UPDATE APRIL 21, 2016 

The Town was just notified by the MBTA that they would like to postpone attending the Planning Board meeting on April 26, 2016 to discuss the proposed monopoles along the commuter rail. It appears that they need to refile with the FCC indicating that the primary purpose of the monopoles is for Wi-Fi capability and not for positive train control. This process will take 3-months or longer and they will notify ALL municipalities at a later date of the proposed work and process. They are still committed to attend a future Planning Board meeting to discuss this project.

I will keep you posted if I learn anything new. Jennifer L. Burney

Previous news:

The Town of Lincoln has recently learned that the MBTA is planning to install three monopoles in the Town along the MBTA commuter train to comply with the federal mandate to have emergency train stop controls in place. The Town has contacted the MBTA to have a better understanding of the the proposed project and to see if the MBTA intends to file an application with the Town or have any public input or process. The MBTA has stated "the towers are located on the railroad right of way and we (MBTA) are following all of the policies and procedures that are required in working within the right of way environment".

The MBTA provided the Town with the following aerial view of the locations they are proposing to install the three towers.  Click here to view:

The MBTA filed documents with the Lincoln Conservation Commission providing them with an incomplete application. The Conservation Commission requested additional information. The MBTA has not filed any additional material to date (March 2, 2016). Click here to view the documents submitted to the Conservation Commission:

Walden Woods reached out to the Town regarding a recent letter they received from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC) regarding their concern about a proposed 74' tower in the vicinity of Walden Woods a significant historic landscape associated with Henry David Thoreau.

Next steps:

The Town is communicating with the MBTA to learn more about the proposed project and see if they will participate in a public meeting to solicit feeback on the proposed tower locations and conduct a balloon test. We are still waiting for a response. We will share this information with the public as we learn more.

MARCH 29, 2016 UPDATE:  Mass DOT will attend a Planning Board meeting on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 at 7:30pm in the Donaldson Room located at 16 Lincoln Road, Lincoln Mass. Mass DOT will give a brief overview of the proposed project and have representatives there to answer any questions. Mass DOT has also agreed to conduct a balloon test at a later date following the meeting. (a balloon test is a visual test where a balloon is placed at the location and height of the proposed tower so that is can be observed from various vantage points).

Click here to read an article in the Lincoln Squirrel:

Click here to view a map of the existing & proposed towers: