Executive Summary
At its October 19, 2026 meeting, the Quincy City Council approved an amended resolution urging the administration to terminate contracts and remove or cover automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, including Flock Safety and other networks, and referred an ordinance regulating intrusive surveillance to committee. The Council also approved a lease and location agreement for solar energy canopies on the General McConville Way parking garages and confirmed the reappointment of Timothy Baker to the Quincy Housing Authority Board. Additionally, councilors referred orders regarding the Eastern Nazarene College property acquisition and financial oversight of city festival and relief funds to committee, welcomed representatives of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag, and presented community commendations.
Municipal Technology Committee: Comprehensive update on the municipal broadband project
- Committee Chairman Walter Hubley summarized the history of the municipal broadband initiative from 2018, noting market conditions have shifted with private investments, including Verizon Fios buildouts and GoNetSpeed's $34 million fiber investment, alongside fixed wireless options.
- Chairman Hubley noted the municipal plan projected roughly $50 million for a pilot and approximately $200 million for a citywide buildout requiring a 40% take rate.
- Chief of Staff Christopher Walker confirmed the administration is putting a pin in the project indefinitely, citing emerging private competition and the absence of physical infrastructure installed to date.
- Mr. Walker noted that approximately $500,000 had been expended across two planning and engineering contracts with EntryPoint Networks and Tilson Technologies ($250,000 from a snow and ice surplus and $250,000 from the Capital Improvement Plan), with no unissued authorized debt remaining.
Commendations and Recognitions
- Councilor Hubley presented an official commendation to the Montclair-Wollaston Neighborhood Association celebrating its 35th anniversary, recognized past and present officers, and heard remarks from current president Kevin Coughlin.
- Councilor Hubley presented a commendation to local musical group The Rudder Crew (formerly The Rudder Kings) for community contributions and honored the memory of former member Leo Sullivan.
- Councilor David Jacobs presented a commendation to elementary student Cleo Truesdale for her multi-year project collecting bottle caps to install a Buddy Bench at Atherton Hough Elementary School in honor of National Bullying Prevention Month.
Open Forum
- Multiple members of the public addressed the Council regarding Flock Safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) cameras, expressing concerns about Fourth Amendment protections, lack of public input, third-party data ownership, and surveillance creep.
- A public commenter raised concerns regarding school committee access and communication following a no-trespass order issued by the school department.
- Public commenters discussed the administration's announced deal involving the Quincy Housing Authority Development Corporation acquiring the Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) property.
- Public commenters spoke regarding proposed mayoral compensation adjustments and requested audits into city festival and relief funds.
Welcome and Presentation by Massachusett Tribe Leaders
- Councilor Deborah Riley introduced representatives of the Massachusett Tribe at Ponkapoag: tribal genealogist David Allen Lambert, elder Elizabeth Solomon, and Sagamore (War Chief) Farris Gray.
- Mr. Lambert provided a historical account of the 1665 deed of Quincy land from Sagamore Wampatuck, the relocation to Ponkapoag Plantation in 1657, and genealogical lineage connecting surviving families.
- Tribal Elder Elizabeth Solomon spoke on the ancestral connection to the land and ocean, noting the importance of relationship, reciprocity, and responsibility.
- Sagamore Farris Gray discussed the tribe's historical ties to Quincy and shared their vision for establishing a tribal cultural and community center at Squaw Rock in Squantum.
Confirmation of Quincy Housing Authority Board Mayor at Large Appointment (Item 2026-139)
- The Council reviewed the reappointment of Timothy Baker to an at-large seat on the Quincy Housing Authority Board for a five-year term.
- In response to councilor questions, Mr. Baker noted the Housing Authority manages 1,557 units, oversees 200 Section 8 vouchers, and serves over 6,500 residents.
- On a motion by Councilor Jacobs, seconded by Councilor Ziqiang Yuan, the reappointment was confirmed.
- Passed 9-0.
Approval of location and lease for solar energy implementation on the General McConville Way parking garages (Item 2026-105)
- The Council considered an order approving a location and 25-year lease for solar energy canopy arrays atop the two General McConville Way parking garages.
- City representative Mr. Hines noted that engineering and structural reviews were completed, Select Energy holds the capital cost and maintenance responsibility, and the city locks in electricity rates (worst case 22 cents and 16 cents per kilowatt-hour, respectively, without utility delivery fees or tariffs).
- Motion to approve made by Councilor Richard Ash, seconded by Councilor Riley.
- Passed 9-0.
Discussion of fair data driven pay raises for politicians (Item 2026-123)
- Councilor Maggie McKee moved to take the item briefly out of committee to share gathered comparative data and open the survey through November 9, 2026 to comply with Open Meeting Law.
- The item was retained in committee without formal council vote.
Order disclosure of the City of Quincy's Quincy Festival Committee, Quincy Foundation, Quincy Relief Fund, Quincy Mayor's Cup Finances and Oversight Review (Item 2026-140)
- Councilor Riley introduced the order requesting financial disclosure and accounting for private non-profit entities receiving city general funds and municipal golf tournament proceeds, noting budget transfers of $75,000 in FY26 and $100,000 in FY25 from the celebrations line.
- On a motion by Councilor Riley, seconded by Councilor Jacobs, the matter was referred to the Finance and Oversight Committees.
- Passed 9-0.
Order discuss administration's announcement on Eastern Nazarene College ENC (Item 2026-141)
- Councilor McKee introduced an order to examine the administration's announcement regarding Quincy Housing Authority's non-profit development arm acquiring the Eastern Nazarene College (ENC) property.
- Discussion outlined potential city funding involvement, including the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for 57 proposed senior units in the Young building and Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds for open space preservation.
- On a motion by Councilor McKee, seconded by Councilor Virginia Ryan, the order was referred to the Oversight and Finance Committees.
- Passed 9-0.
Ordinance regulating intrusive surveillance technology (Item 2026-142)
- Councilor Yuan introduced an ordinance to regulate intrusive surveillance technology and require city council oversight and approval before implementing systems such as automated license plate readers.
- On a motion by Councilor Yuan, seconded by Councilor Ryan, the ordinance was referred to the Oversight and Ordinance Committees.
- Passed 9-0.
Resolution regarding the City of Quincy use of flock safety technology (Item 2026-143)
- Councilor Yuan presented a resolution urging the administration to terminate contracts with Flock Safety, cease data collection, and remove or bag cameras.
- Councilor Jacobs offered a friendly amendment to expand the text beyond Flock Safety to: "terminate all flock safety contracts or other ALPR network contract agreements as soon as possible." The amendment was accepted without objection.
- Councilor Noel DiBona expressed dissent, noting police use of the network as a useful tool.
- On a motion to adopt the resolution as amended, the roll call vote was taken.
- Passed 8-1 (Councilor DiBona voting Nay).
Resolution requesting identifying markers on contracted snow removal vehicles (Item 2026-144)
- Councilor Jacobs introduced a resolution requesting that private contractors hired by the city for snow plowing display visible identification markers, such as vehicle magnets with the city seal.
- Director Glennon noted logistical considerations, stating that contracts for the upcoming season are already finalized but the department is evaluating a pilot program using magnets on selected routes.
- Motion to adopt the resolution made by Councilor Jacobs, seconded by Councilor Riley.
- Passed 9-0.
Gift Acceptances (Items 2026-145 and 2026-146)
- Gift of $1,000 from Donovan Service to DARE (Item 2026-145):
- Motion to approve by Councilor DiBona, seconded by Councilor Ryan.
- Passed 9-0.
- Gift of $250 from Randolph Elks Lodge 2130 to the Animal Care Center Food Pantry (Item 2026-146):
- Motion to approve by Councilor DiBona, seconded by Councilor Jacobs.
- Passed 9-0.
Committee Report: Utility Grant of Location for National Grid (Item 2026-131)
- Councilor Ash reported a positive recommendation from the committee following the October 5, 2026 public hearing on a utility grant of location for National Grid on Bayview Avenue and Homestead Avenue.
- Motion to approve made by Councilor Ash, seconded by Councilor Yuan.
- Passed 9-0.
Memorials and Communications
- Councilor Jacobs and Councilor Hubley eulogized long-time community leader, Boy Scout mentor, and former IBEW Local 103 union official Michael Berry, who passed away on October 9.
- Councilor Riley gave remarks remembering the victims of a recent school shooting in Bend, Oregon.
- Councilor Hubley expressed condolences to the family of 91-year-old Wollaston resident Eileen Rita Fury Moynihan, who passed away on October 16.
- A communication was submitted requesting referral to the Ordinance Committee for handicapped parking signage at 94 Wilson Avenue (Ward 3).