Quincy City Council: April 6, 2026

• Governing Body: Quincy City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting and Joint Committee Hearings (Oversight, Public Works, Ordinance)
• Date: April 06, 2026
• Attendees:
  • Anne Mahoney (City Council President)
  • Richard Ash (City Councilor)
  • Noel DiBona (City Councilor)
  • Walter Hubley (City Councilor)
  • David Jacobs (City Councilor)
  • Maggie McKee (City Councilor)
  • Deborah Riley (City Councilor)
  • Virginia Ryan (City Councilor)
  • Ziqiang Yuan (City Councilor)
  • Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative)

The committee discussed an order for the approval of a location and lease for solar energy implementation at the new Squantum Elementary School.

• Presentation: Commissioner of Public Buildings Walter Hines reported that the school received FIAS certification and aims for zero net energy.
• Financial Terms:
  • Provider: Select Energy.
  • Term: 20-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with a 5-year optional renewal.
  • Rate: $0.0441 per kilowatt hour (kWh), significantly lower than the current municipal rate of $0.12/kWh and National Grid's $0.19/kWh.
  • Capital Costs: Select Energy will cover approximately $1 million in upfront design and construction costs.
• Procurement: The project utilized MGL Chapter 164, Section 137, which provides exemptions from standard Chapter 30B procurement for clean energy projects.
• Committee Action: Motion to approve by Councilor Riley.
• Vote: Passed 9-0 (Roll Call: Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Mahoney, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Jacobs).

The committees reviewed two ordinances to address prohibited discharges into city infrastructure.

• Ordinance 2026-010: Amending Chapter 270 (Sewer and Water) to add Article IV regarding prohibited discharges.
• Ordinance 2026-011: Amending Chapter 300 (Stormwater Management) to increase fines for violations.
• Key Discussion Points:
  • Commissioner Al Grazioso (DPW) emphasized the damage caused by Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG).
  • Fines were increased to a maximum of $5,000 per violation to deter chronic offenders.
• Amendments: Councilor Yuan proposed several amendments to Chapter 270:
  • Section 270-26(A) (Education): Passed.
  • Section 270-26(B) (Written Warning First): Failed.
  • Section 270-26(C) (Administrative Review): Passed.
  • Consolidated Amendment: A motion by Councilor Mahoney to require a written warning for the first offense for both residential and non-residential properties passed.
• Committee Action: Both ordinances passed as amended.

The following residents provided testimony during the open forum:

• Deborah Nunziato (25 Beaux-Arts): Presented a petition with 223 signatures opposing the demolition of the historic Monroe Building (1227-1259 Hancock St) for the proposed Adams Museum. Quote: "Destroying one world-class building to build another is a profound disservice to the identity of your city."
• Sal Balsamo (27 Post Island Rd): Expressed concerns regarding the sale of Kratom and synthetic 7-OH compounds in local shops, citing risks of dependence.
• Hank Dondero (65 Mananav): Addressed firefighter health issues, council salary increases, and budget transparency.
• Kai Lee (42 Project Staff): Thanked the Council for approving the bond for firefighter gear.
• Maya Campbell (133 Willow St): Urged road safety improvements at the intersection of Hancock Street and Albion Road following recent fatalities.
• Sue Daugherty (922 C St): Commented on election safety and thanked the Council for their work on firefighter issues.

The Council considered an appropriation of $325,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for exterior painting and repairs at the Quincy Homestead.

• Discussion: Councilor McKee noted the state's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) owns the property but has no budget for repairs for at least five years. Councilor Yuan expressed concern over the city assuming state financial responsibilities.
• Financial Note: Councilor McKee proposed a friendly amendment to lower the amount to the actual estimate of $289,250, but the motion was not adopted due to the need for a contingency buffer on historic projects.
• Action: Motion to approve by Councilor Riley.
• Vote: Passed 8-0 (Councilor Ryan and Yuan expressed reservations; Councilor Ash was briefly absent).

• Council on Aging Oversight (2026-056): Councilor Riley introduced a resolve calling for a comprehensive review of city purchasing and accounting following the federal conviction of the former COA Director for embezzlement. The matter was referred to the Finance and Oversight Committees.
• Property Transaction Report (2026-057): Councilor McKee introduced a resolve requesting a report on all city property transactions since 2010, including purchase/sale prices and funding sources. Passed 9-0.
• DARE Gift (2026-058): The Council accepted a gift of $3,250 for the DARE program. Approved unanimously.

The Council took final action on the following items:

• Order 2026-017 (Solar PPA): Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-054 (Polling Places): Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-055 (Early Voting): Approved 8-0.
• Ordinance 2026-010 (Sewer - As Amended): Approved 9-0.
• Ordinance 2026-011 (Stormwater): Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-052 (Traffic - Coddington St): Approved (No left turn at car wash).