Quincy City Council: June 15, 2026

• Date: June 15, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council
• Meeting Type: Finance Committee and Regular City Council Meeting
• Attendees:
  • Councilors: Anne Mahoney (President), Ian Cain, Maggie McKee, Richard Ash, Scott Campbell, Nina Liang, Ziqiang Yuan, Jim Devine, David Jacobs, Deborah Riley, William Harris, Dan Minton, David McCarthy, Noel DiBona, Walter Hubley.
  • Administration: Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative), Paul Della Barba (Municipal Finance Director).

The committee deliberated on Order 2026-076 (ENC Land Acquisition) and Order 2026-077 ($22,500,000 Appropriation).

• Administration Presentation: Christopher Walker argued the purchase was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" to control 27 acres for community use (library, gym, senior services) with no long-term debt by selling other city properties.
• Council Opposition:
  • Councilor Mahoney highlighted that the city's debt has reached approximately $2 billion, criticizing the administration for lack of transparency. She stated, "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if you can afford it."
  • Councilor McKee evaluated the proposal as a failed RFP, citing the city's poor track record with the Monroe Building and unrealistic maintenance cost estimates.
  • Councilor Yuan criticized the lack of a multi-year capital plan and noted that Quincy has the highest debt per capita in Massachusetts.
• Council Support:
  • Councilor DiBona supported the purchase, noting the land is assessed at $58 million but offered for $21 million.
  • Councilor Hubley emphasized the value of stormwater mitigation and preserving the Babcock Arboretum.
• Committee Outcome: Both orders failed to receive a favorable recommendation in a 6-3 vote.
• Final Council Vote: The full Council later voted on the orders. Both failed to pass (6-3).
  • Votes in Favor: Ash, DiBona, Hubley.
  • Votes Against: Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney.

The Council reviewed a complaint against Councilor Maggie McKee regarding her consultation with a private attorney for ordinance drafting.

• Discussion: Councilor McKee argued that a single member consulting an attorney does not constitute a quorum or a violation. City Solicitor Jim Timmons expressed concern over redlined documents being emailed to the full body.
• Action: The Council voted 9-0 to declare that no violation occurred and authorized President Mahoney to respond to the Attorney General's office.

The Council voted on several financial matters to close out the fiscal year:

• Order 2026-093: $2,935,000 for year-end transfers. Approved 8-0. President Mahoney flagged concerns regarding recurring FICA and Fire Department overtime transfers.
• Order 2026-096: $950,000 for Traffic, Parking, Alarm, and Lighting personal services. Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-097: $371,871 for Hotel/Motel tax tourism. Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-098: $300,000 for Parks Department tree offset. Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-099: Setting limits for FY2027 Revolving Accounts. Approved 7-0. The Furnace Brook Golf Course account was removed from the list.

The Council considered Order 2026-095, appropriating $2,509,261.50 for various historic and recreation projects.

• Key Projects: Affordable housing in Germantown ($600,000), Granite Workers Museum ADA walkways, and various park restorations.
• Outcome: Approved 7-1. Councilor Jacobs voted against the package due to concerns regarding a specific Housing Authority line item.

Councilor Jacobs introduced two items regarding the Housing Authority:

• Order 2026-100: A request for the Mayor's designee to appear before the Oversight Committee to review the appointment process for Timothy Baker and John Delcarly. Referred to Oversight.
• Order 2026-101: A resolution encouraging the appointment of tenant representatives from both family and elderly housing communities. Referred to Oversight.

Several residents and advocates spoke during the open forum:

• Early Intervention Services: Parents Elan Nelson and Marquine Brockington expressed grave concerns regarding the relocation of services from the Molly Hershberg Learning Center to 54 Miller Street, citing safety issues and shared spaces with psychiatric units. They requested a meeting with Mayor Koch.
• ENC Acquisition: Residents spoke both in favor of the purchase (citing neighborhood control) and against it (citing fiscal irresponsibility).
• Babcock Arboretum: Heather Doney of the Quincy Tree Alliance urged the city to conduct a tree inventory and preserve the historic arboretum regardless of the ENC purchase outcome.