Quick Run Down of Ward 6 News
Dear Ward 6 Matters Subscriber:
There are a number of developments / emerging matters in Ward 6. Here is a quick run down:
Odor on the causeway
The newsletter on the odor from the causeway was one of the most widely read and commented on newsletters. The newsletter provider "Mailchimp" tracks how successful the newsletter is by providing me with the number of "opens". There are currently approximately 845 subscribers to this newsletter. On average approximately 60 percent of those who subscribe open the newsletter. The subscription growth has been phenomenal over the past 12 months. If you know of a neighbor who would like to subscribe just ask them to visit my website at brianmcnamee.com and go to the "Connect" page. You can also forward this newsletter to them if you think they might like it.
The "Odor on the Causeway" newsletter was also one of the most skeptically received pieces of news. I think this is good. We always should have a healthy degree of skepticism about news we receive from any source, especially government sources. Although red algie was observed in earlier reports it was not "red tide" per se. That is, it was not a toxic marine event that required posting on the beaches.
"Brown algie" was found in laboratory tests of the water in the cove area and deemed what killed micro biotic organisms. The odor we smell is from the decomposition of those organisms. I am going to provide a link to the memo from the MWRA. Please see the memo by clicking here.
If someone wants to challenge the results let's do so by gathering more data. The more/most important question may be why is there such a large population of Filamentous? What are the Filamentous eating? Is the population of Filamentous at different concentrations along the Quincy coastline? If concentrations are different, why? We need scientific methodology applied that includes further sampling and laboratory testing of coastal waters along the beach regarding Filamentous populations. Not just the traditional testing of fecal chloroform levels. The answer(s) to why have been imprecise.
Massage Studio
There will be a community meeting at the North Quincy Community Center next to the Library on Hancock Street May 23rd at 6:30 pm. The Studio is proposed to go in at 488-489 Hancock Street. This will be heard at a later date by the Quincy Zoning Board of Appeals in the context of a "Change of Use" finding. Your opinion as a resident of Ward 6 is valuable when determining whether this use is more detrimental to the neighbor, as a business use, than the current use.
TD Bank Coming to North Quincy
TD Bank has just submitted plans to build a bank across from Walgreens on Hancock Street. They have purchased the Sunoco Gas Station, the Keohane Funeral Home (across from the Knights of Columbus Hall), and a multi-family home to the rear.
TD Bank will be a "by-right" construction matter just the same as Walgreens was. These "by-right" uses are permitted by the Zoning unlike other development proposals in the city. Community concessions on aspects of this type of development can be achieved, but because these are not "Special Permits" or "Planned Unit Developments" (PUD's) mitigation is usually modest. The reason is due to the legally exercisable rights they (the developers) have as private property owners of these specifically zoned sites. Restated, the business property these developers own come with certain unchallengeable rights that run with the Zoning District the properties are in - by law.
Panera Bread Looking for a Drive-thru Window
Panera wants to do what Dunkin Donuts does. I will hold a public meeting when I learn more about this proposal.
C-Mart
The City Council is expected to vote on C-Mart May 20th as they convene at 6:30 in the Temporary Council Chambers as a Special Permit Granting Authority.
Other items
Before I run down some other emerging developments I would like to remind readers that there is a "Calendar" page on my website brianmcnamee.com. This is where you will find dates and times of board hearings on important Ward 6 Matters. Sometimes there are events that are either cancelled or put on agendas late. I will do my best to keep the website up to date.
There are two pending proposals on Newbury Avenue. One is the conversion of the Laundry Mat across from the Quincy School Condos to residential. The other proposal is for a multi-unit apartment building near the Teal Field. I will be mailing residents of the Community meetings regarding these proposal as they get closer.
Two Squantum Parks will be renovated in the coming months. One is the Tot Park behind the Squantum School and the other is the Gilbert Memorial Park as you come into Squantum. David Blaton is heading up the Tot Park renovation and has blazed quite a trail. I thank him for all his efforts. The Tot Park is having a fund raising event the evening of June 7th at the Nickerson Post for 7 pm to 11 pm. Tickets are $20 per person and $30 per couple.
Thank you for your continued readership of this newsletter.
Yours Truly,
Brian McNamee
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