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

Stringer redefines “colorblind” in art focusing on race

By Maureen Belt

Rob Stringer works on his art at the Tack Room.

Lincoln resident Rob Stringer has dabbled in art his whole life, even taking art classes to round out his college study of religion and philosophy, but it wasn’t until May 25, 2020 that he used its power to take on racism. 

“The day George Floyd died — when he was murdered — I knew I had to do something,” he said.

What that “something” would be did not come to him right away. He had a delicate act to balance. The country was already deeply divided politically and racially, and he wanted his actions to provoke positive reflections of current events, not to be discarded as virtual signaling. 

“I am a cis white male who lives a privileged life,” said Stringer, speaking from his transient office, which on this day was the Tack Room restaurant in Lincoln. “But I wanted to do something, and I kept wondering, ‘What can I do that’s authentic?’ I didn’t want to go to protests and then just go about my daily life. I didn’t want to do anything ephemeral. I kept asking myself, ‘What can I do? What can I do?’”

The answer was in his art. 

Until George Floyd’s death, drawing was the medium Stringer relied on for expression. But the horrors surrounding George Floyd — whose brutal killing by law enforcement was captured on video and generated a global uprising for racial equity — called for something more dramatic. In an earlier life, Stringer worked in sales, marketing, and product development, so he regularly prepared slide decks using PowerPoint. He subsequently discovered that Google Slides offered broad options in color and shape. 

Stringer downloaded another artist’s image of George Floyd, then began overlaying it with colored dots simulating the Ishihara color vision test to create his own portrait. After a bit of trial and error over about five hours, an impactful rounded image of the murder victim appeared, created from various sizes of gray, black and blue dots. The colorblind motif was intentional, as Stringer has red-green colorblindness. 

Beneath the portrait, Stringer put Floyd’s dates of birth and death and name in a basic black font. He emailed the digital image to the online printing venue, VistaPrint, which cast it on a 12-inch-by-12-inch canvas. The finished work was so moving that it inspired him to do more. He next used the same formula to portray Breonna Taylor, who was killed by police two months before Floyd. 

Stringer’s portrayal of Emmett Till.

Stringer soon completed a series of Black people killed by police including Daniel Prude, Crystal Danielle Ragland, and Rayshard Brooks. He then created images of Blacks killed in hate crimes, which include Treyvon Martin, Martin Luther King Jr., and Emmett Till. From there, Stringer’s work evolved to include Native Americans murdered by law enforcement or from hate crimes. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that though Indigenous people made up 0.8 percent of the population from 1999 to 2011, they made up 1.9 percent of police killings. His First Nations collection includes images of Sitting Bull, Zachary Bear Heels, and a dedication to missing and murdered Indigenous women.  

“I am not running out of subjects,” he acknowledged with disappointment. “My hope is that maybe their family members will see the art and that they find that it’s respectful.”

After so many portraits of murder victims, Stringer changed his course to creating images of minorities who inspire. That line includes U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Rosa Parks, and Ruby Bridges. “I’ve been interested in power dynamics and the dynamics of race for a long time,” he said. “And in the back of my head I was feeling guilty that I was not doing more.”

Stringer didn’t create these images (which he describes more as graphic design than fine art) to make money, so he had no plans to market them, but some people who viewed them asked for prints. VistaPrint charges him $20 for the print, so he sells it for $29 and gives the extra $9 to a nonprofit — specifically, the METCO program.

Stringer’s most popular images are of Breonna Taylor and Emmett Till. He is sold out of his prints of Jean McGuire, the first Black woman elected to the Boston School Committee, a founder of the METCO program and at, 92 years old, a living icon of the local educational community. 

“It’s affirming to me that I was able to create something that impacts other people,” he said. “It makes me want to continue. These pieces spark conversation and they spark thought and they change people’s minds, and you can’t ask for more than that.”

View Stringer’s online “I See You” gallery here.

Police log for April 3–9, 2023

April 3

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (11:56 a.m.) — A small brush fire was reported near Old County Road. A passing ambulance crew was able to extinguish the fire. The Lincoln Fire Department arrived and continued to douse the area.

Mary’s Way (5:17 p.m.) — A passerby reported that a storm drain cover on Mary’s Way was positioned in the wrong direction, potentially creating a road hazard. The DPW was notified.

Mary’s Way (9:29 p.m.) — A vehicle was repossessed.

April 4

Russett Court (9:31 a.m.) — A fire vehicle struck a parked police vehicle while at the scene of a medical call.

Lincoln Road (10:25 a.m.) — A minor two-vehicle crash occurred at the intersection with Codman Road. The first vehicle was traveling south on Lincoln Road. The second vehicle traveling west on Codman Road and came to a stop but then proceeded through the intersection, striking the southbound vehicle. The operator of the second vehicle was issued a warning for failing to yield right of way at an intersection. There were no injuries reported and both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Indian Camp Lane (1:03 p.m.) — Police and fire units were dispatched to the address for a well-being check and successfully contacted the individual.

Lincoln Road (7:23 p.m.) — A caller reported a fire behind the Masonic Hall. Police confirmed that the fire was confined to a fire pit and was being tended to by several members.

April 5

Wells Road (12:51 a.m.) — A resident requested assistance after being locked out of their apartment. Police were able to gain entry.

Russett Court (1:50 p.m.) — A Bank of America employee called to report a customer was the possible victim of a scam.

April 6

Lincoln Road (1:14 p.m.) — An officer spoke to a resident regarding some missing items. An investigation is ongoing.

Linway Road (3:31 p.m.) — A resident spoke to an officer regarding a questionable letter they’d received in the mail.

Birches School (4:51 p.m.) — A school employee observed an individual operating a blue dirt bike across the soccer field. A check of the area and side streets was conducted but the dirt bike was not located.

Cambridge Water Department, Trapelo Road (6:52 p.m.) — A motorist reported several individuals fishing in the Cambridge Reservoir. An officer arrived as the individuals were leaving; they were advised that they could not fish at the reservoir.

April 7

North Avenue, Weston (12:47 p.m.) — Lincoln fire and police units responded to a house fire (click here for details).

Wells Road (2:17 p.m.) — A minor motor vehicle crash occurred in the parking lot.

Wells Road (3:13 p.m.) — A minor motor vehicle crash occurred between a moving truck and passenger vehicle. An officer helped the two operators exchange papers.

Russett Court (5:02 p.m.) — An individual reported that one of their car windows was shattered. It was determined that a nearby landscaping company may have inadvertently broken the vehicle’s window during the course of their operations. An officer assisted with an information exchange.

Paul Revere Lot, North Great Road (6:05 p.m.) — A caller reported that their vehicle’s window was broken and several items had been taken from the vehicle.

Beaver Pond Road (7:28 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing a fire in the woods that appeared to be growing. Police and fire personnel responded and located a campfire, which they extinguished.

April 8

South Great Road (3:11 p.m.) — Two-vehicle crash. A vehicle had stopped while traveling west on South Great Road waiting to turn south onto Tower Road. A vehicle pulling a trailer in the same direction attempted to pass the first vehicle but ultimately sideswiped the first vehicle. A warning was issued to the second operator for failing to use care when passing. The first vehicle had to be towed from the scene.

South Great Road (3:35 p.m.) — A vehicle struck the raised island by the railroad crossing causing a flat tire. AAA was notified.

Old Sudbury Road (5:27 p.m.) — A resident reported seeing an injured raccoon in their yard. Animal Control was notified.

Sandy Pond Road (5:30 p.m.) — An officer investigating a report of people fishing at Flint’s Pond checked the area but could not locate anyone.

April 9

Codman Community Farms (9:16 a.m.) — An officer responded to Codman Farm for a reported larceny.

Farrar Road (12:14 p.m.) — Wayland Police received a call for a brush fire by the Lincoln town line. Responding units confirmed that the fire was under control and that the residents had a burn permit.

Weston Road (3:28 p.m.) — A caller reported an out-of-control brush fire. The Fire Department arrived and was able to knock down the fire in 20 minutes.

Beaver Pond Road (5:54 p.m.) — The Fire Department was dispatched to a residence for a malfunctioning fire alarm and replaced the batteries of the faulty detector.

Beaver Pond Road (6:29 p.m.) — National Grid was notified of a strong odor of natural gas on Beaver Pond Road.

Wells Road (9:00 p.m.) — An individual reported that a suspicious vehicle had been seen in the area the previous night. They were advised to contact the police should the vehicle return.

News acorns

Meet owls at Farrington Nature Linc

Meet some real owls on Monday, April 17 at 1 p.m. when Farrington Nature Linc hosts naturalist Marcia Wilson from Eyes on Owls. She’ll introduce the audience to owls found in New England and other parts of the world and imitate the owls’ calls herself before bringing out six rehabilitated owls on at a time (each owl has a permanent disability which prevents them from surviving on their own in the wild). There’ll be plenty of time for close-up views, photos, and questions. Click here to register. you can also share a coupon code “SPRING” that will provide a 15% discount.

Walk/Bike/Roll to School Week coming up

The Bike and Pedestrian Advisory Committee is pleased to announce that Walk/Bike/Roll to School Week is back. Dust off your saddle, lube your chain, and get ready to help your kids get to school without a car. This year’s event will run from Monday to Friday, May 1–5 and provide opportunities for children who ride the bus to participate, along with all the perks your kids have come to love — bike trains with their friends, daily bracelets, and sweet treats on Friday afternoon. Volunteers are needed; click here to sign up. This year there will also be an e-bike demonstration in conjunction with Wheelworks, the Council on Aging & Human Services, the ;Green Energy Committee, and Mothers Out Front on Wednesday, May 3 at 6 p.m. in the Brooks gym parking lot. 

Break out your green thumb for plant sale

The Lincoln Garden Club will hold its biennial plant sale on Saturday, May 13 from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. at Station Park (corner of Lincoln Road and Ridge Road). Share plant knowledge, see friends, enjoy snacks, and tour the club’s flagship garden. The plants to be sold come from club members’ gardens, parks they maintain, and generous donors around town. If you have plants to donate, please contact Belinda Gingrich at belinda.gingrich@gmail.com. There will also be garden paraphernalia for sale and even a few handmade bluebird nesting boxes which you could set up right away and maybe catch a second laying.

Also on offer will be native plugs ordered through commercial nurseries: Eryngium yuccifolium (rattlesnake master), Polemonium reptans (Jacob’s ladder), Packera aurea (golden ragwort, available after June 19), and Aquilegia canadensis (eastern red columbine, available on or after May 19). These are very small and will need babying in a pot or well tended garden plot. 

Collin Graf

Lincoln’s Graf is a hockey champ

The Quinnipiac University men’s hockey team, which includes sophomore Collin Graf of Lincoln, just won its first NCAA Division I national championship, posting a 3-2 comeback victory in overtime over Minnesota at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. Graf shot a goal with just minutes left in regulation to tie the game.

Student is a nationally published author

The Scholastic News page featuring Abdulmalik Opebiyi’s writing (click to enlarge).

Lincoln School fourth-grader Abdulmalik Opebiyi recently became a published author with a wide audience when his opinion piece about whether kids should have gym class every day was included in the “Debate It!” section of nationally circulated Scholastic News in February. “A very unique and exciting opportunity for him!” said his proud teacher, Thomas Nickerson.

Note on unscheduled transfer station closings

The Department of Public Works reminds residents that unscheduled or emergency closings of the transfer station may occasionally be necessary. The DPW makes every effort to keep the station open during normal Wednesday and Saturday hours.

Unscheduled but pre-planned transfer station closings are mostly due to expected major inclement weather events such as winter blizzards and hurricanes. Such closures are determined after careful consideration of the expected weather. The closures are necessary for the safety of transfer station users as well as DPW staff, who are often needed elsewhere in town for storm-related activities such as plowing. Emergency (un-preplanned) closings may happen if a weather event is unexpectedly sudden or severe, such as the March 14 snow storm, or there is another emergency such as a power failure.

Notice of unscheduled pre-planned transfer station closings and emergency closings will be advertised as far in advance as possible on the town website, the transfer station web page, LincolnTalk, and the Lincoln Squirrel. A reverse 911 call will also be made. Public Safety will be notified in the event of an emergency closing. The DPW realizes that closing the transfer station may cause inconvenience for some residents, but safety is their main priority.  The transfer station is an open-air facility and heavy activity by users of all ages (many carrying heavy objects) along with vehicular activity in a small area.

My Turn: No transfer station access without stickers after April 28

By Chris Bibbo

Thank you for your participation in the various waste reduction and recycling programs available at the transfer station. We have enjoyed a terrific partnership with Mothers Out Front and a strong group of volunteers who have helped us reinvigorate the swap shed program. In addition, the compost and mattress recycling programs have really taken hold and are well-utilized. Together, we are all doing our part to help the town achieve its zero waste and climate action goals.

We have also appreciated the cooperation of the vast majority of our residents who have obtained transfer station stickers, which help us ensure that the facility is being used exclusively by Lincoln residents. If you have not obtained a yellow sticker, please do so as soon as possible but no later than Friday, April 28 when the sticker program will be strictly enforced. Anyone without a sticker will not be allowed access to the facility.

We have worked to make the process for obtaining stickers as convenient as possible. Stickers may be obtained online at epay.cityhallsystems.com, or in person at the DPW building (30 Lewis St.) Monday through Friday from 7 a.m.–2 p.m. As an additional accommodation, our staff will be present at the transfer station on Saturday, April 22, and Wednesday, April 26 to issue stickers to those who have not taken advantage of other opportunities. Proof of residence and vehicle registration is required. Contact Susan Donaldson at the DPW (781 259-8999) if you have questions. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.

Chris Bibbo is the superintendent of the Lincoln Department of Public Works.

“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: Smith and Chester trade perspectives on community center

By Lynne Smith

(Editor’s note: See the response to Smith’s piece by CCNC Chair Sarah Chester below.)

At the April 4 Community Center Building Committee (CCBC) community forum, I realized that ICON Architecture has no plans to review alternate spaces for community center activities. ICON’s charge is to develop three options for a building on the Hartwell campus: 50%, 75%, and something approaching 100% of the original $25 million cost. As a result, I propose a study group be created to consider “existing available town space” as intended by the vote taken at the 2022 Special Town Meeting.*

The community forum allowed many of the 100 attendees to air their comments. A few were in favor of a new building on the Hartwell campus. Some wanted an open space for informal gathering. Others liked the proximity for after-school programs for students. Several cited the inadequacy of Bemis Hall and pointed to the 2019 town meeting charrette that favored the Hartwell campus as a location.

But many were opposed to a large new building on the Hartwell campus hosting all programs. Here is my summary of this opposition.

Cost to taxpayers — Jonathan Sheffi, who identified himself as a new resident with a young family, described his inability to persuade friends his age to move to Lincoln because of our housing costs and high taxes. Kate Wolf, a long-time resident of Lincoln, pointed out that her taxes have increased significantly in the last four years and she expressed concerns about adding on more capital projects while Lincoln is still paying off bonds for the new school. Both Wolf and Sheffi recognize that Lincoln has no commercial base to mitigate tax bills but think the town should work to minimize taxes whenever possible. Dennis Picker said that he thought the amendment to the November 2022 motion had actually omitted a 100% option for the project, thus ensuring a lower-cost building. His surprise that ICON will study three options led to a moving conversation with Jonathan Dwyer — a very “Lincoln” moment that grounded all of us as a community.

Need for a viable town center — Three architects (Ken Hurd, Brooks Mostue, and David O’Neil) all argued for siting a community center in the “center of the community” as recommended in the long-term plan developed by the Planning Board several years ago. Others including Joe Robbat also made clear their wish for more development at Lincoln Station where there are many vacant spaces along with important amenities.

Use of existing spaces — Many attendees voiced a desire to explore use of existing spaces before committing to a large new building. In fact, the CCBC passed out a spreadsheet labeled Decentralized Programming Matrix which identified the many programs currently being held in spaces other than Bemis Hall or the Hartwell pods. The spreadsheet made clear which activities could continue in those spaces. I was glad to see this listing of programs for the Council on Aging & Human Services (COA&HS) and Parks and Recreation Department (PRD) held in various places around town: the school gyms, the library, the Pierce House and Pierce Park, local churches, our outdoor trails, and off-site activities. As I said at the meeting and in earlier Lincoln Squirrel articles, I support some investment in these spaces to make them suitable for use in the 21st century.

A study group of community spaces — As a result of the community discussion, I hope that Lincoln and/or the CCBC will form a study group to create a current inventory of existing spaces, match them with identified activities, and recommend modifications that would make these spaces even more useful to town activities. This analysis would ensure that alternative spaces get a full and fair review, as was set forth in the Special Town Meeting vote of 2022. Given the number of residents who attended the April 4 CCBC community forum, I am confident that there are eager volunteers to lead and participate in this important effort.

* Here is the motion that was ultimately approved at the Special Town Meeting on November 30, 2022, with amendments to the original motion indicated in boldface:

“That the town vote to transfer the sum of $325,000 from the town’s Stabilization Fund for the purpose of hiring relevant consultant support services, to potentially include project management, design, engineering and other technical reviews to assist the Community Center Building Committee in developing a range of community center design choices and budgets including options not to exceed 75% and 50% of the current project estimated cost of $25 million for the Hartwell complex, supplemented or not with existing available town space, with the intention of presenting said choices at a fall 2023 Special Town Meeting for a vote on a preferred option; and provided further, that it is anticipated that the preferred option selected by the town will be presented for a funding vote in March of 2025.”

Response from SBCC Chair Sarah Chester:

Thank you, Lynne, for your continued thoughts and suggestions for the community center process.

I am puzzled, however, that you think that CCBC and ICON are not concerned with the locations that the COA&HS and the PRD use around town. As shown in the amended motion from the November 2022 Special Town Meeting, and as architect Ned Collier and I reiterated in the “open mic” meeting on April 4, CCBC is obligated to explore the use of other facilities around town to try to meet our program needs. We gave ICON a tour of the outlying spaces in town the day after ICON signed their contract. We shared with them immediately a document highlighting COA&HS and PRD program locations around town, and this program matrix was mentioned in public meetings multiple times. As COA&HS director Abigail Butt pointed out on April 4, ICON has conducted a deep evaluation of Bemis Hall. Facilities Director Brandon Kelly is working with them to understand the Hartwell campus spaces, and ICON will proceed to the Pierce House shortly. Additional locations will be reviewed after that. ICON needs to understand all of these opportunities if they are to develop three viable program options. A separate study committee would duplicate their work and slow the process.

As Ned described, ICON is working along two tracks: conducting an in-depth analysis of the Hartwell site (traffic, wetlands, etc.) and collecting as much program data as possible. This includes extensive interviews with all stakeholders and evaluating other locations around town. CCBC is conducting a third concurrent track: seeking input from town organizations about the project and from residents via a survey about their individual values. This will also inform ICON’s work.

ICON updates the committee and the community on this work at each of our public meetings. They also will be presenting their work and seeking further feedback at our next public forum on April 25. This process is all to help them formulate the variety of price options specified in our charge.  

This response is more detailed than your letter needed, but I want to assure you and other readers that the CCBC is closely following its instructions from the Special Town Meeting and, with the skilled assistance of ICON Architecture, is proceeding along the complex and tight schedule.

Sarah Chester
Chair, Community Center Building Committee

P.S. The next CCBC meeting will be held Wednesday, April 12 at 7 p.m. in the Donaldson Room, Town Hall, hybrid format (see agenda here).

“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.

News acorns

Water Commission speaker series kicks off April 12

(Image by brgfx on Freepik)

The Water Commission, in collaboration with the Conservation Commission, Agricultural Commission and the Land Conservation Trust, is sponsoring the Lincoln’s Hydrology Speaker Series with the first speaker presentation on Wednesday, April 12 from 7–8:30 p.m., when Dr. Max Rome, Stormwater Program Manager with the Charles River Watershed Association will present via Zoom. Come learn about what happens in Lincoln’s watershed (flooding, nutrient pollution, drought and groundwater), drinking supply sources (including private wells), and how all the sources and uses of water in Lincoln interrelate and impact both the water supply and the ecosystems supported by water systems. Click here for the Zoom link.

Future speakers in the series will include Martin Briggs of the U.S. Geological Survey in September) and Dr. Chi Ho Sham, immediate past president of the American Water Works Association, in December.

Film: “Monsieur Lazhar”

The Lincoln Library Film Society will screen “Monsieur Lazhar” in the Tarbell Room on Thursday, April 20 at 6 p.m. At a Montréal grade school, an Algerian immigrant is hired to replace a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. While helping his students deal with their grief, his own recent loss is revealed. Nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. In French with English subtitles (94 minutes).

Wine and beer tasting to benefit domestic violence victims

The Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable invites the public to a free wine and beer tasting to support its annual Shower for Shelters on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. at Spirits of Maynard (4 Digital Way, Suite 3, Maynard). There will be light refreshments provided by the Roundtable and a short presentation by a survivor. Please bring a new, unwrapped housewarming gift to the event. These donations will be collected and given to the clients of Reach Beyond Domestic Violence, The Second Step, and Voices Against Violence. 

Requested items include bedding (twin-size sheets, pillowcases, blankets, comforters, and pillows), crib sheets, bath towels and face cloths, unscented cleaning products and laundry detergent, laundry baskets, kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, drinking glasses, and small kitchen appliances. Supermarket and departments store gift cards are also welcome.

Sign up for Hazardous Waste Collection Day

This year’s first regional Hazardous Waste Collection Day at the Minuteman Hazardous Products Facility (60 Hartwell Ave., Lexington) will take place on Saturday, April 22 from 9 am.–2 p.m. Advance signup is required. Click here for information on what materials will and won’t be accepted. and click here to sign up.

Barbara Myles retirement celebration

Lincoln Public Library Director Barbara Myles is retiring from the library after nearly 20 years of service and all are invited to her retirement party on Friday, April 28 from 3–5 p.m. Come celebrate Barbara’s time at the library and wish her well with whatever she chooses to do next.

Celebration of the life of Judith Balogh

All are invited to a celebration of the life of Lincoln resident Judith Györgypály Balogh on Sunday, April 30 from 2:30–4:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. Balogh, a retired pediatric psychiatrist, died in October 2022 at the age of 92. In honor of her insatiable love of books and stories, attendees are invited to bring words, photographs, books, or souvenirs to share memories. Please RSVP to charlottebalogh@gmail.com or 978-496-6656.

Join the L-S Community Sing

The annual L-S Community Sing in May is when community members, parents, alumni, and friends are welcome to join in a performance of John Rutter’s “Gloria” with choir, soloists, brass octet and percussion. The L-S Chamber Singers will be singing “The Road Home” and will invite any Chamber Singers alumni to come up and sing with. Masks will be optional for singers.

The L-S Music Department has scores and practice files for the music and text — please email Choral Director Michael Bunting at michael_bunting@lsrhs.net. The dress rehearsal is Monday, May 15 at 7 pm. in the L-S auditorium and the Community Sing concert is Thursday, May 18. Call for singers is at 6:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Firefighters from Lincoln and other towns help at Weston fire

490 North Ave. in Weston before and after the April 7 fire. (Photos courtesy Zillow and the Weston Fire Department)Firefighters from Lincoln and several other area towns responded to an April 7 house fire in Weston that caused extensive damage and also a brush fire nearby.

The house at 479 North Ave. is at the corner of Route 117 and Lincoln Street, a stone’s throw from where the latter turns into Weston Road in Lincoln. Route 117 eastbound was closed at Tower Road in Lincoln for some time, and drivers heading south on Weston Road had to turn around. 

No one was inside when firefighters arrived at around 12:40 p.m., according to Lincoln Fire Chief Brian Young. The fire apparently started in some mulch close to the house and strong winds pushed the fire under the porch, into the eaves of the deck, and eventually into the rafters of the house, which then caught the large attic space on fire. Windblown embers also started a brush fire on the other side of Lincoln Street, he said.

The scene was crowded for hours with emergency vehicles and firefighters from Waltham, Newton, Wayland, Wellesley, Sudbury, Lexington, Needham, and Framingham, according to the Weston Fire Department’s Facebook page. The fire reached four alarms; each alarm is a request for three fire engines and a ladder truck, and each engine has four firefighters, resulting in a total of 64 firefighters, Young said. They spent several hours exposing ceilings and walls to access where the fire was burning up in the attic so it could be fully extinguished.

Aerial shots were captured by a helicopter from WHDH-TV (7 News Boston). The house was valued at $2.16 million, according to Zillow.

Police log for March 27–April 2, 2023

March 27

Greenridge Lane (12:56 am.) — Wayland Police requested assistance in attempting to locate a motorist.

Lincoln Road (10:14 a.m.) — A caller reported the railroad gates were malfunctioning. An officer responded and a short time later, a Keolis representative arrived.

Bedford Road (10:30 a.m.) — A caller reported losing their dog. The dog was located a short time later.

Mill Street (2:21 p.m.) — A caller reported smoke in the area. The Fire Department responded and discovered a resident was burning without a permit. The resident was advised.

Trapelo Road (5:10 p.m.) — Several individuals were reportedly fishing along the causeway on Trapelo Road. An officer advised them to move from the area.

Concord Road (6:55 p.m.) — The Fire Department was alerted to a brush fire that was not supported by a permit. They responded to the residence and extinguished the fire.

Silver Hill Road (8:50 p.m.) — An officer responded to a residence to follow up regarding a phone call places to the police station.

March 28

Page Farm Road (12:28 p.m.) — An officer responded to Bank of America to assist a resident regarding a possible scam.

Wells Road (1:10 p.m.) — An attempt was made to serve court paperwork.

Trapelo Road (4:23 p.m.) — An officer was headed to a reported motor vehicle crash when their tire struck a piece of curbing, causing minor damage to the wheel.

Deerhaven Road (6:44 p.m.) — An officer received several firearms marked for destruction.

March 29

Codman Road (9:46 a.m.) — An officer responded for a vehicle that had been parked for an extended period of time. The vehicle was gone when the officer arrived.

Lincoln Road (12:39 p.m.) — An officer observed an individual urinating in the commuter lot. The officer obtained the person’s information and advised them that they needed to find an appropriate location in the future.

North Great Road (5:27 p.m.) — Multiple calls were received about a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of North Great Road and Bedford Road. A vehicle was waiting to take a left turn from North Great Road onto Bedford Road when they were struck from behind by a truck. The first vehicle was towed from the scene and the operator of the truck was cited for failing to slow.

March 30

South Great Road canoe landing parking lot (2:03 a.m.) — An officer discovered an occupied vehicle parked at the Canoe Landing. The operator was sleeping for a brief period before continuing with their drive.

North Commons (6:24 a.m.) — An officer responded to take a report from a resident regarding possible missing items.

Lincoln Road (9:03 a.m.) — A caller reported a minor motor vehicle crash in which one vehicle had backed into another. An officer responded and took a report.

Lincoln Road (6:11 p.m.) — The Fire Department assisted an individual who was locked out of their business.

March 31

Concord Road (10:06 a.m.) — A resident reported that their dog had left their yard.

Harvest Circle (12:49 p.m.) — An officer responded to the Commons for the report of a resident missing several items.

April 1

Brooks Road (11:13 a.m.) — A resident reported a suspicious vehicle in their driveway. An officer responded and determined the vehicle belonged to a neighbor.

Trapelo Road (6:45 p.m.) — Several individuals were reportedly fishing in the Cambridge Reservoir. An officer responded and advised them to move from the area.

Silver Hill Road at Trapelo Road (8:13 p.m.) — The Fire Department responded to extinguish a small fire in an open field.

Tower Road (10:05 p.m.) — The Fire Department was asked to check carbon monoxide readings inside a residence. The readings were negative.

April 2

Trapelo Road near Winter Street (3:46 p.m.) — Report of a dog running around with no owner in sight. The dog ultimately returned home on its own after a brief, unsupervised tour of the neighborhood.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (4:15 p.m.) — An individual came to the station to speak with an officer regarding an ongoing issue.

Old Sudbury Road (4:37 p.m.) — An officer was asked to speak to a landscape company regarding the use of leaf blowers. The officer spoke to all parties involved.

Wells Road (6:58 p.m.) — An officer was approached by cyclists regarding yelling coming from the Wells Road area. The officer responded and spoke to several parties.

Tower Road (9:26 p.m.) — An individual reported that their dog was missing.

L-S hires Stephens as new superintendent/principal

Dr. Andrew Stephens

The Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District has appointed Dr. Andrew Stephens as the new Superintendent/Principal of Schools. Stephens had been prinicpal of Lexington high School since 2017. 

Prior to that he spent 10 years as Principal of Duxbury High School and four years heading Hull High School.  He began his career as a history teacher in Vermont before returning to Massachusetts, where he taught for three years at Newton North High School spent another three as an assistant housemaster. Stephens is a graduate of Colgate University ,where he obtained a B.A. in history, and Johnson State College in Vermont, where he got his master’s degree in education. He also holds a Certificate of Advanced Educational Studies from Boston College and an Ed.D. from Northeastern.   

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Stephens to the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional District,” Heather Cowap, chair of the Lincoln-Sudbury Regional School Committee, said in a statement. “His extensive experience and impressive educational background make him an excellent choice to lead our district.”

“I am honored to have been selected as the next superintendent/principal of the Lincoln Sudbury Regional District,” Dr. Stephens said in the statement. “I am looking forward to working with the dedicated educators, staff, students and families to build upon the foundation of excellence which departing Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong leaves behind.”

Stephens will start work at L-S on July 1. The other finalists were Jamie Chisum, principal of Wellesley High School, and Allyson Mizoguchi, principal of Wayland High School.

Community center forum draws wide range of sentiments

At the first “open mic night” held by the Community Center Building Committee, comments ran the gamut from reluctance about building one at all to suggestions for a garden, cafe, piano, and room for repairing appliances.

Also on April 4, the CCBC launched an online survey asking residents about what they think a community center should be. The committee and architects stressed that this type of feedback will be crucial in shaping concepts. The deadline to complete the survey is April 21.

ICON Architecture has been working since early March to gather information on the Hartwell campus site and will present those “objective findings” on April 25, said Principal Architect Ned Collier. There will also be public forums about once a month, said CCBC Chair Sarah Chester.

“We need a public discussion about wants vs. needs. That has yet to occur in the 11-year history of this project,” said Dennis Picker. Collier responded that his team has emphasized that point when talking to stakeholders (primarily the Council on Aging & Human Services and the Parks and Recreation Department), and the survey “will help us identify if there are community-wide wants and needs that aren’t being met.”

Some of the roughly 100 residents who attended online and in person were not sold on the whole idea. “I’m not sure I even understand what you mean by ‘community center,’ said Peter Braun, saying the town’s existing spaces such as the refurbished school and the Pierce House are sufficient. 

Lynne Smith agreed, saying, “I want Lincoln to invest in our existing buildings and make sure they’re part of our lives for decades to come” and look more closely at existing spaces “before totally sinking time into a new building.”

Several residents, while agreeing on the need for a community center, suggested that it be located in the South Lincoln commercial area, even though previous studies and the 2022 Special Town Meeting vote specified the Hartwell pod area as the chosen site.

The town’s 2009 Comprehensive Long-Range Plan calls for a compact, vital, walkable area in the village center to encourage social interaction, “but the Planning Board has not been involved in this [community center] process,” said Ken Hurd. As outlined in the state’s Housing Choice Act, South Lincoln will most likely be rezoned to allow denser housing and for mixed-use development — another reason why it would be the best site for a community center, he added.

But Ruth Ann Hendrickson pushed back, saying that revitalizing South Lincoln “is a terrific idea and many of us are hoping for that, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon… To hold off on building a community center until this difficult problem is solved is just not helpful today. We need to concentrate on what the needs are right now.”

The Hartwell location is best for children who attend LEAP and after-school Parks & Rec programming, and walking to South Lincoln is not a viable option for them, several residents noted. Ultimately, “you’re going to have a hard time locating it in a place where everyone can walk to,” Craig Donaldson observed.

Chester and Collier reiterated that any location other than Hartwell was not up for discussion. “Short of reopening past decisions, [the survey] would help us to understand what it is that we could do with you in this location that would really fly for Lincoln,” Collier said.

Many of those who spoke said they hoped the community center would be a place where people of all ages could gather and socialize informally, work remotely, play ping-pong, etc. “The town would benefit from a space that isn’t bound by specific programming [that’s] open and welcoming; maybe it doesn’t matter if there is an event scheduled and it’s possible to just drop by,” said Lis Herbert. A working kitchen or at least a cafe would be useful for everyone in that regard, several said.

Planners should also find a way to consult with children and teenagers as to what they would like in a community center, said Alice deNormandie — “I think they might have some interesting ideas.”

ICON will present some preliminary cost figures for various options at the Hartwell site at a CCBC meeting in June.