Re: [LincolnTalk] seeking help ID'ing predator

[Frank O. Clark]

Karen,
   Two possibilities.  My neighbors and I have definitely seen "fisher
cats." These are wolverine family and can be aggressive.  They would leave
scat.  These are most easily recognized by the way they run.  These would
require a tighter electric fence, maybe two wires separated by a foot that
are 4" off the ground.  That configuration finally kept the ground hog out
of my garden.  Another recommendation given how dry it has been, is to run
a ground wire, either on the ground or buried half an inch, all the way
around your fence to make sure you have a good circuit.  The really dry
weather we have had was making my multiple ground rods not so effective for
the furry ground hog.
  The second possibility is red tailed hawks.  A pair around our house
would steal Codman Farm chickens and bring them here to eat, but from my
observation, their scat is liquid.   These would require sky cover.
  I suggest a motion activated"trail camera" to see exactly what the
culprit is.
Frank

On Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 5:07 AM Karen Seo  wrote:

> Seeking help at identifying what is eating my chickens.  The chickens
> are free-ranging tiny bantams. An adult rooster (less than a pound) was
> eaten about 2 weeks ago, and a half-grown female chick (perhaps 4-6
> ounces) disappeared the next week and an adult hen this past week.  The
> forage area is surrounded by electrified fencing that is generally
> effective at deterring coyotes, foxes, dogs, raccoons and bears but
> smaller predators could get through the openings or under the lowest
> electrified strand, e.g., weasels, skunks, opossums, rats, squirrels.
> While hawks have taken some chickens previously, the survivors are not
> showing the scared behavior they've shown after previous hawk attacks.
> The week+ gap between kills seemed odd -- I'd have expected the predator
> to come back right away.  Scat was found in a corner of the fenced area
> -- I was unable to shrink the photos sufficiently for sending to
> LincolnTalk.  Please let me know if you'd like to see them or know of
> someone to whom I could send them for identification.  Any help would be
> much appreciated. Note that cameras will be getting installed but are
> not yet in place and electrified chicken fencing (smaller holes than
> current fencing) may get set up too.)
>
> Thank you,
> Karen Seo
>
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> .
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>
>
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[LincolnTalk] Need Help Solving Simultaneous Equation in Excel

[Carol Kochmann]

Hello to mathematical wise ones who know how to do the above.  I need help
with this.  My algebra skills are way too rusty and the info I've found on
the net about how to use excel for such equations isn't making sense to
me.  So if you have a few minutes, please let me know.  Thanks!

Carol
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[LincolnTalk] seeking help ID'ing predator

[Karen Seo]

Seeking help at identifying what is eating my chickens.  The chickens 
are free-ranging tiny bantams. An adult rooster (less than a pound) was 
eaten about 2 weeks ago, and a half-grown female chick (perhaps 4-6 
ounces) disappeared the next week and an adult hen this past week.  The 
forage area is surrounded by electrified fencing that is generally 
effective at deterring coyotes, foxes, dogs, raccoons and bears but 
smaller predators could get through the openings or under the lowest 
electrified strand, e.g., weasels, skunks, opossums, rats, squirrels.  
While hawks have taken some chickens previously, the survivors are not 
showing the scared behavior they've shown after previous hawk attacks.  
The week+ gap between kills seemed odd -- I'd have expected the predator 
to come back right away.  Scat was found in a corner of the fenced area 
-- I was unable to shrink the photos sufficiently for sending to 
LincolnTalk.  Please let me know if you'd like to see them or know of 
someone to whom I could send them for identification.  Any help would be 
much appreciated. Note that cameras will be getting installed but are 
not yet in place and electrified chicken fencing (smaller holes than 
current fencing) may get set up too.)


Thank you,
Karen Seo

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Re: [LincolnTalk] seeking help ID'ing predator

[Kathleen Lomatoski]

Hi Karen,I would guess maybe an opossum. Fisher are not small and yet I agree with Frank, they are aggressive. I would think Fishers might kill the whole bunch as they are known to do that. Sorry about the losses and especially the rooster, who was a beauty of a critter.Someone at LLCT may know more about scat than I. Opossums definitely leave scat behind & are quiet. Hope the additional safeguards help!Kathleen  klomato...@gmail.comOn Nov 19, 2024, at 6:23 AM, Frank O. Clark  wrote:Karen,   Two possibilities.  My neighbors and I have definitely seen "fisher cats." These are wolverine family and can be aggressive.  They would leave scat.  These are most easily recognized by the way they run.  These would require a tighter electric fence, maybe two wires separated by a foot that are 4" off the ground.  That configuration finally kept the ground hog out of my garden.  Another recommendation given how dry it has been, is to run a ground wire, either on the ground or buried half an inch, all the way around your fence to make sure you have a good circuit.  The really dry weather we have had was making my multiple ground rods not so effective for the furry ground hog.  The second possibility is red tailed hawks.  A pair around our house would steal Codman Farm chickens and bring them here to eat, but from my observation, their scat is liquid.   These would require sky cover.  I suggest a motion activated"trail camera" to see exactly what the culprit is.FrankOn Tue, Nov 19, 2024, 5:07 AM Karen Seo  wrote:Seeking help at identifying what is eating my chickens.  The chickens 
are free-ranging tiny bantams. An adult rooster (less than a pound) was 
eaten about 2 weeks ago, and a half-grown female chick (perhaps 4-6 
ounces) disappeared the next week and an adult hen this past week.  The 
forage area is surrounded by electrified fencing that is generally 
effective at deterring coyotes, foxes, dogs, raccoons and bears but 
smaller predators could get through the openings or under the lowest 
electrified strand, e.g., weasels, skunks, opossums, rats, squirrels.  
While hawks have taken some chickens previously, the survivors are not 
showing the scared behavior they've shown after previous hawk attacks.  
The week+ gap between kills seemed odd -- I'd have expected the predator 
to come back right away.  Scat was found in a corner of the fenced area 
-- I was unable to shrink the photos sufficiently for sending to 
LincolnTalk.  Please let me know if you'd like to see them or know of 
someone to whom I could send them for identification.  Any help would be 
much appreciated. Note that cameras will be getting installed but are 
not yet in place and electrified chicken fencing (smaller holes than 
current fencing) may get set up too.)

Thank you,
Karen Seo

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[LincolnTalk] Stray AirPod on the Codman path

[Eric Harnden]

There is a stray AirPod (ear bud) on the paved path along the Codman garden
plots near the parking lot. I left it there in case anyone came looking for
it.
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[LincolnTalk] A peek at the store

[Lis Herbert]

Hi LT,
Until the website is (finally!) done, here's a peek at what's in the store:
https://www.littlegeneral.co
Scroll to the bottom of the page to sign up for the newsletter -- the first
will go out this week. Stop by when you can (Tuesday to Saturday, 11-6),
hope to see you!
Lis
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[LincolnTalk] CFREE Tip: Are You on the Correct Eversource Delivery Rate Plan?

[Collette Sizer]

*CFREE Introduces “CFREE Tips”*
*CFREE (Carbon Free Residential – Everything Electric)* has been releasing
periodic *“Climate Minutes”* on topics related to reducing a household’s
carbon footprint. We are now introducing *CFREE Tips*, which have the same
goal, are shorter, and are issued more frequently.

*CFREE Tip #1*
* Are you on the correct Eversource delivery rate plan?*  🤔 *The rate *per
kWh for electricity delivery* is lower *if *electricity is your primary
source of energy for heating.*

Eversource has four residential delivery rate plans (which are different
from the supplier rate plans such as Lincoln Green Energy Choice).  R1 and
R2 delivery rates are for those residents who heat with fossil fuels. The
less-expensive R3 and R4 are for those whose primary source of energy for
heating is electricity.  You can still have your oil or gas heating system
for backup and very cold periods and be considered to have primary electric
heating *if you have installed heat pumps.*  R2 and R4 are the rate plans
if you qualify to receive any discount from Eversource based upon income.

CFREE found in a small survey 🧐 that there are quite a number of Lincoln
residents who are on the R1 rate but should be on the lower R3 rate. 🤨 If
you qualify for either R3 or R4 but are now on R1 or R2, call the customer
service number on your Eversource bill and ask them to correct your rate.😉

*If you find you are on the wrong rate plan, you have a solar
array AND participate in the SMART program, please read the following.*

If you were already heating with electricity as your primary source when
the solar array was
installed, *you may qualify for an increase in your SMART incentive* for
the balance of the 10-
year qualifying period.  If this applies to you, one of *our CFREE
volunteers will help* you 😃submit the needed information to the Department
of Environmental Resources (DOER), the state agency that manages SMART.

*Please send an email to Scott Rodman, on behalf of CFREE,
at slrod...@8500.org .*

*CFREE (Carbon Free Residential – Everything Electric) is a subcommittee of
the Lincoln Green Energy Committee (GEC).  CFREE provides guidance on how
households can reduce use of fossil fuels and decrease greenhouse gas
emissions to help Massachusetts meet statewide emissions limits set for
2030, 2040, and 2050. It also provides information about state and federal
incentives that help reduce the cost of such changes. *
*For more information visit: lincolngreenenergy.org
.*

*Collette Sizer*
*CFREE Facilitator*
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Re: [LincolnTalk] Smart Meters Roll Out

[Anne Warner]

To add to this, EMF has long been debunked as a source of harmful radiation. The word “radiation” is thrown around a lot as meaning, by definitio, something that is harmful to the human being. The reality is that there are many types of radiation, and only a subset of those are harmful. I will leave it to the scientists among us to take this further, but I once litigated a case involving overhead power lines and an accusation by a community that if installed, the lines would cause cancer due to EMFs. Our experts dispelled the claim. Anne Warner- Sent from iPhone. Typed by thumb. Excuse misspellings! On Nov 18, 2024, at 9:56 PM, ROY HARVEY via Lincoln  wrote:

  
   
 
 
  
   Dear Forest,
   
  
    
   
   
   
Lincoln’s electricity is provided by Eversource, not National Grid. 

   
 

   
All investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts were required to file Electric Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) with the Department of Public Utilities earlier this year.  Eversource’s ESMP gives details on their plan to roll out Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which includes modern "smart meters". The ESMP includes the schedule for the rollout, which ends in 2027-8. Eversource is starting in the western part of the state and moving east, so Lincoln will be among the later communities to receive AMI.  The full text of Eversource’s ESMP is here.

   
 

   
According to Eversource’s ESMP, consumer benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will include:


Lower bills, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times 
Lower CO2 emissions, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times, when inefficient oil- and gas-fired peaker plants would otherwise provide power. 
Faster notification of power outages (and earlier restoration from outages). 

   
The excerpt below from the ESMP outlines some of these benefits.

   
 

   
Best regards,

   
Roy Harvey

   
(not affiliated with Eversource)

   
 

   
6.3.1.9 AMI and Data Sharing 

   
 

   
The Company is implementing a comprehensive near real-time AMI system that includes state of the art meters, communications infrastructure, head-end system, meter data management system (MDMS), customer information system, analytics capabilities, customer portal and data sharing abilities, integrations with other key systems including the outage management system (OMS), and all with comprehensive, end-to-end, cybersecurity protocols.

   
 

   
Whereas early AMI deployments focused primarily on basic functions such as remote meter reading and interval usage data collection, utilities are increasingly taking advantage of systems integration, data analytics, and grid-edge computation to provide incremental benefits without adding significantly to the overall project cost.

   
 

   
A modern AMI deployment reflects the imperative to consider AMI as more than meters and communications infrastructure but rather as a complete system, inclusive of systems and integrations that together will optimize the full utilization of this technology. A comprehensive approach to AMI deployment for Eversource customers will maximize benefits and minimize costs to customers.

   
 

   
The Company’s AMI deployment between 2022 and 2028 will deliver on the potential of AMI to provide value-added outcomes for customers. The current implementation timeline provides for customers to begin receiving a new meter in the first half of 2025, starting in the Company’s western service territory, and moving east, with all customers installed by the end of 2027. In advance of the first meter deployment the Company plans for outreach initiatives to all customers. The plan for customer engagement includes: initial awareness for all customers well before any meters are installed; pre-deployment communications at 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to install; on-going engagement related to new information and products/services available; and specific time-varying rate communications when they become available. Customer communications will be tailored to the type of customer and the information that is most relevant to them.

   
 

   
Many of the benefits enabled by AMI accrue directly to customers. Access to usage information, insights, alerts, and availability of optional time-varying rates, for instance, will provide customers with new opportunities to manage energy consumption and lower bills. Many of the benefits unlocked by AMI will accrue indirectly to customers. Expenses such as theft and other losses are socialized to all customers can be reduced through initiatives made possible with an AMI deployment. Some benefits, such as reduced truck rolls, are focused on improving the Company’s operational efficiency when providing service to customers. For customers, AMI will enable in

[LincolnTalk] snow plow recommendations

[jbwise121--- via Lincoln]

Hello,
Does anyone have a good local plow service for a gravel drive?
Text or email me directly,
Thank you
Joanne Wise617 833 9787
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[LincolnTalk] Student Achievement, Calendar 2025-26 at Thurs SchoolComm

[Susan Taylor via Lincoln]

The Lincoln School Committee is meeting on Thursday, November 21st at 6pm in 
the Hartwell Building Multipurpose Room, 6 Ballfield Road, Lincoln, MA.  Topics 
for this week's meeting include: 

MCAS/Student Achievement Update
2025-2026 School Year Calendar, 1st Reading
Review Process for Selecting a New Candidate to School Committee
Superintendent's Report: Concord Battery Update and FY26 Budget Development 
Check-in
Policy: Second Reading and VOTE on Updates to Section G of the School Committee 
Policy Book
Members of the public can watch live streaming via Zoom Webinar 

 or on local access TV channels 8 and 13.

Anyone interested in participating in the Public Comment portion of this 
meeting, please email mmadrick-schoolc...@lincnet.org 
 anytime prior to 3pm the day of the 
meeting and you will be sent participation instructions.  The full agenda and 
meeting reports are found at this link 
.
  


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Re: [LincolnTalk] seeking help ID'ing predator

[Leslie Turek]

I know you say the fence should deter coyotes, but I'll mention that a
coyote has been seen several times over the past week or so near the field
at Farrar Pond Village, coming in and out from your direction. Might not be
a coincidence that this corresponds to your losses.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. Poor chickens.

Leslie Turek

On Tue, Nov 19, 2024 at 5:07 AM Karen Seo  wrote:

> Seeking help at identifying what is eating my chickens.  The chickens
> are free-ranging tiny bantams. An adult rooster (less than a pound) was
> eaten about 2 weeks ago, and a half-grown female chick (perhaps 4-6
> ounces) disappeared the next week and an adult hen this past week.  The
> forage area is surrounded by electrified fencing that is generally
> effective at deterring coyotes, foxes, dogs, raccoons and bears but
> smaller predators could get through the openings or under the lowest
> electrified strand, e.g., weasels, skunks, opossums, rats, squirrels.
> While hawks have taken some chickens previously, the survivors are not
> showing the scared behavior they've shown after previous hawk attacks.
> The week+ gap between kills seemed odd -- I'd have expected the predator
> to come back right away.  Scat was found in a corner of the fenced area
> -- I was unable to shrink the photos sufficiently for sending to
> LincolnTalk.  Please let me know if you'd like to see them or know of
> someone to whom I could send them for identification.  Any help would be
> much appreciated. Note that cameras will be getting installed but are
> not yet in place and electrified chicken fencing (smaller holes than
> current fencing) may get set up too.)
>
> Thank you,
> Karen Seo
>
> --
> The LincolnTalk mailing list.
> To post, send mail to Lincoln@lincolntalk.org.
> 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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[LincolnTalk] Snow plow recommendations

[jbwise121--- via Lincoln]

Hello,
Does anyone have a good local plow service for a gravel drive?
Text or email me directly,
Thank you
Joanne Wise-- 
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Re: [LincolnTalk] Smart Meters Roll Out

[Anne Sobol]

National Grid supplies natural gas at my house. They have already come and changed meter. I wasn’t given a choice, told that they change meters every six years, wasn’t told of any possible health effects.I have greatly reduced The amount of gas I use by getting solar panels & using heat pumps for heat and cooling. (These heat pumps located outside the back of house.) And getting an electric induction stove. Bills from National Grid way down, basically don’t pay anything to Eversource for electricity. Of course I did pay lots for solar panels.When I bought house 3+ years ago, it was heated by a boiler powered by natural gas (“furnace “ blows air over hot water, warm air goes through ducts). Same Boiler also heats hot water for washing, etc. Have looked into hot water heat pump, but house is on slab and boiler and hot water tank are in small utility closet in middle of house. Hot water heat pump would take heat from air in utility closet to warm water making air in closet in middle of house cold, not a good result in my particular situation.Am getting battery to store electricity from panels instead of opting for fossil fuel powered generator. (There are other reasons for storing some of power from panels in battery.) In addition to lights & refrigerator etc, during an outage, Power from battery can run furnace mechanism and would be relying on natural gas to heat house for duration of power outage.I wonder if National Grid rushed replacing my meter because of my drop in use of gas? A coincidence is that at about same time as meter was changed one of the two heat pumps that came with house (10 years old, warranty no longer available to second owner) stopped working and in that part of house have fallen back on using “furnace.” Just got first National Grid bill since that heat pump broke and am now highly motivated to move along with replacing busted heat pump!Will look into replacing my current natural gas-powered dryer with heat pump dryer but laundry is also in middle of house and same issue of generating cold in middle of house probably means it wouldn’t be a good choice. What I really want is a clothesline outside! Each step along the way takes time, thought and money although the zero percent 7 year heat loans and rebates help.I have been greatly helped In thinking this through by Lincoln’s CFREE, Belinda Gingrich and Scott Rodman.Protect our planet and all its people.On Nov 18, 2024, at 9:56 PM, ROY HARVEY via Lincoln  wrote:

  
   
 
 
  
   Dear Forest,
   
  
    
   
   
   
Lincoln’s electricity is provided by Eversource, not National Grid. 

   
 

   
All investor-owned utilities in Massachusetts were required to file Electric Sector Modernization Plans (ESMPs) with the Department of Public Utilities earlier this year.  Eversource’s ESMP gives details on their plan to roll out Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), which includes modern "smart meters". The ESMP includes the schedule for the rollout, which ends in 2027-8. Eversource is starting in the western part of the state and moving east, so Lincoln will be among the later communities to receive AMI.  The full text of Eversource’s ESMP is here.

   
 

   
According to Eversource’s ESMP, consumer benefits of Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) will include:


Lower bills, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times 
Lower CO2 emissions, if customers choose to reduce consumption during peak times, when inefficient oil- and gas-fired peaker plants would otherwise provide power. 
Faster notification of power outages (and earlier restoration from outages). 

   
The excerpt below from the ESMP outlines some of these benefits.

   
 

   
Best regards,

   
Roy Harvey

   
(not affiliated with Eversource)

   
 

   
6.3.1.9 AMI and Data Sharing 

   
 

   
The Company is implementing a comprehensive near real-time AMI system that includes state of the art meters, communications infrastructure, head-end system, meter data management system (MDMS), customer information system, analytics capabilities, customer portal and data sharing abilities, integrations with other key systems including the outage management system (OMS), and all with comprehensive, end-to-end, cybersecurity protocols.

   
 

   
Whereas early AMI deployments focused primarily on basic functions such as remote meter reading and interval usage data collection, utilities are increasingly taking advantage of systems integration, data analytics, and grid-edge computation to provide incremental benefits without adding significantly to the overall project cost.

   
 

   
A modern AMI deployment reflects the imperative to consider AMI as more than meters and communications infrastructure but rather as a complete system, inclusive of systems and integrations that together will optimize the full utilizati