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

Police log for July 1–9, 2022

July 1

Wells Road (12:12 a.m.) — Resident called reporting someone is outside the building talking on their cell phone and they felt it was odd due to the time of night. An officer checked the area and everything was fine.

Bedford Road (12:17 p.m.) — Caller locked their keys in their car. The Fire Department responded and assisted the party with opening the door.

South Great Road (1:32 p.m.) — Council on Aging and Human Services asked police to do a well-being check on the resident. An officer checked and everything was fine. The resident was asked to follow up with the COA.

Weston Road (4:23 p.m.) — Caller reported hitting what they thought was a rock on Weston Road as they were driving home. An officer went and spoke to the party, who appeared confused as to where it happened. Report taken.

July 2

Tower Road (6:24 p.m.) — Caller reported the railroad gates were stuck down. An officer responded and contacted Keolis, which responded and fixed the gates.

July 3

Wells Road (2:01 a.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a resident. Officers checked on the party and everything was fine.

Baker Bridge Road (6:42 p.m.) — Two cars were parked in the No Parking Zone were ticketed.

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (8:37 p.m.) — Concord police reported a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed eastbound. An officer responded to the area but was unable to locate the motorcycle.

Wells Road (8:47 p.m.) — Resident reported a vehicle is parked in the fire lane. An officer responded and the vehicle was moved by the owner.

July 4

Codman Road (11:29 a.m.) — Caller reported that she was scratched by a dog while walking on the “red trail” earlier in the day behind the Codman House. An officer spoke with the party and took a report.

Baker Bridge Road (5:59 p.m.) — Nine cars parked in the No Parking zone were ticketed.

July 5

Todd Pond Road (1:49 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported someone opened up an account in their name. An officer took a report.

July 6

Laurel Drive (1:53 p.m.) — Paperwork from the Registry of Motor Vehicles was delivered to a resident.

Wells Road (2:31 p.m.) — Fire Department reported an odor of brush burning in the area and investigated; nothing was found.

Rockwood Lane (4:12 p.m.) — A minibike driven by a juvenile struck the tire of a FedEx vehicle. No injuries.

Weston Road (6:33 p.m.) — Caller reported a firework in the field along Weston Road. The firework, which was used, was disposed of.

Donelan’s Supermarket (8:53 p.m.) — Caller reported locking their keys in the bathroom of Donelan’s and the store was now closed. Attempts were made to contact the manager. The party called back and advised that they’ll get them in the morning.

July 7

Burlington (12:30 p.m.) — Detective Ian Spencer assisted Burlington police with a forensic sketch related to an investigation in that town.

Lincoln Public Library (4:45 p.m.) — Caller reported that a truck hit a vehicle next to the library and drove down Trapelo Road. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the truck.

Silver Hill Road (8:41 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle had been parked across the street for a while. An officer checked and found no problem with the location.

Ryan Estate (10:24 p.m.) — Caller reported people in another unit were making noise moving about the apartment. An officer spoke to both parties and advised them to speak with management.

July 8

Codman Road (12:58 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle pulled to the side of the road with what appeared to be two occupants arguing. Officers checked the area but were unable to locate.

Lincoln Police Department (3:11 p.m.) — A party came to the station regarding a lost item.

July 9

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:00 p.m.) — Concord police reported a party walking along Route 2. Officers checked the area but the person was gone on arrival.

Baker Bridge Road (5:42 p.m.) — Vehicles illegally parked along Baker Bridge Road were ticketed.

Windingwood Lane (6:33 p.m.) — Caller reported that a vehicle was in the area on a routine basis early in the morning and requested an extra check of the area.

DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum (10:54 p.m.) — A walk-in to the station reported loud music from the DeCordova. An officer checked and a wedding party was finishing up.

News acorns

Library mystery party for teens

Kids age 12 and up are invited to a Crimson Mystery Party at the Lincoln Public Library on Thursday, July 14 at 6 p.m. Sign up to be a character and come prepared to work together to solve the mystery. Space is limited; email SFeather@minlib.net with any questions and to sign up. Supported by the Friends of the Lincoln Library.

St. Anne’s hosts blood drive

St. Anne’s in-the-Fields Episcopal Church will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Thursday, July 21 from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or sign up online at redcrossblood.org using the sponsor code STANNEITF. Blood is routinely transfused to patients with cancer and other diseases, premature babies, organ transplant recipients and trauma victims. With someone in the U.S. needing blood every two seconds, blood products must be constantly replenished. Donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.

Submit your nature photos for LLCT calendar

Calling all photographers! Each year the Lincoln Land Conservation Trust/Rural Land Foundation produces the Open Spaces of Lincoln calendar, which is a stunning showcase of Lincoln’s rural landscapes and abundant wildlife. All proceeds benefit the conservation, stewardship, and educational activities of the LLCT. Photographers of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate. Photos must be taken in Lincoln and capture the rural and natural landscape, waterways, plants, or wildlife. Submissions for the 2023 calendar will be accepted through Sunday, July 24. Click here for participation guidelines and instructions for submitting photos.

My Turn: Thanks from a new Lincoln fan

To the editor:

My family spent a week in Lincoln in June, renting a home off Tower Road while our daughter worked at the community organic farm in Natick. To the good people of Lincoln: we had such a great time in your community and look forward to coming back.

The system of trails, paths along roads, and conservation areas made a deep impression on us. We walked out the door each morning and followed trails to the town center, Drumlin Farm and Codman Farm, and through the Umbrello/Fernald woods and other spots. We walked around Farrar Pond, and my wife and daughter swam in Walden Pond. We felt a great gratitude to everyone who has created and maintained your remarkable conservation system.

We drove around Lincoln a good bit as well, but all this walking was a really satisfying way to experience your community, from the ground level and at a slower pace. We did not meet a lot of folks on this first visit, but those we did meet were very welcoming. Now, we are southerners; we know that wintertime Lincoln is a whole different reality! But we might be up for that, too, if we can find someone around here to teach us a little cross-country skiing first.

Sincerely,

Rob Shapard
Chapel Hill, N.C.

“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.

Addendum and correction

In the July 4 parade photo gallery posted on July 5, Marika Hamilton’s title was listed incorrectly. She is Lincoln METCO Director and AIDE Coordinator. Also, the name of the band was incorrect — it  is Jonda, not the Nays.  Three members of Jonda — Bryce Wells, Doug Carson, and Jon Taunton-Rigby — grew up in Lincoln (bass player John Orosz lives in Somerville).   

The gallery also now includes lots more images. We couldn’t include them all, but many thanks to the readers who submitted photos!

Police log for June 22–30, 2022

June 22

Airport Road (10:10 a.m.) —Family member called to do a well-being check on their parents. An officer checked; everything was fine.

Robbins Road, Bedford (12:00 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called reporting a party attempting to get on the base with an active traffic warrant for his arrest. An officer responded and placed Thomas Marcolongo, 41, of Foxboro under arrest. He was brought to the Concord District Court after being booked at the police station.

Griffiss Street, Bedford (4:20 p.m.) — Hanscom Security Forces called report a past assault and battery happened on the base. An officer responded and took a report. The incident involved two workers, no injuries. The matter is being investigated.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (6:39 p.m.) — An officer spoke to parties involved in a landlord/tenant dispute. The officer advised both parties of their legal options.

June 23

Lincoln Road (9:44 a.m.) — Two-car motor vehicle crash in front of the police station. No injuries.

Todd Pond Road (1:05 p.m.) — Caller requested a well-being check on a family member who they hadn’t heard from. While en route, the caller cancelled as they were contacted by the involved party.

Wells Road (1:06 p.m.) — An officer delivered paperwork to a resident from the RMV.

Great Meadows Road, Concord (2:21 p.m.) — Concord Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical. The Fire Department responded and transported a party to Emerson Hospital.

Ballfield Road (3:07 p.m.) — Fire Department responded for a medical; ambulance transported a party to a local hospital.

June 24

South Great Road (11:16 a.m.) — Caller requested an officer to stand by while they got belongings out of a residence.

Sudbury Road, Concord (3:06 p.m.) — Concord police requested an officer to assist with a motor vehicle crash.

Tower Road (9:49 p.m.) —Caller requested a well-being check on a family member who they couldn’t get in touch with. An officer responded and spoke to the party; everything was fine.

June 25

Winter Street (2:32 p.m.) — Caller reported a vehicle leaking fuel. An officer responded along with the Fire Department. The vehicle was delivering water and was leaking water, not fuel.

South Great Road (5:52 p.m.) — Caller reported a party lying on the sidewalk possibly in need of assistance. An officer checked on the party and everything was fine.

Donelan’s Supermarket (5:55 p.m.) — Store manager reported that a child was separated from their parent. An officer responded and on arrival, the parent and child were reunited.

Birchwood Lane (10:48 p.m.) — Caller reporting hearing what sounded like gunshots in the area. An officer checked but was unable to locate the source.

June 26

Baker Bridge Road (4:15 p.m.) — Report of multiple cars parked in a no-parking zone. An officer responded and moved several cars along. Several cars were also ticketed.

Hemlock Circle (4:57 p.m.) — Fire Department responded for an investigation. They will follow up with the building inspector and wiring inspector.

Juniper Road, Weston (7:50 p.m.) — Weston Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical. The Lincoln Fire Department transported a party to Newton Wellesley hospital.

June 27

Donelan’s Supermarket (1:44 a.m.) — An officer reported an alarm going off in the rear of the building and summoned the Fire Department. The alarm was coming from a piece of equipment inside the building.

South Great Road (9:46 p.m.) — A passerby reported a party lying along the side of the road. Officers checked and the party was waiting for a ride.

Old County Road (3:08 p.m.) — The DPW was at the scene of a downed tree when a tree fell on top of their vehicle. No injuries.

Sudbury Road, Concord (5:23 p.m.) — Concord Fire Department requested an ambulance for a medical. The Lincoln Fire Department transported a party to Emerson Hospital.

Fenway Lane, Hanscom Air Force Base (7:36 p.m.) — Caller reported being the victim of credit card fraud. An officer took a report.

June 28

North Great Road (12:49 P.M.) — An officer took a report of identity fraud.

June 29

Chestnut Circle (2:13 p.m.) — Fire Department responded to a telephoned fire alarm. They reported that a battery in the panel needs to be replaced.

Baker Bridge Road (4:28 p.m.) — Two-car motor vehicle crash near the Carroll School. No injuries; both vehicles were towed.

June 30

Tower Road (7:35 a.m.) — Caller reported several mailboxes were knocked over during the night. An officer responded and took a report.

Blueberry Lane (12:46 p.m.) — Report of an alarm sounding in the area. Officer located the source of the alarm; everything appeared secure.

Concord Road (1:27 p.m.) — Caller reported a party walking along the side of the road who appeared to be in need of assistance. An officer responded and the party was fine.

Codman Road (7:28 p.m.) — Caller reported a party petting cows in the field. An officer responded and moved them along.

Silver Birch Lane (8:36 p.m.) — Caller reported a dog barking at their neighbors. An officer responded; he didn’t hear any barking but asked the neighbor to bring their dog inside.

Concord Road (11:53 p.m.) — Concord police reported a breaking-and-entering at a gas station on Route 2 who may have run into the woods. Lincoln officers were asked to keep an eye out; they responded but no contact was made.

Fire damages Lincoln Road home

The back deck of 227 Lincoln Road after the fire. (Photos courtesy Erica Gonella)

A fire that started atop a Lincoln Road home’s hot tub on June 26 burned the deck and the side of the adjoining house before firefighters extinguished it.

Thirteen-year-old Keira Aslam was home alone at 227 Lincoln Road she saw flames and smoke and called 911 just before 2 p.m. on an afternoon where the temperature was about 90 degrees. Lincoln firefighters and two trucks arrived minutes later, followed shortly by backup fire trucks from Concord, Wayland and Sudbury.

When firefighters got there, they found the back deck fully involved with flames rolling up the side of the house, along with fire under the deck and kitchen windows breaking from the heat. They extinguished the fire and opened the roof and soffits to check for any spread.

The fire started when a mop with flammable deck-refinishing oil was drying on the hot tub cover. “With the extreme heat on Sunday afternoon and the sun beating down, it spontaneously combusted and immediately burned the hot tub and surrounding deck and exterior walls,” said Keira’s mother, Erica Gonella. “It’s very fortunate she was there and they were speedy. It could have brought the whole house down.”

The Lincoln Fire Department’s report estimated there was more than $840,000 in damage to the house, which had an assessed value of $1.4 million (not including land).

Words of advice from Gonella (delivered via email with a smile emoji): “Make sure you properly store and clean flammable materials and don’t let your husbands do home projects :-)”

News acorns

Retirement party for library’s Rothenberg

Lisa Rothenberg

Residents are invited to a retirement party for Lincoln Public Library Assistant Director Lisa Rothenberg on Thursday, June 30 from 2–4 p.m. (the library will close at 5 p.m. that day). Rothenberg began working at the library in September 1988 when the new library addition was under construction as Head of Technical Services and ran the back office operations for purchasing, cataloging, and processing books and other materials. For the past eight years, Lisa she served as Assistant Director and oversees adult services departments (reference and circulation) as well as selecting materials to purchase for adults.

Over the span of her career, Lisa also worked on special projects. For example, Lisa worked with consultants and staff to build and redesign the library’s website. She’s always interested in what’s new, like electronic materials (books, movies, and music), and making them available to our patrons. Many residents know Lisa from her book groups and her work at public service desks.

Kids’ triathlon is this Saturday

Lincoln’s 18th annual Splash, Mash & Dash Kids’ Triathlon takes place at Codman Pool on Saturday, July 2 starting at 8:30 a.m. Race distances are as follows:

  • Ages 5-6: 25m swim (1 length), ¼ mile run (no bike) 
  • Ages 7-8: 25m swim (1 length), 1 mile bike, ½ mile run
  • Ages 9-10: 50m swim (2 lengths), 2 mile bike, ½ mile run
  • Ages 11-12: 75m swim (3 lengths), 2 mile bike, ¾ mile run
  • Ages 13-14: 150m swim (6 lengths), 4 mile bike, 1 mile run

Racers 8 and under are accompanied by a guard in the water. Click here to register $30 per person). Everyone gets a T-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and lots of memories. Pick up packets on Friday, July 1 from 12:30–7 p.m. at the Parks and Recreation Department in Hartwell Pod A. Organizers are also looking for volunteers to help out during the race — email ginger.reiner@gmail.com. 

See electric vehicles at Pierce House

The Lincoln Green Energy Committee will celebrate Energy Independence Day on Monday, July 4 with electric vehicles on display at the Pierce House after the parade. If you’ve been wanting to learn more about EVs, come see a Tesla, Bolt, and Leaf. EVs from other manufacturers are also welcome — email Belinda Gingrich at belinda.gingrich@gmail.com.

Annual water quality report available

Every year, the Water Department is required to publish an official Consumer Quality Report (CCR) explaining what is added to town water and the results of all the tests performed during the year. The data collected during 2021 is now available to the public. Print versions of the report are available in the lower lobby of Town Hall and at the library, or read online by clicking here.

Residents with private wells should also test their water every year or two. The Water Department website lists several local laboratories, and the MassDEP has a searchable database of laboratories you can use to find a laboratory on your own. Please read the MassDEP’s guidance document on things to consider when choosing a laboratory.

Leak shuts off water service on much of Lincoln Road

Workers dig down to fix the leaking water pipe on Lincoln Road. (Photo by Alice Waugh)

A leak in a water pipe under Lincoln Road on Tuesday afternoon meant no water service for a wide swath of Lincoln homes and businesses between Codman Road and Weston Road including some side roads, with service not expected to be restored until late last night.

A contractor’s crew was digging a deep hole Tuesday afternoon as police directed traffic around the soggy street near the intersection with Todd Pond Road after Water Department workers shut off water on either side of the leak. Water Commission Chair Ruth Ann Hendrickson said the long stretch of Lincoln Road affected may have been because of balky shutoff valves near the site of the leak.

“You go to the gate valve on either side [of the leak] to close it, but then if that one isn’t working, you go to the next and then the next” until you find one in working order that can be shut. Valves sometimes corrode and the problem isn’t discovered until the infrequent occasion when workers try to close them.

“It’s well known in the industry” that many gate valves are stuck open, Hendrickson said. The Water Department has a program in place to test all the gate valves in town and “they’ve fixed quite a few already,” but many more still need to be looked at, she added.

It was still unclear Tuesday evening how the leak was discovered or if it was due to a break in the water main itself or a joint between two lengths of pipe. Most leaks occur at joints that fail, she said.

The Water Department learns about a new leak every couple of months. Sometimes they’re discovered only when water collects on the ground above a leak, or — as has happened recently — when a resident reports hearing water rushing into a storm drain underground when the weather is dry, Hendrickson said. The department checks for leaks once a year using listening devices to pick up the sound of running water late at night when most residents are asleep and not using water, she added.

Correction

The June 26 story headlined “Debate over opening more trails to bikes continues” incorrectly stated that the trail segments shown in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee’s June 22 presentation to the Conservation Commission were new additions to the draft master plan the group unveiled to the Select Board in April. The segments actually were contained in that earlier plan but were coded with the same colors as roadway and roadside path opportunities.