Executive Summary
At its September 8, 2026 meeting, the Quincy City Council addressed extensive public testimony and held a detailed presentation from Police Chief Mark Kennedy regarding the city's automated license plate reader (ALPR) system and contract with Flock Safety, subsequently voting to refer an order on the ALPR program to the Oversight Committee for a future public hearing. The Council also voted that no Open Meeting Law violations occurred regarding two complaints stemming from the June 22, 2026 meetings. In addition, the Council amended and referred to the Oversight Committee an order concerning Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2004, freezing expenditures from the Public Works Enhancement Fund for a proposed parking lot project pending review. Other actions included referring a municipal broadband update to committee, adopting a resolution supporting enforcement of 2024 Ballot Question 1 regarding state legislative audits, recommending the naming of the Burrill Field hockey rink in memory of David "Andy" DiBona, approving $21,475 in donations to city programs, and approving a handicap parking ordinance.
Call to Order and Attendance
- Council President Anne Mahoney called the regular meeting of the Quincy City Council to order on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
- Initial roll call recorded Councilors Richard Ash, Noel DiBona, Walter Hubley, David Jacobs, Maggie McKee, Deborah Riley, Ziqiang Yuan, and Council President Anne Mahoney present.
- Councilor Virginia Ryan arrived during the Open Forum.
Open Forum
- Council President Mahoney reviewed the open forum guidelines, outlining the initial 20-minute allotment, speaker priority for Quincy residents, and a three-minute limit per speaker.
- Two procedural votes were taken to extend the open forum by 10-minute intervals:
- First motion to extend open forum by 10 minutes: Passed 9-0.
- Second motion to extend open forum by 10 minutes: Passed 9-0.
- Public Comments:
- Hank Dondero (65 Minot Street) honored the 2,977 victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks 25 years prior, spoke on intimidation in municipal workplaces, and criticized anonymous commentators on internet platforms.
- Marie Rucker (17 Darrow Street) expressed concern regarding Flock Safety ALPR cameras, citing cybersecurity vulnerabilities including "CVE 2025-59403" and legal risks under Commonwealth v. McCarthy, recommending the Council codify the Police Department's current usage restrictions into city ordinance.
- Nina West (200 Falls Boulevard) questioned data access disclosures in the department's compliance review, noting Flock's updated February terms regarding customer data licensing, and requested a full public hearing with civil liberties and technology experts.
- Paulo Correia (49 Holmes Street) argued that ALPR systems conduct warrantless surveillance in violation of the Fourth Amendment, noting hit rates for serious offenses are often under 1%, and advocated requiring judicial warrants before ALPR searches.
- Arianna Brazal (10 Merrymount Road) questioned the necessity of operating 50 ALPR cameras across Quincy, expressed concern over potential police abuse citing recent officer misuse in New Bedford, and criticized vendor data retention terms of up to 120 days compared to local 30-day limits.
- Isaac Collins (77 Beach Street) opposed ALPR devices, recounting an out-of-state stalking conviction enabled by camera tracking and advocating for strict regulations.
- Howard Chen (11 Willett Street) spoke against Flock ALPR cameras, warning that the technology aggregates personal profiles and risks unauthorized access by bad actors.
- Maxfield Capron (118 Greenleaf Street) noted that over 214 municipalities nationwide have canceled ALPR contracts, raised concerns about AI habit-tracking software deployed since 2022, and questioned data access by federal agencies.
- Kylie Slater (12 Main Street) spoke against mass surveillance technologies and their disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations.
- Ethan King (95 West Squantum Street) described municipal policy failures in Milwaukee and Sheboygan, Wisconsin, where Flock reportedly retained scrubbed data for five years, and called for a complete ban on ALPR cameras in Quincy.
- Zachary Christopher (67 Montclair Avenue) highlighted cybersecurity vulnerabilities found by independent researchers that allow hardware and firmware takeovers of Flock units.
- Andrew Carleen (63 Brook Road) commended Chief Kennedy's professionalism but argued that Flock's nationwide data network conflicts with constitutional privacy protections, pointing to 90 municipal contract cancellations nationwide in August alone.
- Joanne Collins (88 Hillside Avenue) noted Quincy maintains one of the highest concentrations of ALPR cameras in Massachusetts and stated: "Privacy isn't about having something to hide. It's about limiting the government's power to know where innocent people go, whom they associate with and what they do."
- Elizabeth Dietrich (95 West Squantum Street) urged the Council to establish a written policy prohibiting audio sensors and to ban future ALPR contracts and camera installations.
- Emily Johnson (118 Greenleaf Street) voiced apprehension regarding mass surveillance from the perspective of a former police officer's daughter.
- Brendan Morak (39 Park Street) expressed concern over public funds financing surveillance infrastructure impacting future generations.
- Elin Nelson (28 Village Drive) cited camera locations near residential areas and called on Mayor Thomas Koch and the Council to cancel all ALPR contracts.
- Diego Alejandro (11 Willett Street) noted camera placements near local schools and parks and urged city leaders to protect Fourth Amendment rights.
- Bill Zamzo addressed municipal finances rather than ALPRs, warning that funding the Mayor's proposed fiscal year 2027 budget could require tapping the city's entire $24 million untapped property tax levy, which he projected could increase residential property taxes by 9% to 10.5% and jeopardize reserve funds and bond ratings.
- Brian Hurley (44 Summer Street) discussed systems engineering vulnerabilities in ALPR devices, including administrative access exposures and hardcoded API keys.
- Christina Kohler (64 Glendale Road) raised concerns about private tech vendors commercializing resident movements and urged termination of the contract.
- Elizabeth Boudry (949 Hancock Street) called on the Council to scrutinize third-party data monetization practices.
- Helen Shiner (23 Copley Street) offered support for law enforcement investigative tools, citing their potential utility in finding abduction victims and locating individuals during Silver and Amber Alerts.
- Susanna Woodford (27 Tabor Street) expressed fear that expanded ALPR networks could be exploited by abusers to locate domestic violence survivors.
Open Meeting Law Complaint Review regarding the June 22, 2026 Meeting (Leah DeGloria)
- Council President Mahoney presented the administrative review of an Open Meeting Law complaint filed by Leah DeGloria concerning the June 22, 2026 Oversight Committee and Special Council meetings.
- The review noted that the Special City Council meeting convened at 7:03 p.m. and recessed at 7:04 p.m. without conducting substantive business until 9:54 p.m., while the Oversight Committee recessed at 6:49 p.m. and adjourned at 8:31 p.m.
- Contemporary records and media reports indicated the complainant was ordered removed by the Oversight Committee Chair during a chaotic disruption to restore order, not due to viewpoint discrimination.
- Council President Mahoney noted that leadership had met with Chief Kennedy and committee chairs to establish standardized procedures for warnings, removals, and public access, clarifying that chamber boundaries encompass the floor, balcony, and adjacent second-floor glass doors.
- Motion: "I move that Quincy City Council find that no violation of the Massachusetts Open Meeting Law occurred with respect to the complaint filed by Ms. Leah DeGloria concerning the June 22, 2026 Oversight Committee meeting and the Special Council meeting. And the Council authorize that the President... issue a written response to the Attorney General's Office of Open Government on behalf of the Council."
- Passed 9-0.
Open Meeting Law Complaint Review regarding Councilor Walter Hubley (James Perkins)
- Council President Mahoney presented the review of a complaint filed by James Perkins alleging Councilor Walter Hubley violated the Open Meeting Law during the June 22, 2026 meeting by referencing a conversation with a former Leominster City Councilor regarding Council Order 2026-031 (repeal of annual raises for elected officials).
- The review determined that obtaining external background information does not constitute deliberation, as no quorum was involved, no members were polled, and no serial communications took place.
- Motion: "I move that the City of Quincy Council file that no violation of Massachusetts Open Meeting law occurred with respect to the complaint filed by Mr. James Perkins concerning Councilor Walter Hubley and the alleged communication regarding pending legislation, and that the Council authorize me to issue a written response to the Attorney General's Division of Open Government."
- Passed 9-0.
Quincy Police Department ALPR Data Privacy and Compliance Review
- Police Chief Mark Kennedy delivered an informational update regarding the department's compliance review of the automated license plate reader (ALPR) system.
- Key policy and administrative points outlined by Chief Kennedy:
- Quincy operates a closed ALPR system; no outside local, state, or federal law enforcement agency has direct network or live feed access.
- The department has opted out of nationwide ALPR data sharing.
- System access is restricted to 47 of 237 sworn officers, specifically designated detectives and traffic investigators; Chief Kennedy noted he does not have or need system access.
- In the prior 30 days, departmental cameras recorded over 704,000 license plates, of which 134 plates were searched for active, case-numbered investigations.
- Approximately 99.98% of captured plates were never searched and are purged after 30 days.
- Chief Kennedy stated that ALPR functions strictly as an investigative tool to generate leads in serious offenses (e.g., homicides, sexual assaults, armed robberies, missing persons), emphasizing that cameras do not establish probable cause or replace traditional police investigations.
- Councilor Yuan requested that formal council questioning be deferred to the upcoming public hearing in the Oversight Committee to give residents time to review the department's posted summary.
Order Regarding the City of Quincy's Use of Flock Safety Technology (Item 2026-104)
- Councilor Yuan introduced Council Order 2026-104 to schedule a public hearing and informational session regarding Flock Safety technology.
- Councilor Yuan voiced concerns that the city adopted Flock systems in 2020 without prior public notification, cited recent actions in Texas and Florida curtailing state highway ALPR usage, and argued that residents must have a direct voice regarding privacy trade-offs.
- Official Action: Referred to the Oversight Committee for scheduling of a public hearing.
- Passed 9-0.
Order Approval of Location and Lease of Solar Energy Implementation on General McConville Way Parking Garages (Item 2026-105)
- Council President Mahoney announced that the administration requested that Council Order 2026-105 be tabled for the evening.
- Action on the item was tabled without objection.
Order Oversight of Public Works Enhancement Fund, Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2004 (Item 2026-106)
- Councilor Riley introduced Council Order 2026-106 to supplement Council Order 2026-081 regarding the audit of Quarry Hills Associates and municipal use of lease revenues.
- Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2004 dictates that 50% of lease funds be dedicated to DPW road and sidewalk work, 10% to Quarry Hills oversight, and 40% to the general fund, with annual reporting due to the Council by March 1.
- Councilor Riley stated that annual reporting requirements had not been observed and raised objections to the administration committing over $500,000 from the fund for a parking lot expansion, noting also that a Home Rule petition for a new Quarry Hills lease had lapsed in the State Senate Ways and Means Committee on July 31, leaving the 2003 terms in effect.
- Councilor Yuan noted that the administration put out a bid for approximately $700,000 for the Nickerson parking lot project to support a planned indigenous cultural center prior to informing the Council. Councilor Yuan detailed revenue receipts in the 10% oversight account:
- Fiscal Year 2023: $82,814.82
- Fiscal Year 2024: $87,009.04
- Fiscal Year 2025: $84,620.00
- Fiscal Year 2026: $90,514.00
- Councilor Yuan stated the account maintains an accumulated deficit of $174,089.77 due to paying a project manager's $120,000 annual salary.
- Christopher Walker, Mayor's Chief of Staff, stated the administration was prepared to present a full accounting of fund expenditures in committee.
- Council President Mahoney offered a friendly amendment: "pending completion of the Oversight Committee's review of compliance with Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2004, no monies from the Public Works Enhancement Fund shall be expended, transferred, encumbered or committed or otherwise obligated for the proposed Nickerson parking lot project."
- Official Action: Referred as amended to the Oversight Committee.
- Passed 9-0.
Resolve Requesting a Comprehensive Update on the Municipal Broadband Project (Item 2026-107)
- Councilor Hubley introduced Council Order 2026-107 requesting an evaluation of the city's municipal broadband initiative in light of changing commercial competition and consumer utility needs.
- Official Action: Referred to the Municipal Technology Committee.
- Passed 9-0.
Resolve Letter of Support for Enforcement of 2024 Ballot Question 1 (Item 2026-108)
- Councilor Riley presented Council Order 2026-108 requesting that the City Council send a formal letter of support to the State Auditor, state legislators, and the Governor endorsing the original text of 2024 Ballot Question 1 regarding state legislative audits.
- Councilor Riley noted that every Quincy voting precinct approved the ballot measure by approximately 70%.
- Official Action: Motion to send the letter of support approved.
- Passed 9-0.
Resolution Requesting Burrill Field Sport Court Hockey Rink Naming in Honor of David Andy DiBona (Item 2026-109)
- Councilor Jacobs introduced Council Order 2026-109 requesting that the new sport court hockey rink at Burrill Field be named "The David Andy DiBona Memorial Hockey Rink."
- Councilor Jacobs read the resolution detailing the civic service, community contributions, and charitable acts of master plumber David "Andy" DiBona, former president of the Houghs Neck Community Council, who passed away on July 27, 2026 at age 54.
- Councilors Hubley, Noel DiBona, and President Mahoney spoke in tribute to his character and community leadership.
- Official Action: Motion to refer the resolution to the Mayor's Office for recommendation to the Board of Park Commissioners.
- Passed 8-0 (Councilor Ash absent for the vote).
Acceptance of Gifts to City Programs (Items 2026-110 through 2026-113)
- The Council acted upon four gift donations to city departments:
- Gift acceptance of $975 from various donors to DARE Camp (Item 2026-110):
- Passed 9-0.
- Gift acceptance of $3,000 from various donors to DARE (Item 2026-111):
- Passed 8-0.
- Gift acceptance of $10,000 from the Copeland Family Foundation, Inc. to DARE (Item 2026-112):
- Passed 8-0.
- Gift acceptance of $7,500 from the Copeland Family Foundation, Inc. to the Quincy Animal Shelter (Item 2026-113):
- Passed 8-0.
- Gift acceptance of $975 from various donors to DARE Camp (Item 2026-110):
Approval of Minutes
- The Council reviewed the combined minutes from Council, Finance Committee, and committee meetings held between May 4, 2026 and June 22, 2026.
- A motion to approve the minutes was adopted on a voice vote.
Communications and Reports from City Offices and Committee Referrals
- Traffic orders were referred to the Ordinance Committee for advertising:
- Ward 1 (Councilor Jacobs): Install all-way stop signs on Rock Island Road (northbound and southbound) intersecting with Bird Street; install two stop signs on State Street (eastbound and westbound) intersecting with Palmer Street; install stop sign on Rock Island Road (northbound) intersecting with Sea Street; add designated handicap parking at 189 Darrow Street, Apt. 1.
- Ward 2 (Councilor Ash): Add designated handicap parking at 99 Chubbuck Street.
- Ward 4 (Councilor Ryan): Add designated handicap parking at 19 Connell Street.
- Ward 6 (Councilor Riley): Add designated handicap parking at 60 Pierce Street, Apt. 2.
- Utility grant of location was referred to the Public Works Committee for advertising:
- GoNetSpeed petition for 29 Squantum Street and Chute Street.
Reports of Committees
- Veteran Services Report:
- Councilor Hubley presented the quarterly department report on behalf of Director Congdon covering April 1 through June 30:
- Processed 122 individual VA claims.
- Administered Chapter 115 state financial assistance for 118 eligible low-income veterans, dependents, and surviving spouses, with six new applications and eight cases closed.
- Managed three active employment assistance reintegration plans.
- Processed 11 burial marker applications.
- Councilor Hubley presented the quarterly department report on behalf of Director Congdon covering April 1 through June 30:
- Ordinance Committee:
- Councilor McKee moved to discharge from committee and approve an ordinance designating handicap parking at 15 Walker Street in Ward 6 (Council Order 2026-103).
- Motion to discharge: Passed 9-0.
- Motion on final passage: Passed 9-0.
Petitions, Memorials, and Remonstrances
- Councilor Noel DiBona presented a memorial tribute honoring former Chief Plumbing and Gas Inspector Thomas Pecoraro, who passed away following a 30-year career with the city Inspectional Services Department.
- Councilor Ryan requested that City Clerk Nicole Crispo provide a report at the next meeting on primary election voter turnout and precinct census voter data; Clerk Crispo confirmed results are posted online and showed a minor increase in turnout.
- Councilor Hubley announced the Wollaston Hill Neighborhood Association's "Saturdays in the Park" concert series at Safford Park throughout September.
- Councilor Jacobs announced the 25th annual Houghs Neck Community Council Chowderfest on September 19 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Councilor McKee announced the launch of "Resident Councils" via bit.ly/QuincyCouncils to facilitate resident policy discussions.
- Councilor Yuan presented a remonstrance concerning the planned Native American cultural center, stating the administration had not consulted the approximately 200 Native American residents living in Quincy before initiating project bids.
- Councilor Riley presented a remonstrance addressing online harassment, spreading of false information, and bullying directed at councilors and municipal officials.
- Council President Mahoney recognized retiring DPW Commissioner Al Grazioso and welcomed new DPW Commissioner Ed Grannon.
Adjournment and Upcoming Meetings
- Council President Mahoney announced the next regular meeting for September 22, 2026, including a utility public hearing at 6:30 p.m., a Municipal Technology Committee meeting at 6:35 p.m., and the regular session at 7:30 p.m.
- Councilors discussed scheduling an Oversight Committee public hearing regarding Flock ALPR cameras on a standalone date, and an Ordinance Committee meeting on October 5, 2026 regarding elected official compensation.
- The meeting adjourned on a voice vote.