Quincy City Council: October 6, 2025

October 6, 2025
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Meeting Minutes: City Council Meeting

Meeting Type: City Council Meeting Governing Body: City Council Meeting Date: Monday, October 6th, 2025 Attendees:

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

Executive Summary: The City Council convened for a series of public hearings regarding utility grant locations, followed by a regular City Council meeting. Key actions included the unanimous approval of Council Order 2025-116, concerning the Quincy Retirement Board's acceptance of a disabled employee supplemental annual allowance, and Council Order 2025-117, which rectified a technical error in the procurement method for the Municipal Broadband Project. The meeting also featured a special recognition of the 75th anniversary of the Quincy Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, highlighting its historical impact and community contributions.

Public Hearings (6:30 PM - 6:33 PM)

Council Order 2025-104: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid, Verizon, West Quantum Street at Arlington Street

  • Discussion: No public comment was received in favor or opposition.
  • Outcome: Public hearing closed at 6:30 PM.

Council Order 2025-105: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid, Verizon, Federal Lab at Goddard Street

  • Discussion: No public comment was received in favor or opposition.
  • Outcome: Public hearing closed at 6:31 PM.

Council Order 2025-106: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid, Verizon, Chubbuck Street at Washington Street and Raycroft Ave

  • Discussion: No public comment was received in favor or opposition.
  • Outcome: Public hearing closed at 6:32 PM.

Council Order 2025-113: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid Gas, General Dunford Drive and Hancock Street 101, General McConville Way

  • Discussion: No public comment was received in favor or opposition.
  • Outcome: Public hearing closed at 6:33 PM.

City Council Meeting

Moment of Silence & Pledge of Allegiance

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

Open Meeting Law Announcement

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

Honoring 75 Years of Quincy Youth Football and Cheer

  • Presenter: Councillor Noel DiBona
  • Summary: Councillor DiBona recognized the 75th anniversary of the Quincy Youth Football and Cheerleading Association, highlighting its history, volunteer efforts, and impact on generations of Quincy youth.
    • Historical Context: Founded in 1950, with its first season in 1951, comprising four teams: North Quincy Apaches, Quincy Point Panthers, Houseneck Manets, and Mayo's Clubs All-Stars (later West Quincy Elks).
    • Key Figures Mentioned:
      • Bill Chubba-Meyer: Player in 1951, later coach and franchise holder for 38 years.
      • Frank Brillo: Coached the Panthers for 38 years.
      • Joe Desmond: Involved with North Quincy Apaches since 1961, with multiple generations of his family participating.
    • Program Evolution: Teams combined in 2018 to form "Quincy United."
    • Recognition of Board Members: Nathan Knowles (President), Michelle Corey (Treasurer), Shawn Chu Chalpin (Vice President, Cheer Program), Stacey LeMay, John McNeil, Steve Kosky (38 years with the program), and Matt Gardner (Director of Football Operations) were acknowledged for their dedication.
    • Public Comment:
      • Nathan Knowles (President, Quincy Youth Football and Cheer): Expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing the program's 75 years of continuous service as a testament to community commitment and investment in children. He thanked Mayor Koch, the Quincy Parks Department for field maintenance, and Councillors DiBona, Harris, McCarthy, and Campbell for their support. Knowles highlighted the program's role in teaching discipline, teamwork, and character development.
    • Outcome: Acknowledgment and celebration of the Quincy Youth Football and Cheerleading Association. A group photo was taken with board members, players, cheerleaders, and flag football participants.

Item 1: Council Order 2025-116, Order Approval of Quincy Retirement Board Acceptance of Disabled Employee Supplemental Annual Allowance

  • Sponsor: Mayor
  • Discussion: Christopher Walker, Mayor's Representative, explained that this order allows the city to adopt a special act from 2010. Prior to 1996, survivors of disability pensioners (if the death was not due to the disability) received $550/month. The special act permits cities and towns to raise this benefit to $750/month. The Retirement Board unanimously recommended this change.
  • Motion: Councillor McCarthy moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Liang.
  • Vote:
    • Councillor Ash: Yes
    • Councillor Campbell: Yes
    • Councillor Devine: Yes
    • Councillor DiBona: Yes
    • Councillor Harris: Yes
    • Councillor Liang: Yes
    • Councillor McCarthy: Yes
    • Councillor Minton: Yes
    • President Cain: Yes
    • Outcome: Approved (9-0).

Item 2: Council Order 2025-117, Order Municipal Broadband Project Use of Chapter 149A, Design, Build, Delivery Method of Procurement

  • Discussion:
    • Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Harris.
    • Councillor Liang clarified that this order corrects a technical error from a previous approval of the design-build process for the Municipal Broadband Project, allowing the project to move forward as originally planned.
    • Councillor Ash: Requested an update on the project.
      • Councillor Liang's Update:
        • Phase one (Quincy Point and Marymount areas) is still in play, and this order governs its construction.
        • A revenue bond, currently in its third reading at the state level (shepherded by Senator Keenan), is awaiting approval.
        • A community engagement process will soon begin to market the project and secure subscriber commitments, which will fund the revenue bond.
        • Construction is realistically expected to begin next year.
      • Councillor Devine: Inquired about the timeline for a city-wide build.
        • Councillor Liang: Estimated a conservative five years for a city-wide build, emphasizing that the speed will depend on the project's popularity and community engagement.
        • Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative): Clarified that after the two pilot neighborhoods, the project would likely expand to the rest of the city rather than in multiple small phases. He reiterated that five years is an outside estimate due to the project's complexity.
  • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Harris.
  • Vote:
    • Councillor Ash: Yes
    • Councillor Campbell: Yes
    • Councillor Devine: Yes
    • Councillor DiBona: Yes
    • Councillor Harris: Yes
    • Councillor Liang: Yes
    • Councillor McCarthy: Yes
    • Councillor Minton: Yes
    • President Cain: Yes
    • Outcome: Approved (9-0).

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
  • Outcome: Approved by voice vote (Ayes have it).

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

  • Traffic Request: The Town Clerk reported a traffic request from Councillor Devine to refer to the Ordinance Committee for an Advertising Board: "Add two stop signs at Kimball Street and Campbell Street, creating a four-way stop."

Unfinished Business and Proceeding Meeting

  • No unfinished business was reported.

Reports of Committees

Public Works Committee (Chair: Councillor Harris)
  • Council Order 2025-104: Utility Grant Allocation, National Grid Verizon, West Quantum Street at Arlington Street
    • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from Public Works Committee.
    • Motion: Councillor Harris moved to approve, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
    • Vote: Approved (9-0).
  • Council Order 2025-105: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid, Verizon, Federal Ave at Goddard Street
    • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from Public Works Committee.
    • Motion: Councillor Harris moved to approve, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
    • Vote: Approved (9-0).
  • Council Order 2025-106: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid Verizon, Chubbuck Street at Washington Street at Raycroft Ave
    • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from Public Works Committee.
    • Motion: Councillor Harris moved to approve, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
    • Vote: Approved (9-0).
  • Council Order 2025-113: Utility Grant of Location, National Grid Gas, General Dunford Drive, in Hancock Street, 101 General McConville Way
    • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from Public Works Committee.
    • Motion: Councillor Harris moved to approve, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
    • Vote: Approved (9-0).
Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Committee (Chair: Councillor Liang)
  • Ward 1:
    • Council Order 2025-114: Remove three-hour parking on the south side of Coddington Street, Newcomb Street to 500 feet northeast of Newcomb Street.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).
    • Council Order 2025-115: Add two-hour parking on both sides of Coddington Street from Newcomb Street to Southern Artery.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).
  • Ward 2:
    • Council Order 2025-102: Add no parking on odd side of Oak Street.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).
  • Ward 4:
    • Council Order 2025-103: Add no parking any time between 53 and 55 Somer Road at Nelson Street.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).
    • Council Order 2025-107: Remove handicap parking at 57 Buckley St.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).
    • Council Order 2025-112: Add two stop signs at Pembroke Street at Lurton Street, creating a four-way stop.
      • Recommendation: Positive recommendation from committee.
      • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to approve, seconded by Councillor Campbell.
      • Vote: Approved (9-0).

Presentations of Petitions, Memorials, and Remonstrance

  • Councillor Harris:
    • Congratulated Councillor Liang and the administration on the approval of the Municipal Broadband Project.
    • Thanked Brad Kroll (Executive Director of the Retirement Board and former Councillor) for his outreach regarding the disabled employee supplemental annual allowance.
  • Councillor DiBona:
    • Praised the Wallace and Hill Neighborhood Association (Walter Hubley and Catherine Hoopley) for their successful "Saturdays in the Park" event in Ward 3 during September, featuring bands and community activities.
    • Acknowledged Councillor Ash for his "Sundays in the Park" event in Ward 2.
  • Councillor Liang:
    • Wished everyone a Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, emphasizing its significance as a celebration of family, unity, and community.
  • Councillor Ash:
    • Thanked Councillor DiBona for the plug regarding "Sundays in the Park."
    • Announced an upcoming event at Faxon Park on Sunday (12 PM - 4 PM) with live music and kids' entertainment, noting it is weather-dependent.
    • Expressed condolences for the passing of Edith "Edie" Wallace (59) of the Four River area, Quincy Point, on September 10th, 1966. He highlighted her role as a devoted wife of 35 years to Leroy Wallace, cherished mother of Jessica Wallace, Leroy Wallace Jr. (Kathleen), Christopher Wallace (Kira), and the late Jennifer Wallace. He attested to her warm and welcoming nature as a maternal figure in the neighborhood.

Motions, Orders, and Resolutions

  • No new motions, orders, or resolutions were presented.

Scheduling of Committee Meetings and Public Hearings

  • Councillor McCarthy: Requested that Mayor Thomas Koch, accompanied by Paul Della Barba and Rick Kosher, present on the city's debt service at the next City Council meeting. He referenced a podcast by Mark Carey where the Mayor discussed pension obligations and DIF information, noting its clarity.
  • Outcome: The Mayor's Representative indicated the Mayor would be available. The presentation on debt service is scheduled for the next City Council meeting on Monday, October 20th, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

Adjournment

  • Motion: Councillor Liang moved to adjourn, seconded by Councillor DiBona.
  • Outcome: Approved by voice vote.
  • Next Meeting: Monday, October 20th, 2025, at 6:30 PM.

Last updated: Nov 9, 2025

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