Councilor’s Message
Hi Neighbors,
I hope this email finds you well.
On Friday, October 16th, the Wollaston Elementary School PTO held its annual Wolly Fun Run. Such a nice event, and boy, can that Wise Wolly run fast! I am happy to sponsor this fun event. (Photo credit: Wollaston Elementary PTO).
On Tuesday, October 20th, I was joined by the City of Quincy’s environmental scientist Heather Liss and several neighbors for an invasive plant clean-up at Bishop’s Field in Montclair. This clean-up was focused on removing Asiatic bittersweet and Tree of Heaven from a corner of the park along Hamilton Ave. This was the fourth clean-up this year in Ward 3, and I look forward to spearheading more efforts next year.
On Thursday, October 22nd, I attended a morning Quincy Chamber of Commerce event hosted by Peter Ng at the Dragon Boat Museum. If you have not stopped by the museum, you should definitely try to do so. Peter Ng has an amazing vision for Quincy and this fascinating cultural tradition.
On Friday, October 23rd, my wife Kathryn and I joined the Wollaston Elementary School community for their annual Trunk-or-Treat. It was so much fun to see all the kids in their costumes and hand out candy. I was dressed up as Dashing the reindeer, one of Santa's reindeer who didn’t make the cut. Always fun to visit and help out at my alma mater.
On Sunday, October 25th, we attended Ward 2 Civic Association Fall Sundays in the Park event supported by my colleague, Councilor Richard Ash. Some beautiful weather, great music by Matt Demo. Not a bad way to end a weekend of overdue work around the house.
On Wednesday, October 28th, I stopped by the Bernazzani Elementary School Book Fair to say hello to families shopping. I recall being very excited for the book fair when I was in elementary school. I am happy to sponsor this event that brings back great memories.
On Saturday, October 30th, I toured a new downtown development with a few of my colleagues to see the progress of Atlantic Development’s new building, which will also be home to a Chipotle and Trader Joe’s. They suspect the Trader Joe’s could be open by the end of the year.
I stopped by the Stoney Brae Rd Halloween Block Party. So much fun seeing all the kids running around in their costumes and spending time with neighbors before going home to greet families at the door on Halloween.
On Sunday, November 1st, I was honored to attend the Sons of the American Legion Morrisette Post 294 Veterans Day Observance at Flags for Veterans Island at Fort Square. It was a beautiful service, and I was so happy to see our NQHS MA-841st AFJROTC cadets together with their new instructor, MSgt John Moore, USAF, at the ceremony. Cadet Yinsey Lam did a great job singing the National Anthem.
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
ENC Campus Updates
You can watch the initial announcement about the Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) campus acquisition from October 21st, 2026 here. The mayor subsequently released a podcast with more information, which you can listen to here.
What’s happened recently.
I sit on the Affordable Housing Trust (AHT) board, and on Tuesday, October 28th, we heard from Quincy Housing Authority Development Corporation (QHADC), the entity that acquired the ENC campus, about some of their plans for the campus. They are applying for $3MM from the AHT to help them renovate the on-campus buildings to provide 57 rental units for 55+ residents at 80% or less of the area median income (AMI), often categorized as low-to-moderate-income.
This matter will come to a vote at a November AHT meeting. I am very excited about this opportunity to preserve this former ENC structure to provide much-needed 55+ housing.
What’s happening next?
I anticipate that the Quincy Housing Authority Development Corporation (QHADC) will be submitting a request for funding to the Community Preservation Committee (CPC). This committee, made up of 9 members of the community (including one city councilor), reviews and recommends projects to be funded through the Community Preservation Act (CPA), M.G.L. Chapter 44B, which the voters of Quincy overwhelmingly adopted in 2007 (71% of voters voted yes). If you are new to CPA and want to learn more, please visit the Community Preservation Coalition website.
In short, communities that adopt the CPA generate revenue through a local property tax surcharge of up to 3% (Quincy is at 1%, which you can see on your property tax bill), which is then partially matched by the state from a trust fund fueled by deed recording fees. Adopting communities, like Quincy, must spend or set aside at least 10% of their estimated annual CPA revenues for each of the three core categories:
Acquire and Preserve Open Space (excluding recreational uses)
Historic Preservation
Community Housing
The remaining 70% of the funds can be used flexibly for any of the allowed purposes, including outdoor recreation.
I would anticipate that the QHADC will apply for CPA funding to purchase much of the open space and the athletic field. I suspect this request will be filed this year, and if approved, it will come to the city council in the first quarter of 2027 for final approval.
Having gone through the CPC process myself to get funding for the renovations at Safford Park on Beale Street back in 2014, I am sure the CPC will do its part in reviewing the application, as it has for the past 19 years. They have done great work as stewards of this fund and funded many worthwhile projects over the years.
Council Update
The next City Council meeting will be held on November 9th at 7:30 PM.
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.
Municipal Broadband Project
The city administration and the city council recently announced that the city will be ending the effort to build a municipal broadband service for Quincy residents. You can read about the reasons for this decision in a recent article I published (and watch the meeting) here.
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.
On August 19th, State Representative Bruce Ayers and I 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.
On October 9th, TCR submitted new plans for the October 14th planning board meeting. You may find them here. These plans will be presented at the Planning Board Meeting on Wednesday, October 14th.
Among the changes as a result of public input:
TCR will be making their buildings solar-ready, which entails providing for the vertical pathways, roof penetration, and a roof that can support the panels.
TCR will be purchasing a strip of land between the two parcels that consists of 5,000 sq ft of additional land.
This strip of land is most recognizable in the existing office building site image below, where the word “Site” is shown.
As compared to the current office park condition, which affords 10% greenspace, the latest proposed TCR affords 30% greenspace. A total of 1.8 acres of net new greenspace.
TCR has reconfigured the sidewalk on Newport Ave Extension to provide a buffer between the sidewalk and the street.
The planning board held its October 14th meeting, where TCR presented the latest plans and the updates made since the June meeting. I attended the meeting, joined by my colleague Representative Bruce Ayers to advocate for an expanded traffic study and coordination with MassDOT. I also provided an update on the status of TCR’s responses to resident feedback from our June community meeting. As noted above, Representative Ayers and I have been working together to encourage TCR to consult with MassDOT, include the Neponset Bridge, and to do so when school was back in session. TCR committed to doing so in preparation for the November Planning Board Meeting. You may read my letter to the planning board here. You may watch the planning board meeting here, which includes our request for the expanded traffic study.
LATEST UPDATE:
You may find the letter to the planning board that Representative Ayers and I collaborated on here. The letter requests an extended traffic study, which TCR has agreed to.
The next step for this project is the next planning board meeting on Wednesday, November 18th at 6 PM at City Hall. Depending upon the progress made by the applicant before then, the planning board may be voting on this project that night.
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.
Existing Office Building Configuration
Proposed Residential Configuration
Free Kidney-Focused Health Screening
Saturday, November 7th, 1 PM - 4 PM, the City of Quincy is partnering to provide free kidney-focused health screenings.
Veterans Day Parade
Veterans Day Parade & Ceremony
On Wednesday, November 11, we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation.
The parade will step off from Quincy High School at 10:30 AM, proceeding up Russell Park before turning right onto Hancock Street. Participants will make a brief stop at the World War I Monument to honor fallen service members with a wreath-laying ceremony before continuing to the World War II Memorial at the corner of Southern Artery and Hancock Street in upper Merrymount Park.
A ceremony will follow at approximately 11:30 AM, featuring keynote speaker Lieutenant Commander James Flaherty, a 30-year military veteran and Captain with the Quincy Police Department.
We invite residents and families to join us in paying tribute to our nation's veterans and thanking them for their service and sacrifice.
Rain Location: Quincy High School Auditorium at 11:00 a.m.
Holiday Happenings
The holidays are right around the corner, and Quincy is ready to celebrate! Kick off the Christmas season with a weekend full of cherished community traditions and holiday cheer.
Friday, Nov. 27 – Christmas Tree-Lighting Ceremony, 5-7 p.m. on the Hancock Adams Common
Saturday, Nov. 28 – Santa's Arrival by Helicopter, noon at Pageant Field
Sunday, Nov. 29 – Quincy's 73rd Annual Christmas Parade, stepping off at noon on Hancock Street, Quincy Center
More to come…Enjoy the opening of Quincy's Free outdoor skating rink in Quincy Center on December 1 (details to come from the Quincy Recreation Dept. on location & times), the Generals Bridge & Park Tree-Lighting on Sunday, December 6 at 5 p.m., Santa's Mailbox outside City Hall all season long, and so much more!
City of Quincy and Other Services
Street Sweeping
Street sweeping begins in Ward 3 on Monday, November 2nd. Please move your vehicles off the road where possible. Good street sweeping not only makes our streets look clean but also picks up trash and debris that can clog storm drains and help prevent neighborhood flooding.
DPW Calendar
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.
QCAP Heating Cost Assistance
The cost of heating is a major cost for families in the Northeast. QCAP can help - click here to learn more.
Foster Parenting and Adopting Information
You can have an impact. Visit mass.gov/dcf or reach out to me directly.
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 Carriage Retrieval Line for abandoned carriages: (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.