Council approves $1.23 million transfer for sewer and drainage projects from developer-funded rehab account

The Quincy City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 15 to approve a $1,230,000 transfer from the Sewer and Drain Rehab Fund to finance multiple sewer and stormwater infrastructure projects across the city.

The appropriation, presented by Department of Public Works Commissioner Al Grazioso, will fund immediate construction work and the planning and permitting of larger flood-prevention projects, including inlet grate replacements on Furnace Brook and Town Brook, drainage repairs on Webster Street, repairs at the Fort Square (Deep Rock) pump station, and planning for replacement tide gates at Blacks Creek and Sagamore Creek.

Grazioso told the council the requested money would come from the Sewer and Drain Rehab Fund — a reserve paid into by developers — and not from the general fund or new bonds. “Once you know, the important thing to notice, this work will be paid out of the sewer and drainage rehab fund, which all of you know was funded by developers on private projects in the city,” he said.

The packet and presentation itemized project budgets: Sherman Street/Shermanborg area assessment and improvements ($275,000); Furnace Brook inlet/grate at Quarry Street ($300,000); Town Brook inlet grate at Bigelow Street ($100,000); Webster Street drainage repairs ($75,000); Fort Square/Deep Rock pump-station and tunnel repairs ($100,000); conceptual engineering for East Quincy/Hawkins intersection and Causeway near Victory Road ($180,000); Blacks Creek tide-gate planning and permitting ($100,000); and Sagamore Creek tide-gate planning and permitting ($100,000). Grazioso said total projects in the request equal $1,230,000.

Joseph Shea of Granite City Partners, who worked on the Town Brook inlet design, said debris is currently entering the underground pipe system behind the former Quincy Chamber building and snagging on rocks farther downstream. “We’re finding a lot of debris is getting snagged ... So we want to keep that debris out, keep that section flowing out to Bracket Street in the ocean, make it as optimal as possible,” Shea said.

Council discussion focused on local flooding hot spots, coordination with state agencies for projects that affect tide gates and marsh habitat, and the long-term nature of some fixes. Councilor Harris, who moved to approve the transfer, described the package as “a no-brainer” for wards affected by repeated flooding. Councilor McCarthy pressed for clarity on the Town Brook scope near Bigelow and McGrath Highway; Shea and city staff said the proposed grate project is upstream of the new downtown redevelopment and that the large-scale Tom Brook realignment previously proposed to FEMA — a $30–40 million effort that would have required property acquisition — is separate from the grate-and-repairs work funded now.

Grazioso told the council the fund has been consistently replenished by developer payments and said that over roughly nine years the Sewer and Drain Rehab Fund brought in about $20 million and spent about $16.4 million on projects. At the meeting the auditor was asked about the current balance; staff said the account held approximately $3.1 million prior to the transfer.

The roll call on the motion, made by Councilor Harris and seconded by Councilor Devine, was unanimous; the council recorded nine affirmative votes and no dissents.

The authorization directs DPW and city engineering to proceed with design, permitting and construction contracts as outlined in the packet. Several councilors urged continued outreach with state agencies on the tide-gate and marsh-habitat studies; staff said the Blacks Creek and Sagamore Creek items are planning and permitting phases that will require state coordination.

The projects funded by the transfer include both construction and engineering/planning work intended to address immediate drainage failures and to advance larger, more complex flood-mitigation efforts.

The council approved the transfer by roll call; staff said implementation steps and contractor selections will follow the city’s standard procurement processes.