Episode Transcript
[00:00:17] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Thursday, November 12th. The Quincy City Council has passed a new ordinance that would regulate surveillance technology as residents continue to express concern about automatic license plate reading cameras. The measure would require a public hearing before the city signs a contract with a new surveillance technology company after recently deactivating the 50 flock cameras in the city. Police Chief Mark Kennedy said he's trying to balance privacy concerns with his duty to protect the public.
[00:00:55] The city had previously said it was switching from Flock to another company that would give the city complete control over the data collected. However, Kennedy said the options for another type of system are still open. The new ordinance can be approved or denied by the mayor or allowed to take effect without any action. The mayor's office says he's having his legal team check in to the ordinance. The council also passed a resolution asking the state to develop regulations regarding the surveillance technology.
[00:01:30] The Quincy City Council this week also approved a resolution calling on state lawmakers to stop the process of approving a 50 year lease for Quarry Hills Associates to operate the Granite Links Golf Club. A home rule petition approved by the previous City Council was included in a state supplemental budget that currently sits in the Senate. It would circumvent state laws that would require the city to put the lease out to bid. Ward 6 City Councillor Deborah Riley said an audit should be conducted to ensure that Quincy's receiving its fair share of revenue from Quarry Hills. The administration says Quarry Hills operates a successful business that benefits the city and and requires the long term lease to secure financing for future development at that site.
[00:02:21] Despite former Stoughton Police officer Matthew Farwell being found guilty of killing Sandra Birchmore and her unborn child on Tuesday.
[00:02:31] Birchmore's family is demanding further investigation into state and local police, who federal prosecutors say originally did dismissed the idea that Birchmore might have been murdered, especially by a member of law enforcement. The 41 year old Farwell from Easton was convicted on one count of killing a witness or victim and one count of causing the death of an unborn child.
[00:02:56] Incoming Norfolk County District Attorney Juniper Perkins said she will open a grand jury investigation into the Stoughton Police Explorers mentoring program, where convicted former Stoughton officer Farwell first encountered Birchmore. U.S. attorney Leah Foley said she's confident that the current leader of the state police, who was not in charge when Birchmore was killed, will also review troopers actions. However, the agency referred questions to outgoing Norfolk County DA Mike Morrissey, who said his office couldn't do more originally because the state medical examiner initially ruled Birch Moore's death a suicide. Governor Healy yesterday also expressed confidence that the new leadership of the state police will look back at how the case was handled. Perkins said she will be reviewing all the testimony in the Farwell federal case, but said much of what she already heard has her troubled and ready to take action.
[00:03:58] The Massachusetts Nurses association said late last night negotiators had reached a deal to avoid a nurse strike at Brigham and women's Hospital.
[00:04:09] Around 4,000 nurses were set to start striking this morning. The union announced the tentative agreement and a social media post at about 11:25 last night. The Massachusetts Nursing association had said it was fighting for a higher wage scale, limitations on the use of traveling and temporary nurses and affordable health insurance options. The union said the hospital had addressed the nurses central priorities, including protecting safe patient care, preserving affordable health insurance and protecting the nurse's wage scale. Earlier, the hospital said that care remained the highest priority and that temporary nurses would be hired to fill the gaps in the event of a strike. The hospital group noted that it maintained safe operations during a work stoppage earlier this year and will use those successfully implemented plans to prepare for the next one. The hospital says its latest offer includes competitive pay and that their nurses are already some of the highest paid in the region and in the country. Two sides previously came to agreement on some other issues they previously debated, including workplace safety proposals. The union acknowledged progress during negotiations earlier this week.
[00:05:30] Papageno's, the longtime New England staple that has struggled financially in recent years, will soon have a new owner. Crave Worthy Brands, which owns multiple restaurant brands across the country, announced this week that one of its affiliates has signed a definitive agreement to acquire New England Authentic Eats, the pizza chain's parent company.
[00:05:55] Crave Worthy, will take over more than 160 restaurants, including Papageno's and its sister D'. Angelo's. As part of the deal, Papageno's, founded in 1961 and headquartered in Dedham, will keep its name and locations, but with an added twist. Craveworthy plans to infuse new life into the chain by introducing its wing it on brand to all locations in the region.
[00:06:25] The pizza chain bills itself as the official pizza of New England, but its number of locations in the region has dwindled thanks to recent business struggles. In 2018, Papageno's filed for bankruptcy that in 2019 it was purchased by Winchurch Capital, a private equity firm company said at the time it planned to reboot the look and menu at the restaurants.
[00:06:51] Craveworthy, which already manages multiple restaurant brands including the Budlong Crafted Burger and Tap, Genghis Grill, BD's Mongolian Grill and Flat Top Grill. The deal for Papageno's is expected to close on December 31st.
[00:07:11] A South Shore brewery is saying goodbye to its home after nearly 20 years, although its beer will continue to be available, according to a social media post. Mayflower Brewing company Is going to be closing its Plymouth facility, including its tap room.
[00:07:28] And while an earlier Plymouth Independent article mentioned that it planned to shutter at the end of the year, the recent post from the beer maker indicates it's hosting a one last sale going away party on November 28. The article does mention that Mayflower's beers will continue to be brewed and at the Cape Cod Beer facility in Hyannis, and that its beer garden at Pine Hills in Plymouth will remain in operation. And Mayflower will also be looking for a new home for its tap room. The Orleans based Hog Island Beer Co. Purchased both Mayflower Brewing Co. And Cape Cod Beer last year.
[00:08:08] Parents and students who are interested in learning about financial aid for higher education can attend an informational meeting tonight at North Quincy High School. The Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority is hosting the meeting at 6:30pm in the auditorium at North Quincy High School. Participants will be able to ask questions about financial aid and financing postgraduate plans the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds annual holiday food drive kicks off today. Donations of non perishable food and personal hygiene items may be dropped off at the Registry on High street in Dedham Square weekdays during business hours through December 17th. The donations will be distributed to food pantries throughout Norfolk County.
[00:08:59] A check of business news this morning. Stocks are higher. The Dow rose 254 points, the Nasdaq's up 400. The S&P added 98. World stocks were mixed, the dollar fell, the euro was up and oil at $93 a barrel.
[00:09:17] Sports Celtics beat the rap tours 98 to 93 and they'll be hosting Dallas Sunday at 6 o' clock tonight. The Bruins take on the Canadiens at the garden at 7.
[00:09:32] Forecast from the National Weather Service today. Cloudy with afternoon showers at a high of 53. Showers this evening and a low dropping to the upper 30s tomorrow. Showers and maybe some wet snowflakes.
[00:09:48] A high of 44.
[00:09:50] Mainly cloudy on Saturday with a high of 47 and partly cloudy Sunday. High 48 for the boater. Waves 2 to 3ft. The winds east 10 to 15, gusting to 25.
[00:10:03] A small craft advisory goes up later on this afternoon. High tide 12:49pM Sunrise 6:30 sets at 4:25.
[00:10:13] I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Thursday, November 12th.
