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"Houghs Neck residents have been skating on Manet Lake since the early 1900's and we hope to bring that tradition back this winter." |
Greetings!
Coastal infrastructure is a topic I often get asked about. Quincy is working to minimize/eliminate the infiltration of sea water into our sewer system to lessen the fees we pay to the MWRA. These expenses are costly, yet necessary and long over due. I appreciate the efforts of Mayor Koch's administration in addressing this problem. You may have noticed work being done this week on Sea Street, read below to find out what's going on.
Ever since I took office as Ward One Councilor, Houghs Neck residents have asked me to look into skating at Manet Lake, as it was a favorite childhood past time of many. I will host a neighborhood meeting with the "Friends of Manet Lake" on Sunday, December 12th at 7pm (the Patriots game is scheduled for 1pm, so we won't conflict with that.) Please let me know your thoughts on outdoor skating at Manet Lake.
I will host a neighborhood meeting to discuss a home construction proposal in Adams Shore on Tuesday, December 7th and another meeting (date to be determined) regarding a proposed residential wind turbine on Post Island Road. Both projects will need Zoning Board Approval and will have an extensive public process.
As my first year in office nears an end, my campaign committee will be hosting a fundraiser on Wednesday, December 8th from 6-9pm at the Hoffbrau and we hope you can join us. Your support is greatly appreciated.
We have many FREE holiday events scheduled in Ward One and I hope to have the chance to personally wish you and your family Happy Holidays. Margaret |
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| Ice Skating on Manet Lake in Houghs Neck |
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Outdoor skating has been a long tradition in Houghs Neck. In talking to one resident in her 90's, she recalled her childhood on Winthrop Street and skating and having hot cocoa with friends. I, too, have many fond memories of skating on Manet Lake, yet my children and their friends have never had this experience. When elected to the City Council, I had many current and former residents inquire as to why skating stopped at Manet Lake. With the support of Mayor Tom Koch, I have spent the past few months researching and talking to the department heads to see if it's feasible to return skating to Manet Lake this winter season and learned that the Quincy Conservation Commission issued an "Order of Conditions" on January 19, 2001 which approved the Manet Lake Vegetation Management Program that permits "the annual cutting of phragmites for the purpose of flooding Manet Lake for ice skating in the winter months".
I invite you to join the "Friends of Manet Lake" at a community meeting on Sunday, December 12, 7pm at the Houghs Neck Maritime Center, 137 Bayview Ave, adjacent to the PL, Public Landing and to contact me and let me know your thoughts on returning skating to Manet Lake. For those not familiar, Manet Lake is behind the Houghs Neck Fire Station and accessed via Winthrop Street and Lakeside Ave. |
| Sea Street Project, Department of Public Works |
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Are you wondering what work is being done on Sea Street near Post Island Road?
In efforts to repair the city's sewer system, the City of Quincy, under permit of the Quincy Conservation Commission, Mass DEP and the Army Corps of Engineers, has contracted for the construction of manhole rehabilitations to eliminate infiltration and inflow into the sewer system. The work includes the cleaning of 20 sewer manholes, heavy cleaning of 14 sewer manholes, monolithic lining of 1,077 vertical feet of sewer manhole, complete replacement of 19 manholes, rebuilding of 3 manhole inverts, sealing of 5 manhole benches and inverts, replacement of 8 manhole frames and covers (F&C) with watertight F&C, sealing of 6 manhole F&C, and uncover/raise 10 manhole F&C. In addition, a new sewer manhole shall be installed on Dysart Street temporary bypass pumping, plugging of flows, appurtenances, excavation, trench support, backfilling, restoration, paving,environmental protection, and all related work to complete the project.
Through last Wednesday, the contractor has completed cleaning and heavy cleaning of all except 4 manholes and lining and repair of approximately half of the manholes. The Updated Schedule submitted by the Contractor at the beginning of November shows them completing all of the work except for the manhole replacements by the end of December. The manhole replacements will be conducted in January and February while the ground is frozen to minimize environmental impacts to the coastal salt marsh areas.
This work is impacted by the tide schedule and in speaking with the contractor, they will be working on additional Sea Street manholes (from Post Island Road and heading in towards Houghs Neck) in the coming weeks. It is important to repair the sewer system to minimize/eliminate the sea water that is being sent, and thus charged to the City, to the MWRA Nut Island plant. Margaret |
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Neighborhood meeting re: project proposal for
11 Gertrude Ave, Adams Shore, Tuesday, Dec. 7 |
| The property owner of 11 Gertrude Ave, Adams Shore is planning to seek permission to construct a single family home on the property. I will host a neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, December 7th at 6pm in the Second Floor Conference Room of City Hall. The owner, his attorney Christopher Harrington and his project team of Steve Wessling, Architect, Rich Albano, Ecologist and Wetlands scientist and Steven Bernstein, Professional will present the project and give neighbors an opportunity to voice and address their concerns. The owner intends to file a Notice of Intent with the Conservation Commission and an application for dimensional variances with the Zoning Board of Appeal for the project. |
| Zoning Board of Appeals - Ward One Projects |
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The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Tuesday, December 7, 7:15pm in the City Council Chambers of Quincy City Hall, 1305 Hancock Street.
OLD BUSINESS: 10-053 ZU SHEN GUAN for a VARIANCE to legalize an addition on the premises numbered 247 WINTHROP STREET, QUINCY
NEW BUSINESS:
10-080 MARION DONOGHUE for a VARIANCE to construct two (2) decks on the premises numbered 89-91 PUTNAM STREET, QUINCY
10-081 TIMOTHY HOLMES, SUNWIND, LLC., for a VARIANCE for relief from the setback distance of the wind turbine to the property line on the premises numbered 68 POST ISLAND ROAD, QUINCY *** THIS APPLICATION WILL BE CONTINUED UNTIL AT LEAST JANUARY 25, 2011 AND WILL NOT BE DISCUSSED AT THE DECEMBER 7TH ZBA MEETING. I will be hosting a meeting in mid-January (date tbd) to allow the applicant to present this project proposal to the public and allow for questions and concerns to be asked and addressed. There will be an extensive public process for this project and I will keep you informed via the Ward One Newsletter as well as letters to the abutting neighbors.
Anyone can attend the meeting to express their support for or opposition to any of these projects. If you cannot attend the meeting you can send a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals at 55 Sea Street Quincy, MA 02169. I always welcome constituents to contact me with their concerns as well. |
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Community Preservation Act,
Do you have an idea for a Ward One Project? |
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Do you have any ideas to acquire/protect open space, preserve historic sites and landscapes, create affordable housing or a new recreational opportunity in Quincy and/or Ward One? Please share your thoughts and we can submit an application to get some funding for the projects.
Applications for Community Preservation Act funding are now available.The application deadline for this round of funding is January 7, 2011. |
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Germantown Tree Lighting, Thursday, Dec. 2 - FREE |
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Join the Gernmantown Neighborhood Center and the Harborview Residents Committee as they turn on the holiday lights at the Palmer Street Circle at 6pm. Hot Cocoa and refreshments will be served after at the Germantown Neighborhood Center. Santa will be there. Please bring your camera and letters to Santa & join your neighbors and friends for the festivities. |
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Adams Shore Tree Lighting Saturday, Dec. 4 - FREE |
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Join the Adams Shore Neighborhood Association for hot cocoa, desserts, hayride, tree lighting at O'Hara Circle and of course to see Santa on Saturday, December 4th, from 4-6pm. |
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Merrymount School Holiday Extravaganza, Saturday, Dec. 4, 11am-3pm |
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Operation Merrymount 2010, Care Package Drive for the military |
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Quincy Animal Shelter Holiday Bazaar & Open House Saturday, Dec. 4, 10am - 2pm |
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Qunicy Animal Shelter Annual Holiday Bazaar
Fundraising Event and Shelter Open House
at the Bryan VFW Post, 24 Broad Street, Quincy
(next to the Shelter)
Handmade items by local crafters, greeting cards, jewelry
as well as QAS 2011 Calendars, QAS Cookbooks, and QAS-wear...
Items for dogs and cats... Homemade baked goods, raffle table, white elephant table... and more!
Something for Everyone! Stop by and say Ho-Ho-Hello! Santa Paws 2010 - Bring your pet to Pet Supplies Plus, 625 Southern Artery, Quincy - Sundays, Dec. 5th and 12th, 11am - 2pm to have a photo taken with Santa. |
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Houghs Neck Tree Lighting and Living Nativity, Sunday, Dec. 5 - FREE |
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Please join the Houghs Neck Community Council for the 52nd Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Sea Street Fire Station, where we will honor our veterans with a wreath laying ceremony, sing Christmas Carols, followed by the magic of Former Mayor Frank McCauley's tree lighting and a visit from Santa Claus starting at 5pm on Sunday, December 5th. We will then proceed to the Houghs Neck Congregational Church at 310 Manet Ave and experience the Living Nativity which will feature local residents, children and live animals in a tableux series depicting famous scenes from the story of Jesus' birth. Attendees will move from scene to scene, as narrators recount the Christmas story. Following the program, refreshments will be served in the church's M. Alicia Corea Fellowship Hall. |
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Campaign Fundraiser hosted by The Committee to Elect Margaret Laforest, Wednesday, Dec. 8, 6-9pm |
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The Committee to Elect
Margaret Laforest
cordially invites you to a
reception in honor of
Ward One City Councilor
Margaret E. Laforest Wednesday, December 8, 2010 6:00 - 9:00 pm Hoffbrau Cafe 400 Sea Street Quincy, MA Suggested donation $25 $50 $100 $250 Your support is greatly appreciated |
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Broad Meadows Fundraiser to support "Operation Days Work", Wednesday, Dec. 8 |
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On Wednesday, December 8, bring this fundraiser ticket and enjoy lunch, dinner or take-out from The Chateau Restaraunt, 535 John Mahar Highway in Braintree. When paying your check, give the waitperson your ticket. the ticket will be attached to your check. The Chateau Restaurant will contribute 20% of the total bill to the Broad Meadows Middle School Operation Day's Work, an after school program which works to raise awareness of child labor and are currently raising money to send children to school in Nepal. |
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Merrymount Association Holiday Events |
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Christmas Caroling with Santa Claus, Sunday, Dec. 19th. Meet at Merrymount School at 3pm and don't forget your camera! House Decorating Contest will be judged on Wednesday, Dec. 22. |
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Public Flu Clinics, Mondays, 2-4pm through the end of the year at the Kennedy Center |
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Flu shot is available for Quincy residents ages 9 and older (ages nine through seventeen must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). There is no cost for the Flu shot. Seniors are asked to please bring Medicare and Medicare Supplement Insurance cards so we may submit for administration reimbursement. |
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Holiday support for our Quincy neighbors |
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During holiday months, families experience significant stresses and are a time when the Germantown Neighborhood Center is especially important. Every year, the GNC collects toys and food for hundreds in need, assisting low to moderate income residents of Germantown and the neighboring communities in Quincy.
In these difficult economic times, we are seeing a drastic increase of families who need support. Families we have never seen before are using our services for the first time. These are working families who are struggling to make ends meet.
The Holiday Assistance Program relies on the assistance and support of local businesses, organizations and individuals to ensure its success each year. Your contributions enrich the lives of those less fortunate in our community. Below, please find our current holiday wish list. If you would like more information about the GNC's holiday program to lend support as a donor or if your family needs assistance this holiday season, please contact Kathy Quigley at (617) 376-1384.
Holiday Wish List
* Cash Donations
* Holiday Dinner Food Baskets
* Stop & Shop Gift Certificates
* Mobile Gas certificates
* Wal-Mart Gift Certificates
* New Winter Coats (All Sizes)
* New Children's Clothing (All Sizes)
* New Children's pajamas (All Sizes)
* Children's socks & underwear
* New Blankets (All Sizes)
* Teen Gifts (MP3 players, movie gift cards, jewelry, hair dryers, Old Navy gift cards, Hooded sweatshirts (female and male all sizes),
Food Pantry Wish List
Hams, turkeys or gift cards
Cranberry sauce
Potatoes
Cake mixes & bread mixes
Peanut butter & jelly
Tuna fish
Mayonasaise
Soup, beef stew, chili
Pancake mix a& syrup
Juice
Cereal/oatmeal
Coffee/tea
Spaghetti sauce & pasta
Crackers
Cookies
Toilet paper
Papertowels
Shampoo
Detergent
The Germantown Neighborhood Center is located at 366 Palmer Street and is open Monday through Wednesday 8am - 8pm, Thursday 8am - 5pm and Friday 8am - 4pm. |
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Margaret Laforest
Ward One Councilor, Quincy
236 Rock Island Road
Quincy, MA 02169
(home) 617-471-1806 (office) 617-376-1351
P Please consider the environment before printing this email. |
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