Quincy City Council: September 15, 2025

Meeting Type: City Council Meeting Governing Body: Quincy City Council Meeting Date: September 15, 2025 Attendees:

• Councilor Ash
• Councilor Campbell
• Councilor Devine
• Councilor DeBona
• Councilor Harris
• Councilor Liang
• Councilor McCarthy
• Councilor Minton
• President Kane

Executive Summary: The Quincy City Council convened to honor Quincy Access Television (QATV) for their award-winning government meeting coverage. Following this, the Council approved a significant appropriation of $1,230,000 from the Sewer and Drainage Rehabilitation Fund for various sewer and drainage infrastructure improvements across the city, including projects in Ward 6 and Ward 4, and critical tide gate planning. The Council also unanimously approved an ordinance to exempt senior citizens aged 70 and over from dog licensing fees and accepted two gifts totaling $1,600 for the DARE program and Capital Waste.

• Councilor Ash: Present
• Councilor Campbell: Present
• Councilor Devine: Present
• Councilor DeBona: Present
• Councilor Harris: Present
• Councilor Liang: Present
• Councilor McCarthy: Present
• Councilor Minton: Present
• President Kane: Present
• Outcome: Eight members present, constituting a quorum.

• A moment of silence was observed.
• The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

• The Open Meeting Law was read into the record, advising attendees that audio/video recordings or transmissions of the public meeting are permissible and acknowledged.

• Discussion:
  • QATV was honored for winning first place in the government meeting coverage category at the Alliance for Community Media Hometown Video Festival.
  • The award-winning entry featured the Quincy City Council meeting of December 2nd, 2024.
  • Mark Crosby and Jonathan Cleary were recognized for their tireless work in covering community events, committee meetings, and board meetings, ensuring public access to information.
  • Public Comments:
    • Jonathan Cleary (QATV): Expressed appreciation for the recognition, highlighting QATV staff's dedication to covering government, political, local, sports, and school events. Emphasized the vital role of volunteers.
    • Mark Crosby (QATV Government Access Coordinator): Stated QATV's commitment to "gavel to gavel" coverage without editing the initial broadcast. Mentioned coverage of the City Council, License Board, Zoning Board, and "In Your Neighborhood" programs. Invited councilors to the studio for continued government coverage.
    • Councilor Campbell: Commended QATV's sports coverage, particularly the Thanksgiving game day pre-show, which received recognition from an opposing team's coaching staff.
    • Councilor Devine: Thanked QATV for their enhanced live streaming during COVID-19 and their support for local programming, including "Mr. Joe Catalano in the morning."
    • Councilor Liang: Praised QATV's comprehensive coverage of all meetings and boards, noting the utility of their YouTube channel and Facebook live stream. Highlighted the quality of "In Your Neighborhood" segments.
    • Councilor Minton: Recalled working with QATV on crime prevention shows since 2005.
• Outcome: QATV was presented with a commendation from the Council.

• Resolution/Ordinance/Code: 2025-108
• Subject: An appropriation for $1,230,000 from the Sewer and Drainage Rehabilitation Fund to drain and sewer infrastructure improvements.
• Presenter: DPW Commissioner Al Grazioso, accompanied by City Engineer Paul Costello and Joe Shea from Granite City Partners.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • The DPW systematically assesses and improves horizontal infrastructure using an asset management approach.
  • Quincy's infrastructure includes 1,035 roads (257 miles), 304 miles of sidewalks, 240 miles of water mains, 208 miles of sewers, 150 miles of drainage systems, and 188 outfalls, plus numerous pumping stations and water tanks.
  • The Mayor's aggressive investment plan, supported by the Council, is improving neighborhoods.
  • Roadways and water mains are funded through omnibus multi-year approvals; sewer and stormwater (MS4) are funded annually.
  • The proposed funding will address:
    • Immediate construction projects to improve stormwater flow in brooks and streams.
    • Replacement of damaged stormwater infrastructure.
    • Initiation of engineering design for future flood prevention projects.
    • Replacement of sewer equipment in pumping stations.
  • Funding Source: The $1,230,000 will be transferred from the Sewer and Drainage Rehabilitation Fund, which is funded by developers (1% of construction costs for projects over three-family homes). This fund is not from the general fund or borrowed bonds.
  • Fund Status: The fund currently holds $3.1 million. Over the last nine years, $20 million has been brought into the fund, with $16.4 million spent on projects.
  • Past Projects (last 9 years, $16.4 million):
    • Squanam School Area Drainage Project
    • Dorchester Street Outfall Pipe
    • Sailors Home Pond Dredging and Drainage Project
    • Citywide MS4 Outfall Pipe Rebuild and Repairs
    • Butler's Pond Drainage and Dredging Project
    • Tom Brook at Bigelow Street Reconstruction
    • Manitowoc Seawall Engineering
    • Langley Circle Drainage and Tide Gate Repair
    • Adamshaw Seawall (grant match)
    • Emergency repairs to seawalls, tide gates, revetment, roads, and sidewalks due to 2018 March flooding ($3 million).
    • Sewer contractual emergency repairs.
    • Broad Street Pump Station.
    • Pipe-supported drainage and piping system repair at New Breave, Hunt Street, and Kendall Street.
    • Sachem Brook outfall repair.
    • Rockland Street Bridge rebuild.
    • Repair and reconstruction of embankment and protection of sanitary sewer system at Sumac Road and Squanam.
    • Quincy Point Pump Station Rehab Design.
    • East Quantum Street Atlantic Area Sewer Repairs.
  • Current Drain Budget: Approximately $1.6 million annually, with $800,000 for contractual work, which is insufficient for recent flooding demands.
  • Proposed Projects (Total: $1,230,000):
    • Sherman Street Bog Area Assessment and Improvements ($275,000): Rebuild six discharge points into one outlet system, CCTV inspection of Box culvert inlet along Harvard Street, 36-inch outlet pipe at Belmont and Hobart, MS4 outfalls, tree pruning, channel reestablishment, access paths, gate for maintenance, debris removal, environmental repairs, and construction contingency.
    • Furnace Brook Inlet Grate at Quarry Street ($300,000): Replace inlet grate, localized wall repairs, angle grate for easier cleaning, access path and slope repairs, engineering design and construction, DCR coordination, and construction contingency.
    • Town Brook Inlet Grate at Bigelow Street ($100,000): Replace inlet grate, localized wall repairs, angle grate for easier cleaning, access easement, minor culvert repairs, engineering and construction, and construction contingency.
    • Webster Street Drainage Repairs ($75,000): Install new tide gate, two 6-foot diameter dry wells, four leaching galleys, 25 feet of new 12-inch pipe, police detail, and construction contingency.
    • Fort Square Pump Station and Deep Rock Tunnel Repairs ($100,000): Replace broken drain pipe causing sinkhole, align overflow wall section, replace sewer aeration equipment, clean wet wells, and prep for new equipment.
    • East Squanam and Huckins Intersection and Causeway near Victory Road Resiliency ($180,000): Engineering for improved access/evacuation routes, conceptual design, parcel impact evaluation, cost estimates, and funding strategy for coastal flooding.
    • Blacks Creek Tide Gates (Greenbird Bridge) Planning and Permitting ($100,000): Planning and permitting for three replacement gates, engineering update, habitat study, benchmarking, state agency coordination, and funding plan/schedule. (Gates installed in 1972, last major upgrade 2000. New gates would be vertical style for better water level control and marsh health.)
    • Sagamore Creek Tide Gate Planning and Permitting ($100,000): Specialized consultant for planning/permitting, habitat study, benchmarking, hydraulic/inundation models, commercial parcel impact evaluation, state agency coordination, and funding plan/schedule. (Aims to help with State Street complex flooding, Newport Ave extension closures, National Grid substation protection, MBTA track inundation, and faster draining in Montclair/North Quincy/Atlantic areas.)
  • Public Comments/Councilor Questions:
    • Councilor Harris: Expressed strong support, noting the importance of these projects for Ward 6 (Sagamore Creek, Victory Road, Atlantic Street, Webster Street, Huckins, East Squanam, Marina Bay). Made a motion to approve.
    • Councilor McCarthy: Commended the DPW for addressing long-standing infrastructure issues. Inquired about the Town Brook inlet at Bigelow Street, specifically its relation to the culvert on McGrath Highway. Joe Shea clarified it's behind the old Chamber building, near Miller Stiles, to prevent debris from entering the culvert system. Mentioned a previous FEMA application for a $30-40 million project to widen Town Brook, which was not funded but the current nursing home redevelopment accommodated future plans. Inquired about Blacks Creek Bridge and state involvement. Joe Shea explained the state owns the bridge (Greenberg Bridge on Quincy Shore Drive) and the tide gates are on their structure. The current gates are 30 years old and operate as an "on/off" switch, leading to marsh drying. New vertical gates would allow fine-tuning.
    • Councilor Campbell: Asked about the Fort Square Pump Station's role and if similar projects are planned elsewhere. Commissioner Grazioso stated it's a multi-million dollar Army Corps project, and while other projects exist, another deep rock tunnel is unlikely. Emphasized the importance of raising roads and tide gates in the North Quincy/Montclair area. Inquired about the replenishment of the Sewer Drain Rehab Fund. Commissioner Grazioso explained the 1% developer contribution for projects over three-family homes, ensuring continuous funding.
    • Councilor Devine: Thanked the DPW for proactive flood mitigation efforts, especially after the 2018 floods. Highlighted the importance of developer contributions to infrastructure. Asked about the length and inspection frequency of the Deep Rock Tunnel (approx. 1 mile long, 180 feet deep, 12-foot diameter, inspected twice annually). Suggested addressing dead trees near Furnace Brook exit (state responsibility) and improving the pump house at Joyce and Canal. Noted the benefit of the Town Brook project for Ward 4.
    • Councilor Minton: Asked about the impact of the Blacks Creek project on Princess Eve Marsh. Joe Shea explained the hydraulic connection and the potential for new gates to offer better flood protection and habitat benefits by allowing fine-tuning of water levels, unlike the current "on/off" gates.
    • Councilor Devine (re-recognized): Inquired about state agency coordination for Blacks Creek, specifically rumors of disagreements. Joe Shea confirmed past issues with winter flounder habitat concerns derailing a previous project, but current engineering for the gates is approved. Habitat agency components still need work. Council offered support if agencies cause issues.
    • Councilor Liang: Acknowledged the positive impact of previous Town Brook projects (e.g., 11 McGrath Highway) on flood remediation. Expressed concern about recent flooding on Independence Ave and asked if current line items would help. Commissioner Grazioso noted increased flooding citywide due to intense storms and high tides. Emphasized the importance of residents clearing catch basins and mentioned the recent re-contracting of catch basin cleaning services.
    • Councilor McCarthy (re-recognized): Highlighted the significant growth of the Sewer Drain Rehab Fund: $1.5 million in 2024, $2 million in 2025, and over $900,000 in the first two months of fiscal year 2026.
• Motion: Councilor Harris moved to approve.
• Second: Councilor Devine.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Ash: Yes
  • Councilor Campbell: Yes
  • Councilor Devine: Yes
  • Councilor DeBona: Yes
  • Councilor Harris: Yes
  • Councilor Liang: Yes
  • Councilor McCarthy: Yes
  • Councilor Minton: Yes
  • President Kane: Yes
• Outcome: Motion passed (9-0).

• Resolution/Ordinance/Code: 2025-109
• Subject: Order Mass General Law Chapter 140 Section 139 C fees for dogs owned by persons age 70 and over.
• Presenter: Councilor DeBona.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • Councilor DeBona introduced the ordinance, inspired by the new animal shelter and a constituent's request.
  • Legal Basis: Massachusetts General Law Chapter 140, Section 139 states: "No fee shall be charged for a license for a dog owned by a person aged 70 years or over in a city or a town that accepts this provision."
  • The ordinance seeks to allow Quincy to accept this provision, exempting seniors aged 70 and over from dog licensing fees.
• Motion: Councilor DeBona moved to approve.
• Second: Councilor McCarthy.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Ash: Yes
  • Councilor Campbell: Yes
  • Councilor Devine: Yes
  • Councilor DeBona: Yes
  • Councilor Harris: Yes
  • Councilor Liang: Yes
  • Councilor McCarthy: Yes
  • Councilor Minton: Yes
  • President Kane: Yes
• Outcome: Motion passed (9-0).

• Resolution/Ordinance/Code: 2025-110
• Subject: Gift for $600 from 2025 DARE.
• Motion: Councilor McCarthy moved to approve.
• Second: Councilor Campbell.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Ash: Yes
  • Councilor Campbell: Yes
  • Councilor Devine: Yes
  • Councilor DeBona: Yes
  • Councilor Harris: Yes
  • Councilor Liang: Yes
  • Councilor McCarthy: Yes
  • Councilor Minton: Yes
  • President Kane: Yes
• Outcome: Motion passed (9-0).

• Resolution/Ordinance/Code: 2025-111
• Subject: Gift for $1,000 from Capital Waste.
• Motion: Councilor McCarthy moved to approve.
• Second: Councilor Campbell.
• Vote:
  • Councilor Campbell: Yes
  • Councilor Devine: Yes
  • Councilor DeBona: Yes
  • Councilor Harris: Yes
  • Councilor Liang: Yes
  • Councilor McCarthy: Yes
  • Councilor Minton: Yes
  • President Kane: Yes
• Outcome: Motion passed (8-0).

• Motion: Councilor Liang moved to approve.
• Second: Councilor Campbell.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: Motion passed.

• Referrals:
  • Ordinance Committee: Request to refer for an Advertising Board for Councilor Devine.
  • Ordinance Committee: Request to refer for two stop signs on Pembroke Street and Lurton Street, creating a four-way stop.
  • Public Works Committee: Utility request for National Grid at General Dunford Drive and Hancock Street to 101 General McConville Way.

• No unfinished business.

• No committee reports.

• No petitions, memorials, or remonstrance.

• No additional motions, orders, or resolutions.

• The next regularly scheduled City Council meeting will be Monday, October 6th at 6:30 p.m.

• Motion: Councilor Liang moved to adjourn.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: Meeting adjourned at 7:43 p.m.