Quincy City Council Finance Committee: June 11, 2026

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

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

• Key Discussion Points:
  • Councilor Maggie McKee and Councilor Ziqiang Yuan reported on their meeting with ENC leadership. ENC indicated they would not extend the June 15th deadline and claimed carrying costs of $250,000 per month.
  • Environmental Reports: Councilor Yuan expressed concern that a 1,900-page environmental report shared with the administration was being withheld from the Council. Solicitor Timmons reportedly stated ENC has no obligation to provide the report to the Council.
  • Financial Strategy: Councilor Anne Mahoney emphasized the city's $1.8 billion debt, noting a debt per capita of approximately $18,000. She advocated for selling high-value assets like the Monroe Building and the Marina to offset the ENC purchase rather than smaller properties like 50 Seville Avenue (estimated at $415,000).
  • Condition of Property: Councilor Riley noted the campus is well-maintained but highlighted that the Coe Fine Arts Center had been stripped of audiovisual equipment.
• Official Action: No vote was taken. A final vote is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026.

Commissioner Robert Conlon presented the ISD budget. The department generates approximately $3.7 million in revenue against a $2.4 million operating budget.

• Motions and Votes:
  1. Motion to reduce Line 512102 (Local Building Inspector) to $400,000: Proposed by Councilor Yuan to freeze an unfilled position. FAILED 2-7 (Yuan, McKee in favor).
  2. Motion to reduce Line 530303 (Contracted Services) by $10,000: Proposed by Councilor Mahoney. FAILED 1-8 (Mahoney in favor).
  3. Motion to reduce Line 512122 (Code Enforcement Officer) from $99,814 to $75,000: Proposed by Councilor Jacobs, noting the current salary is $73,200. PASSED 9-0.
• Final Action: Budget approved as amended. PASSED 8-1 (Jacobs opposed).

Director Brian Glavin presented the IT budget, supporting over 1,000 end users across 66 locations.

• Motions and Votes:
  1. Motion to reduce Line 530303 (Contractual Services) by $75,000: Proposed by Councilor Mahoney. PASSED 9-0.
  2. Motion to reduce Line 530400 (Communications) by $20,000: Proposed by Councilor Mahoney. PASSED 7-2 (Ash, DiBona opposed).
  3. Motion to eliminate Line 512135 (Telephone Operator): Proposed by Councilor Mahoney, noting the position is currently vacant and handled by automation. PASSED 7-2 (Ash, DiBona opposed).
• Final Action: Budget approved as amended. PASSED 9-0.

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

• Motions and Votes:
  1. Motion to reduce Line 530303 (Contracted Services) by $20,000: Proposed by Councilor McKee. PASSED 9-0.
• Key Discussion: Councilor Mahoney argued the $904,000 department budget should be funded by the Downtown Investment Fund (DIF) rather than the general operating budget to fulfill the promise that downtown revitalization would not cost taxpayers directly.
• Final Action: The budget was TABLED until June 17th to allow the administration to review potential DIF offsets.

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

• Motions and Votes:
  1. Motion to reduce Line 510110 (Salary/Wage Perm) to $15,000: Proposed by Councilor McKee, noting historical spending for summer help has not exceeded $3,500. PASSED 7-2 (DiBona, Jacobs opposed).
• Final Action: Budget approved as amended. PASSED 9-0.

Director Michelle Hanley presented the $1,157,894 budget, noting Quincy has the fourth-largest older adult population in the state (24,000+ residents over 60).

• Key Discussion: The department provided 26,000 rides this year and introduced a Senior Fraud and Scam Liaison. Councilor Hubley commended the department's strict cash reconciliation controls.
• Final Action: Budget approved as presented. PASSED 9-0.

Commissioner Paul Hines discussed the maintenance of over 100 structures and the management of $371 million in MSBA projects.

• Key Discussion:
  • Grants: The department secured $9,919,000 in grants and rebates over the last 18 months.
  • Energy: The city has locked in favorable electric supply rates for three years. Solar PV systems are active on 12 buildings.
  • Lead Abatement: The city has set a self-imposed limit of 5 parts per billion for lead in school drinking water, significantly lower than the federal 15 ppb limit.
  • Quarry Hills: Councilor McKee questioned a $116,700 project manager salary being paid out of the Quarry Hills account despite the employee not working on Quarry Hills matters.
• Final Action: Budget approved as presented. PASSED 9-0.