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

My Turn: Lehrhoff throws hat in ring for LPS School Committee

By Jake Lehrhoff

Dear Lincoln neighbors,

I am writing to announce my candidacy for one of the two positions on the Lincoln School Committee for K-8, and ask for your support.

My family moved to Lincoln in 2020, but the move was a return for my wife, Philana, who grew up in town. We were drawn back to Lincoln for its wonderful schools, its strong community, and its wooded tranquility. Our five-year-old son is excited to go to the “big kids school” in the fall, though our six-month-old has a ways to go before he can enjoy Lincoln’s excellent new school facilities.

My passion for schools stems from my experience as an educator. I spent six years as the middle school English/language arts teacher at the Gifford School in Weston, including three years as the English department chair. In my role, I observed first-hand the transformative effect a school can have on a child. While my career has taken me in new directions, I hold onto the learnings from this phase: that empathy and honest communication unlocks collaboration, that collaboration is the key to real progress, and in all things, be curious.

Those learnings still serve me in my current role leading the data science and research organization that develops personalized listening experiences at Spotify. Every day, I work to drive decision-making by gathering data and generating insights, understanding the motivations of the company’s leaders and my peers, and influencing through clear communication to create a better product for listeners.

If elected, I will use these same skills to impartially represent the needs and interests of the students, staff, and town when making decisions. In making those decisions, I will create space for the voices and needs of those not in the room, ensuring our schools are not just inclusive and equitable, but a place where everyone belongs. I believe it is by listening and through empathy that we can make decisions that will benefit every child our schools serve.

Thank you for giving me the space to introduce myself. I look forward to meeting you and learning what is important to you about our schools, and I hope I can earn your support in the town election on March 27th, 2023.

Sincerely,

Jake Lehrhoff
11 Linway Road

“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.

L-S superintendent search process stirs controversy

There are two school superintendent searches involving Lincoln going on right now, but one is going more smoothly than the other.

The Lincoln School Committee held a Zoom meeting for the community on January 19 for the first of four finalist candidates, and there will be three more next week (see below). Meanwhile, things got a little testy at a January 10 meeting of the Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee (LSSC), which is seeking a successor to Superintendent/Principal Bella Wong.

The LSSC meeting was covered in the Sudbury Weekly, a e-newsletter operated by Sudbury resident Kevin LaHaise, in a January 13 post titled “Big Decisions, Big Feelings.” LaHaise started the newsletter last spring after the Sudbury Town Crier suspended print publication. He writes articles recapping town government meetings based on the recorded videos, and the Sudbury League of Women Voters contributes election news.

At issue was whether the Superintendent Search Subcommittee should retain its power to appoint members of the Screening Committee. “We shouldn’t be hand-picking” those members… it doesn’t seem appropriate,” LSSC member Candace Miller said. “I would like more of an open process.” Member Cara Endyke-Doran agreed. “If you want community buy-in, you have to let the community buy in,” she said.

But other members argued that time was growing short and anything that might slow down the search process could cost L-S good candidates. At one point, Committee Chair Heather Cowap had to admonish Miller and Harold Engstrom not to “sling mud” after they charged each other with being “unprofessional.” The LSSC ultimately voted 4-2 in favor of keeping the process as is.

The 11-person screening committee roster was approved two days later at a Superintendent Search Subcommittee meeting, but not until after Miller upbraided committee chair Matthews at that meeting for not allowing public comment until after the discussion and vote. “What kind of discussion could we have right now?” she said.

“This process is atypical,” Miller added, referring to the recent search process for a new town manager. Matthews and Engstrom voted in favor of the screening committee roster while Miller noted no.

The screening committee consists of Matthews, Engstrom, and Miller from the LSSC, Brendan Wimberley and Susan Shields from the faculty, Martha Wahl and Damon Kelton from the administration, Lincoln School Committee liaison Tara Mitchell, Sudbury School Committee liaison Silvia Nerssessian, and community representatives Carole Kasper (Lincoln) and Maura Carty (Sudbury).

Carty has pulled candidacy papers for one of the two openings on the LSSC in the March 27 Sudbury town election. Ravi Simon of Sudbury has also pulled papers, though no one from Lincoln has done so yet (the deadline is February 1). The open seats are currently occupied by Miller of Sudbury and Engstrom of Lincoln.

Lincoln superintendent search

Three public forums for Lincoln Public Schools superintendent finalists will be held next week at 6 p.m. in the Lincoln School auditorium:

  • Monday, Jan. 23 – Michael Caira, currently assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction, and assessment for the Ashland Public Schools (Zoom link)
  • Tuesday, Jan. 24 – Annette Doyle, currently principal at the Peter Noyes Elementary School in Sudbury (Zoom link)
  • Thursday, Jan. 26 – Jessica Rose, currently assistant superintendent for the Lincoln Public Schools  (Zoom link)

Frank (Parry) Graham, currently assistant superintendent of Wayland Public Schools, was the focus of the January 19 forum. The forums are not interviews but rather an exchange of questions and ideas. To view the finalists’ resumes and learn more about the superintendent search process, click here.

Each of the four finalists will spend a day visiting Lincoln schools and meeting with staff, students, and parents/community members. This “day in the district” is partially to help the finalists learn more about the district and our communities to inform their decision making but is also an opportunity to learn more about each finalist.  

Becky McFall announced in October that she will retire at the end of June after 11 years as Lincoln’s school superintendent.

The School Committee will conduct final public interviews with each finalist on January 30 and 31, and February 1 and 2 at 6 p.m. in the school district offices’ multipurpose room. The interviews also will be streamed live via Zoom. While the interviews are public, only School Committee members will be allowed to engage with each finalist.

Addenda

  • The January 26 talk on radon risks and testing will be broadcast via Zoom in addition to taking place live at the Lincoln Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Those who want to attend via Zoom must click here to register (registration is not required for in-person attendance).
  • State Rep. Alice Peisch will not be able to attend the January 21 meet-and-greet session in Lincoln for the town’s two new state representatives. Rep. Carmine Gentile (Precinct 1, west Lincoln) will still attend. Peisch will reschedule a session in Lincoln for another tim

My Turn: Matina Madrick running for School Committee

By Matina Madrick

My name is Matina Madrick and I am excited to announce my candidacy for one of the two open seats on the Lincoln School Committee (K-8).

My family and I moved to Lincoln in 2020 with our three children. At the height of the pandemic, in the fall of 2020, our daughter entered L-S and our two sons entered the Lincoln School – one in middle school and the younger in elementary. We felt incredibly lucky to be in a community where our elementary and middle school children were able to attend school every day during the 2020-21 school year.

We were attracted to Lincoln because of its beauty and small-town feel while still being so close to my husband’s job and all that Boston has to offer. Now that we have settled in Lincoln, we feel fortunate to be in a community that places such a high value on public education.

In each school that our children have attended, I have sought ways to be involved. I have served as a room parent and a classroom assistant, and I have volunteered for special events. Here in Lincoln, I am currently serving as the PTO Enrichment Rep for the third grade. Last school year, I also had the opportunity to volunteer on the eighth-grade graduation committee, which was a lot of fun.

The education of our children is one of our highest priorities as parents, but I also have a deep interest and love for education policy that began before starting a family. I hold a master’s degree in public policy and economics, and following completion of my degree, I became the sole education analyst in the Independent Budget Office of New York City. In this role, I was exposed to all levels of school finance issues as well as other policy issues such as class size. While raising my family, I have worked part-time for several education consulting firms working with schools and districts across the country.

I would love the opportunity to serve the Lincoln community by becoming a School Committee member. The work of the School Committee is both fascinating and important and I can think of no better way for me to contribute to the local community. I welcome any opportunity to connect with Lincolnites before the election and I hope you will consider voting for me on March 27.

Matina Madrick
67 Conant Rd.
mmadrick@gmail.com

“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

Dance party at Bemis

Insight Boston, a not-for-profit organization that offers personal growth and development seminars for “teaching practical ways to live from your heart,” will host a rock ‘n roll dance party at Bemis Hall on Saturday, Jan. 28 from 6:30–10 p.m. Graduates of  Insight Seminars, their friends and loved ones, and Lincoln residents are invited. This adult-only (18+) event is free.

There will be light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks available, as well as information about Insight seminars. Please RSVP and address any questions to Stephanie Kramp (stephkramp@yahoo.com).

Kindergartener families invited to learn about Girl Scouts

The Lincoln Girl Scouts will host a Kindergarten Daisy Launch on Monday, Feb. 13 from 6:15–7:15 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library, Tarbell Room. At this free session, your kindergartener will have fun exploring the magic of space and creating a rubber-band-powered Daisy Cup Launcher while adults discuss when and where the troop will meet, parent involvement, and the goals for the year as well as fill out required paperwork. ​​​​​​​Click here to learn more and confirm your attendance.

Jane French Tatlock

Celebration of the life of Jane Tatlock on Feb. 18

The family of Jane French Tatlock will hold a celebration of her life featuring the Lincoln Bell Ringers on Saturday, Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. in the stone church (14 Bedford Rd.). In the spirit of Jane, attendees are invited to dress festively, and if you’d like to add a picture to a communal board, bring one along. Tatlock died on October 3, 2022 at the age of 81.

Boston Globe shines light on Sidetrack program

An interactive article on “The radical, forgotten experiment in educational integration that changed my life” by Lincoln native Peter Thomson recently published in the Globe looks back on a 1971 experiment in integration education.

“The kernel of the idea sprang in 1970 from an unlikely source — a fifth-grade teacher in Lincoln named Carol Kellogg, who’d grown disenchanted with the complacency of her wealthy, white, and largely liberal town. She felt that while she and others professed concern about racism, they were basically ‘sitting out here in our cozy little suburb not doing a darn thing,’ as she told Lincoln’s Fence Viewer newspaper at the time,” Thomson writes.

“Yes, there was Metco, a new initiative to bus a few Black kids from segregated and underfunded schools in Boston to better-funded ones in the suburbs, including Lincoln. But it carried an old-school air of condescension—whites were the benefactors, white culture was the norm, and the relationships between the communities involved were left largely unexplored and unchanged. Kellogg had heard about experimental schools that were directly engaging the social challenges of the time and hatched an idea for a radical alternative to Metco: a full-on collaboration in which equal numbers of white and Black junior high schoolers from Lincoln and Boston would spend equal amounts of time in each community, learning together and building relationships in and out of the classroom.

“She imagined that they’d shuttle back and forth in a train car on the commuter rail line and that the car would double as their school while it sat on a little-used track in Lincoln — a sidetrack. The train car idea proved a little too kooky even for free-thinking Lincoln. But the basic concept got traction. And the name stuck.”

To read the story on the Globe website, where you can mouse over teenagers’ photos to see their names, click here. Nonsubscribers can read a PDF here.

Bruno the serval thriving in Minnesota sanctuary

It’s the one-year anniversary of Bruno the serval’s relocation to the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, Minn., and the organization made this video about him. He’s in much better shape than when he was discovered hungry and injured in Lincoln in 2022, but he’s getting around fine on three legs. He’s also grown after getting plenty of food and has made friends with other servals.

My Turn: Domnitz also running for re-election to Planning Board

By Robert Domnitz

This is an exciting time to be on the Planning Board. After years of study and debate — and seismic shifts in our economic and cultural landscape — the board and other major town boards and committees have made progress towards a common vision for the village center area in South Lincoln. The vision is reinforced by the results of a town-wide survey in 2021 in which 800 respondents expressed a strong preference for enhancing the commercial viability of the area while also preserving the rural character that makes Lincoln so unique.

Ideas on the table include: modest development of multifamily housing in the mall area, rezoning for mixed commercial/residential development on Lewis Street, and increasing opportunities for accessory apartments in existing homes. In response to strong neighborhood input, the Ridge Road area is slated to remain residential with no change to its zoning. 

Lincoln has done an admirable job balancing and preserving its unique rural character with a modestly expanding population. Most residents would be surprised to learn that 30% of Lincoln’s housing stock is multifamily. That’s good planning! 

I treasure the beauty of Lincoln’s lands and our progressive culture, and I look forward to continuing to serve on the Planning Board as our community evolves. There will be much more to discuss as we get closer to the election at the end of March.

Bob Domnitz
Mill Street, Lincoln

“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: DeLisi announces reelection bid

By Lynn DeLisi

I am announcing my bid for re-election to the Planning Board for the Town of Lincoln because we are facing important key issues that require a commitment to collaborative, responsible, and sensible planning. These issues could have an effect on Lincoln for many years to come.

During my years serving on the Planning Board I have learned a tremendous amount about how towns function and plan for the future. There have been several controversial issues that have come before our board, from renovations of an historic church, to new schools, a mental health residential facility, a new rental development, and the exclusion of marijuana establishments from our town. In each case I have listened carefully to abutters and people most affected and heard the views on all sides, researching the issues and possibilities, and most of all, voting responsibly to preserve the bylaw of our town and its unique environment. If re-elected, I will continue to dedicate the next three years to serve you in this way.

I would very much like to hear your views about current topics now being discussed, such as: how or if we can comply with the Housing Choice Act without losing the desirable rural character of Lincoln, and how we can come up with a sensible community center plan that serves our residents well without raising taxes, or any other I have not mentioned.

I can best be reached by personal email (delisi76@aol.com0 and I look forward to hearing from you.

Lynn DeLisi
South Great Road

“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

Lincoln historian speaks on her latest book

Megan Kate Nelson

Civil War historian and Lincoln resident Megan Kate Nelson will give a talk about her new book, Saving Yellowstone: Exploration and Preservation in Reconstruction America (Scribner, 2022) at the Concord Museum on Tuesday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. at the Concord Museum. It tells the vivid story of how, 150 years ago, Yellowstone became the world’s first national park amid the nationwide turmoil and racial violence of the Reconstruction era. A narrative of adventure and exploration, the creation of Yellowstone is also a story of Indigenous resistance and the struggles of Black southerners during a turning point in the nation’s history. Nelson was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize in 2020 for The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West (read this Lincoln Squirrel profile of her). Click here to register.

Session on radon risks and testing

January is National Radon Action Month, Michael Feeney, director of the Indoor Air Quality Program at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, will give a presentation on radon health risks, testing, and mitigation on Thursday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. His talk will address residents’ health regarding exposure to radon that may accumulate in their homes and provide radon health and exposure reduction information to interested residents. Feeney has conducted over 1,800 indoor air quality investigations in schools, office buildings, libraries, courthouses, town halls, firehouses, police stations and homes throughout Massachusetts. Anyone may attend in person, but those who want to attend via Zoom must preregister; click here to register.

 Flu and Covid-19 vaccine clinic 

Lincoln residents ages 6 months and up may get free flu and Covid-19 vaccinations at a clinic on Friday, Jan. 27 from 4–7 p.m. in the Reed Gym. Advance registration required.

Police log for January 1-11, 2023

January 1

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (1:29 a.m.) — An officer checked on a motor vehicle parked on the side of the highway. The operator had briefly pulled over and was on their way.

January 2

Tower Road (7:15 a.m.) — A resident detected the odor of natural gas outside of their residence. The Fire Department responded and checked the area with a gas meter, which did not register anything out of the ordinary. National Grid was notified.

Tower Road (9:25 a.m.) — A resident asked to speak to an officer regarding some home security images.

Moccasin Hill (10:20 a.m.) — A resident requested assistance with a raccoon observed close to their home. Animal Control was notified.

South Great Road (11:23 a.m.) — Several phone calls came in reporting a single motor vehicle crash in the area of 297 South Great Road. Police and fire units responded to the scene. The single occupant of the vehicle appeared to be uninjured; the the vehicle was towed.

DeCordova Museum (2:46 p.m.) — An officer responded to the museum for a parking complaint. The owner of a vehicle blocking another was told to move their vehicle.

January 3

Bank of America, Lincoln Road (3:57 a.m.) — An officer checked on an occupied motor vehicle. The operator of the vehicle was an employee of a business at the mall.

Tower Road (11:08 a.m.) — An officer was asked to respond to the residence for unspecified suspicious circumstances.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (11:26 a.m.) — An officer observed a vehicle parked on the shoulder of Route 2. The operator had pulled over to use their phone.

Concord Road (11:52 a.m.) —A resident requested assistance after they lost the phone connection with another family member. The other person was fine; there was an issue with the phone lines.

Concord Road (12:40 p.m.) — A caller reported a transformer was smoking after a limb made contact with the wires. The Fire Department and Eversource were notified and responded.

North Great Road (4:40 p.m.) — A two-vehicle crash was reported at the intersection with Hanscom Drive. Both operators were transported to area hospitals for non-life-threatening injuries. Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene. One of the operators was cited for failing to stop at the intersection.

Wells Road (5:55 pm.) — A resident requested assistance from police with checking on a family member. Contact was made and everyone was fine.

January 4

Hemlock Circle (10:23 a.m.) — A caller reported possible banking fraud. An officer responded and an investigation is ongoing.

Trapelo Road (2:41 p.m.) — An officer was asked to see if an individual required assistance. None was necessary and the individual went on their way.

January 5

Page Road (12:34 p.m.) — A resident asked to speak to an officer regarding an unemployment claim fraudulently filed in their name.

January 6

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:12 a.m.) — After a two-vehicle crash, officers arrived as both operators were outside their vehicles exchanging paperwork.

Lexington Road (8:30 p.m.) — A resident reported receiving phone calls from an individual or group posing as the police.

January 7

Harvest Circle (9:47 a.m.) — An officer responded to speak with a caller regarding the use of their vehicle.

Cranberry Terrace, Hanscom AFB (12:01 p.m.) — An officer spoke to an individual about a missing/stolen piece of jewelry.

South Great Road (1:52 p.m.) — A person came to the police station to report a possible stolen credit card.

South Commons (2:31 p.m.) — A resident reported possible vandalism to the exterior of their residence.

January 8

Lowden Sav-a-tree, Lewis Street (1:52 p.m.) — Police received a call about a burst pipe on the exterior of a building. The Fire Department and utilities were notified.

Wells Road (2:45 p.m.) — A resident wanted to speak to an officer regarding a lost/stolen item.

South Great Road (3:10 p.m.) — A resident called to report items either missing or stolen. A police office responded and spoke with the resident.

January 9

South Great Road (3:54 p.m.) — A caller reported an individual retrieving something from a mailbox. The individual was a resident.

Lincoln Road (5:38 p.m.) — A well-being check was requested from an outside agency. All individuals were OK.

Lincoln Road (7:59 p.m.) — A caller reported seeing what they thought was smoke coming from an occupied residence. The smoke was actually steam from a vent.

January 10

Tower Road (4:23 p.m.) — A caller reported their child had not checked in with an after-school program. The child was located and returned to their parent.

January 11

Lincoln Road (12:36 a.m.) — An officer checked on a vehicle parked at the mall. The vehicle was occupied by an employee of Twisted Tree.

My Turn: Sarah Cannon Holden runs for another term

By Sarah Cannon Holden

I wish to announce my bid for re-election as Lincoln’s Town Moderator. I have served in this role since 2010 and look forward to a fifth three-year term.

In my role, I have presided over Town Meetings covering a variety of issues with the goal of encouraging and managing an open and respectful debate among the town’s voters. I know that this goal remains steadfast in my mind even if we may veer off course now and then. I enjoy the challenges that pop up quite unexpectedly and which require on-the-spot rulings. I welcome moments of candor and humor as well as the caring and serious deliberations between town boards and voters. It is my responsibility to appoint members to the Finance and Capital Planning Committees, the Personnel Board, and the Scholarship Fund Committee.

My professional training as a mediator/arbitrator often comes in handy, and over the years I have learned many of the finer details of the legislative process. Our democratic process is a brilliant idea which requires a level of trust, respect, and participation to be effective. In Lincoln I have witnessed the finest expression of democracy among our citizens. It has been my privilege and fortuitous opportunity to serve as Lincoln’s Town Moderator for 12 years. Last fall I was elected to serve a three-year term on the governing board of the Massachusetts Moderators Association.

I always welcome newcomers to town and to Town Meeting. They can bring new suggestions and perspectives — and I am ever hopeful that they will step forth to serve on a board or committee. I look forward to seeing you at Town Meeting on Saturday, March 25 and I ask for your vote on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Sarah Cannon Holden
Weston Road

“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.