Dear Fellow Lincoln Resident,
I’m writing to ask for your help ahead of the Special Town Meeting on Wednesday, where five articles will come up for a vote. On behalf of concerned abutters and neighbors, I urge you to vote NO on Article 3, the Nature Link proposal. If the articles pass, Civico Development will be permitted to develop 20 houses on roughly 6 acres of residential land on the Panetta property.
While we, the abutters to the Panetta property, have raised several legitimate concerns about the Nature Link proposal, we are also offering a sustainable alternative: Rewilding the Panetta property to restore native ecosystems and protect open space.
Why We Are Concerned:
- We were excluded from the process. Abutters received official notice of this proposal only in June—mere weeks before the vote. Before that, there was no community forum, no opportunity for meaningful input, and no transparency about how the deal was made.
- Taxpayer money is being used to subsidize development. The proposal calls for $950,000 in taxpayer CPC funds to support this deal. That money would ultimately help a private developer—Civico Development—maximize profits. One acre of Farrington land would be used for the development’s septic system, another acre would be transferred for construction of homes, and 14 acres of conservation land will be used for the nitrogen-restricted land required for its 80-bedroom septic system.
- We’re told we must accept development to protect conservation land, and it must happen now. This framing is misleading. Forcing voters into an all-or-nothing choice—“build in order to conserve”—is not democratic planning. Urgency should never be used to push through decisions without full public input, and meaningful engagement of those most impacted by the development—the abutters of the Panetta property.
- We are being offered an “all or nothing” deal. If you’re conservation-minded, wouldn’t you want the option to vote yes to conserve the Farrington land but no to rezoning for dense development? If you’re pro-housing, maybe you’d like different terms. Instead, we’re offered one rushed package deal with no input or alternatives—even though better alternatives DO exist!
A Better Path Forward:
Our neighbors, Dr. Jeff Sutherland and Reverend Arline Sutherland, have proposed a fully funded, conservation-first alternative: Rewilding the Panetta property to restore native habitat and protect Lincoln’s natural character.
Longtime Lincoln residents, the Sutherlands are widely respected for their leadership and innovation across multiple fields. Jeff, a West Point graduate, Air Force Captain, and Vietnam War Veteran, went on to co-create Scrum, the globally adopted Agile framework that has revolutionized how teams work and deliver results. Arline, a Unitarian Universalist minister, previously served as senior minister at First Parish in Lexington and has long championed spiritual stewardship and community well-being.
In retirement, Arline launched Tending Your Yard, Tending the Earth, a grassroots rewilding initiative that began in their Lincoln backyard. What started as one acre of restored native habitat has grown into a nonprofit movement encouraging homeowners to turn traditional lawns into ecologically rich, pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Together, Jeff and Arline bring a unique, holistic approach—blending military precision, spiritual care, and systems thinking—to environmental restoration. Their proposal reflects not only their deep roots in Lincoln, but also a lifelong commitment to leaving the world—and this community—better than they found it.
Their offer preserves open space and biodiversity by restoring native plants, creating pollinator corridors, and enhancing habitat for birds, bees, and other wildlife. This is not a new mission for them—it’s one they’ve championed for years. Their own property at 100 Page Road serves as a thriving example of rewilding in action, drawing a remarkable array of species, from butterflies and pollinators to owls and even bald eagles.
The Sutherlands are ready to extend this rewilding vision across Page Road to the Panetta property. Their offer is real, it is funded, and they are ready to work collaboratively with the Town, Farrington, and other stakeholders. All they need is the opportunity—and your NO vote can provide that chance!
The Details:
- Swap the Civico portion of the Nature Link proposal for the rewilding plan.
- The only difference: there will be no 80-bedroom sewage system on Farrington conservation land, and Civico’s 20 luxury home development will not be built.
- Funding is secured and ready through Tending Your Yard.org—a nonprofit formed by Reverend Arline’s irrevocable trust, with major Tesla Investment Holdings, LLC support. (They are not affiliated in any way with Tesla, Inc. or Elon Musk.)
- The Sutherlands plan to expand their existing rewilding initiative already in place on Page Road to the Panetta property, including repurposing one of the current structures into a nonprofit educational center. The gardens will be open to residents free of charge.
- All aspects of the original deal can stay in place, including the entire 77 acres of conservation, with the RLF’s support. We support a YES on Article 4—the transfer of CPC funds for the conservation of Farrington land—if the Civico development in Article 3 fails.
Let’s Slow Down and Do This Right:
Voting NO on Articles 3 and 4 does not mean giving up on conservation. It means reopening the conversation, allowing alternatives to be considered, and ensuring residents have a say in shaping Lincoln’s future.
Let’s not rush through a complex land deal that benefits developers without exploring other meaningful, community-led options. Let’s conserve—and rewild—on our own terms.
Please join us in voting NO on Articles 3 and 4 at the Special Town Meeting on June 25 at 6:30 PM at the Lincoln School Auditorium. Together, we can advocate for a vision of conservation that’s community-driven, ecologically sound, and democratically decided.
Sincerely,
Klaus and Iwona Dobler, 103 Page Road
John Li & Cindy Guo, 96 Page Road
Jeff and Arline Sutherland, 100 Page Road
