LIVE: Quincy City Council (Finance Committee) - June 11, 2026

• Date: June 11, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council Finance Committee
• Meeting Type: Finance Committee Meeting / Budget Hearings
• Attendees: Councilor Deborah Riley (Chair), Councilor Anne Mahoney (President), Councilor Maggie McKee, Councilor Ziqiang Yuan, Councilor Noel DiBona, Councilor Walter Hubley, Councilor Richard Ash, Councilor David Jacobs, Councilor Virginia Ryan, and Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative).

The committee discussed the acquisition of the Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) land and the associated $22,500,000 appropriation.

Key Discussion Points:

• Solicitor's Communication: Chair Riley read an email from Solicitor Timmons into the record: "Frank [Marinelli] called to advise that the ENC Board met today and among other matters discussed what was going on in Quincy. The Chair of the Board, David Bowser, has been watching the City Council meetings and is very concerned about the sale."
• Due Diligence: Councilors McKee and Yuan reported on their meeting with ENC leadership. They noted that ENC will not extend the June 15th deadline and that the college's carrying costs are approximately $250,000 per month.
• Environmental Reports: Councilor Yuan expressed concern that an 1,800-page environmental report provided to the administration was being withheld from the Council by ENC's legal counsel.
• Financial Impact: Councilor Mahoney highlighted that the city's debt per capita is nearly $18,000, based on a total debt of $1.8 billion. She advocated for selling other city assets, such as the Monroe Building or the Marina, to fund the purchase rather than accruing more debt.
• Ward 5 Perspective: Councilor DiBona noted he consulted five former Ward 5 councilors who all viewed the acquisition as a "once in a lifetime opportunity."
• Outcome: No vote was taken; the matter was deferred to the June 15th meeting.

Director Robert Conlon presented the ISD budget. The department processes over 5,400 applications annually, generating $3.7 million in revenue.

Official Actions:

• Motion to cut Line 512102 (Local Building Inspector): Councilor Yuan moved to reduce the line to $400,000.
  • Vote: Failed 1-8 (Yuan in favor; Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Jacobs, Mahoney, McKee, Ryan, Riley opposed).
• Motion to cut Line 530303 (Contracted Services): Councilor Mahoney moved to reduce the line by $10,000.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).
• Motion to cut Line 512122 (Code Enforcement Officer): Councilor Jacobs moved to reduce the line from $99,814 to $75,000 due to a recent retirement and lower entry-level salary.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).
• Final Budget Approval: The ISD budget was approved as amended.

Director Brian Glavin presented the IT budget, noting the department supports over 1,000 users across 20 schools and 46 city buildings.

Official Actions:

• Motion to cut Line 530303 (Contracted Services): Councilor Mahoney moved to reduce the line by $75,000.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).
• Motion to cut Line 530400 (Communications): Councilor Mahoney moved to reduce the line by $20,000.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).
• Motion to cut Line 512135 (Telephone Operator): Councilor Mahoney moved to eliminate the $44,554 position as the role is currently automated.
  • Vote: Passed 7-2 (Ash and DiBona opposed).
• Final Budget Approval: The IT budget was approved as amended.

Director Mary Cahill detailed the maintenance of the Hancock Adams Common and surrounding parks.

Official Actions:

• Motion to cut Line 530303 (Contracted Services): Councilor McKee moved to reduce the line by $20,000.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).
• DIF Funding Proposal: Councilor Mahoney moved to offset the entire $904,000 budget using District Improvement Financing (DIF) revenues rather than the general fund.
  • Outcome: The motion was tabled/held until Wednesday to allow the administration to provide a reconciliation of DIF funds.

Director Christine Cugini reported that the department serves 2,200 veterans and generated $307,000 in additional federal benefits last year.

Official Actions:

• Motion to cut Line 510110 (Salary/Wage Perm): Councilor McKee moved to reduce the line from $35,135 to $15,000, noting historical spending was below $4,000.
  • Vote: Passed 7-2 (DiBona and Jacobs opposed).
• Final Budget Approval: The Veterans Services budget was approved as amended.

Director Michelle Hanley presented the budget for the Council on Aging, which serves the fourth-largest older adult population in the state. The department provided over 26,000 rides this year.

Official Actions:

• Final Budget Approval: Councilor DiBona moved to approve the budget as presented.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).

Commissioner Paul Hines highlighted that the department manages over 70 significant structures and has secured nearly $10 million in grants and rebates over the last 18 months. He noted the city has participated in 20 MSBA projects totaling $371 million, with $183.6 million in expected reimbursements.

Official Actions:

• Final Budget Approval: Councilor DiBona moved to approve the budget as presented.
  • Vote: Passed 9-0 (Unanimous).