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

• Date: June 11, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council and Finance Committee
• Type: Public Meeting
• Attendees: Councilors Richard Ash, Noel DiBona, Walter Hubley, David Jacobs, Anne Mahoney, Maggie McKee, Virginia Ryan, Ziqiang Yuan, and Deborah Riley (Chair/President).
• Administration Representatives: Christopher Walker (Mayor's Chief of Staff), Paul Della Barbara (Finance Director), and Commissioner Murphy.

The Council recognized the following individuals and groups:

• Chef Lawrence Louie: Owner of Roboto, honored for being a finalist on Top Chef and his culinary achievements.
• Quincy Girl Scout Leaders: Honored for sustained service and leadership, including Courtney Joyce, Cindy Trillcott, Donnie Liang, Lisa Petticoat, Gail Spring, Jenny Torres, Liz West, and Amanda Diaz.
• Girl Scout Bronze Award Recipients: Cora Wilson, Eloise Richowski, Greta Tolatino, and Caroline Martinez were recognized for their "Recess Carts for Squantum School" project.

Key summaries of public testimony:

• Early Intervention Relocation: Elan Nelson and Marquin Brockington (Early Intervention parents) expressed grave concerns regarding the move of therapeutic playgroups from the Molly Hershberg Learning Center to 54 Miller Street. They cited safety issues, including sharing a floor with a psychiatric crisis unit and lack of outdoor space. Quote: "Our children of Quincy deserve... full services for all children all the time without being interrupted."
• Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) Acquisition:
  • Proponents: Residents like Joanne Bragg and Jim Dunn urged the city to buy the land to prevent overdevelopment and preserve the arboretum.
  • Opponents: Residents like Jocelyn Sedney and Joseph Graham cited the city's $1.8 billion debt and lack of a clear management plan as reasons to vote no.
• Quincy Tree Alliance: Heather Doney requested a certified arborist lead a tree inventory and management plan for the Babcock Arboretum at ENC.

The Council reviewed a complaint alleging Councilor Maggie McKee violated the Open Meeting Law by consulting a private attorney regarding ordinances.

• Council Action: The Council voted to declare that no violation occurred, as an individual councilor consulting an attorney does not constitute a quorum deliberation.
• Vote Outcome: Approved 9-0 (Unanimous).

The committee discussed Order 2026-076 (Land Acquisition) and Order 2026-077 (Appropriation of $22,500,000).

• Discussion Highlights:
  • Administration: Christopher Walker argued the purchase was a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" with a plan to divest other city properties to offset debt.
  • Council Opposition: Councilors Mahoney, McKee, and Yuan raised concerns about the city's total debt reaching $2 billion and recent credit downgrades by S&P and Moody's. McKee noted, "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is only a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if we can afford it."
  • Council Support: Councilor DiBona noted the land is assessed at $58 million, making the $21 million price a "great deal."
• Committee Vote (Order 2026-077): Failed with a 3-6 vote (Yes: Ash, DiBona, Hubley; No: Jacobs, Mahoney, McKee, Ryan, Yuan, Riley).

The Council acted on several financial measures to close out Fiscal Year 2026:

• Order 2026-093: Appropriation of $2,935,000 for year-end transfers to balance departmental deficits.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 8-0 (Councilor Jacobs absent for vote).
• Order 2026-096: Appropriation of $950,000 from parking receipts for traffic, parking, and lighting personnel services.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-097: Appropriation of $371,871 from Hotel/Motel tax for tourism.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-098: Appropriation of $300,000 for a tree offset in the Parks Department.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 9-0.
• Order 2026-099: Setting limits for FY2027 Department Revolving Accounts. The Furnace Brook Golf Course account was removed from the list.
  • Vote Outcome: Approved 7-0.

Order 2026-095: Appropriation of $2,509,261.50 for various historic and recreation projects.

• Key Projects: Affordable housing via NeighborWorks ($600,000), veteran headstone rehabilitation, and various park improvements.
• Vote Outcome: Approved 7-1 (Councilor Jacobs voted No, specifically citing concerns regarding a Housing Authority project).

The Council addressed concerns regarding the appointment process for the Housing Authority Board.

• Order 2026-100: Requested the Mayor's designee appear before the Oversight Committee to provide documentation on the appointment process for Timothy Baker and John Delcarly.
• Order 2026-101: A resolution encouraging the Mayor to appoint diverse tenant representatives from both family and elderly housing.
• Action: Both orders were referred to the Oversight Committee for a hearing on June 22, 2026.

The full Council took a final vote on the ENC orders following the Finance Committee's negative recommendation.

• Order 2026-076 (Land Acquisition): Failed 2-6 (Yes: Ash, DiBona; No: Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney).
• Order 2026-077 (Appropriation of $22,500,000): Failed 2-6 (Yes: Ash, DiBona; No: Jacobs, McKee, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, Mahoney).