Executive Summary
The Quincy City Council meeting on January 20, 2026, focused on legislative measures to enhance transparency, fiscal oversight, and environmental enforcement. Key actions included the referral of ordinances to strengthen the City Auditor's independence and establish new fiscal safeguards. The Council also addressed proposed amendments to sewer and stormwater codes to mitigate prohibited discharges from food establishments, featuring testimony from the Commissioner of Public Works. Several items were postponed following procedural objections under Council Rule 23. The meeting also included a tribute to the late former Mayors Arthur Tobin and James Sheets, and the recognition of two residents for life-saving actions.
Meeting Metadata
- Date: January 20, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Governing Body: Quincy City Council
- Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
- Attendees:
- Councilor Richard Ash
- Councilor Noel DiBona
- Councilor Walter Hubley
- Councilor David Jacobs
- Councilor Maggie McKee
- Councilor Deborah Riley
- Councilor Virginia Ryan
- Councilor Ziqiang Yuan
- President Anne Mahoney
- Quorum: 9 members present.
Honoring of Ryan Haley and Kathy Nugent
- Councilor Ryan introduced Ward 1 residents Ryan Healy (a Newton police cadet) and Kathleen Nugent (a city building inspector).
- The pair was recognized for their life-saving actions at Off the Hook Bar and Grill, where Ms. Nugent identified a choking patron and Mr. Healy performed a successful Heimlich maneuver.
Transparency and Fiscal Oversight
- Order 2026-006: Ordinance, Rules, Safeguard and Transparency, Public Access to Information, and Democratic Participation. Councilor Yuan emphasized that supporting materials should be available to the public and councilors 48 hours in advance to ensure informed participation. Referred to Ordinance and Rules Committees.
- Order 2026-007: Ordinance Rules Establishing Fiscal Safeguards, Reserve Protections, and Financial Transparency. President Mahoney introduced this to protect city reserves and ensure clear reporting of recurring versus one-time revenues. Referred to Finance and Oversight Committees.
- Order 2026-009: Ordinance Amending Municipal Code, Chapter 66, Article 3, City Auditor. This ordinance seeks to restore the auditor's independent oversight role, which was reduced during a 2008 reorganization. Key provisions include:
- "Unrestricted authority to examine, audit, and evaluate the City books, records, accounts, and fiscal systems across all departments and funds."
- Mandatory quarterly financial oversight reports to the City Council.
- Referred to Ordinance and Oversight Committees.
Public Works and Environmental Regulations
- Order 2026-010: Ordinance Amending Chapter 270, Sewer Water, adding Article 4 regarding prohibited discharge and enforcement.
- Order 2026-011: Amending Chapter 300, Stormwater Management, Section 14D, regarding enforcement violations and penalties.
- Commissioner of Public Works Grazioso testified that the DPW is targeting the discharge of fats, oils, and grease (FOG) from over 500 licensed food establishments that cause system blockages.
- Proposed fines for violations are set at $1,000, $2,500, and $5,000.
- Councilor Yuan raised concerns regarding the lack of an appeal process for small businesses facing these significant fines.
- Both items were referred to the Ordinance and DPW Committees.
Solar Energy and Property Tax Exemptions
- Order 2026-017: Approval of Location of Lease for Solar Energy Implementation at Squantum Elementary School. Referred to Public Buildings and Oversight Committees.
- Order 2026-018: Resolve adoption of Mass General Law, Chapter 59, Section 5C, establishing a Residential Property Exemption. Councilor Yuan introduced the resolution to analyze the impact of a tax exemption to support housing affordability. Councilor DiBona joined as a co-sponsor. Referred to Ordinance and Oversight Committees.
Financial Actions and Minutes
- Order 2026-019: Acceptance of a $5,000 gift from the Copeland Family Foundation, Inc. to the Friends of Wollaston Beach.
- Vote: Approved 9-0 via roll call (Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney all voting 'Yes').
- Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the January 5, 2026, meeting were approved unanimously.
Postponed Items (Objections)
- Under Council Rule 23, several items were postponed to the next meeting following objections from members:
- Order 2026-008: Amending Council Rules (Objected to by Councilor Ash).
- Order 2026-013: Order to Repeal (Objected to by Councilor Ash).
- Order 2026-014: Order to Repeal (Objected to by Councilor Ash).
- Order 2026-015: (Objected to by Councilor Ash).
- Order 2026-016: (Objected to by Councilor Ash).
- City Solicitor Timmins clarified that there is no limit on the number of objections a councilor may lodge during a session.
Memorials and Communications
- Memorials:
- David Mercier: A Squantum resident, U.S. Marine, and former Vice President of State Street Bank and Trust.
- Arthur Tobin: Former 29th Mayor of Quincy, City Councilor, State Representative, State Senator, and Clerk Magistrate.
- Shirley Tobin: Wife of Arthur Tobin, recognized for her 70-year marriage and community devotion.
- James Sheets: Former 31st Mayor of Quincy (1990–2002) and Ward 4 City Councilor.
- Utility Referrals: Various utility grants of location for Mass Electric and Verizon were referred to the Public Works Committee for locations including Coddington Street, C Street, Independence Ave, Taylor Street, Willard Street, and Sagamore Street.