Thank you, Greta. Well said. Joan
* --Thich Nhat Hanh* On Tue, Nov 11, 2025, 1:55 PM Greta Eckhardt via Lincoln < [email protected]> wrote: > Good afternoon, fellow Lincolnites, > > > > There is a large population in Lincoln of people who live within walking > distance of the Mall and train stop who I believe are underrepresented in > these discussions. > > - Some may not have cars or the ability to drive. > - Others prefer to walk to errands whenever they can, rather than > drive. > - Having a grocery store, post office, and a bank nearby is a big part > of why many people moved to South Lincoln > - Having nice places to eat nearby provides a social benefit for > everyone > - Walking is better for our environment than driving. > - It is wonderful to be able to walk to the Lincoln stop on the > Fitchburg commuter rail line, particularly as the town transportation > committee doesn’t seem to support the possibility of any other sort of > public transport. > - Online banking is fine, but it is just one more task that keeps > people glued to their computers rather than out in the world interacting > with other human beings. > > > > For these reasons and more, I support the concept of a village in South > Lincoln, even if it needs to evolve. I look forward to learning about > ideas that RLF and other forward-thinking townspeople may suggest in the > coming years. *And I sincerely hope that the voice of the residents of > multifamily housing in South Lincoln will be heard.* In the meantime, I > hope that those of us who appreciate the convenience of the businesses in > South Lincoln will help keep them here by giving them our business whenever > possible. > > > > Greta Eckhardt > > > > *From:* Lincoln <[email protected]> *On Behalf Of *Orest > Hurko > *Sent:* Tuesday, November 11, 2025 9:10 AM > *To:* Sara Mattes <[email protected]> > *Cc:* Lincoln Talk <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [LincolnTalk] Replacing the Bank of America-future planning > > > > Well said, Sara > > > > > > Orest Hurko, M.D. > > *22 Old Sudbury Road > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/22+Old+Sudbury+Road+Lincoln+MA+01773-4805+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>* > > *Lincoln MA 01773-4805 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/22+Old+Sudbury+Road+Lincoln+MA+01773-4805+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>* > > *USA > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/22+Old+Sudbury+Road+Lincoln+MA+01773-4805+USA?entry=gmail&source=g>* > > *Home +1 781 257 5163* > > *Mobile +1 781 469 6810* > > > > On Mon, Nov 10, 2025, 2:14 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > > That is why I urge serious town-wide conversation of what is needed and > what is wanted, and what it might take to get it. > > We need a clear-eyed approach to the realities of the market place. > > If we are not proactive and let the free market dictate, there will, most > likely, be no more commerce. > > If the town chooses to allow that to happen, so be it. > > But, we should have a conversation-what would it take to keep commerce? > > What kind of public investment? > > > > We had that discussion when we chose to save Codman Farm and to create > Lincoln Woods and the Mall. > > We were given an opportunity, with the disposition of the Codman estate, > to make those investments. > > We could have chosen to let the opportunity to pass, to let the properties > be developed by the marketplace, but we did not. > > And, I believe, we are the better for it. > > > > I suggest we revisit that kind of conversation rather than “let nature > take its course.” > > Let’s do some big-picture thinking-let’s plan our future and that for > generations to come. > > > > > > > > On Nov 10, 2025, at 1:15 PM, Margaret Olson <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Banks, like all commercial entities, need an adequate customer base to > remain viable. In the case of a physical location, an adequate local > customer base. We may want certain kinds of establishments and amenities, > but that doesn’t mean that the owners of those amenities and establishments > will view the Lincoln Station area as worth their investment of time, > money, and effort. > > > > The commercial landscape has radically changed over the past 20 years. > What once worked no longer does. > > > > Margaret > > > > On Mon, Nov 10, 2025 at 1:06 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > > We can all hope another bank will settle here, and in that location. > > Remember, it is across the street from the Ryan Estates and next door to > Lincoln Woods…populations who might not have access to more distant banking > services and need more than a simple ATM at Donelans. > > We still have a diverse population here in Lincoln and we must remain > sensitive to the needs of all. > > > > As to “speculation” as to what is to come-it is only speculative on that > it has not yet appeared. > > For all who followed the HCA debate and attended meetings and > presentations, the redevelopment plan was presented to us in both text and > graphic representations. > > CIVICO has been a partner with town organizations and worked with town > boards on several projects., most recently the project on the > Panetta/Harrington property. > > The teardown/redevelopment scenario at the Mall was presented as a > positive outcome. > > > > How quickly we forget. > > > > > > On Nov 10, 2025, at 12:28 PM, Lis Herbert <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > Sure, yes -- it will be inconvenient, and it's a shame, and if I had to > guess the local impact, if no other bank moves in, it is that Donelan's > will find itself doing more cash back debit transactions than they'd like, > and they will become an ATM. > > > > But in case my larger point was missed, it is this: without any > information other than the bank is closing next spring, I think the most we > can assume is that they just decided not to renew their lease. > > > > Speculating in a public forum, saying "I suspect it is the first shoe to > drop. CIVICO will be on the doorstep. A teardown/ redevelopment in our > future?"; or tying this to "revenues for land acquisition and the support > of staff"; or declaring "there will be no more village" when, as far as I > know, the remaining businesses, apart from the USPS, are all locally owned; > and making unfounded claims that "we are faced with the potential loss of > the retail hub"... It's all just a bit much. > > > > Maybe it's not some big conspiracy and the beginning of the end. Maybe > something new and exciting will move in, or maybe it will be another bank. > Who knows? > > > > Lis > > > > On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 8:35 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote: > > For many who are not able to hop in a car, or on the onto the internet for > banking, the loss of a bank, any bank, in Lincoln is a real loss and has an > impact on life. > > So, the replacement of a bank with another retail business is a loss. > > > > As to Lincoln’s rural expansive and wonderful look today-you can thank > many visionary people from decades ago-Quincy Adams, Bob Lemire, Perry > Culver (who saved Codman Farm), Warren Flint, Sr., and many many others. > > It is worth revisiting this extensive history, beginning with delving into *A > Rich Harvest * by Lincoln Historian Jack MacLean. > > > > Most of all, we need to recognize the role of town boards who helped > shaped plans and acquisitions, and finally and most important, the voters > and taxpayers of Lincoln who saw the wisdom of the vision of those cited > before. > > > > Certainly non-profits have played a role-RLF, LLCT, Walden Woods Project, > Historic New England, Mass.Audubon and Drumlin Farm, Friends of MMNP, and > most recently Trustees of the Reservations all have played critical roles > in ensuring we look the way we look and will most likely preserve that for > decades to come. > > > > But, again, none of that would have happened if it were not for the > collaboration with town officials and support of Lincoln voters and > taxpayers. > > > > I am forever grateful to all of them, and especially to the town, writ > large. > > > > On Nov 9, 2025, at 8:17 PM, Lis Herbert <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > It’s odd (in my admittedly under-informed opinion) to lament the closure > of a multinational bank while saying it means the end of a village… what if > this is just an incredibly boring leasing decision, for all the reasons > Nick Gardner stated, and a small locally owned business moves in? Why, > apart from the closure of a bank branch (which it seems people are somehow > attached to as a fixture of village life??) is this reason to say the sky > is falling? And why would the maneuvers of a bank with (let’s at least be > honest) zero physical investment in town, trump the needs/opinions (and as > yet totally nonexistent maneuvering) of the non-profit organization that is > largely if not entirely — and I mean no offense to past town officials — > responsible for Lincoln looking and feeling so rural, expansive, and > wonderful as it does today? > > > > Lis > > > > > > Sent from my iPhone > > > > On Nov 9, 2025, at 7:42 PM, Rachel Marie Schachter < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > Didn't expect to be chiming in here, but for some of us in a lower income > bracket, the fee for depositing cash at the ATM if you don't bank there > really does affect our bottom line. > > > > I don't expect anyone to rally for East Cambridge Savings Bank (or have > any idea what rallying would actually do), but I do happen to be a customer > and a fan. > > > > Rachel > > > > On Sun, Nov 9, 2025 at 7:35 PM Nick Gardner <[email protected]> wrote: > > I think the broad issue is that even for good banks, there's less and less > reason to use in person branches. I can deposit cash into the ATM, deposit > checks on my phone, open and close accounts on my phone, and even get loans > on my laptop. I've probably had to use a physical bank branch half a dozen > times in the last decade, and it's why so many physical branches are > closing. > > > > I would love to see a good bank or credit union come to Lincoln but it's > an uphill battle these days. > > > > -Nick > > > > On Sun, Nov 9, 2025, 19:31 JMG at Lincolntalk < > [email protected]> wrote: > > I upvote DCU also. Great rates, plus staff in Lexington, online app, all > good. > > Jennie > > > > On Nov 8, 2025, at 3:26 PM, Jennifer Saffran <[email protected]> > wrote: > > We have been using DCU—Digital Federal Credit Union—for many years. > > > > On Nov 8, 2025, at 1:22 PM, Bob Kupperstein <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > IMO everyone should consider using a credit union rather than a bank - > lower or no fees, lower penalties and charges, better service, etc. > > > > There are a number of excellent ones in the area and they use convenient > ATM networks with no fees. > > > > -Bob > > On Saturday, November 8, 2025, nbergen--- via Lincoln < > [email protected]> wrote: > > I also use Middlesex Saving Bank and have for years. They are small and > personable and I love it. > > > > Nan B. > ------------------------------ > > *From:* Lincoln <[email protected]> on behalf of Anna > Lombroso <[email protected]> > *Sent:* Saturday, November 8, 2025 11:07 AM > *To:* Anne Sobol <[email protected]> > *Cc:* [email protected] <[email protected]> > *Subject:* Re: [LincolnTalk] Replacing the Bank of America > > > > Another very satisfied Middlesex Savings Bank customer here, for 30 years. > Close branches in Wayland, W. Concord, Concord and Sudbury. > > ACL > > > > Sent from my iPad > > > > On Nov 8, 2025, at 10:31 AM, Anne Sobol <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I also use Middlesex Savings Bank, it has lots of branches, and it is a > small bank which doesn't lend to fossil fuel projects, I think it mostly > lends for residential mortgages. > > > > On Fri, Nov 7, 2025 at 4:38 PM Jeff Eaton via Lincoln < > [email protected]> wrote: > > > > Hello Steve- > > > > For what it's worth, I have been a customer of the Middlesex Savings Bank > (nee "Middlesex Institution for Savings") for over sixty years. Likely > that's more akin to an indication of inertia, but when I've needed their > services they have done well. I also have maintained a Safe Deposit Box > with them for all these years... at their Main Street building, Concord > Village. > > > > --- Jeff > > > > Jeff Eaton > > 8 Storey Drive > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/8%0D%0A+Storey+Drive+%0D%0ALincoln+MA+01773-2109?entry=gmail&source=g> > Lincoln MA 01773-2109 > <https://www.google.com/maps/search/8%0D%0A+Storey+Drive+%0D%0ALincoln+MA+01773-2109?entry=gmail&source=g> > > > > Covid booster: October 17, 2025 > > > > cell: (781) 686-8120 > Land line: (781) 259-0321 > > Permanent email address: > > [email protected] > > * We are on a highway to climate hell ... with our foot still on the > accelerator.”* > > * - António Guterres, > 11-7-2022* > > > > > > > > In a message dated 11/7/2025 3:17:33 PM Eastern Standard Time, > [email protected] writes: > > > > *Many of us have been notified of the BofA’s plans to leave Lincoln.* > > > > *For some of us, it’s good riddance! Terrible hours, horrible customer > service (I was on hold for 40 minutes today waiting to ask a simple > question of the BofA’s national customer service team), interest rates on > deposits that sucked, and fees charged to customers that “blew” (the > opposite of sucked when money flows in the opposite direction!).* > > > > *Obviously, the Rural Land Foundation will be working hard to find a new > bank, a better bank—one that is not just “here,” but one that is here for > its customers.* > > > > *Right now, there is one thing that all current customers of the Lincoln > BofA branch can do to help the RLF attract a top-notch replacement:** We > can continue to rely on Lincoln’s BofA branch for safe deposit box > services. Think of that not as maintaining a relationship with the BofA, > but rather a relationship with the **Lincoln Mall and the replacement > bank that the RLF secures**.* > > > > *In evaluating the desirability of establishing a new branch in Lincoln, > the existence of our large safe deposit box base will be an important > inducement to open a branch here because it means not building a customer > base from scratch.* > > > > *For Lincolnites, maintaining a safe deposit box in Lincoln will be an > inducement to keep the rest of our banking business in Lincoln, and that > will help our new bank to succeed here.* > > > > Regards, > Steve Low > > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. > <https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/> > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > > -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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