Quincy City Council: November 10, 2025

Executive Summary

The Quincy City Council convened on November 10, 2025, addressing critical issues including a home rule petition to streamline accidental disability benefits for public safety personnel and a resolution demanding accountability from National Grid and Riley Brothers Inc. following a serious electrical explosion. The Council unanimously approved the home rule petition and voted to refer the resolution concerning the explosion to the Ordinance Committee for further investigation. Additionally, a gift to the DARE program was approved, and traffic requests were referred to the Ordinance Committee.

Meeting Minutes: Quincy City Council

Meeting Date: November 10, 2025 Governing Body: Quincy City Council Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting Attendees:

• Ian Cain, City Councillor (President)
• Richard Ash, City Councillor
• Scott Campbell, City Councillor
• Jim Devine, City Councillor
• Noel DiBona, City Councillor
• William Harris, City Councillor
• Nina Liang, City Councillor
• David McCarthy, City Councillor
• Dan Minton, City Councillor
• Christopher Walker, Mayor's Representative

Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.

Roll Call:

• Ash: Present
• Campbell: Present
• Devine: Present
• DiBona: Present
• Harris: Present
• Liang: Present
• McCarthy: Present
• Minton: Present
• Cain: Present
• Outcome: Eight members present.

Moment of Silence: Observed.

Pledge of Allegiance: Recited.

Open Meeting Law Announcement: The Clerk read the Open Meeting Law statement, advising attendees that audio or video recordings or transmissions of the public meeting may be made.

1. 2025-119: Board Home Rule Petition - An Act Relative to the Maintenance of Pre-Employment Physical Examination Records for Public Safety Personnel at the City of Quincy

• Discussion:
  • Mayor's Representative Christopher Walker presented the home rule petition, explaining its purpose to address a "stubborn issue" affecting public safety personnel seeking accidental disability benefits.
  • Problem: The Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC) began requiring pre-employment physical examination records for disability benefit approval approximately 5-6 years ago. Prior to 12-15 years ago, the City of Quincy did not consistently maintain these records for police and firefighters. This has led to denials of benefits by PERAC, even after approval by local retirement boards, for employees who were healthy at the time of hiring.
  • Solution: The home rule petition proposes allowing a sworn affidavit by the city or the employee, stating that the employee did not suffer from any pre-existing condition related to the disability at the time of hiring. This primarily addresses conditions like heart disease, which are often presumed to be job-related for public safety personnel.
  • Collaboration: The petition was developed in conjunction with lawyers for Local 792 (firefighters' union) and the two police unions. Similar legislation has been effective in other Massachusetts communities.
  • Goal: To ensure police and firefighters entitled to accidental disability benefits can navigate the process without undue confusion or denial due to missing historical records.
• Motion: Councilor Liang moved to approve the home rule petition.
• Second: Councilor Devine seconded the motion.
• Vote (Roll Call):
  • Ash: Yes
  • Campbell: Yes
  • Devine: Yes
  • DiBona: Yes
  • Liang: Yes
  • McCarthy: Yes
  • Minton: Yes
  • Cain: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved (8-0).

2. 2025-120: A Resolve Regarding the Electrical Explosion Incident at Southern Artery and Broad Street Demanding Accountability from National Grid and Riley Brothers Inc.

• Discussion:
  • Councilor Liang introduced the resolve concerning a recent electrical explosion incident during utility work at Southern Artery and Broad Street.
  • Incident Details: A National Grid contractor, Riley Brothers Inc., was performing utility work. A supervisor reportedly informed an employee that a line was not live, but it was, leading to an explosion when struck. The injured employee is currently hospitalized and fighting for their life. The incident also caused power outages in the area.
  • Concerns: Councilor Liang expressed concern that National Grid and its contractors are not consistently meeting the safety standards set by the City's Department of Public Works. She noted this is not the first time National Grid has failed to follow established standards.
  • Demands: The resolve demands accountability from National Grid and Riley Brothers Inc. and seeks explanations regarding:
    • Training processes for employees.
    • Instructions given to on-site personnel.
    • Processes for working with and screening contractors.
    • Adherence to safety protocols.
  • Further Action: The resolve also requests the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for the state to initiate a comprehensive investigation into the incident, recognizing that National Grid and Riley Brothers operate statewide.
  • Councilor Ash's Question: Councilor Ash inquired about potential ramifications if National Grid or Riley Brothers Inc. fail to appear before the Council.
  • Councilor Liang's Response: Councilor Liang stated that the resolve initially provides an opportunity for the companies to do the right thing. If they do not appear, the DPU investigation would still proceed, and the Council could consider further steps, including future legislation or actions related to licensing/permitting, though no specific punitive measures are outlined in the current resolve. She noted that National Grid has previously failed to appear for Council inquiries.
• Motion: Councilor Liang moved to approve the resolve and refer it to the Ordinance Committee for a future hearing, potentially in December, where National Grid and Riley Brothers Inc. would be invited to explain the incident.
• Second: Councilor DiBona seconded the motion.
• Vote (Roll Call):
  • Ash: Yes
  • Campbell: Yes
  • Devine: Yes
  • DiBona: Yes
  • Liang: Yes
  • McCarthy: Yes
  • Minton: Yes
  • Cain: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved (8-0).
• Action: The Clerk was instructed to send letters to both National Grid and the DPU.

3. 2025-121: A Gift for $2,750 from Various Donors to DARE

• Motion: Councilor Devine moved to approve the gift.
• Second: Councilor Campbell seconded the motion.
• Vote (Roll Call):
  • Ash: Yes
  • Campbell: Yes
  • Devine: Yes
  • DiBona: Yes
  • Liang: Yes
  • McCarthy: Yes
  • Minton: Yes
  • Cain: Yes
  • Outcome: Approved (8-0).

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

• Motion: Councilor Devine moved to approve the previous meeting minutes.
• Second: Councilor Campbell seconded the motion.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: Approved.

Communications and Reports from the Mayor and Other City Officers and City Boards

• Traffic Requests (Referred to Ordinance Committee for Advertising):
  • Councilor Ash:
    • Remove "no left turn" on Fort Curtis Ave. at Washington Court.
    • Add two stop signs on Arnold Street at 5th Ave, creating a four-way stop.

Unfinished Business and Proceeding Meeting

• No unfinished business.

Reports of Committees

• No committee reports.

Presentation of Petitions, Memorials, and Remonstrance

• Councilor Campbell: Acknowledged the passing of Anna DiPlacido, mother of Michelle DiPlacido (City of Quincy Health Department employee). Anna DiPlacido, born in Abruzzo, Italy, immigrated in 1965, lived in Quincy, and was a dedicated homemaker and former employee of Montilio's Bakery. She passed away on October 30th.

Motions, Orders, and Resolutions

• No additional motions, orders, or resolutions.

Scheduling of Committee Meetings and Public Hearings

• Next Regularly Scheduled Council Meeting: Monday, November 17th at 6:30 p.m.

Adjournment

• Motion: Councilor Liang moved to adjourn.
• Second: Councilor McCarthy seconded the motion.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: Adjourned.