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

Legal notice: Planning Board (16 Mill St.)

TOWN OF LINCOLN PLANNING BOARD
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING FOR SIGN PERMIT

The Lincoln Planning Board will hold a public hearing at 7:01 PM on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 via hybrid meeting to review an application for a Sign Permit pursuant to Section 16.5 of the Zoning Bylaw. The applicant, Michelle Custead, proposes adding one building-mounted sign and one ground-mounted sign for Ally Specialty Veterinary Center at 16 Mill Street, Parcel 115-17-0. The application is available for review by e-mailing Jennifer Parker at parkerj@lincolnma.gov. The agenda with the Zoom information and meeting location will be posted to the town website at lincolntown.org/Calendar.aspx at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. This meeting will be converted to a fully remote meeting if the weather so dictates and appropriate notice will be provided. Anyone wishing to be heard may be present at the designated time and place, written comments will also be accepted.

Lynn DeLisi and Gary Taylor, Co-Chairs
Lincoln Planning Board

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

Legal notice: Order of Notice (BSL/BN Commons Licensee Inc.)

Editor’s note: BSL/BN is the prior holder of the on-premises liquor license at The Commons in Lincoln. The dissolution will have no impact on the current liquor license holder at The Commons, nor any impact on The Commons.

ORDER OF NOTICE

WHEREAS a civil action has been commenced by BSL/BN Commons Licensee Inc. (“BSL/BN”), seeking a petition for dissolution, pursuant to G.L. c. 180, §11. Any person who has a claim against BSL/BN may present themselves to the Middlesex Superior Court, 200 Tradecenter Dr. Woburn, MA on April 21, 2026 in Courtroom 720 at 2:00 p.m. and address the Court.

We COMMAND YOU if you intend to make any defense, that on April 21or within such further time as the law allows you, to cause your written pleading to be filed in the office of the Clerk of Court named above, in said Commonwealth, and further that you defend against said action according to law if you intend any defense, and that you do and receive what the Court shall order and adjudge herein. If you do not, said action may be adjudged and orders entered in your absence.

It is ORDERED that notice of this action be given by publishing, once a week for three successive weeks, the last publication to be at least 20 days before said return date, in the Lincoln Squirrel.

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

Residents demand more oversight of Hanscom funding

Dozens of residents speaking by Zoom at the March 11 Finance Committee meeting demanded greater oversight of education spending after about $2 million was mistakenly allocated from Lincoln town funds for Hanscom School benefits and pensions from FY2021–2025.

The error was first brought to light in 2022 by resident David Cuetos. The School Committee performed an audit in 2024; also that year, a working group including Cuetos was formed, aided by a consultant. Since then, about $560,000 has been returned, but he and others have been trying to get the town to recover the other $1.5 million.

Cuetos published his detailed report on the matter in a March 3 “My Turn” piece in the Lincoln Squirrel. FinCom chair Paul Blanchfield posted his own piece on the issue on March 9.

“Can you explain why it was OK for residents to lose control of that money? We didn’t get to vote on it or a say about what it goes towards,” Sarah Postlethwait said. “Hanscom needs to reduce their costs so they can save up for these [unfunded] liabilities. Why is this considered acceptable?”

Blanchfield said that the School Committee and not the FinCom has sole responsibility about how education funding in Lincoln is spent or saved. “In the vast majority of cases in town, I would say we have a direct democracy, but this is a little more representative. We elect School Committee members every year,” he said.

“We didn’t vote on their having the $2 million in their pocket,” Postlethwait said. 

“I’m not going to disagree with the sentiment of what you’re saying,” Blanchfield replied.

“It’s a gray area,” said FinCom member Greg Haines. “Technically [the School Committee’s]  prerogative, but the Finance Committee could make a recommendation.” 

“It’s a mistake to transfer money from the general fund to pay for Hanscom expenses,” said resident Sarah Liepert. “They should return it to where it’s supposed to be. I can’t understand any other answer than that.”

The FinCom said they would recommend that the School Committee institute a formal reserve policy. The Hanscom issue will be on the committee’s March 19 meeting agenda.

“I actually think the School Committee does not have the prerogative to use that money,” Cuetos said, adding that he would consult town counsel about the question. He suggested that there should be a vote on the issue at Town Meeting rather than the School Committee.

“We need as a town to reevaluate how Hanscom funds are handled,” said resident Karla Gravis, suggesting a multi-board approach rather than the School Committee having sole oversight.

“This is really complicated,” Blanchfield said, adding that Lincoln is one of only three school districts in the country that contracts with the Department of Defense to educate children of active service members living in town.

My Turn: Harry Kyros of Country Pizza says farewell

By Harry Kyros

(Editor’s note: Kyros was the owner of Country Pizza, which shut its doors in the Doherty’s Garage building after 29 years in Lincoln.)

I want to thank the community of Lincoln for its support these past 29 years. It was a pleasure and a privilege for a small businessman to be welcomed into your homes through my simple but loving pizza, subs, salads, and calzones. I can only wish you all good health and happiness. I am now energized by your support as I move forward in life. Though my time has come to an end, the shop’s story in Lincoln will continue on.

God bless,

Harry Kyros

“My Turn” is a forum for readers to offer their letters to the editor or views on any subject of interest to other Lincolnians. Submissions must be signed with the writer’s name and street address and sent via email to lincolnsquirrelnews@gmail.com. Items will be edited for punctuation, spelling, style, etc., and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions containing personal attacks, errors of fact, or other inappropriate material will not be published.

Library HVAC project postponed; 0% tax increase in FY27

Officials have decided to pass over the Town Meeting agenda items on funding a new HVAC system for the library after learning that the projected tax incentives were too optimistic.

Warrant articles 7 and 8 would have asked voters to approve a $5.4 million project to install for a ground-source heat pump system or, failing that, $330,000 for a conventional boiler for the library to replace the library’s aging gas-fired boiler and air conditioning system. After a $1 million grant and $1.93 million in tax incentives, the cost to the town was pegged at about $2.47 million. This would not have resulted in a tax increase; the amount was to be bonded with the debt paid from future Community Preservation Act funds.

In summer 2025, the Green Energy Committee was awarded a three-year MassSave Energy Manager Grant, which was used to hire Power Options, Inc. as the town energy manager. The firm targeted the library decarbonization study as the most immediate need and brought in Energy Systems Group (ESG) to perform a more detailed study of library decarbonization strategies and develop 2-year life-cycle cost estimates, according to a Jan. 8 memo.

But ESG found that the expected tax credits were “best case scenario… it changed the dynamic. $1.9 million was not the number we felt comfortable with,” Assistant Town Administrator Dan Pereira told the Finance Committee on March 11. The group working on the project “made a recommendation to pause and allow us more time to work on the tax incentive side and get a better second opinion on costs.”

The group expects to present a revised spending proposal to voters at a Special Town Meeting in the fall. In the meantime, tax consulting firms feel that the incentives now on the table are “stable” and will still be available later this year.

Potential capital projects for Lincoln (click image to enlarge).

The FinCom discussed what to do with the unexpected drop in expected spending for FY27. Several members suggest “giving back” some or all of the money in tax relief to residents. In February, the FinCom had recommended a tax increase of 3.5% for the median household in FY27, inclusive of the library HVAC program. The committee is now recommending using an additional $1.3 million ($2.3 million total) to offset debt service to result in a recommendation of a 0.0% increase in FY27 taxes for the median household, FinCom Chair Paul Blanchfield said.

Aside from the library, major capital costs expected in the new few years include $5.32 million in FY28 (the largest being $2 million for Ballfield Road restoration) and about $2 million in FY2029–30, with the next big expenditure coming in FY31 for a comprehensive road project currently estimated at $12 million. Farther in the future: a rebuild of the DPW site on Lewis Street, and land acquisition to expand the Lincoln Cemetery.

Dark Skies group finalizes zoning amendment proposal

After much debate about whether a zoning bylaw can mandate behavior (specifically, requiring people to turn off outdoor lights after 10:00pm), the Dark Skies Subcommittee of the Planning Board finalized a draft of a bylaw amendment that would put more controls on outdoor lighting for new and substantially renovated buildings.

The board debated the matter at its March 10 meeting but postponed a vote on whether to endorse the measure until its next meeting on March 24. Residents will vote on the issue at Town Meeting on March 29.

The proposal is essentially identical to the March 4 version outlined in a March 8 Lincoln Squirrel article (“Dark Skies group tries again for limits on new outdoor lighting”) except for two added definitions and a wording change to make it clear that the requirement to turn off outside lights after 10:00pm applies only to lights at new or substantially renovated homes and not to new or replacement fixtures on existing homes.

The former condition would apply when exterior lighting after 10:00pm is not associated with an “active use,” meaning when lighting is required for ongoing or expected activity such as a planned arrival to a residence, unless otherwise approved by the Planning Board through site plan review or special permit.

The earlier time restriction would have applied to existing homes as well — something that Planning Board Co-chair Lynn DeLisi said she had a “philosophical objection” to. “I just don’t think this belongs in a zoning bylaw,” she said. However, the issue may come up again if the subcommittee proposes a future amendment to the town’s general bylaw, which does include behavior-based restrictions on things like use of gas-powered leaf blowers and noise in general.

Sherry Haydock, co-chair of the Dark Skies Subcommittee, said that the complaint they heard most often was “light trespass,” or bright lights shining onto someone’s property from a neighbor’s house.

“All these complaints are not going to be solved by this bylaw,” since the new rules would not apply to existing lighting, DeLisi remarked.

“That is true,” responded Haydock, acknowledging that “we can’t change those lights but we hope to change behavior through educational materials, public forums, mailings, and friendly letters” to owners of homes who are the subject of neighbor complaints. The caller from the subcommittee would explain the environmental harm done by excessively bright, misdirected, or all-night lighting. The hope is that those residents will voluntarily change to Dark Skies-compliant fixtures or at least install motion detectors or timers.

Some of that educational material is now available via the Dark Skies survey, which includes illustrations of bad lighting practices, lightbulb color temperatures, etc., and the group’s Jan. 12 Select Board presentation.

News acorns

Take the educational Dark Skies survey

In support of its zoning bylaw amendment that will come before voters at Town Meeting on March 28, the Dark Skies Subcommittee of Lincoln’s Planning Board has posted a survey to explore the level of understanding that residents have regarding Lincoln’s Dark Skies Initiatives and where there may be gaps in knowledge. Each section of the survey is brief and designed to assist in the development of educational materials which will be provided to the community for future planning.

TMSC forums on Monday

The Town Meeting Study Committee will host two public forums on Monday, March 16 to present its recommendations to the Select Board and take questions and comments. The report will also be presented to Town Meeting on March 28. The discussions will take place at 8:15am in the Donaldson Room at Town Offices and online that evening at a Zoom link to be posted at the TMSC web page.

Portrait fundraiser for food pantry

Lincoln photographer Corey Flint is hosting a portrait fundraiser for SVdP of Lincoln and Weston’s food pantry on Saturday, March 21 from 2:00–5:00pm at the Pierce House. In just five minutes, Corey will create a portrait for up to four people (sorry, no pets). The suggested donation is $90, with 100% of that going to help our neighbors in need. You can also click here to sponsor a portrait session for a family served by the food pantry (put “portrait donation” in the notes). Spots are limited; click here to book.

Three artists to head panel at deCordova

On Thursday, March 26 from 6:00–8:00pm, the deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum will host the 2026 Paul J. Cronin Memorial Lecture, featuring the three artists behind the original commissions for “Art & the Landscape: The Land Tells Our Stories,” opening across multiple Trustees properties in June 2026. This special program introduces the artists and the distinct landscapes that will host their site-responsive works, offering an early look into how each project reflects personal histories, ecological narratives, and place-based storytelling. Together, these artists ask a powerful question at the heart of this year’s lecture: Can art create an ecology? This panel is free and open to the public. Click here to register.

Theodore A. Cerri, 1926–2026

Theodore A. Cerri

Theodore Angelo Cerri, age 99, formerly of Wayland, Lincoln, and Stoughton, died on February 28, 2026, surrounded by his family and friends. Ted was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, a major of the U.S. Army, an active-duty veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, and a Bronze Star medal recipient.

Born on July 15, 1926, in Rumford, Maine to Domenic Cerri and Anna Negrini, Ted was raised in Dedham. He was the third-oldest child, predeceased by all his siblings: Lawrence Cerri, Walter Cerri, and Virginia (Booj) Francesconi.

Ted married Carmela (Candy) Defilippo on June 8, 1952, the week before he was deployed to Korea. They were happily married and completely devoted to each other for nearly 73 years when Candy passed away in January of 2025.

After attending Dedham High School but before graduating and still in his 17th year, Ted joined the U.S. Merchant Marine. He sailed to Europe, Asia, and Africa on a liberty ship called the S.S. Henry Ward Beecher, delivering supplies and soldiers to strategic locations while facing a constant threat of attack on the high seas. Ted enjoyed describing his experiences as a mariner — climbing to the crow’s nest, passing ammunition to the gun crews, steering the ship, and standing lookout on the bow in thick fog for the blue warning light on the stern of the vessel that was just yards ahead in the convoy.

Ted Cerri while in the Army.

Ted’s regular military service began in 1945 as an enlisted man serving in Germany until 1948. During that time, he worked as an MP, and also visited various German towns by jeep, looking for parts and supplies for the U.S. Army base in Bremerhaven. Upon his return to the U.S., he attended Boston University on the G.I. bill, made the Dean’s List, participated in the ROTC program, and was designated Distinguished Military Graduate, accepting a regular army commission in 1952 at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. His degree was in Liberal Arts with an emphasis in German literature.

Acceptance of his officer’s commission meant immediate entry into the Army for a minimum of three years and his active-duty orders arrived on June 12, 1952, while he and Candy were on their honeymoon. He was sent to Fort Benning for Infantry Company Officer’s School and then to Fort Knox to train recruits in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Division in Korea. While there, he received his briefing on the division’s missions and status from Col. John Eisenhower (Ike’s son). The next day he was assigned to G Company of the 65th Regiment, which was on the front or main line of resistance near the 38th parallel of the Korean Peninsula. A military transport dropped him off alone at the side of a road at dusk near a trail and the driver instructed him to go find his company. It grew dark after he climbed a few hundred meters and, seeing no sign of his company, spent the night on that hill in freezing temperatures. The next day he was assigned to lead the company’s second platoon.

In January of 1953 while out on patrol in Wonju, Ted found a little South Korean girl abandoned and hiding in a cave. Ted put her at ease and then brought her to a MASH unit where she got the care she needed. In later years, when asked about his combat experience, Ted was quick to point out that the fact he was able to help that innocent victim of the war is what made it all worthwhile.

Ted Cerri with the South Korean girl he found hiding in a cave.

Lieutenant Cerri received the Bronze Star Medal for outstanding heroism. On July 16, 1953, near Kumwha, North Korea, a U.N. patrol became trapped in a minefield, with several men wounded from detonated mines. When Ted heard of this, he immediately left the comparative safety of his position with one or two of his men and moved toward the minefield under heavy fire. He directed the evacuation of the wounded and remained there with complete disregard for his personal safety until all the casualties had been safely removed. He received a second Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, a Korean Citation for his service in the front line, and the Combat Infantry Badge.

After the war Ted reverted to inactive status and joined the Massachusetts National Guard, serving as a captain there for four and one half years in various capacities, including Company Commander and Battery Commander. He was assigned to the 94th Command Headquarters as Operations Supervisor, Combat Commander, and Assistant G-1 from 1963-1965. He was promoted to major in 1965 and served in the Army Reserve until 1972. He retired from the military after serving 24 years.

Ted had a long career in the insurance business, beginning with the Employer’s Group in the later 1950s and then moving on to Utica National Insurance Group where he was the regional loss control manager until his retirement.

Ted was a skilled woodworker (his father was a carpenter by trade), and he especially enjoyed precision work with molding and paneling, often using his lathe and a table saw for which he built a customized table. Ted and his father, Domenic, built Ted and Candy’s house on 93 Forest Road in Stoughton in the 1950’s, where they resided for over 45 years before moving to Lincoln in 2008. They lived independently until May 2024, when they moved into Sunrise Senior Living in Wayland.

Ted, who will be extremely missed, is survived by his two children, Jo Ann Cerri England (Dan England) and Michael Cerri (Judith Campos); his six grandchildren, Genevieve Rudolph (Andy Meisenheimer), Domenic Cerri (Mary Beth Grewe), Camila Campos-Cerri, Daniela Acosta, Marie England Doe (Nic), and Theodore England; and his great grandchildren August Rudolph, Eliana Acosta-Lopez, Isabel Grewe-Cerri, Raphael Grewe-Cerri, and Adeline Carmela Meisenheimer.

Ted also leaves behind his late wife’s dear sister, Maria Falcione, and their brother-in-law, Harold Hanlon, as well as five nephews and two nieces, a host of other relatives, and close family friends. Known as Grampy Ted to both family and chosen family, he deeply loved and cared for each of us. His honorary great-grandchildren Milo, Landon, and Layla Guzman, also had a special place in his heart.

He cherished his Sunrise of Wayland community (staff and friends), who referred to him as a “real gentleman.” He adored the nurses and therapists from Transitions with Care. He was so appreciative and touched by Brian Tony Mwesige and his team from Platinum, who were lovingly by his side these past few months. Our family is so grateful to them all.

Ted had many friends and neighbors to whom he was devoted. He also loved many family dogs, including his grand-dog Lucy who recently passed as well. Ted (Grampy) was always present for us all. He will forever be in our hearts.

A private celebration of life will be held later this year, at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon, with full US Army military honors.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Wreaths Across America program at the MVMC in Winchendon, or to the Friends of the Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery. Checks can be mailed to either group at 14 Winter Place, Winchendon MA 01475.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord. Click here to share a condolence or remembrance on Ted’s tribute page.

William R. Cummings Jr. dies at age 68

William R. Cummings Jr.

William Roy Cummings, Jr., of Fitchburg, formerly of Lincoln, died on February 21, 2026 at Fitchburg HealthCare following a lengthy illness. He was 68.

Known to many as Billy, he was born in Medford on January 4, 1958. He grew up in Lincoln and graduated from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School with the class of 1977. He started his own business, Acton Landcare Landscaping and Snow Plowing, which he ran for most of his adult life until his health declined. Billy will be remembered for his hard work ethic during the many years he took care of his customers. He was a man who also enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: attending concerts, enjoying a meal at a local restaurant and spending quality time with his family and friends.

He leaves behind his three daughters: Lisa (Cummings) Gurrie married to Michael Gurrie, Carrie Cummings, and Kimberly (Cummings) Hays. He also leaves behind his grandchildren Isabella Hays, Hailey Cummings, Jackson Gurrie, and Brayden Gurrie, along with one brother, Thomas Cummings married to Morten Tjelum. Billy was preceded in death by his parents, William and Palma Cummings.

Private burial services are planned at Lincoln Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Concord., which provided this obituary. Click here to share a memory.

Police log for Feb. 26–March 5, 2026

February 26

Page Road (5:53pm) — A person walking on Page Road reported the odor of natural gas. National Grid was notified.

Old Farm Road (1:50pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding a possible scam.

February 27

Concord Road (8:36am) — A person spoke with an officer regarding a past motor vehicle crash.

The Commons of Lincoln (5:47pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding a possible scam.

February 28

Indian Camp Lane (12:38pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding a neighbor dispute.

Donelan’s Supermarket (4:47pm) — A caller requested an officer perform a check on a person who appeared to be confused. An officer spoke with the party; there was no issue.

Tower Road (6:50pm) — A person spoke with an officer regarding a possible harassment incident.

March 1

Harvest Circle (1:15pm) — An officer spoke with a person regarding some missing items.

March 2

Huckleberry Hill (3:22pm) — The fire department responded to a residence for the odor of gas inside the home. Firefighters located the source and rectified the issue.

Lincoln Woods (9:30am) — An officer responded to the area for the report of a past hit-and-run property damage incident.

Bypass Road (7:29am) — Police and fire units responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 2A and Lexington Road. A vehicle failed to yield and struck another. One of the operators was transported to the hospital and the operator responsible for the crash was issued a citation for failing to yield. Both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Wells Road (6:07am) — An officer assisted a resident with an issue related to their door lock.

March 3

Cambridge Turnpike westbound (9:42pm) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police with a motor vehicle crash.

Lincoln Road (7:46pm) — An officer responded to the railroad crossing for the report of malfunctioning railroad gates. Keolis was notified.

March 4

Bedford Road (10:10am) — Officers assisted the Massachusetts State Police due to malfunctioning traffic lights.

Storey Drive (7:40pm) — Officers checked the area for the report of an occupied vehicle parked on the side of the road. The vehicle was gone on arrival.

Concord Road (3:05pm) — Police and fire units checked the area for the reported wire in the roadway. The fire department was able to move a support cable out of the road. The utility company was notified.

Trapelo Road (3:59pm) — An officer encountered several youths who were on the ice by the Cambridge Reservoir. They were advised to move from the area.

Lincoln Road (2:41pm) — A person retrieved some items from the police station.

March 5

Hanscom Law Enforcement, Robbins Road, Bedford (10:17am) — Hanscom Air Force Base Security Forces consulted with an officer regarding prescribed medication.

Greenridge Lane (9:59pm) — Police and fire units responded to the area for utility wires on fire. The fire department extinguished the flames and police remained on scene until the utility crews arrived.

Tower Road (11:14am) — An officer helped a detail officer with traffic flow on South Great Road and Tower Road.