Councilor’s Message
Hi Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you well.
Over the past two Saturdays, the Wollaston Hill Neighborhood Association team hosted the first two Saturdays in the Park concerts, featuring live music, games for kids and adults alike, and food and beverages for purchase from The Assembly. With great performances by Matt Demo, The 106 East Band, Dark Crushes, and Red’s Neckas, hundreds of neighbors enjoyed the beautiful weather and a chance to connect. As the founder and a current volunteer, I’m proud of the association’s community-building work, and we are especially thankful for the NQHS AF JROTC cadets who helped with setup and breakdown. We have two more Saturdays to go in September (details below), and I hope to see you there!
On Friday, September 11th, I joined a few colleagues in government, first responders, and residents outside Quincy Fire Headquarters to remember September 11th, 2001. We stood with the families of Susan A. McAleney MacKay and Kevin Patrick Connors - two members of our Quincy community lost that day - and honored them, along with all those we lost. The service of our firefighters, police officers, and EMTs reflects the courage and selflessness we remember on this 25th anniversary. We will never forget.
Later that evening, my wife Kathryn Hubley and I hosted our 4th annual Bubble Dance Party and Back-to-School Movie Night. Joined by families from the Wollaston, Montclair, and Bernazani Elementary Schools and featuring songs from Ms Liz, we filled Safford Park with bubbles, music, and lots of dancing. When the sun went down, we enjoyed a movie in the park. Such a fun back-to-school tradition! Another shout-out to the NQHS AF JROTC cadets for their help setting up and closing out this event.
Earlier in the day, on Saturday, September 12th, we stopped by the Prescilla Lane neighborhood Block Party and enjoyed the company of the area neighbors as well as a darn good spread of food. I appreciate the hospitality and conversations.
Sunday, September 13th, we spent an evening in Boston with visitors from the Friends of Thai Daughters, an organization we support that helps children at risk of human trafficking in Northern Thailand. Having spent time with this organization in Thailand over the past several years, we have seen firsthand the positive impact it has on this young and vulnerable population. It was nice to spend time with a few of the kids from the program again during their visit to the US.
Thank you for signing up for this eNewsletter. Please feel free to share it with friends and neighbors who may find this information helpful.
Sincerely,
Walter Hubley
City Councilor, Ward 3
Council Update
The City Council resumed its 2026 session this past Tuesday, September 8th, at 6:30 PM. There were a number of items referred to committees as we start this next session.
Among these items is a resolution I submitted seeking an update on the city’s municipal broadband initiative. Having spent 25 years of my career working in the broadband industry, I have many questions about both the status and approach of this initiative. It is important for the residents of Quincy to get an update and a thoughtful discussion about the plans going forward.
The first Municipal Technology meeting will be on Tuesday, September 22nd at 6:35 PM. In this meeting, the committee will discuss the work product of a resolution I put forward in the first half of 2026 that seeks to understand the top reasons residents contact the city in person and how we might make those interactions available online to further improve constituent services.
In our first fall, Chief of Police Kennedy provided a presentation on how Quincy has implemented ALPR cameras. The city council will be hosting a public hearing on the use of these cameras in the coming weeks. Please read the section below if you are interested in this topic.
I always want to hear how you feel about all topics before the council so I can best represent you and our neighbors. You may reply to this email or email me at whubley@quincyma.gov to provide any input or feedback you have.
Flock (ALPR) Cameras
I have received a large number of emails, phone calls, messages, and in-person feedback regarding Flock ALPR cameras. I know this issue matters to many residents, and I take that seriously.
Flock cameras and automated license plate readers (ALPR) have become a national debate for good reason. Communities across the country are asking hard questions about privacy, data retention, who can search the records, how information is shared outside the city, and whether the public-safety value justifies the tradeoffs. Those questions apply to Quincy too. Residents should not have to wonder how a tool on public roadways is being used, or whether the rules around it are strong enough.
I share many of the concerns I have heard. I also believe any decision on this topic should be made with public input. That is why I supported the resolution calling for a hearing and public forum on the city’s use of these cameras. That process will give residents a chance to speak, allow the Council to ask detailed questions, and require a clear accounting of how the system is used, audited, and limited.
I am going into that process with an open mind. I want to hear from residents, from the Police Department, and from people who have studied both the investigative value and the civil-liberties risks. Your perspective should be part of that record, and I am grateful for those who have shared their thoughts thus far.
In my day job, I design technology solutions and security systems for affordable housing across the US, including video surveillance systems (VSS). That work, of course, informs how I think about this issue. A family cannot build stability, send kids to school with confidence, or feel connected to a neighborhood if they do not first have a safe place to live. Security technology can be a critical part of that. At the same time, I recognize the difference between cameras on private property and ALPR cameras on public roadways that capture vehicle information as people move through the city. Those are not the same thing. Public systems require a higher standard of justification, oversight, and public trust.
The areas I will inquire into during this process include:
The investigative value of the cameras in Quincy, including documented outcomes and what alternatives exist
Who may access the data, under what circumstances, and how those searches are audited
How long information is retained and when it is deleted
Whether data is shared with agencies outside Quincy, and under what restrictions
The safeguards against misuse and the accountability measures that apply if those safeguards fail
Concerns about the current vendor with respect to security, their contract terms, and past performance
The feedback I have received from residents has varied. Some residents appreciate the effectiveness of the tool, while others are concerned about privacy. Both are understandable perspectives, and both will inform how I approach the hearing.
If you have not yet shared your thoughts or have additional thoughts to share before the hearing, I want to hear from you.
Proposed Development Projects
100-150 Newport Ave Extension
Trammell Crow Residential (TCR) is creating a new transit-oriented residential community at 100 & 150 Newport Avenue Extension. The existing office buildings and associated surface parking lots will be replaced with 520 units throughout four multifamily buildings with landscaping, open space, and approximately 550 total parking spaces.
Inside the residential buildings, units will range from studios to three-bedroom units with Class A finishes. Future residents will have access to desirable common area amenities, including a clubhouse, resort-style pool, fitness center, co-working spaces, dog park, and on-site parking.
I hosted a community meeting on Tuesday, June 16th, at 6 PM at the location of the development at 150 Newport Ave Extension. Representatives from TCR were on-site to answer questions and take feedback. This meeting invitation was sent to over 4,000 nearby Ward 3 residents, shared to over 400 people over email, shared on social media, and reported on in the Patriot Ledger and QATV. The meeting was well attended, and some valuable feedback was provided by residents.
There was a planning board meeting on Wednesday, July 29th at 6 PM. I was greatly disappointed that the project document set that was submitted with the planning board application was almost identical to the design that was presented at the community meeting I hosted in June. At my request, the matter was continued to October 14th to afford more time for the applicant to consider community input. You can read the letter I submitted to the planning board here. You can watch the meeting segment in its entirety here.
LATEST UPDATE: On August 19th, State Representative Bruce Ayers and I have contacted TCR to inquire about the traffic study performed by Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc., with MassDOT staff involvement and awareness. It is important that MassDOT has a strong awareness of this project as it interacts with state roadways, specifically the Neponset Bridge. I appreciate Representative Ayers partnership on this important aspect of this project.
The planning board is the permit-granting authority. If you are unable to attend, you can still provide feedback at whubley@quincyma.gov. The full document set for this proposed project can be found here.
Community Calendar
Saturdays in the Park
Every Saturday in September, the Wollaston Hill Neighborhood Association presents Saturdays in the Park. Free Admission, live music, cash beverages, and food from The Assembly. All welcomed.
Restaurant Week!
Support local businesses and enjoy a wonderful array of cuisines.
Neponset River Watershed Association Fall Cleanup
On Saturday, September 19th, from 9 AM to 12 PM NepRWA is hosting its 2026 fall cleanup! Register at neponset.org/cleanup
Squantum Point Park
Sunday, September 20th, 8 - 10 AM. Join the Neponset River Watershed on a walk through Squantum Point Park. This walk takes us to the mouth of the Neponset River, where it meets Dorchester Bay. We’ll follow a loop trail to observe where the River’s freshwater meets the tidal flow and, depending on the tide, explore a nearby sandbar. Registration is required - click here.
Free Skin Cancer Screening
On Tuesday, September 22nd, 10 AM - 2 PM, join The Blum Family Resource Center Van for a free skin cancer screening and learn about sun safety. Details below.
DCR Public Meeting - Mitigating Flooding on Quincy Shore Drive
The Department of Conservation and Recreation will be hosting public meetings to present possible strategies for mitigating flooding along Quincy Shore Drive and solicit community feedback. Residents have the option to attend the in-person meeting on September 23rd and the virtual meeting on September 24th. Visit the links below to learn more about the project and register for the Zoom meeting.
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Open Heritage Day in Quincy
On Saturday, September 26th, 10 AM - 4 PM, a great opportunity to explore Quincy’s historic sites for free!
Pickleball Tournament
On October 3rd and 4th - Quincy Recreation Pickleball Tournament. Make sure to register by Tuesday, September 9th by noon.
Food Truck Festival
Save the date: Saturday, October 3rd, noon - 6 PM! More details coming soon.
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On Tuesday, October 6th, at 6:30 PM at Central Middle School, join local leaders and professionals for an informative and compassionate conversation focused on mental health awareness and suicide prevention.
Free Dental Care
On Thursday, October 15th, the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Hope Center will be providing free dental care for those who qualify. See details below.
City of Quincy Services
Pay Your Bills Online @ Pay.Quincyma.gov
The City of Quincy will launch the new online payment portal on July 1, 2026. Visit Pay.QuincyMa.gov to register and learn more.
Helpful Information
Street light outages - call TPAL at 617-376-1478
Snow Removal Hotline (617) 376-1927 or snowhotline@quincyma.gov
2026 snow emergency parking: when winter begins in an odd or even year, parking is on the odd or even numbered side of non-emergency neighborhood streets.
Pot Hole Hotline: (617)-376-1914 or potholehotline@quincyma.gov
Flooding Issues/Water-Sewer: (617)-376-1910
Downed Trees-Parks Dept.: (617)-376-1251
Power Outage-National Grid: (800)-465-1212
Gas Leak-National Grid: (800)-892-2345
Quincy Emergency Operations Center: (617)-376-1470
Constituent Services: (617)-376-1500
Stop & Shop Carrage Retrieval Line for abandoned carrages: (617) 770-8753
Quincy Public Schools will notify families and staff of school closures through the School Messenger system. Text "Yes" to 67587 to opt into receiving text messages.