Quincy City Council: May 11, 2026

• Date: May 11, 2026
• Governing Body: Quincy City Council (Oversight and Finance Committees)
• Meeting Type: Committee Meetings and Public Budget Hearings
• Attendees:
  • Councilors: Richard Ash, Noel DiBona, Walter Hubley, David Jacobs, Anne Mahoney, Maggie McKee, Deborah Riley, Virginia Ryan, Ziqiang Yuan.
  • Administration: Christopher Walker (Mayor's Representative), Paul Della Barbara (Director of Municipal Finance), Molly Smith (Treasurer/Collector), John Rowland (Assessor), Catherine Logan (Purchasing Director), Nicole Crispo (City Clerk).

The committee discussed Resolve 2026-057, a resolve requesting a comprehensive report of city property transactions. The discussion focused on a spreadsheet provided by the administration detailing city-owned properties.

• Key Properties Discussed:
  • Maritime Center (Bayview Ave/C Street): Purchased in 2018; concerns raised regarding the lack of progress and the deteriorating condition of existing structures.
  • Southern Artery Marina: Operating at a revenue surplus; administration defended the purchase as a means to provide public waterway access.
  • St. Mary’s School (Crescent Street): Purchased in 2017 for $2.7 million for a future elementary school; currently used for fire department training.
  • Eastern Nazarene College (ENC): A proposed $22.5 million appropriation is pending for the acquisition of the 20-acre campus, including $1.5 million for a feasibility study.
  • Cleverley Court Car Wash: Purchased for $1.7 million to provide parking for adjacent soccer fields.
• Council Concerns: Councilors Mahoney and Riley expressed concern over properties 'languishing' without clear development plans while being removed from the tax rolls.

Several residents and organization representatives provided testimony regarding the proposed FY 2027 Municipal Budget:

• Tom Bowes (President, Quincy Firefighter Association Local 792): Supported the fire department budget, noting that 98% of costs are personnel-related and cuts would jeopardize safety.
• Greg Hodnett (President, Quincy Police Patrol Officers Association): Urged full funding for the police operating budget to maintain community policing and specialized programs.
• Bill Zamzow (Resident): Criticized the budget for lacking actual spending data and raised concerns about the District Improvement Financing (DIF) debt and pension obligation bonds.
• Jocelyn Sedney (Resident): Recommended a level-funded budget and questioned the financial burden of Quincy College on the city.
• Joanne Collins (Resident): Requested better online transparency for budget documents.

Director of Municipal Finance Paul Della Barbara presented the revenue outlook:

• Revenue Status: 92.3% of estimated FY 2026 revenue has been collected as of May 7, 2026.
• DIF Revenue: Reported at approximately $12.95 million for the current year, though Councilor Mahoney raised significant concerns regarding the 'commingling' of DIF funds with the General Fund and the lack of a separate sinking fund since 2022.
• Budget Vote (Item 135 - Municipal Finance): Approved. (Councilor McKee opposed).

The committee voted to table several budget items due to requests for additional documentation and transparency:

• Item 700 (Long-term Debt): Tabled pending a detailed debt schedule.
• Item 752 (Short-term Debt): Tabled following discussions regarding bond premiums and the actual interest costs versus budgeted amounts.
• Item 911 (Retirement and Pensions): Tabled. A motion to approve failed (2-7). Councilors requested the pending Milliman actuarial report.
• Item 137 (Assessor): Tabled pending further information on intern pay and DIF calculations.

The committee reviewed and voted on several departmental budgets, implementing various cuts:

• Item 138 (Treasurer/Collector): Approved as proposed.
• Item 158 (Tax Title): Amended to reduce unclassified expenditures from $150,000 to $120,000. Approved as amended.
• Item 136 (Purchasing): Approved as proposed.
• Item 161 (City Clerk): Amended to reduce communication line from $20,000 to $15,000. Approved as amended.
• Item 162 (Elections): Significant amendments were passed based on five-year spending trends:
  • Election Workers: Reduced from $300,000 to $225,000.
  • Police Details: Reduced from $200,000 to $150,000.
  • Early Voting Custodians: Reduced to $0.
  • Early Voting Police Details: Reduced to $0.
  • Building Custodians: Reduced from $27,890 to $12,890.
  • Early Voting Rentals: Reduced from $3,000 to $1,500.
  • Ramp Rentals: Reduced from $18,000 to $10,000.
  • Professional Tech: Reduced from $5,250 to $3,000.
  • Communication: Reduced from $100,000 to $80,000.
  • Outcome: Approved as amended.
• Item 165 (Licensing Board): Approved as proposed.
• Item 168 (Census): Approved as proposed.