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

Group releases first set of Dark Skies survey results

A Planning Board subcommittee has released the first batch of results from a townwide survey on outdoor lighting.

Around the time of the Town Meeting vote in March 2026 in which residents approved new restrictions on outdoor lighting to protect wildlife, the Lincoln Dark Skies Committee sent out the survey to better understand residents’ experiences with nighttime lighting and their preferences for future lighting practices in Lincoln.

The amended zoning bylaw establishes Dark Skies lighting standards for new construction and major renovations as well as new fixtures on existing buildings. It requires:

  • Shielding to direct all light toward the ground
  • A maximum light color temperature of 2700K (down from the current 3000K)
  • Limits on brightness (900 lumens)
  • New rules on hours of operation for lighting not associated with active use

The measured passed with a 195-48 vote, clearing the required two-thirds majority hurdle. Earlier in March, the Planning Board endorsed the proposed zoning amendment by a 3–1 vote, with board member Gary Taylor casting the only “nay” vote.

The first of three installments of the results of the survey, which garnered 268 responses, focuses on demographic information and opinions about outdoor lighting. Future installments will look at safety and technology.

The first batch of results indicates that respondents share the concerns of the committee. Almost 80% of respondents thought that having light on all night is not helpful, 90% thought having lights on all night impacts wildlife, and 71% thought having lights on all night does not make residents safer.

The majority also said from a neighbor’s property bothered them. Eighty precent or respondents said lights from neighbors were visible from their homes and 64% said they experienced “light trespass,” where artificial light spills beyond the intended property and into neighboring properties or natural areas. Additionally, respondents frequently identified institutional properties as sources of excessive lighting.

However, many who took the survey stressed that some outdoor lighting remains important to help prevent falls on uneven or icy surfaces, navigating long driveways, personal security when arriving home, and visibility around parking lots and transit areas.

The survey discussion also acknowledged that the study had several limitations. Participation was voluntary, meaning self-selection bias is possible, the report noted. Also, the findings were based on participants’ self-reported perceptions rather than objective measurements. “Consequently, the results should be interpreted as reflecting residents’ experiences and perceptions rather than direct assessments of lighting levels or environmental conditions,” the report said.

News acorns

“Three Italian Pigeons” by Michael DiToro (oil on canvas, 22″ x 20”)

Artist’s reception with DiToro

There will be an artist’s reception on Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 6:00–8:00pm at the Lincoln Public Library to mark the opening of an exhibit in the library art gallery by Lincoln resident Michael DiToro.

Lincolnite’s movie debuts

Lincoln native Abigail Ory has had her first feature film, “Death Do Us Part,” accepted into the Rhode Island International Film Festival, which is known for featuring “inventive, incisive, bold, vital and otherwise provocative” movies of any style or genre. The multinational romantasy-dramedy-musical, which Ory co-wrote and co-directed, will have its world premiere on Sunday, Aug. 9 at 7:30pm at the Avon Cinema, 260 Thayer St., Providence RI. See the trailer and learn more about the movie at www.ddup.movie. Single $15 tickets to the screening are available here. Festival passes that include other films can be purchased here. 

Mitchell J. Levine. (Photo courtesy Legacy.com)

Mitchell Jay Levine, 1953–2026

Mitchell Levine, M.D., of Lincoln died on June 29 at age 73 of pancreatic cancer and was laid to rest in a green burial in Wellfleet. Read his obituary, which includes suggestions for donations in his memory.

Coming up at the library

Fizzy Flavor Lab
Monday, Aug. 10 from 2:00–3:00pm, Tarbell Rom
Children ages 5+ are invited to a program with the New England Chef’s Collective that turns scientific concepts into fun, hands-on experiments using safe, edible ingredients. Registration required (please register only attending children).

Celebrating America’s 250th: “Act Worthy of Yourselves”
Monday, Aug. 10 from 7:00–8:00pm, Zoom
Author Salina B. Baker will discuss her book, Act Worthy of Yourselves: A Novel of Dr. Joseph Warren and an American Rebellion, a historical novel that brings Dr. Joseph Warren to life in vivid detail. Register here. This program is in partnership with the Ashland Public Library.

Magical Ms. Kimberly’s Mindful Musical Adventure
Wednesday, Aug. 12 from 11:00–11:45am, Tarbell Room
In this 45 minute, one-woman musical, “Magical Ms. Kimberly,” the whimsical fairy guides audiences through an interactive theatrical experience full of movement and songs. Geared towards children ages 3-8 but all are welcome.​ No registration required.

Police log for July 20–26, 2026

July 20

Tower Road (11:53am) — An officer spoke with a person about the theft of political lawn signs.

Wheeler Road (2:15pm) — An officer assisted the Waltham Police with a civil matter.

Lincoln Road (6:56am) — Multiple calls were received for a tree that had fallen and blocked the roadway. Eversource and the DPW were contacted to coordinate the removal of the tree.

Bedford Road (12:52pm) — Electrical wires sparked a brush fire after a tree had fallen in the area. The fire department knocked down the fire while Eversource cut power to the area.

Lewis Street (9:02pm) — A person spoke with an officer about a possible scam.

Winter Street (12:21pm) — An officer conducted a well-being check on a person. They were OK and assistance arrived a short time after the officer’s visit.

July 21

Marconi’s Auto, Concord Road (6:54am) — Police and fire units arrived on scene of a crash that occurred when a vehicle left the roadway, struck a utility pole, then crashed off to the side of the roadway. The operator was the sole occupant of the vehicle and reported only minor injuries at the scene. The vehicle was towed and the operator was cited.

Boyce Farm Road (8:45am) — A utility wire was reported to be hanging into a travel lane over the roadway. An officer arrived and coned off the area. Verizon was notified.

Winter Street (10:39am) — Officers closed off a section of Winter Street for a large tree that had fallen on electrical wires. Eversource was notified.

Todd Pond Road (2:19pm) — A caller reported a landscape company using a gas powered leaf blower in violation of the Town bylaw. An officer spoke with the landscaper and advised them of the bylaw.

Old Cambridge Turnpike (9:01pm) — A caller requested a check on a person who appeared as though they might be in distress. An officer checked the area but was unable to locate anyone matching the provided description.

Mary’s Way (11:34pm) — An officer assisted a person with a well-being check. The party in question was OK.

July 22

Wells Road (1:28am) — An officer checked the exterior of a residence after a calling party reported a loud noise. Everything appeared normal.

Robbins Road, Hanscom AFB (7:37am) — Hanscom AFB Security Forces requested assistance with a person with an active arrest warrant. An officer responded and took custody of Daniel Flanders, 48, of Rumney, NH. He was taken into custody, booked, then transported to Concord District Court.

Todd Pond Road (8:28am) — A caller reported a landscaper was using a gas-powered leaf blower in violation of the town bylaw. Officers were dedicated to another call and did not respond.

Birchwood Lane (9:10am) — A person spoke with an officer about a possible scam

Lincoln Road (10:24am) — Police and fire units responded for a single-vehicle crash. There were no reported injuries and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

Ridge Road (2:39pm) — A caller reported a landscaper was using a gas-powered leaf blower in violation of the town bylaw. An officer spoke with the homeowner and advised them of the bylaw.

St. Anne’s Church/Concord Road (2:56pm) — An officer responded to the area and removed a large pile of branches from the roadway.

July 23

Wells Road (12:26am) — A caller reported hearing a door being repeatedly opened and closed, causing a loud banging noise. An officer checked the area and found no one near the doorway in question.

South Great Road (8:26am) — A caller reported a minor motor vehicle crash. An officer arrived on scene and assisted both operators with exchanging information. Both vehicles were driven from the scene.

Harvest Circle (1:09pm) — An officer spoke to a staff member about a past incident.

Concord Road (5:49pm) — Police and fire units responded to the intersection for a two-vehicle crash. There were no reported injuries but both vehicles were towed from the scene. One of the operators was cited for failing to yield.

July 24

Cambridge Turnpike eastbound (3:50pm) — A caller reported the traffic lights at Route 2 and Bedford Road were not properly cycling. An officer checked the intersection for several cycles and reported no issue with the traffic lights.

Lincoln Road (6:03pm) — An officer spoke with a person at the station about a civil matter.

Hiddenwood Path (7:35pm) — Police and fire units responded after a low-voltage residential electrical service was pulled from a residence. Eversource was notified.

July 25

Lincoln Road (12:20am) — An officer spoke to a person about an ongoing incident.

Fox Run Road (9:04am) — An officer responded to a residence about a vehicle causing damage to a several lawns in the area.

Dilla Street, Milford (2:51pm) — Lt. Scott Christensen of the Lincoln Fire Department was among the responders from several towns involved on July 25-26 in the search and recovery of a body of a teen who drowned in a Milford quarry. He serves as a shift commander handling vehicle maintenance and fire prevention and has trained alongside regional mutual aid partners as part of the Massachusetts District 14 hazardous/ice rescue and dive units.

Ent Road, Hanscom AFB (4:22pm) — Officers responded for a dispute between neighbors.

Lincoln Road (1:29pm) — A caller reported an incident while on the commuter rail. The individual sought assistance at the next stop.

Lincoln Road, Wayland (2:07pm) — A caller located a dog walking along the roadway in Wayland. The caller was transferred to the Wayland Police Department.

Wells Road (7:14pm) — An officer spoke with a person about a civil matter.

July 26

Sandy Pond Road (1:13am) — A caller reported seeing flames near their residence. An officer arrived on scene and extinguished the fire. The fire department arrived and overhauled the area.

Concord Road (3:59pm) — A person spoke with an officer about a prior vandalism incident.

Silver Hill Road (4:10pm) — An officer was able to remove a tree limb blocking the road.

Baker Bridge Road (5:02pm) — An officer cited several vehicles that were illegally parked by people accessing Walden Pond.

Legal notice: ZBA (Aug. 6, 2026 hearing)

 

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

  • Claudio Sousa, 148 South Great Road, M/P 160-48-0 for a special permit to remove an existing deck and construct an enclosed addition of the same size.
  • Brian Morgan, 59 Conant Road, M/P 151-5-0 for a special permit to allow an accessory apartment in a detached structure.

Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

» Zoom link

Meeting ID: 92780169188       Password: 735886

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.

News acorns

Lincoln firefighter assists in Milford

Lt. Scott Christensen of the Lincoln Fire Department was among the responders from several towns involved on July 25-26 in the search and recovery of a body of a teen who drowned in a Milford quarry. He serves as a shift commander handling vehicle maintenance and fire prevention and has trained alongside regional mutual aid partners as part of the Massachusetts District 14 hazardous/ice rescue and dive units.

Community reading of the U.S. Constitution

The Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Anti-Racism Committee (IDEA) invites all residents, students in fifth grade and above, and staff to join in the second annual out-loud community read of the U.S. Constitution on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7:00pm in the Lincoln School auditorium. Participants will take turns reading a section of the Constitution (total reading time is about an hour and a half to two hours). Contact Rob Stringer or Jennifer Glass if you would like to be a reader. You don’t have to read to participate; a supportive audience is always welcome. Click here to see last year’s event.

July wildlife column

Summer drought and smoky air have been challenging in the natural world in July, but plants and flowers are abloom everywhere. See more in the LLCT/RLF July wildlife column by Gwyn Loud.

Lincoln history: Did you know…

…that Lincoln did not officially name its roads until 1933 — and prior to that, Lincoln’s road names appeared and vanished by local custom and official whim? Read more on the Lincoln Historical Society website.

Coming up at the library

Friends and family puzzle tournament
Thursday, July 30 from 6:30-8:00pm
Friends and families are invited to complete a jigsaw puzzle in a fun, friendly tournament. Each team will be assigned a table with a 300-piece puzzle to be opened when the tournament begins.

Family board games
Monday, Aug. 3 from 4:00–5:30pm
We will provide a variety of games for kids and adults to play together but we also welcome you bringing a family favorite to introduce to others. Registration is encouraged to make sure we have enough games and enough people to play, but drop ins day of are welcome.

Why the sea cries? A bilingual Cinderella storytelling event
Wednesday, Aug. 5 from 11:00am–12:00pm
Karina Liendo will share the tale of a Brazilian Cinderella and her unique sister, whose support helps her through difficult times and leads her to true love. After the story, we’ll reinforce Spanish vocabulary as we sing, play, and do a craft. Registration required.

Library crawl
Wednesday to Thursday, Aug. 5–6 (all day)
Visit as many area libraries as you can and take a picture of yourself with a designated item (or two items) in each library — it’s a scavenger hunt! More information.

Pop-up art school for ages 11-19
Friday, Aug. 7 from 3:00-4:30pm
Craft a two-dimensional needle-felted design of a pleasingly plump panda with bamboo. Registration required.

Legal notice: Historical Commission – Aug. 4 hearing (5 Hawk Hill)

LEGAL NOTICE — HISTORICAL COMMISSION

The Historical Commission will hold a virtual online public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to consider the application of David Knoerr, 5 Hawk Hill Rd., M/P 182-19-0 for approval of an updated design to remove remaining sections of foundation walls. Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

Join Zoom meeting

Meeting ID: 983 9661 4379       Password: 167620

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.

Property sales in June 2026

50 Todd Pond Road — Susan D. Keller to Thomas Barrasso and Tina Kambil for $595,000 (June 30)

70 Todd Pond Road — Thomas A. Risser Trust to Aaron Aguirre and Viviani R. Taqueti for $4,065,000 (June 29)

45 Weston Road — Neil B. Middleton to Layne and Kimberly Ainsworth for $2,311,000 (June 26)

123 Lincoln Road — Christopher W. Stamos to Debra L. Gettelman and Robert E. Koelzer for $2,460,000 (June 25)

15 Mackintosh Lane — Nicholas Covino Jr. Trust to Zachary M. Ruff and Magdalena Kuenkel for $2,020,000 (June 17)

53 Stonehedge — Dennis Hong Trust to Nelson De Castro and Sarah Straus for $2,980,000 (June 16)

152 Chestnut Circle — Donald B. Milan to Robert Levine for $725,000 (June 11)

 

Change in leadership, new lifelong learning program at The Commons

Reynaldo LeBlanc

Reynaldo LeBlanc, executive director at The Commons in Lincoln, has been named as the first president and CEO of the nonprofit JustLiving Communities (JLC), formerly New England Life Plan Communities. JLC owns The Commons, which is operated by Benchmark Senior Living.

LeBlanc joined Benchmark Senior Living in 2013 as move-in coordinator at The Groves in Lincoln (since renamed The Commons in Lincoln) when it was acquired by Benchmark. He was later promoted to director of customer experience and associate campus executive director.

As executive director, a role he assumed in 2018, he guided the community through the Covid-19 pandemic, led its transition to nonprofit ownership under JLC, and oversaw a 28-unit independent living expansion beginning in 2023. The Commons won approval in November 2024 to build 28 new independent living units (14 two-bedroom units in the Flint building, six one-bedroom units in the Russell building, and eight new cottages).

The new executive director will be Debra Foster, who was previously the executive director for The Falls at Cordingly Dam, another Benchmark facility. She starts at The Commons on August 3.

Partnership with OLLI

The Commons in Lincoln has launched a new partnership with Tufts University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) that will give complementary memberships to its residents to access non-credit courses, lectures, interest groups, and special events on campus and remotely. The complimentary membership is worth $75, but program members are responsible for course fees.

All Tufts OLLI courses are taught by vetted OLLI members, Tufts graduate students, Tufts faculty, and subject matter experts. The courses consist of lectures and discussion with no homework. OLLI has 120 locations affiliated with U.S colleges and universities.

In addition to the catalog of remote courses, several classes will be offered to OLLI members on-site at The Commons. This fall, the courses will include “Four Famous Poets: W.B. Yeats, Robert Frost, T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden,” taught by Tufts OLLI member Ed Dyke; “James A. Michener’s ‘Tales of the South Pacific’.” taught by Tufts OLLI member Ronald Bernard; and “Mind of a Killer,” taught by outside instructor John Olszewski.

“A love of learning is woven into the fabric of our community,” said Elyse Golibroda, Independent Living Programming Director. “This partnership with Tufts University is a natural extension of that spirit, offering access to high-quality educational opportunities and enriching experiences.”

Asked if residents themselves might teach OLLI classes in the future, Golibroda said, “Our residents have impressive professional backgrounds and have much knowledge to offer. They will always have the opportunity to teach a class with OLLI.”

My Turn: Clarify who’s responsible for damage from falling tree limbs

I am writing to support the Eversource tree management initiative. The work is necessary, and we pay for it in our bills. I hope that the town takes steps to consider a plan for management of trees on roadsides not strung with utility lines, and on the many miles of town roads not subject to the current Eversource program.

Several years ago I was staying at a vacation cottage when, a few hundred feet away, two campers were crushed in their tent by a falling tree limb. Last year a roadside “weed tree” snapped off and fell across one of our cars, causing thousands of dollars in damage. Shortly thereafter, a similar sized tree snapped off in our yard, causing some damage to backyard equipment, falling in a space where people often gather. Last week another such tree snapped off and fell onto our property — this time causing no damage. All three trees, young oaks, had cores completely compromised by rot.

Stop anywhere in Lincoln and look up. Chances are, you’ll see dead or half-dead trees and, perhaps, huge dead limbs stretching over roads and pathways. These trees are not part of some green savings bank account which will grow and provide us joy if left undisturbed. They are living things, like us, subject to the laws of gravity. They will come down, and when they do,  threaten life and property.

In addition to my personal experience, I have close second-hand knowledge of four people killed by falling trees or branches. When, in the winter, I hear the sharp crack of something breaking in the forest, or feel the thump of something heavy hitting the forest floor, I do not think this is happening in someone else’s life. I take notice.

We have excellent police and fire departments. There is no call for cutting out these services because “a little crime is to be expected” or “a fire now and then probably won’t harm us much,” but a town official recently wrote that “scattered power outages” are not a major concern. I do not want the town to clear-cut all roadside trees. I’d rather see thickets of trees than miles of fences. I love our landscape and support the natural screening trees provide, but there must be some conscious, planful attention given to our dead and dying tree cover.

If there is something really wrong going on with our trees, let’s have a forum on causes and conditions so that’d we can plan and act consciously. Leaving it to several hundred property owners to figure out one home at a time with local landscapers is not a program. Management of this risk is a public health issue, just like clean water, vaccinations, and road maintenance. If the town is liable or we as citizens have liability, let’s have the town convene a forum to let us know who owes what to whom.

Clearly, all trees do not come down at three in the morning, or fall harmlessly back into the forest. When or if people are killed or property damaged, will we or the town be liable for negligence?  Where do we stand with insurance companies which, in time of growing fire risk, may be rating our properties as vulnerable, or uninsurable? Again, we all face these questions, and the town has, or can act, or at least begin a process to keep us informed. Denial does not repel the law of gravity.

Donald Seckler
91 Lexington Road

“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.

Legal notice: ZBA (Aug. 6, 2026 hearing)

 

LEGAL NOTICE — ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

The Zoning Board of the Appeals of the Town of Lincoln will hold a virtual online public hearing Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, at 7:00 p.m. to hear and to act on the following petitions under the Zoning Bylaws:

New:

  • Claudio Sousa, 148 South Great Road, M/P 160-48-0 for a special permit to remove an existing deck and construct an enclosed addition of the same size.
  • Brian Morgan, 59 Conant Road, M/P 151-5-0 for a special permit to allow an accessory apartment in a detached structure.

Anyone wishing to be heard on this matter should be present at the designated time and place.

» Zoom link

Meeting ID: 92780169188       Password: 735886

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.