Committee to Elect Margaret Laforest
 
Margaret photo
"Many have expressed concerns relative to crossing Sea Street and the Public Works Committee of the City Council will discuss the feasibility of solar crosswalk signs for Sea Street at our meeting Monday night." 
Greetings!
  
Thank you to the 50+ constituents who contacted me regarding Quincy's proposal to ban text messaging while driving. 90% supported the ban. As the Ward One Councilor, I will listen to your input and use it in making my decisions in the Council Chamber. I heard loud and clear from the majority that they are concerned for safety on the roads and would like to see the ban implemented. I voted to support the ban, which was a home rule petition drafted by Councilor Kevin Coughlin and needs approval from the state legislature. The Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives are working on legislation to ban texting while driving state wide and I will keep you posted as to the progress of the ban.
 
Boy Scout Troop 6 is hosting their monthly bottle drive on Saturday, March 13th from 9am-12pm at LaBreque Field, Sea Street, Houghs Neck.
 
This edition of my newsletter is full of information on upcoming events, including Adams Shore Idol, a Ward One S. Patrick's Day Celebration, A Night of Strength, Spirit and Motivation in Honor of Merrymount's Sean Murphy, Quincy's Half Marathon, a campaign reception, and a community meeting to discuss neighborhood safety.
 
I have also included information on Council business. Monday, March 15th is the next scheduled City Council meeting with a public works committee meeting focusing on the feasibility of testing new solar technology crosswalk crossing signs on Sea Street. I'm also including information on three upcoming changes to the City's zoning ordinances relative to boat/recreational vehicle storage, parking of commercial vehicles in residential districts and accessory apartments. The City Council will be reviewing the proposed changes and there will be opportunities for public input. Please read on for more information and I ask for you to let me know your thoughts on these matters.  Please reply to this email or call me to discuss. Raised to appreciate the Irish Culture and a parent of Irish Step Dancing Daughters, I wish you all a Happy St. Patrick's Day, Margaret
Adams Shore Idol, Saturday, March 13, 7pm 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Adams Shore Community Association is hosting Adams Shore Idol, Saturday, March 13th, 7pm at the Hoffbrau. Admission is $10. Event will have food, 50/50 raffle and t-shirts for sale. 
Quincy City Council Public Safety Committee Meeting on Sea Street Crosswalks, Monday, March 15, 7pm
The Public Works Committee of the Quincy City Council is holding a meeting on Monday, March 15th at 7pm in the Council Chambers regarding a resolution co-sponsored by myself and Councilor Joe Finn. 
 
Resolution of Feasibility for Solar Panel Crosswalk Sign Pilot 
 
Whereas, Sea Street in Quincy has long had a history of dangerous crosswalk areas; and
 
Whereas, some of these areas have a high density and number of small children crossing these streets on a regular basis; and
 
Whereas, crossing the street is particularly difficult for elderly and/or disabled citizens; now,
 
Therefore be it resolved, that the Public Works Committee of the Quincy City Council, in partnership with the Mayor's Office, the Department of Public Works and the Traffic Department of the City of Quincy, consider the feasibility of a pilot to test the use of new solar-technology crosswalk crossing signs.  The purpose of such a study is to determine cost for such a pilot, potential funding strategies, possible partners and eventually to test the suitability and effectiveness for such technology under the environmental conditions of our city.
 
 
Please email me mlaforest@quincyma.gov or call me at 617-376-1351 to share your thoughts on the Sea Street initiative or any other issue of concern. Your contact can either be part of the public record or if you prefer shared confidentially with me.
City Council Agenda, Monday, March 15
7pm: Public Works Committee Meeting #2010-045, regarding feasibility for solar panel crosswalk sign pilot, Councilors Finn and Laforest
 
7:30pm: City Council Meeting
  1. Recognition of the Wollaston Garden Club        
  2. Presentation by Dave St. Germain, Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve - Department of Defense 
  3. Appropriation of $700 from Ward Three Stop & Shop Mitigation Funds to City Council (Expense $300 to Montclair Elementary School Festival, $200 to Quincy High School Senior Stay Out and $200 to North Quincy High Senior Stay Out)
  4. Administration Presentation by Tom Fabrizio, "At Home in Quincy" This program can provide homebuyers living or working in Quincy with help to make the purchase of their first one to four-family home in Quincy more affordable.
  5. Establishment of Water Stabilization Fund
  6. Establishment of Sewer Stabilization Fund
  7. Appropriation of $1,211,342 ($100,000 to Water Contractual, $1,086,342 to Water Stabilization Fund and $25,000 to Water Claims Account) to be transferred from FY10 Water Enterprise Free Cash
  8. Appropriation of $583,857 ($458,857 to Sewer Stabilization Fund and $125,000 to Sewer Claims Account) to be transferred from FY10 Sewer Enterprise Free Cash
 
Meetings are held in the City Council Chambers at City Hall and  televised on QATV Channel 10 for Comcast subscribers.
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17 at Dailey Tax & Insurance
You may know Dailey Tax & Insurance at 526 Sea Street for it's window decorations in honor of various holidays. Well, owner, Maureen Gibbons, really does it up for St. Patricks Day hosting WROL's popular Irish Hit Parade and welcoming the public to her Ward One business from 1-2pm on St. Patrick's Day, Wednesday, March 17th.
A Night of Strength, Spirit and Motivation in loving memory of Sean Murphy, Saturday, March 20, 7pm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Team Sean - Team Mass Eye & Ear
Half Marathon in Quincy, Sunday, March 21, 9am
Historic Quincy's Half Marathon
13.1 Mile Road Race starting at Quincy High School (52 Coddington Street)
Sunday, March 21, 2010 - 9am
 
Entry Fee: $40 (checks payable to: Half of Quincy)
Participant Amenities: Race Shirt (first 500 registrants), Bag Check , Finishers Medallion
Timing: Spitler Race Systems
Course: USATF certified

Post Race: Immediately following the race, soup and sandwich provided by the Culinary Arts Program of Quincy will be offered to runners in the Quincy High Cafeteria.

Post race recap/recoup in the Fours at the Ross Parking lot in Quincy Square. Runners should bring their race bib numbers for the 1/2 of Quincy special discount.

For more information, call JJ Larner, 617-909-6726 or visit www.halfofquincy.com
 
Proceeds to benefit Running Programs at Quincy Public Schools, Quincy Track Club, Quincy Police DARE program and Dana Farber Marathon Challenge.
 
 
** ROAD CLOSURES:
Coddington Street from Washington Street to Southern Artery from 8am to noon. Sea Street eastbound from Southern Artery to Norton Road from 9am to 9:15am.Quincy Shore Drive northbound from Furnace Brook Parkway to East Squantum Street from 8am to 10am. Motorists may experience delays on as runners pass on East Squantum, West Squantum, Harvard, Beale, Adams and Hancock Streets.
Campaign Reception, Tuesday, March 23, in honor of Councilor Laforest
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Please join the Committee to Elect Margaret Laforest at
the Fox & Hound Wood Grille & Tavern, 125 Sea Street on
Tuesday, March 23rd from 6-8pm.
Hors devours, cash bar
Suggested donation $50, $100, $250 
SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, March 30th, 7pm
COMMUNITY MEETING at Quincy Police Station
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Following up on the recent crimes in Houghs Neck, together with the Quincy Police Department, I will host a community meeting on Tuesday, March 30th at 7pm at the Quincy Police Department, 1 Sea Street.  Quincy's Crime Prevention Officer, Lt. Dan Minton and Ward One Community Police Officer Bill Mitchell will discuss what we can do to keep our neighborhoods safe. Ward One is full of caring citizens who look out for our neighbors and we need to be vigilant and persistent in reporting suspicious activity to the QPD to act on and clean up the current problems in our community.
PROPOSED zoning changes relative to boat/recreational vehicle storage, home occupations/parking of commercial vehicles in residential districts and accessory apartments.
In 2008, Mayor Koch appointed a zoning task force to update the city's zoning ordinances to conform to the enabling provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40A and to reflect decisions of the Massachusetts appellate courts. These changes are extremely important to the city's ability to defend our zoning regulations when challenged by appeals in the Massachusetts trial court and to address "quality of life" issues. The zoning task force worked for over sixteen months reviewing, word by word, every section of the city's zoning ordinances. The City Council ordinance committee will have meetings and opportunities for public input and make additional revisions in the coming months. The City Council will need to adopt the revised ordinances.  I have heard many concerns relative to three of the proposed updates and am including the PROPOSED language relative to boat/recreational vehicle storage, commercial vehicle parking and accessory apartments and request you to share your thoughts on these and any other matters of concern.
 
QUINCY ZONING ORDINANCE DRAFT (The document is 92 pages and I've included excerpts relative to the issues mentioned above.)
 
Section 3.2 ACCESSORY USES AND STRUCTURES
 
3.2.1 General. The following provisions shall apply to all accessory uses and structures.
  1. An Accessory use shall be permitted only on the same lot as the building or use to which it is accessory, except as otherwise provided herein.
  2. No accessory use shall occupy more than twenty-five percent of the gross floor area of the principal structure located on the lot, whether such accessory use is located in the principal structure or not.
  3. No accessory use is permitted which involves the maintenance of stock in trade or the use of signs, show windows, illumination or displays except as permitted in Section 5.3.
 
Section 3.2.2 Accessory Uses; All Districts. The following accessory uses are specifically permitted in all districts by right or special permit:
  1. Temporary construction trailers. The Building Commissioner may grant a temporary occupancy permit for temporary buildings and trailers during building construction where reasonably required for such construction. Such permit may be issued for an initial period of not more than one year. Permits may be renewed by the Building Commissioner for successive periods of not more than one year each.
  2. Accessory Scientific Uses. Uses, whether or not on the same parcel as activities permitted as a matter of right, which are necessary in connection with scientific research or scientific development or related production, may be permitted upon the issuance of a special permit by the Board of Appeals, provided that the Board finds that the proposed use does not substantially derogate from the public good.
  3. Major Recreational Equipment (DEFINED as any boat, non-commercial trailer, or recreational vehicle whether on a trailer or not.) Major recreational equipment may be stored on any lot in a Residence District in a carport or enclosed building. Only one such item may be stored behind the building front line of the principal building not closer than three feet to any side or rear lot line and not closer than five feet to any building. Such equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for a period not to exceed seventy-two hours. No such equipment shall be used for living or housekeeping purposes when stored in a Residence District, or in any location not approved for such use. All equipment which does not conform to these regulations shall be considered nonconforming.
  4. Family Day Care Homes. Small and large family day care homes are allowed in all districts only upon the issuance of a special permit by the Board of Appeals.
  5. Adult Day Care Homes. Adult day care homes are allowed in all districts as an accessory use only upon the issuance of a special permit by the Board of Appeals.
  6. Private Garage or Parking Area. A private garage or parking area for not more than four non-commercial motor vehicles belonging to occupants or users of the lot in Residence Districts is allowed as an accessory use in all districts as of right; a private garage or parking area for more than four non-commercial motor vehicles belonging to occupants or users of the lot in Residence Districts is allowed by special permit in all districts other than RA.
 
3.2.3 Accessory Uses in the Residence Districts. The following provisions shall apply to accessory uses and structures in the Residence Districts: 
  1. Boarders in Single-Family Dwelling. The renting of rooms and/or furnishing of board to two or fewer persons in a single-family dwelling by the owner who is the occupant thereof shall be a permitted accessory use.
  2. Certain Buildings. Tool sheds, garden sheds, storage sheds, garages, or other like buildings shall be allowed as accessory uses in the Residence Districts. Any such building shall meet the minimum front yard requirements; however, the minimum rear and side yard setback shall be six feet. No such building shall be higher than one story, or sixteen feet measured from the floor to the peak of the roof, nor shall such building exceed twenty-five percent of the gross floor area of the principle structure on the lot. Any such building shall be located at least ten feet away from the principal structure on the lot. Any such building shall be located at least ten feet away from any other building or structure. Such buildings shall be properly anchored for wind loading.
  3. Parking of Commercial Vehicle. The garaging or parking of not more than one commercial vehicle, no to exceed one half ton weight or capacity, shall be allowed as of right in the Residence Districts; provided however, that such parking shall be prohibited in the Residence A and Residence B Districts.
  4. Prohibited Accessory Uses. In the Residence Districts, the following accessory uses are prohibited:
               a. Kennels;
               b. Contractor's yard for the storage of building materials and      
                   equipment;
               c. The storage or keeping of commercial landscaping equipment,
                   materials, supplies, or piles;
               d. Commercial auto repair or service. 
 
3.2.4 Accessory Uses in the Business and Industrial Districts. In the Business and Industrial Districts, any use permitted as a principal use is also permitted as an accessory use provided such use is customarily incidental to the main or principal building or use of the land. Any use authorized as a principal use by special permit may also be authorized as an accessory use by special permit provided such use is customarily incidental to the main or principal building or use of the land. Any use not allowed in the district as a principal use is also prohibited as an accessory use. Accessory uses are permitted only in accordance with lawfully existing principal uses. In all instances where site plan review and approval is required for a principal use, the addition of any new accessory use to the principal use, where such addition exceeds the thresholds established in Section 9.4, shall also require site plan review and approval.
  1. Parking of Commercial Vehicle. The garaging or parking of not more than one commercial vehicle, not to exceed one and one half ton weight or capacity, shall be allowed as of right in the Business and Industrial Districts.
 
3.3 HOME OCCUPATIONS
 
3.3.1 Home Occupation - As of Right. One home occupation may be allowed on any premises as of right, provided that the home occupation:
  1. is conducted solely within a dwelling and solely by the person(s) occupying the dwelling as a primary residence.
  2. is clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the premises for residential purposes;
  3. does not produce offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, lighting, electrical interference, radioactive emission or environmental pollution;
  4. does not utilize exterior storage of material or equipment (including the parking of commercial vehicles);
  5. does not exhibit any exterior indication of its presence or any variation from residential appearance;
  6. does not produce any customer, pupil, or client trips to the occupation site and has no non-resident employees;
  7. is registered as a business with the City Clerk.
 
3.3.2 Home Occupation by Special Permit. One home occupation may be allowed on any premises by special permit issued by the Board of Appeals, provided that:
 
  1. the home occupation complies with the pertinent provisions of Section 3.3.1, above;
  2. is conducted within a dwelling solely by the person(s) occupying the dwelling as a primary residence and, in addition to the residents of the premises, by not more than three additional employees;
  3. does not exhibit any exterior indication of its presence, or any variation from residential appearance, except for a sign or name plate in compliance with section 5.3;
  4. a special permit for such use is granted by the Board of Appeals, subject to conditions including, but not limited to, restriction of hours of operation, maximum floor area, off-street parking, and maximum number of daily customer vehicle trips.Such special permit shall be limited to three years, or the transfer of property, whichever first occurs, and may be renewed by the Board of Appeals.
 
Please email me mlaforest@quincyma.gov or call me at 617-376-1351 to share your thoughts on the Sea Street initiative or any other issue of concern. Your contact can either be part of the public record or if you prefer shared confidentially with me.
 Contact Information
 
 
Margaret Laforest
Ward One Councilor, Quincy
236 Rock Island Road
Quincy, MA 02169
617-471-1806 (home)
617-376-1351 (office)
mlaforest@quincyma.gov
www.MargaretLaforest.com

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