Month: March 2023

Quincy Woman Convicted Of Manslaughter In Death Of 11-Month Old Niece

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A Quincy woman has been found guilty of manslaughter by a Norfolk Superior Court jury for beating her 11-month old niece to death in 2018, according to Norfolk District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey.

Shu Feng Hsu, 32, was living with seven family members in a home in Quincy’s Wollaston neighborhood in February 2018, including niece Chloe Chen.

“Hsu had been babysitting Chloe for several hours when she called 911 to report that the baby was in distress,” District Attorney Morrissey said following the jury verdict. “Chloe did not survive, and her autopsy revealed that she had died due to the infliction of trauma, including to her head.”

Investigation by Quincy Police and Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office included reviewing many hours of audio and video recordings of surveillance cameras within the home. Although there was no camera recording in the room where Chloe was, a nearby device captured an extended period of audio of the child crying. Hsu then entered the room, and the device captured multiple thuds in the room – after which the baby fell silent.

 Hsu was arraigned on a murder charge in Quincy District Court in March of 2018, and eventually indicted into Norfolk Superior Court in January 2019. “While the jury did not find the evidence to prove every of element of murder beyond a reasonable doubt, Hsu stands convicted of this homicide,” District Attorney Morrissey said. “Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in state prison.”

Morrissey thanked the prosecution team of Assistant District Attorneys Lisa Beatty, Elizabeth McLaughlin, and Meagen Monahan, and Victim/Witness Advocate Kristin Collins and the detectives from Quincy Police and State Police who conducted the investigation, including lead detective Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik.

Judge Douglas Wilkins set sentencing for 9 a.m. on Thursday March 30.

Quincy School Committee, Teachers Reach Tentative Agreement

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By SCOTT JACKSON

The Quincy School Committee and Quincy Education Association on Friday afternoon announced they had reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for the city’s teachers.

“The Quincy School Committee and the Quincy Education Association are pleased to announce the successful negotiation of a successor collective bargaining agreement for the period of Sept. 1, 2022 through Aug. 31, 2025,” the two sides said in a joint statement.

“Both parties agree that this settlement represents a positive step forward for the district and our educational staff who work hard in the schools every day supporting students and families. This new contract contains a number of significant improvements for Quincy educators. We are grateful for the work of both parties in reaching this contract and look forward to a continued collaborative relationship.”

Terms of the tentative agreement were not immediately available.

The previous contract between the city and the teachers’ union expired on Aug. 31, 2022. The sides had begun contract negotiations last spring and earlier in March requested the assistance of a state-appointed mediator to help reach an accord. The first mediation session was held last week, the second was held on Thursday, and the two sides returned Friday for a third previously unscheduled session.

The school board and the union both made their most recent contract proposals available publicly soon after agreeing to mediation. The two proposals differed in several areas, including parental leave, extended sick leave, longevity pay, and preparation time for school nurses and guidance staff.  Both proposals included 3 percent annual raises for teachers over the life of the contract though they differed in terms of step level increases.

Richard A. Lallis, 78

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Richard A. Lallis, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on his 78th birthday, March 11, 2023. He was born in Brockton, MA on March 11, 1945, to parents, Anthony and Stacia Lallis, who had emigrated from Lithuania.  Richard grew up in Dorchester and spent his childhood helping on his aunt and uncle’s farm in Easton. He later raised his children in Quincy with his wife Kathy, where he resided until his passing.

Richard A. Lallis

Richard is survived by his children, Richard Lallis Jr., Anthony Lallis, and Kristine Lallis, as well as his grandchildren, Kristy McNamara, Kerryann McNamara, Tyler Lallis, Richard Lallis III, and Madilyn Lallis, and his great-grandchild, Daniel Deal. He was preceded in death by his late wife, Kathleen Lallis, of Quincy.

Richard cherished spending time with his loved ones. He loved dancing and listening to music and was often seen on the dance floor at family gatherings. Richard also loved watching his family enjoy themselves on vacation. New Hampshire held a special place in his heart, and he loved spending time with his family up in the mountains and on the lake.

Richard was a kind and generous soul who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. His family takes solace in knowing that he lived a full and happy life and that his memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved him. Private services will be held for Richard.

Ann C. McKechnie, 69

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Ann C. (Clasper) McKechnie, age 69, a longtime resident of Quincy, died suddenly, Monday, March 13, 2023 at home.

Ann C. McKechnie

Ann was born in Greenock, Scotland, to the late William and Euphemia (McKinnon) Clasper. She was raised and educated there. She immigrated to the United States in 1976 at the age of twenty-three, first settling in Walpole, before moving to Quincy, where she lived for over forty years.

Ann was employed as a Global Operations Specialist for State Street Bank for over thirty years at their Quincy office. Following her retirement, she worked as an associate at Star Market on Granite Street in Quincy, where she enjoyed many friendships with colleagues and customers alike.

Ann loved to cook and was a natural hostess. Most of all, she was devoted to her family, especially her cherished son, Craig, and granddaughter, Abigail.

Devoted mother of Craig McKechnie and his wife Erin of Whitman.

Loving grandmother of Abigail.

At the request of the family, memorial services will be celebrated at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ann’s memory may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation, Attn: Donor Services, 3540 Crain Highway, Suite 675, Bowie, MD 20716 or by visiting www.epilepsy.com.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Sweeney Brothers Home for Funerals, 1 Independence Ave, Quincy. You are invited to visit www.thesweeneybrothers.com or call 617-472-6344.

MBTA: April Service Changes Will Allow Crews to Perform Track Improvement Work on the Red Line

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The MBTA today announced service changes in April on the Red, Blue, Orange, and Green lines, the Fairmount and Franklin/Foxboro Commuter Rail Lines, and Haverhill Commuter Rail Line.

April service changes on the Red Line will focus on rail and tie replacement work:

  • Accessible shuttle buses will replace service between Braintree and JFK/UMass Stations during the weekend of April 1-2. This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform critical rail and tie replacement work along the track in multiple areas along the Braintree Branch that will alleviate speed restrictions.
  • Evening weekday trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between North Quincy and JFK/UMass Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on April 3-6. This service change will allow MBTA crews to continue the tie replacement work on the Braintree Branch that began during the April 1-2 weekend and perform clean-up activities.
  • Evening weekday trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Park Street and JFK/UMass Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on April 18-20. This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform pre-work activities including equipment and materials staging in preparation for the weekend diversions on April 22-23 and April 29-30.
  • Accessible shuttle buses will provide service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass Stations during the weekend of April 22-23. This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform critical rail and tie replacement work along the track in this area that will alleviate speed restrictions near South Station.
  • Accessible shuttle buses will provide service between Kendall/MIT and JFK/UMass Stations during the weekend of April 29-30. This service change will allow MBTA crews to continue rail and tie replacement to alleviate speed restrictions near South Station as well as perform work near the First Street gate in Cambridge.

April service changes on the Blue Line will focus on rail and tie replacement work:

  • Evening weekday trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Government Center and Orient Heights Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on April 10-13. Shuttle buses will not serve Bowdoin station. This service change will allow MBTA crews to begin rail replacement and track alignment work on the Blue Line that will alleviate speed restrictions.
  • Evening weekday trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Government Center and Orient Heights Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on April 24-27. Shuttle buses will not serve Bowdoin station. This service change will allow MBTA crews to continue rail replacement and track alignment work on the Blue Line that will alleviate multiple speed restrictions.

Due to the continued demolition of the Government Center Garage by private developer HYM Construction, Orange and Green Line service changes will take place in the downtown Boston area during the weekend of April 1-2 and on Saturday, April 8. Orange Line train service will be suspended between Back Bay and North Station. Orange Line riders are asked to use Green Line service between Copley and Government Center stations. Green Line trolley service will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between North Station and Government Center Station. Accessibility vans will also be available for on-demand transportation – Orange and Green Line riders should ask MBTA personnel for information and assistance.

 

Fairmount and Franklin/Foxboro Commuter Rail Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between South Station and Readville Station beginning at approximately 9 PM on March 31, during the weekend of April 1-2, beginning at approximately 9 PM on April 7, and during the weekend of April 8-9 to perform bridge replacement work at the East Cottage Street and Norfolk Avenue bridges. Over one hundred years old, both bridges are in the process of being replaced with updated steel infrastructures to improve safety and reliability. Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Readville and Forge Park/495 Stations.

Haverhill Commuter Rail Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Haverhill and Reading Stations for sixteen days from April 22-May 7 to perform Automated Train Control (ATC) work. ATC is a federally mandated safety system that sends signals to trains about potentially unsafe conditions, automatically slowing and stopping a train if needed. Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Reading and North Station.

Due to an anticipated increase of riders expected to use the MBTA to travel for Boston Marathon events, there will be no scheduled service changes during the weekend of April 15-16.

Signage will be in place during all scheduled changes in service to direct riders to shuttle bus stops. Extra MBTA personnel and Transit Ambassadors will also be on-hand to assist riders.

Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on Twitter @MBTA for up-to-date service information.

The MBTA previously announced service changes taking place in March on the Red, Mattapan, Orange, and Green Lines as well as Haverhill and Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Lines. Riders are encouraged to visit mbta.com for a complete list.

The MBTA will announce additional service changes in advance as they are confirmed and scheduled. The MBTA apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled service changes, and appreciates the understanding and patience of riders as this critical and necessary work to maintain, upgrade, and modernize the system takes place.

For more information, please visit mbta.com/alerts, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, or TikTok @thembta.

MBTA Launches Online Speed Restrictions Dashboard

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The MBTA Thursday (March 23) launched a live, online Speed Restriction Dashboard that provides riders with up-to-date information on speed restrictions across the MBTA system. The dashboard reports on location, speed limit, when a restriction was put in place, and the reason for the restriction on the Red, Orange, Blue, Mattapan, and Green lines. The dashboard also provides the percentage of track under restriction, distance by individual line or systemwide, and total number of restrictions and can be viewed at mbta.com/speedrestrictions.

The dashboard is refreshed daily with data provided by the MBTA’s enterprise asset management system and helps riders see where speed restrictions are located with maps they are accustomed to seeing. The speed restriction activity summary will help illustrate the ongoing work the MBTA is doing to clear restrictions within the system. Last month, the MBTA began to provide riders with speed restriction data by releasing a static dashboard that reported information from the previous month.

“Today’s dashboard provides daily updates on our data based on activity from the previous day and was launched with the goal of providing transparent and timely information to our customers,” said Interim General Manager Jeff Gonneville. “The dashboard delivers information that is clear and will assist riders in better understanding why they are experiencing slower conditions while riding the T. As we continue to validate and address track deficiencies, we also expect that over time, this platform will demonstrate the progress we’re making to remove speed restrictions. We know these restrictions impact riders’ daily commutes and we will continue to be transparent about the ongoing, daily work to improve our transit system.”

Users of the dashboard will be able to see when speed restrictions were put in place starting from January 2023 and review a summary of changes over time. This dashboard will provide riders with the latest information available at the start of each day providing a new level of transparency.

The new Speed Restriction Dashboard follows last month’s launch of an online safety dashboard that allows the public to see the status of the T’s progress in responding to the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Safety Management Inspection (SMI) Special Directives. This dashboard includes a description of each Corrective Action Plan, what it is intended to correct, the MBTA’s analysis, recommendations, and the status of steps being taken to address the FTA’s Special Directives.

The Speed Restriction Dashboard was designed as part of the T’s response to the Federal Transit Administration’s Safety Management Inspection. To learn more about the FTA response, visit mbta.com/FTAResponse.

For more information, visit mbta.com/speedrestrictions, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, or TikTok @thembta.

Anthony L. Fratolillo, 71

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Anthony Leonard Fratolillo, of Quincy, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the CareOne at Weymouth. He was 71.

Anthony L. Fratolillo

Born in Boston on July 8, 1951, he was a son of the late Joseph and Edith (Armstrong) Fratolillo. Anthony was raised in Houghs Neck and attended local schools. He knew all the Quincy Police Officers and could always be found listening to his police scanner. Anthony loved all the mainstream 70’s and 80’s television programs. Through the years, he collected the DVD series for all his favorite shows.

Anthony was very social, intelligent, kind, and honest. His family meant more than anything to him and he was proud of all his nieces and nephews. Anthony will be missed by all the lives he touched. 

Anthony was the devoted brother of John F. Fratolillo and his wife Marion of Medfield, James C. Fratolillo and his wife Diane of Quincy, the late Joseph A. Fratolillo, the late Thomas M. Fratolillo, and the late Daniel D. Fratolillo. Anthony is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visitation on Saturday, March 25, 2023, from 9:30-10:30 AM in the Keohane Funeral Home, 785 Hancock St., Quincy.

Anthony’s funeral service will be celebrated on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in Keohane Funeral Home, Quincy.

Services will conclude with interment in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Boston.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in Anthony’s name to the charitable organization of one’s choice.

See www.Keohane.com for directions and online condolences.

Healey-Driscoll Administration Issues Guidance for Pharmacies to Ensure Continued Access to Reproductive Health Medications

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The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Pharmacy (BORP) Wednesday (March 22) issued clarifying guidance to all pharmacies in the Commonwealth that as an essential part of the healthcare system and under its regulatory obligations, all pharmacies and pharmacy departments are required to stock and/or procure all reproductive health medications, including Mifepristone (Mifeprex®), and dispense those medications pursuant to a valid prescription and/or order.

“Here in Massachusetts, we will always protect access to reproductive care, including abortion,” said Gov. Maura T. Healey. “At a time when states are rushing to ban medication abortion and some pharmacies are irresponsibly restricting access to it, we are reminding Massachusetts pharmacies that they have an obligation to provide critical reproductive health medications, including Mifepristone. It’s safe, effective, and legal.”

“The Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognizes access to abortion as a fundamental right and as a basic healthcare service which those in the healthcare system have an obligation to provide and support,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Kate Walsh. “We urge pharmacy providers nationwide to commit to making all reproductive health medications available based on state and federal laws.”

“Our regulations require pharmacies to stock and/or procure all prescriptions necessary to meet the needs of the community, and we interpret that to include all reproductive health medications, including Mifepristone,” said Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “This is consistent with our standards as they relate to other basic though controversial medications, including naloxone.”

Since the United States Supreme Court’s June 2022 decision in Dobbs, millions of people who can become pregnant have lost access to abortion in their home states. This decision has allowed states to restrict abortion to the furthest extent possible, stripping access to basic and often life-saving healthcare. While Massachusetts remains steadfast in its support for abortion as a human right, we know that other states are making decisions that will ultimately result in increased maternal mortality and other ills of forced birth that will disparately impact poor women and women of color.

Twenty Attorneys General around the country have signed letters calling on pharmacies in their state to refuse to distribute Mifepristone, an FDA-approved and essential abortion medication, based on a restrictive interpretation of the law and misrepresentation of facts. Yielding to these coercive tactics will further strip pregnant people of their agency and rights and will violate the responsibility of pharmacies and pharmacy departments to provide critical healthcare services, including medications for abortion care.

The clarifying guidance to pharmacies was accompanied by a statement from Commissioner Cooke reaffirming the Commonwealth’s commitment to ensuring access to abortion for all people throughout Massachusetts and urging pharmacy providers nationwide to adhere to their obligation to provide critical medications to patients, as determined by the individual’s healthcare provider.

Mark J. Torchetti, 61

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Mark John Torchetti, a lifelong resident of Quincy, died peacefully on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the South Shore Hospital in Weymouth. He was 61.

Mark J. Torchetti

Mark was born in Quincy on May 25, 1961. He attended local schools and graduated from the Quincy Vocational Technical High School with the Class of 1979.

Mark was a cherished son of Mary (Penzo) Torchetti of Quincy and the late John Torchetti. He was the beloved husband of Susan J. (Pelechowicz) Torchetti, with whom he shared 40 loving years. Mark was the devoted father of Mark J. Torchetti Jr. and his wife Alicia of Rockland, and the dear brother of John “Jack” Torchetti and his wife Michelle of Abington. He was the loving uncle of Jaylen, Travis, Jared, and Adam Torchetti, all of Abington. Mark is also survived by many extended family members and friends.

Following cremation, Mark’s funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mark’s name may be sent to the charitable organization of one’s choice.

See www.Keohane.com for online condolences.

Quincy Councillors Concerned Over Conditions At Two CVS Stores

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By SCOTT JACKSON

City councillors on Monday raised concerns about conditions at two of the CVS stores in Quincy – one in North Quincy and the other in Quincy Point – and asked representatives from the pharmacy giant to appear at a future meeting to address issues at those locations.

Ward 6 Councillor William Harris on Monday introduced a resolution expressing concerns about conditions at the CVS located at 321 Quincy Shore Dr.  After Ward 1 Councillor David McCarthy said he shares similar concerns about conditions at the CVS at 626 Southern Arty., Harris’ resolution was amended to reference both of those locations.

The amended resolution passed unanimously.

Speaking during the meeting, Harris said the CVS store on Quincy Shore Drive is an important part of the community and has great employees, but concerns that he, other city officials and residents raised about conditions on site have gone unanswered since the fall.

“We just couldn’t get CVS folks to do the right thing,” he said.

Harris showed his colleagues photographs showing damaged fences around the dumpsters outside the store, a rat and rodent burrows, and issues with traffic circulation in and out of the parking lot. Other photographs showed the wooden fence that separates the store from neighboring homes in a state of disrepair, including sections that had fallen down.

“I’m sure CVS has enough money to maintain this property much better,” Harris said. “CVS has not responded to multiple requests to resolve these issues over months – phone calls, emails, directive from neighbors and obviously city officials.”

The resolution calls upon “representatives from the CVS Corporation [to] appear before the Quincy City Council to address these complaints, answer to why they have not been resolved, and provide a clear plan to ensure these matters are resolved.”

Following Harris’ presentation, McCarthy said he has concerns about the CVS on Southern Artery in his ward.

“I have my own pet peeve with CVS on Southern Artery. It’s just same as the Councillor Harris – maybe not as bad traffic problems, but the dumpster, the debris in the back. I’ve had Inspectional Services down on Southern Artery numerous times just trying to get them to fence it in, to move it, and they’ve kind of blown us of,” McCarthy said.

The city has attempted to clean up the area around the store, like the Souther Tide Mill site, only for debris from the CVS parking lot to blow over there, McCarthy added.

“It does make for a blighted situation down there at the Souther Tide Mill that is an area that we’re trying to clean up,” he said. “I would love to have CVS talk a little bit in front of us about that location.”