City Council
Mon, April 7, 2025
Quincy City Council — April 7, 2025
This was a busy session that included a public hearing, an ordinance committee meeting, and the regular city council meeting. Notable business included a significant update on road infrastructure work citywide, passage of a salary adjustment framework for elected officials, and recognition of the North Quincy High School girls basketball team's championship season.
Public Hearing — Utility Grant of Location, National Grid (Center, Granite, and Garfield Streets)
A public hearing was held at 6:31 p.m. regarding a National Grid utility grant of location affecting Center Street, Granite Street, and Garfield Street. No members of the public came forward to speak in favor or opposition, and the hearing closed immediately. The item later received a positive recommendation from the Public Works Committee and was approved by the full Council.
Vote: 9–0
Ordinance Committee — Salary Framework for Mayor and City Council (2024-090)
The ordinance committee took up a measure to codify a process for future salary adjustments for the mayor and city councillors, following a contentious salary vote last year. Council President Kane (the transcript's "President Kane" appears to be the presiding officer of the committee, not Anne Mahoney — the names in this transcript do not match the known council roster and likely reflect a voice-to-text error) introduced the ordinance as a framework, emphasizing the discussion was about *process*, not the salary amounts themselves, which had already been voted on previously.
The committee worked through two rounds of amendments. First, references to base salary amounts in Sections 72-7 and 72-8 were stricken, and start dates for CPI-based annual adjustments were set at January 1, 2029 (for the mayor) and January 1, 2027 (for city councillors). Those amendments passed by voice vote.
A second round of amendments, proposed by Councillor Ash, further revised the ordinance. Ash moved to strike the performance-review provisions (Sections C and D), including the proposed salary review committee of three council-appointed members and the requirement for a public hearing on salary changes. His rationale was that a review committee process could recreate the same contentious dynamic the council experienced last year. He also proposed pushing back the CPI adjustment start dates to give more distance from the recently approved raises — five years after each raise takes effect. The raises for councillors take effect January 1, 2026, and for the mayor on January 1, 2028, making the CPI adjustment dates January 1, 2031 (councillors) and January 1, 2033 (mayor).
After some clarifying discussion — including a brief moment of confusion about whether the gap was five years or eight — the committee confirmed the logic: the CPI adjustments simply begin five years after the corresponding raise goes into effect. The amended ordinance, leaving only the annual CPI adjustment provision (Section B) in both sections with the updated dates, passed out of committee unanimously.
The full Council later approved the ordinance as amended.
Vote (full Council): 9–0
Ordinance Committee — Sex Offender Restrictions / Child Safety Zones (2024-113)
Councillor Ash, co-sponsored by Councillor DiBona, presented a substantially revised ordinance amending Chapter 274 of the municipal code regarding registered sex offender restrictions. Ash explained that the original 2009 ordinance attempted to impose residential restrictions on sex offenders, which has since been ruled unconstitutional under a body of case law dating from a 2015 City of Lynn decision. The updated ordinance instead focuses on designating "child safety zones" — including parks, playgrounds, schools, libraries, recreation centers, daycare facilities, arcades, pools, gymnasiums, and sports facilities — and prohibiting Level 1, 2, and 3 registered sex offenders from entering those areas.
Police Chief Kennedy and Lieutenant Matt Panazelos attended the meeting and were credited with helping shape the new legislation. Because the ordinance was substantially revised, it must be re-advertised before the committee can hold a full discussion or vote. The item was held in committee for a future meeting.
No vote taken; item held in committee for re-advertisement and further review.
Ordinance Committee — Organ Donor Leave of Absence (2025-037)
The committee approved an ordinance adopting MGL Chapter 149, Section 33E, which provides a leave of absence for city employees who serve as organ or stem cell donors. A councillor (identified in the transcript as "Councillor Minton") moved approval, explaining it was simply the right thing to do for city workers who might save a life through donation. A personal account was shared about a stem cell donor who required five days of hospitalization and six weeks of total recovery — illustrating why job-protected leave of up to 30 days is necessary in worst-case scenarios. The ordinance passed unanimously in committee and was later approved by the full Council.
Vote (full Council): 9–0
Presentation — Roadway and Infrastructure Renewal Program (DPW Commissioner Al Grazioso)
Commissioner Grazioso delivered a detailed update on the city's road and sidewalk work. Key highlights:
Since 2018, the city has completed 63.8 miles of road repaving, 104 miles of sidewalk work, covering 288 roadways and sidewalks, plus 1,354 spot sidewalk repairs — representing an estimated $170 million investment in roads, sidewalks, and water mains (not including sewer work).
Major roads scheduled for completion this year include Newport Avenue (North Quincy to Furnivale Brook Parkway, expected by July), Southern Artery segments (multiple phases, some state-funded), Adams Street (both phases, expected by end of summer), Hancock Street (completion of the full corridor from Quincy Center to the Neponset Bridge, expected by fall — a multi-year project nearing its final phase), and Independence Avenue (expected by early June). Approximately 30 neighborhood roads across all six wards are also queued for this construction season.
Grazioso highlighted that approximately $41 million of this year's major road work is being funded by outside entities — $18 million from National Grid (reimbursing for roads disrupted by KV electric line replacement), $10 million in federal grants for the Southern Artery/Washington Street segment, $12 million in state funds for Sea Street, $700,000 from the MBTA for Bergen Parkway and Federal Avenue work tied to the new electric bus facility, and roughly $500,000 from the state for the Southern Artery/Washington to Quincy Avenue segment.
Councillors raised several follow-up questions, including start-time enforcement for National Grid crews near Quincy High School (an 8:00 a.m. cone-setting rule is in place but has been flouted at times), the timeline for Cardington Street completion (approximately another year), and pothole patching responsiveness (one councillor noted a hole was filled within 45 minutes of a call). Grazioso credited Mayor Koch for pushing the pace of infrastructure investment and thanked the council for its support through capital appropriations.
No vote required; informational presentation.
Gift — $100 from Quincy Mutual Aid Association to D.A.R.E. (2025-044)
A $100 gift from the Quincy Mutual Aid Association to the D.A.R.E. program was accepted.
Vote: 9–0
Recognition — North Quincy High School Girls Basketball Team
The council honored the North Quincy High School girls basketball team for their championship season. Head coach Lyanna Cunningham was recognized as Division 2 State Coach of the Year. Captains Megan Smith (Patriot League Sportsmanship Award), Iris Joker (Patriot League Scholar Athlete Award), and May Powers (Patriot League All-Star and MVP, All-Scholastic) were individually recognized, along with the full roster and assistant coaches.
Recognition — Autism Awareness Month
Councillors Ash and DiBona recognized April as Autism Awareness Month. They noted that 1 in 36 children nationally and 1 in 26 children in Massachusetts are diagnosed with autism. Ash highlighted the Quincy Police Department's voluntary registry program, which allows families to note that an individual with autism lives in their home so that first responders can tailor their approach accordingly. DiBona noted it is the 20th anniversary of the "Light It Up Blue" campaign by Autism Speaks.
Consent and Routine Items
Memorials
Councillor Campbell remembered Jack Kelly, 95, brother of former Councillor Leo Kelly, a 42-year postal worker, youth baseball coach, and beloved neighborhood figure. Councillor DiBona remembered Thomas Holmes, 73, a 45-year member of Roofers Local 33, a 37-year youth baseball coach, and a lifelong Quincy resident.
Key Takeaways
AI-generated summary from voice-to-text transcript. Not the official record. Verify important details with the source documents linked above.
Agenda items (3)
Additional votes recorded in minutes
Amendment to strike Section A from 72-7 and 72-8, and add dates to Section B
Amendment to strike Sections C and D from both 72-7 and 72-8
Amendment to change dates in Section B of 72-7 and 72-8
Approve 2024-090 ordinance amending chapter 72 personnel policies (72-7 and 72-8) as amended
Approve 2025-037 ordinance adoption of MGL chapter 149 section 33E leave of absence to serve as organ donor (in committee)
Move 2025-043 ordinance amending municipal code chapter 113 animals to ordinance
Accept gift of $100 from the Quincy Museum (2025-044)
Approve previous meeting minutes
Approve 2025-041 utility grant of location National Grid Center Street Granite Street Garfield Street
Approve 2025-042 handicap parking at 54 Flint Street (Ward 5 traffic order)
Approve 2024-090 ordinance amending chapter 72 personnel policies (72-7 and 72-8) as amended (full council vote)
Approve 2025-037 ordinance adoption of MGL chapter 149 section 33E leave of absence to serve as organ donor (full council vote)
Adjourn
Verbatim transcript available
1 transcript segments indexed