Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Foreign.
[00:00:16] Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Friday, October 16th. The MBTA says the delivery of its new REDLINE cars has been delayed again and will not arrive by the original end of 2027 deadline. A spokesperson for the T says the prolonged detention of rail car shells by U.S. customs and Border Protection has disrupted production and delayed deliveries. Before the disruption, the China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation was supposed to deliver eight cars per month to the T. The shells from those cars are coming from China. And at an MBTA finance meeting yesterday, a slide revealed only 68 of the 252 redline cars promised were received as of July, while a new deadline for the cars was not provided. Transit officials said the company is ramping up production and plans to open a second assembly line early next year to further accelerate production. 40% or more of REDLINE cars currently in service are new cars.
[00:01:26] The one billion dollar investment between the Red and Orange lines is set to bring 400 new cars to the Metro Boston area. The entire Orange Line has already been fitted with new cars, which averaged 148,000 miles between failures, according to the T, who says it far exceeds the contractual requirement of 90,000 miles. The new redline cars have averaged 97,000 miles between failures.
[00:01:56] A developer will conduct a study of how their proposed new apartment project in North Quincy would impact traffic around the Neponsett River Bridge. Trammell Crow Residential Development has agreed to a request from State Representative Bruce ayers and Ward 3 Councilor Walter Hubley to study how the proposal for four buildings with 520 apartments on Newport Avenue extension would impact traffic on roadways leading to the Neponsett River Bridge. Ayer said that morning bridge traffic is already very congested and he wants to make sure the project would not make it worse. The plan calls for a parking garage and parking lot for 540 vehicles. The planning board continued that hearing about the project until November 18th to allow for the new traffic study early in person voting for the November 3 state election begins tomorrow and here in Quincy, early voting will take place tomorrow and Sunday from 8:30 to 2:30 at the Central Middle School. Early voting will then take place next Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 4:30 at City hall and next weekend and the following week at City Hall. City Clerk Nicole Crispo is urging all voters to study the nine ballot questions before going to the polls. The last day to register to vote in the Nov. 3 election is Oct. 24 at 5pm the last day to request a mail in ballot is Oct. 27 at 5pm this year's annual Quincy Christmas Parade will have a patriotic feel.
[00:03:42] The theme will be Stars and Stripes and Christmas sights Quincy celebrates 250 years.
[00:03:51] The parade committee selected the theme submitted by Kathy Conti, who grew up in Quincy and has watched the parade with her family for many years near Quincy City Hall. The committee says the theme combines the holiday spirit with the historic role Quincy plays in the history of the nation.
[00:04:09] Floats will reflect the parade theme. The parade will be the last formal event in Quincy's year long celebration of America 250. Conti will receive a plaque and is invited to ride in the 73rd annual parade, which will be held on Sunday, November 29th.
[00:04:28] Governor Healy announcing new fire safety regulations yesterday that she said will better protect residents and align the state with national standards. The new rules are aimed at improving sprinkler safety following the deadly fire at the Gabriel House in Fall River. The Massachusetts Board of Fire Prevention Regulations voted to include the new requirements in the next edition of the Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code, expected early next year. Under the updated fire code, sprinkler systems will require annual checks to identify any recalls. Property owners will also be required to notify their local fire department when recalled equipment is identified to ensure it's promptly replaced. Local fire departments could also require additional safety measures until the recalled equipment is replaced. Under the new regulation, certain work like welding and grinding will not be allowed when winds exceed 15 mph. They also aim to simplify building, permitting and certification requirements to ensure they can be better understood.
[00:05:40] Thousands of athletes and spectators are expected to flock to the Boston area this weekend for the 2026 Head of the Charles Regatta, which officially kicks off today in Cambridge along the banks of the Charles River. Since 1965, rowers have come from near and far to take part in the world's largest regatta, but the fun is not limited to the competitors. There are many ways for spectators to get involved into the weekend festivities. Spectators traveling to and from the regatta are encouraged to use public transportation. Parking availability is limited for spectators and parts of Memorial Drive will be closed over the race weekend.
[00:06:20] City of Quincy will celebrate America's 250th anniversary with Open Heritage Day Saturday from 10am to 4pm featuring free tours, programs and experiences at historic sites across the city. Locations include Peace Field, Old Town hall, the Adams Academy, Quincy Historical Society, the Church of the Presidents, Hancock Cemetery, the USS Salem, the Josiah Quincy House, the Quincy Quarry and Granite Workers Museum, the Southern Tide Mill and the Dorothy Quincy Homestead, among others. Free trolley service will be available at the Quincy Historical Society on Adam street and behind the Monroe Building on Hancock street in Quincy Center.
[00:07:07] The Montclair Wollaston Neighborhood association will hold their 35th annual Pumpkin Spice Festival on Saturday from noon to 4 at Bishops Field, across from the Montclair School. The free event will include a petting zoo, live music, pony rides, touch a truck, family entertainment, food and beverages will be available for purchase.
[00:07:29] The Ward 2 Civic association will hold their Fall Sundays in the park on October 18th at Four River Field and October 25th at Faxon Park. The free events will be held from noon to 4pm and feature live music, food trucks, family activities and other events.
[00:07:51] The Quincy Animal Shelter will hold a free microchip event on Sunday from 10am to 2pm at Quirk Subaru on Quincy Avenue in Braintree. A current REB certificate is required.
[00:08:07] New or gently used winter coats for adults and children are being collected at Kohen Funeral Homes and Dependable Cleaners locations on the South Shore to be distributed to families in need. Donations may be dropped off through the end of November. Donors will receive a coupon for 25% off their dry cleaning. Interfaith Social Services of Quincy will distribute the donations.
[00:08:32] Culture Kind of Quincy and Cradles to Crayons are conducting a clothing drive to benefit children through October 23rd. Donations may be dropped off at the Quincy Police Department, Quincy City Hall, Tooties fine jewelry, roots and roasts and an outdoor storage unit at the Wollaston Elementary School.
[00:08:54] The Quincy Police Department is selling Pink Patch apparel and merchandise at Kilroy Square in Quincy center every Friday in October to benefit Marissa's Mission for Breast Cancer.
[00:09:08] Each October, law enforcement agencies across the country participate in the Pink Patch program to raise awareness about breast cancer and to benefit local nonprofit agencies that assist breast cancer patients and their families.
[00:09:23] A check on business news this morning. Stocks were up. The Dow rose 556 points, the Nasdaq's up 20. The S&P added 25.
[00:09:33] Asian stocks were also higher. The Euro rose, the dollar was flat and oil at $105 a barrel.
[00:09:41] Sports the Bruins are out in Anaheim against the ducks tonight at 10 o'. Clock. Patriots will be hosting the jets on Sunday at 1 o' clock at Gillette Stadium.
[00:09:53] The National Weather Service forecast for today. Rain could be heavy at times with a high of 68 degrees tonight. Some lingering showers, maybe a thunderstorm. Rather blustery as temperatures dip tonight into the mid-40s. Partly cloudy and windy and cold tomorrow with a high of 52.
[00:10:14] Sunshine on Sunday, high 55 and Monday, mostly sunny, high 59 out on the water today. Waves about 2ft. The winds out of the south 10 to 15 with gusts to 25 knots. There is a small craft advisory in effect. High tide 3:45pm Sunrise 6:58, sets at 6pm I'm Joe Catalano with an AM Quincy news update for Friday, October 16th.
