Final design and permitting work to renovate the Squantum Point Park Pier is scheduled to begin today, paving the way for expanded ferry service. Initial plans include shortening the pier, adding new ramps, and relocating a weather shelter to make room for ferries. Officials say they hope to expand ferry service down the coast and also hope to expand it within Boston Harbor. 07/21/2010

   Auto Body Shop, Auto Repair Shop, Tire Dealers, Service Stations, Gas Stations, Car Washes, Auto Equipment Installations (stereos, starters, alarms, etc), Quick Lube Shops, Convenience Stores with Gasoline Sales, & Auto Glass Installers. We, AJ Marchionne Insurance Agency Inc, offer insurance programs for each of the above! Call us for more info on any of the above @ 617-471-5010 M-F 9-5 and ask for AJ Marchionne III. Insurance for a garage policy is not simple as it is not a one size fits all purchase. There are many variables when purchasing garage ins: what is and is not covered, the limit of insurance coverage you purchase, the amount of your deductible, etc. We simplify this process for you! Give us a call and we'll give you as much info as you'd like, person to person service, ... 07/14/2010

Liability Insurance, Property Ins., Umbrella Ins, Business Auto Ins, Directors and Officers Liability Ins, Pollution Liability Ins (for Pesticides), Care Custody and Control Liability Ins; AJ Marchionne Insurance will personally help you choose which types of insurance are right for your exterminating and/or animal control company. Insurance is not simple and if it was, we would be out of a job. It's not a one size fits all purchase. Many people do not even know what they purchased until they have a claim at which point it could be too late.  We simplify insurance so each of our clients understand and are comfortable with what they are purchasing. We will provide your Pest Control Services (PCS) or Pest Management Services company with the most competitive price (quote) and best value. ... 07/14/2010

About 21,000 new meters and 24,000 network transmitters will be installed in homes and businesses as part of the city of Quincy's plan to more accurately track water usage and calculate bills. Here is the old: And here is the new: All home meters that are more than 5 years old will be re-placed.  The new meters will be an asset to homeowners, as now the automated meters will provide real-time usage data as opposed to estimates.  City workers will come out to homes and will be wearing identification badges and traveling in marked vehicles.  Mayor Thomas Koch said, "When we are finished, residents can expect fair and accurate billing without the fluctuations caused by estimates." 07/14/2010

Quincy, MA has won a $880,000 federal grant to begin an "Energy Smart Quincy" campaign that will include studying the city's energy use, the hiring of an energy manager and the implementation of a city-wide campaign that will link homeowners with free energy audits. A website: www.energysmartquincy.org is available for further information. Mayor Thomas Koch said the effort will save the city money.  Good news for taxpayers.  Solar panels will be installed at the new Quincy High school and the Kennedy Center on East Squantum Street. 07/13/2010

I was so happy to meet so many first-time home buyers this weekend.  As promised, below are some tips to help you get started on your home search. 1. Get your credit in order. Since you most likely will need to get a mortgage to buy a house, you must make sure your credit history is as clean as possible. Get a copy of your credit report. Make sure the facts are correct, and fix any problems you discover. 2. Aim for a home you can really afford. The rule of thumb is that you can buy housing that runs about two-and-one-half times your annual salary. But you'll do better to use one of many calculators available online to get a better handle on how your income, debts, and expenses affect what you can afford. 3. If you can't put down the usual 20 percent, you may still qualify for a loan. T... 07/11/2010

Before the summer heat-and summertime utility bill-starts to make you sweat, you might want to consider making a few changes to cut your energy consumption. Cleaning air conditioning filters every month and getting your system checked by a professional once a year will ensure that it's functioning as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Feel around baseboards, windows, doors, light switches, and electrical sockets for air leaks. Air can escape or enter anywhere that two different building materials meet. Using a programmable thermostat so that the temperature automatically rises when no one is home during the day can yield annual savings of about 30 percent. Instead of using your oven, consider an outdoor grill or toaster oven for small amounts of food. Stay cool while you sleep ... 07/10/2010

Quincy, MA is a great city to live in!  It is also one of the few cities in Eastern Massachusetts that has seen a rise in sales from last year, according to Banker and Tradesman.  That is why Quincy received an Honorable Mention from Boston Globe Magazine for buyers wanting to make a profit. Where is Quincy located?  It shares borders with Boston to the north, Milton to the west, Randolph and Braintree to the south, and Weymouth and Hull to the east.   In addition, Quincy also received the top spot by the Boston Globe for public transportation fans because of the T's Red line.  The Red line goes through Quincy and has four train stops in the city.  It is very easy if you work in downtown Boston to commute from Quincy to Boston.  The T also operates a water taxi with a stop in Quincy. A... 07/07/2010

New price on 21 Edinboro Road in Quincy MA 02169. This two bedroom condo has been completely updated and remodeled in 2006.  Some of its many features are granite counters, tile backsplansh in kitchen,  breakfast bar, stainless appliances and updated fixtures.  There are hardwood floors throughout the unit and stackable laundry.  The fee is a very reasonable $120/month and the taxes are very low. There is a large yard and very private.  Newly offered at $184,000.  Call Susan Morrison at 617-686-8178 for a private showing. 07/06/2010

Condominium Association Insurance aka Master Policy Insurance can be simplified for anyone to understand! We service many of our clients within Massachusetts from 2 unit complexes to 50 + unit associations. AJ Marchionne Insurance offers the most competitive rates since we are a local independent agent contracted with the most competitive insurance companies. We know the ins and outs of master policies and how they coincide with your condo docs! Along with the family style service we provide, we compare the insurance program you have now, to what we have to offer, on an easy to read one page summary of coverage, price, and service. We will only ask for your business when we provide better value for your association!We also offer individual condo unit owner's insurance, called an HO6, to... 07/02/2010

Pest Control Services (PCS) Insurance in MA is finally offered by admitted carrier! Having an admitted carrier generates many perks! Most important to many, the cost of your exterminator liability insurance is going to decrease or appear discounted. Second, the coverage for your pest management insurance program is mostly likely going to be broadened. This program provides coverage for pollution of pesticides, pest inspection damage liability, coverage for damage you cause to the client's property, and much more! To simplify your insurance, we will break down our program and our competition's program on an easy to read one page summary. AJ Marchionne Insurance will provide you with an experience like no other, making insurance as easy as 1, 2, 3!   Have a spectacular Fourth of July!Hope... 07/02/2010

The Quincy, MA Crane library will begin its outdoor lawn concerts on July 8 with a performance from the bluegrass band Boston Road. The concert will begin at 7 p.m. and will last about one hour.  Boston Road plays a mix of rhythm and blues featuring guitar, mandolin, banjo, fiddle and bass. 07/01/2010

When it comes to Garage Insurance, AJ Marchionne Insurance, in Quincy, MA is the company that can do it all! Whether you own or operate an Auto Service Station, Auto Repair Shop, or Gas Station with or without minimarts we can take care of you. We offer specialized insurance programs for all of the above. We help you balance the proper amounts of coverage along with deductibles that are comfortable for your budget. By doing this we generate the best package available for your company. Shopping your business insurance to several major insurers in this field, we make sure you get the best value for each dollar you spend on insurance. We provide Liability, Garagekeepers Liability, Contents Coverage, Workers Comp Insurance, Tow Truck Coverage, & home, auto and life insurance!AJ Marchionne I... 06/25/2010

Are you paying too much for your business insurance?? Has the cost of your exterminator liability insurance increased annually, yet you've never had a liability claim? If you answered yes to either of those questions, you have found the right blog! AJ Marchionne Insurance represents the best Pest Control Ins Program available on the market. We have an admitted carrier that is extremely competitive and offers interest free financing on premiums over $2000. Does this sound too good to be true? Guess what, it's not! More good news, we are a local company conveniently located at 11 Independence Ave in Quincy, MA. Share 15 to 20 minutes of your time with me and be amazed at the results.AJ Marchionne Insurance, We Will Put You In A Better Place!For more info call AJ Marchionne, Mon- Fri 9-5 6... 06/25/2010

Built as a country estate in 1770, the Josiah Quincy house was once surrounded by fields and pastures overlooking Quincy Bay. Colonel Josiah Quincy, the Revolutionary War leader, built the home.  He was the son of Col. John Quincy, after whom the city is named. The house is at 20 Muirhead St. Tours will be offered at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday, July 10, and Saturday, Aug. 7.  Hourly tours also will be available from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, with the final tour beginning at 4 p.m.  Quincy residents are admitted free; regular admission is $5. 06/23/2010

The Cake Spot cake shop has opened in Quincy, MA. The owner is Jacqui Niosi, 27, a culinary teacher at Quincy High School.   The Cake Spot offers flavors that include chocolate, gold, carrot and spice with fillings that include fresh strawberries, pineapples, raspberries, chocolate mousse and lemon.  Welcome to Quincy and good luck in your new endeavor! 06/23/2010

Trend in Home Sales in Quincy MA Through May 2010 According to Trulia.com, sales prices of homes in Quincy have increased 5.2% over the past year through May 2010. The current average listing price of homes for sale in Quincy MA is $368,246, while the current median sales price is $280,000. The median sales price is the price at which one half of the homes sold above that amount, and one half of the homes sold below that amount. Below is a chart of the trend of median prices of homes for sale in Quincy MA over the past year through May 2010: Quincy Recently Sold Homes Below is a chart of the trend in home sales in Quincy MA over the past year through May 2010: Quincy Recently Sold Homes If you're looking to buy a home or condo in Quincy MA or in the surrounding area, then search the MLS.   06/21/2010

Rate Forecast for June 21, 2010 Here are some of the events affecting mortgage rates today: What Mortgage Backed Securities Are Doing Today: The price of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% MBS coupon opened at 102.91 this morning - the same as Friday's close. At 9:30 AM, the 4.5% MBS coupon was trading at 102.72 - down 6/32 from its opening. Remember, on mortgage backed securities (MBSs), as the price goes down, the yield goes up - and so do mortgage rates. I expect that mortgage rates will be as much as 0.25 points worse in price this morning as compared to Friday. Price Trend in Mortgage Backed Securities: The chart below shows the price trend of the FNMA 30-Year 4.5% coupon over the past 30 days from 5-22-2010 to 6-21-2010: Economic Reports, News, and Events Affecting Mortgage Interest Rates Toda... 06/21/2010

Pest Management Insurance Program (Liability Insurance):1. Only carrier to offer coverage provided on an admitted basis in Massachusetts!2. Pollution Liability for Pesticide Application3. Pest Inspection Damage Liability (No Reporting Limitation)4. Pollution Liability for transportation of pesticides5. Exterminators Liability - Care, Custody and Control Coverage6. Umbrella/Excess Liability - limits up to $15,000,0007. Interest-free installments available for accounts that generate at least $2,000 in premium (Liability + Auto + other insurance = $2k = interest free installments)Available in Massachusetts (Mass)For more info click here: Pest Management Insurance Program Quote Contact AJ Marchionne 617-471-5010 06/18/2010

Ah, wildflowers.   They are beautiful and unique.  This Saturday, June 19, you can experience the beauty of these flowers by attending the Wildflower Festival at Nut Island Park, sponsored by Houghs Neck Garden Club. The festival features a home-cooked casserole breakfast and brunch, guided walks among the wildflowers and a slide presentation about the plants and wildflowers of the Boston Harbor Islands. On Nut Island alone, there are about 20 species.  For more information, call 617-472-6196.  There is great weather forecast, come enjoy! 06/18/2010