Ward 3 Newsletter

Summer 2020

First thing’s first

Greetings!

It’s hard to believe that the summer has just about come and gone. This was certainly a summer to remember for the unique circumstances that remain, but also for the consistently high heat and humidity. I hope that you, your family and your friends have been staying cool, healthy and safe, and have found ways to enjoy the summer.

I’m grateful for the work of the Mayor and his team during the pandemic, especially Ruth Jones and the Health Department. While there is considerable noise on the television and on social media, I have felt great confidence and comfort in our local leaders. As we continue to navigate new territory, I encourage you to stay strong, unified and resilient. We will only be able to endure as unified with family, with friends and with supportive neighbors in our supportive community.

It continues to be my honor to serve you on the City Council and in this great city. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can be helpful to you.

With my best regards,

Ian Cain
City Councilor, Ward 3
Quincy, MA

COVID-19 Update

The City of Quincy continues to provide updates with respect to the coronavirus’ effects on the city. I am including today’s update below. Please refer to the links below for ongoing updates. The Quincy Sun and The Patriot Ledger have also been providing local updates.

City of Quincy Facebook Page
City of Quincy Website
The Quincy Sun Website
The Patriot Ledger Coronavirus Updates

COVID-19 Writing Competition

During June of this year, in collaboration with Mayor Thomas P. Koch and Quincy Public Schools, I hosted a writing competition for all K-12 students in the Quincy Public Schools system. The goal was to understand how young people are experiencing this moment in history, and to make sure that their memories are captured.

Read more about the competition.
Announcing the winners of the competition.
Watch the winners read their pieces on QATV.

Metro Housing Boston – Emergency Rental & Mortgage Assistance

Are you at risk of losing your home due to COVID-19? There are two programs that can provide eligible households up to $4,000 that can be used to help keep housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless.

For more details, please visit this link.

Affordable Housing Trust & Workforce Housing

I recently received a few inquiries on the work that is done through the city’s Affordable Housing Trust. The Executive Director of the Trust, Tom Fabrizio, was kind enough to put together a memo for me on some of the awards the Trust has made to advance affordable housing options.

For more details on the Trust, please visit this link.
For workforce and affordable housing resources, please visit this link.

National Grid – North Quincy Cable Replacement Project

Read details about the project here.

To learn more about the North Quincy Cable Replacement Project, National Grid will be hosting a North Quincy Cable Replacement Project Virtual Open House.

North Quincy Cable Replacement Project Virtual Open House
When: 6:30 PM — Thursday, August 27, 2020
Where: Your computer, tablet or mobile phone via this link — https://qrgo.page.link/Ces7M

Municipal Broadband Network Update

Many of you who are now working from home have realized the importance of reliable and affordable connectivity and broadband/internet. As you know, I have been working with the Mayor and his team on moving forward the development of a municipal broadband network forward.

We are progressing with initial stages of planning for the municipal broadband network. The team with which we are working is currently designing the initial specifications for two “demo” areas in the city. We intend to have a proposal put before the council in the fall. Once we get through the initial process, we’ll begin planning a broader city rollout.

Ward 3 (Virtual) Town Hall Series

I will be announcing the Ward 3 (Virtual) Town Hall Meeting schedule for the Fall soon!

City Street Paving & Sidewalk Repair

The Spring and Summer 2020 work is well underway.

I held a meeting on March 11 at Wollaston School with representatives from the DPW and the city’s engineer, Woodard & Curran. You can access the presentation they delivered here, which outlines the work they will be immediately performing.

Please continue to let me know of problem areas. If pothole patching can suffice, please direct those requests here.

If you would like to request a sidewalk repair, please direct those requests here.

0 Harriet Avenue Update

I sent out an update to area residents on the status of the proposed development at the parcel in Montclair known as 0 Harriet Ave.

You can access the letter via this link.

The city still very much intends on purchasing the property. Over the next few months, we will need to regroup on the strategy based on everything that has been going on. We will likely be looking at the fall before any formal action, but the current owner/developer of the property is agreeable to the city’s position, and any entitlement process for a project on the site is effectively halted until final decisions are made.

Boards & Commissions Calendars

City of Quincy Boards & Commissions

Planning Board Calendar
Zoning Board Agendas
Conservation Commission Calendar
License Board Calendar

DPW PSA Bulletin Board

You can access the DPW Bulletin Board through this link. The site provides useful information on trash, yard waste, street sweeping, hazardous waste day and important numbers.

In the News

• City councilor launches startup incubator in downtown Quincy – The Patriot Ledger
• Quincy neighborhood unites to turn a negative ‘into a much greater positive’ – The Patriot Ledger
• Massachusetts Program Spreads Blockchain Knowledge to Cities – Government Technology
• City councilor hosts writing contest for Quincy students – The Patriot Ledger
• Mulvey named superintendent of Quincy schools – The Patriot Ledger
• Quincy swears in new fire chief – The Patriot Ledger
• Quincy Dog Park On Quarry Street Opens – The Quincy Sun

Coffee Hours

Happy to schedule time for a coffee, a virtual meeting or a phone call. Please contact me directly by phone or by e-mail (details below).

Blog, Newsletter & Contact Info

I keep information on this blog, and send out an e-newsletter periodically. If you would like to be included on the e-newsletter distribution, please send an e-mail to [email protected]. Tell your friends!

The best ways to reach me are by phone or by e-mail. I have a council phone number that will reach me directly. If I don’t answer the phone, please be sure to leave a voice message so I can get back to you. If e-mail is more convenient for you, by all means, send away!

telephone: 617-376-1353
e-mail: [email protected]

Stay tuned on the blog and via the e-newsletter for periodic updates, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you have questions, comments, or if I can be of assistance.