Road (3:33 a.m.) — An officer discovered the railroad gates at Old Sudbury Road were stuck in the “down” position. An officer remained on scene until Keolis arrived at 5:24 a.m.
Weston Road (5:14 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing several children gathered in the roadway. The area was checked but no children were found.
March 13
Bemis Hall (4:23 p.m.) — Several residents reported a Verizon outage. Verizon was notified and worked on the issue.
Old Sudbury Road (7:41 p.m.) — A caller reported the railroad gates at Old Sudbury Road were stuck in the “down” position. An officer remained on scene until 8:34 p.m. when the gates returned to a normal working order. The MBTA was notified to follow up with the ongoing issue.
March 14
Bedford Road (8:07 a.m.) — Minor motor vehicle crash. An officer responded and assisted the parties with exchanging papers.
South Great Road (11:46 a.m.) — Multiple 911 callers reported a two-car motor vehicle crash. Two occupants were transported to Emerson Hospital and both vehicles were towed from the scene.
Concord Road (12:17 p.m.) — The Police and Fire Departments were dispatched for a report of an elderly man who had fallen. The entire length of the roadway was checked but no injured parties were located.
Cambridge Turnpike westbound (12:29 p.m.) — Two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bedford Road. The occupant of one of the vehicles was transported to Lahey Clinic with minor injuries.
South Great Road (12:43p.m.) — Multiple calls were received for a vehicle that had run off the roadway. A tow truck was summoned to remove the vehicle.
Weston Road (1:05 p.m.) — A well-being check was requested by the Council on Aging. The individual was apparently having trouble with their telephone.
South Great Road (2:59 p.m.) — Multiple calls were received for the railroad gates malfunctioning in the “down” position. Officers responded and remained on scene for approximately 15 minutes until Keolis arrived and returned the gates to normal working order.
105 Offutt Road, Hanscom AFB (4:05 p.m.) — A caller reported a missing item.
Linway Road (7:03 p.m.) — The Fire Department responded for a tree that was on fire due to an electrical malfunction and remained on scene until Eversource arrived.
March 15
Deaconess Road, Concord (8:25 am.) — The Lincoln Fire Department responded for mutual aid coverage related to a gas leak. An engine was staged near the scene and was cleared from Concord several hours later.
Old Cambridge Turnpike (9:32 a.m.) — A lost item was recovered by Lexington police. A Lincoln resident was notified that their item was at the Lexington Police Station.
South Commons (11:52 a.m.) — An officer was called to a home to assist a resident with a request from an outside agency.
Sandy Pond Road (12:24 p.m.) — A caller reported past damage to their mailbox.
Wells Road (4:43 p.m.) — Court paperwork was served.
Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (6:47 p.m.) — State Police reported a wrong-way driver traveling west in the eastbound lanes of Route 2. The vehicle was subsequently stopped by State Police, who asked the Lincoln Fire Department to respond.
March 16
Acorn Lane (11:58 am.) — A caller reported a motor vehicle blocking access to a fire hydrant on Acorn Lane. Police checked the area and found no such vehicle.
Concord Road (5:54 p.m.) — A motorist reported seeing a vehicle possibly strike a wooden pylon near Walden Pond. The area was checked but no new damage was observed.
Trapelo Road (7:17 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing an injured deer in the area. The deer was nowhere to be found when police arrived.
March 17
South Commons (11:12 a.m.) — A caller spoke to an officer about possibly having their personal information compromised.
Ent Road (5:20 p.m.) — Police were requested to perform a well-being check from an outside agency. Everything was fine.
Hanscom Drive (10:40 p.m.) — A deer in the roadway was struck and injured by a vehicle. An officer responded and dispatched the deer. MassDOT was notified to remove the deceased animal.
March 18
Lexington Road (1:08 a.m.) — A caller reported individuals appeared to be attempting to gain entry into a barn. Officers were able to speak with individuals in the area. No further action was required.
Juniper Ridge Road (3:08 a.m.) — A motor vehicle was stopped for being unregistered and uninsured. The vehicle was towed and the owner was issued with a criminal complaint.
Indian Camp Lane (2:05 p.m.) — A resident reported being the victim of identity fraud.
News acorns
L-S superintendent finalists named
The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee unanimously approved three local educational leaders as finalists for the position of superintendent/principal to succeed Bella Wong. The school committee took its vote after receiving a report and recommendations from its 11-member initial screening and interview committee. The candidates are Jamie Chisum, principal of Wellesley High School since 1999; Allyson Mizoguchi, who started teaching at Wayland High School in 1997 and has been principal for seven years; and Andrew Stephens, principal of Lexington High School since 2017.
“We were fortunate to have a great pool of applicants and a very hard working search committee,” said School Committee member Kevin Matthews who chaired the screening panel. “Each is an experienced building leader and school administrator.” During the last week in March, the candidates will spend a day at L-S meeting with faculty, students, and parents right through the evening session. The candidates will follow up with a formal public interview with the School Committee.
Learn how to “green up” older houses
“Case Studies in Retrofitting Your Older House” is the next event in the Lincoln Green Energy Committee’s “Getting to Zero” series on Thursday, March 30 from 7–9 p.m. on Zoom. Join CFREE and FoMA, and our panel of homeowners, builders, and architects, who will share their experiences with retrofitting their older houses and offer ideas on where to start and how to sequence renovation work. CFREE (Carbon Free Residential, Everything Electric) is a working group of the Lincoln Green Energy Committee dedicated to assisting homeowners work toward net-zero, all electric houses. Co-sponsored by FoMA (Friends of Modern Architecture/Lincoln). Click here to register.
“Breathe-Move-Pray” at St. Anne’s
St Anne’s St. Anne’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will host “Breathe-Move-Pray” sessions on Sundays, April 2 and 16 at 4:30 p.m. by the font as we prepare for the quiet of the Contemplative Compline service with a guided practice of classic breath and movement patterns. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a mat if you’d like. For more information, visit StAnnesLincoln.org or the event calendar for additional dates.
Talk on vegetable gardening in containers
The Lincoln Garden Club invites the public to a lecture on vegetable gardening in containers with Sara Rostampour, director of horticulture at Green City Growers, on Tuesday, April 4 at 7 p.m. The lecture will be in person at Bemis Hall as well as on Zoom. She will cover the basics of container growing such as location, design, and soil while considering garden goals. She will also talk about crop planning and show how to make a crop map for a successful experience. Click here for more information and to register. Click here to register.
Writers share their stuff
Saturday, April 22 at 2 p.m. (in person)
Lincoln’s literary talent will be center stage in the Tarbell Room at the library on Saturday, April 22 to read their own material in genres including memoir, poetry, essay, and fiction. Writers will comment on their selections, answer questions, and generally remove the mystery from how to take the first steps toward being an author. Among these is joining them by becoming a member of The Write Stuff, an accomplished but warmly collegial group that’s sponsoring this event jointly with the library staff.
Intergenerational book/ice cream event at Bemis
Are you thinking about what to do over school vacation with the grandkids? Bring them to this intergenerational book intro, meet Lincoln resident Ruth Mendelson (author of The Water Tree Way), and enjoy ice cream sundae cups on Friday, April 21 at 1 p.m. in Bemis Hall. There will also be a short video of Jane Goodall, who volunteered to write the preface for the book. RSVP to reserve a free signed copy of the book by calling 781-259-8811 (limited to the first 20 callers; limit one book per household). Sponsored by the Council on Aging & Human Services and the Friends of the Lincoln Library.
St. Anne’s lecture series on encountering the divine
How might we encounter Jesus, and/or the divine more broadly, through faiths beyond Christianity? In this multi-week series, three religious scholars from Boston College will lead us in an exploration of how Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam might help us engage spiritual resources, in a responsible way, beyond the traditional boundaries of Christianity. All sessions are free and meet in Flint Hall at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church from 6:30–8 p.m. The schedule is as follows:
- Thursday, April 13 — “Encountering the Divine through Buddhism” with Yonder Gillihan, Associate Professor of Theology
- Thursday, April 27 — “Encountering the Divine through Judaism” with Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, director of the BC Center for Christian-Jewish Learning
- Thursday, May 4 — “Encountering the Divine through Islam” with Natana DeLong-Bas, Associate Professor of the Practice