LIVE: Quincy City Council - September 8, 2026

• Governing Body: Quincy City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Date: September 08, 2026
• Attendees:
  • Council President Anne Mahoney
  • Councilor Richard Ash
  • Councilor Noel DiBona
  • Councilor Walter Hubley
  • Councilor David Jacobs
  • Councilor Maggie McKee
  • Councilor Deborah Riley
  • Councilor Virginia Ryan
  • Councilor Ziqiang Yuan
  • City Clerk Nicole Crispo
  • Mayor's Representative Christopher Walker
  • Police Chief Kennedy
  • DPW Commissioner Ed Grannon

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to public comment regarding the city's 50 Flock Safety ALPR cameras.

• Marie Brucker (17 Darrow St): Expressed concern over vendor security failures and cited Commonwealth v. McCarthy, stating, "widespread tracking of a person's life as a search requiring a warrant."
• Nina West (200 Falls Blvd): Highlighted that Flock updated terms to remove prohibitions on selling data and granted themselves a perpetual license to use it.
• Paulo Correa (49 Holmes St): Argued the system violates the Fourth Amendment, stating, "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
• Arianna Brazal (10 Marymount Rd): Questioned why 50 cameras are necessary and noted data retention discrepancies between QPD (30 days) and vendors (120 days).
• Maxfield Capron (118 Greenleaf): Noted that over 214 cities nationwide have canceled Flock contracts due to privacy breaches.
• Ethan King (95 West Squantum St): Cited instances in Milwaukee where officers used cameras to stalk partners, arguing internal audits failed to catch the abuse.
• Andrew Carline (63 Brook Rd): Stated that Flock's business model depends on a national network not beholden to Quincy taxpayers.
• Joanne Collins (88 Hillside Ave): Noted Quincy has one of the highest concentrations of ALPRs in Massachusetts, exceeding Boston and Worcester.
• Helen Shiner (23 Copley St): Provided a counter-perspective, asking if the technology could have aided in past local abductions or Silver Alerts for seniors with Alzheimer's.

• Bill Zamzo: Raised concerns regarding the FY2027 budget, noting a footnote in the S&P bond rating report. He projected a "roughly $600 property tax increase on the median assessed value" if the city taps its $24 million untapped property tax levy.
• Hank Dondero: Spoke regarding the 25th anniversary of September 11th and expressed concerns about "intimidation" of city employees.

The Council reviewed two complaints regarding the June 22, 2026, meetings.

1. Leah DeGloria Complaint: Alleged improper removal from an Oversight Committee meeting. President Mahoney noted the room was "disorderly" and the removal was to restore order, not based on viewpoint.
   • Action: Motion to find no violation and authorize a written response to the Attorney General.
   • Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous).
2. James Perkins Complaint: Alleged Councilor Hubley engaged in improper deliberation with a non-member. The Council found no evidence of a quorum or serial communication.
   • Action: Motion to find no violation.
   • Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous).

Chief Kennedy presented a data privacy and compliance review of the ALPR system.

• Key Statistics: In the last 30 days, 704,000 plates were captured; only 134 (0.02%) were searched for legitimate investigations.
• Policy Changes: Quincy now operates a "closed system." No outside agencies have direct access, and the city has opted out of nationwide data sharing.
• Chief's Statement: "ALPR is an investigative tool... it is not a surveillance tool. We do not use it to follow residents going about their daily lives."
• Outcome: Order 2026-104 (regarding Flock Safety use) was referred to the Oversight Committee for a future public hearing.

Councilors expressed concern over a $700,000 bid for a parking lot at the proposed Nickerson/Indigenous Culture Center using Chapter 92 funds without Council notification.

• Action: The Council passed an amended motion to refer the matter to the Oversight Committee with the following restriction: "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."
• Vote: 9-0 (Unanimous).

• Municipal Broadband (Order 2026-107): Councilor Hubley requested an update on the municipal broadband project in light of new private competition. Referred to Municipal Tech Committee (9-0).
• State Audit Support (Order 2026-108): A resolve to send a letter of support for the enforcement of 2024 Ballot Question 1 (State Auditor's authority to audit the legislature). Passed (9-0).
• Hockey Rink Naming (Order 2026-109): A resolution to name the new Burrill Field Sport Court Hockey Rink the "David Andy DiBona Memorial Hockey Rink." Referred to the Mayor's Office and Parks Board (9-0).

The Council approved the following gifts:

• Order 2026-110: $975 from various donors to D.A.R.E. (8-0).
• Order 2026-111: $3,000 from various donors to D.A.R.E. (8-0).
• Order 2026-112: $10,000 from Copeland Family Foundation Inc. to D.A.R.E. (8-0).
• Order 2026-113: $7,500 from Copeland Family Foundation Inc. to the Quincy Animal Shelter (8-0).

• Veteran Services: Councilor Hubley reported 122 VA claims and 118 veterans receiving Chapter 115 financial assistance between April and June.
• Ordinance Committee: Approved handicapped parking at 15 Walker Street (9-0).
• DPW: President Mahoney welcomed Ed Grannon as the new DPW Commissioner following the retirement of Al Grazioso.
• Upcoming Events:
  • Saturdays in the Park (Wollaston Hill): Every Saturday in September.
  • Annual Chowder Fest (Houseneck): September 19, 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM.