Episode Transcript
[00:00:16] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Friday, June 12th.
[00:00:22] The President of Eastern Nazarene College has offered to meet with quite a Quincy City Councilors to discuss the potential sale of the former school to the city. Colleen Durr and the chairman of the ENC Board have both extended an invitation to meet with councilors as the council considers whether or not to purchase the former college. The Finance Committee last night continued the discussion about the $22.5 million appropriation without making a decision.
[00:00:52] The issue is on the agenda for Monday night's Quincy City Council meeting.
[00:00:57] A developer is proposing a new 520 unit housing development in North Quincy. Trammell Crow Residential of Boston wants to tear down the existing office buildings off Newport Avenue extension near the Newport Avenue entrance to the North Quincy T station and replace them with four multifamily buildings at a total of 500 parking spaces. Ward 3 City Councilor Walter Hubley will host a community meeting about the proposal next Tuesday at 6pm at 150 Newport Avenue, one of the buildings that would be replaced with the new development.
[00:01:37] Hubley says a representative from the developer will be at that meeting to answer questions. The Transit Oriented Development Project would need approval from the Quincy Planning Board and the Quincy Conservation Commission.
[00:01:52] The Haitian national team checked into its Quincy Hotel yesterday afternoon ahead of Saturday night's World cup opener against Scotland. The match marks Haiti's first World cup appearance in 52 years. The country previously qualified for the 1974 tournament in West Germany. Large crowds of fans lined the Marriott Hotel wearing jerseys and waving flags to cheer on the players and staff. The fans gathering was one of several World cup related events taking place across Greater Boston, including watch parties and fan festivals. The team's arrival in Quincy came after a stop at Hades team base camp, New Jersey's Stockton University.
[00:02:40] Saturday's game kicks off at 9pm at Boston Stadium in Foxborough.
[00:02:46] Quincy voters who failed to return their city census forms are now being notified that they have been placed on the inactive voter lists. June 1st was the deadline for census forms to be returned, but City Clerk Nicole Crispo says it's easy to get back on the active voter list by returning your census form. Crispo says up to 20,000 voters are now being notified that they're on the inactive voter list. She says. Voters who are inactive will still be allowed to vote in this year's state election. However, they must show proof of Quincy residency when they cast their ballot.
[00:03:25] A 20 year old man is dead after being pulled from a pond in Stoughton Yesterday afternoon, a report of a boater in distress came in from Ames pond at about 2:30. Officials said the 20 year old was canoeing on the pond with friends when the boat tipped over. The victim never resurfaced. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey's office said the crews located the victim after about an hour and a half of searching the water. The young man was pulled from the water and transported by Canton fire officials to the hospital where he later died. His identity is not being released at this time. The incident remains under investigation.
[00:04:06] A four year old boy from Hingham is recovering after a rider on an E bike slammed into him while he was on his bicycle. The crash left his arm shattered and elbow dislocated. Now his family is trying to raise awareness about the dangers of E bikes on public walkways. Bodhi Rogers was struck by a teenage E bike rider on the sidewalk in front of his Main street home. The rider admitted to being distracted by a phone while traveling 20 mph. E bikes and scooters have become a problem on bike paths. In early May, governor Healy proposed the Ride Safe act, which aim to create riding regulations and standards based off the speed of the device.
[00:04:52] Megan Rogers says she filed a report with the Hingham police about her son's accident but is not pressing charges. She hopes Bodie's story brings awareness to the issue. She also believes his helmet saved his life and now she'll soon start reaching out to organizations and police to promote helmet usage in her town.
[00:05:14] Quincy Public Schools recently recognized three outstanding educators upon their retirement.
[00:05:22] Principal Margaret McNeil is retiring after 32 years with Quincy Public Schools. Master Sergeant John D. Lorenzo is retiring after more than 25 years as an Air Force Junior ROTC Instructor at Quincy and North Quincy high schools. And Leslie Bridston is retiring after more than two decades of service as coordinator of McKinney Vento Services. Leslie was a dedicated advocate for students and families experiencing housing instability, providing support, resources and compassion to those who needed it most.
[00:05:59] We now know when tax free weekend is coming to Massachusetts, the Legislature announced yesterday. The sales tax holiday will be held on Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th. On those days, the six and a quarter percent sales tax in Massachusetts will be waived for most retail items, although there are some exceptions. A law passed in 2018 mandates a sales tax holiday weekend in the state every August, which is typically a slower time for retailers. Advocates say it helps small businesses, while critics say it only changes the timing of big ticket purchases the customers are going to make anyway. The state said last year's sales tax holiday generated $3.65 million in indirect tax revenues due to increased economic activity.
[00:06:47] Most retail items that cost under $2,500 at stores will be tax free that weekend. Some exceptions include cars, motor boats, gas, steam, electricity, meals and any single item whose price is more than $2,500.
[00:07:07] The City of Quincy is preparing for the 75th annual Flag Day Parade ceremony and Fireworks Celebration Saturday night parade steps off at 7 and Quincy center makes its way down Hancock street to Marymount Parkway to Pageant Field for the fireworks grand finale. The theme of America250 will be reflected in this year's parade as the grand marshals are the so called History keepers representing the Adams National Historical Park, Quincy Historical Society, the Adams Presidential center, the Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum and the Color guard from the USS Constitution. The mayors of Braintree and Weymouth have also been invited to march in the parade this year, and past recipients of the Koch Youth Service Award will also participate. The mayor's father founded the parade in 1952. QATV will carry the parade live beginning tomorrow night at 7:30.
[00:08:05] Check of business news Stocks rebounded. The dow is up 929 points, the Nasdaq gained 640 and the S&P added 127. World stocks were also higher after President Trump claimed there was a breakthrough in talks to end the Iran war. The dollar rose, the euro was up. Oil is down to $86 a barrel.
[00:08:29] In sports, the Red Sox will be hosting the Rangers beginning tonight at 7:10.
[00:08:36] The National Weather Service forecast today hazy, hot and humid with isolated thunderstorms. High of 93.
[00:08:43] Another muggy night tonight, low around 70. Tomorrow Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High 90.
[00:08:50] Sunday Partly cloudy, high 91. Sunny 84 for high on Monday.
[00:08:56] The boater waves about a foot. Southeast winds at 5 knots become easterly. High tide 9:24am Sunrise 5:06 sets at 8:20.
[00:09:06] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Friday, June 12th.
