Quincy City Council: October 5, 2026

A public hearing was held regarding a utility grant of location on Chestnut Street.

• A representative from National Grid stated that downtown development required relocating electrical equipment feeding the area to the other side of the property, necessitating conduit installation in the sidewalk to reroute cables.
• No members of the public spoke, and the hearing closed at 6:31 p.m.

A public hearing was opened on a utility grant of location to move an existing utility pole at the intersection of Bayview Avenue and Homestead Avenue.

• The utility representative explained that the pole currently sits in front of a customer's garage and is proposed to be moved eight feet along the sidewalk between lot lines.
• Councilors questioned whether recent street repaving would be disrupted and clarified that work is confined to the sidewalk.
• The hearing was closed at 6:38 p.m. with no additional comments.

The Ordinance Committee convened at 6:45 p.m. with all nine members present (Councilors Ash, DiBona, Hubley, Jacobs, Mahoney, Riley, Ryan, Yuan, and Chair McKee), meeting a quorum. The committee initiated discussions to determine a process for setting 2028 compensation for the Mayor and City Council following the repeal of previous salary increases.

• Chair McKee stated that the objective is to "evaluate the office, not the people in the office," using comparable municipal data and public input.
• Committee members discussed separating the evaluations for Mayor and City Council due to distinct responsibilities and agreed to prioritize Plan A mayor-council communities in Massachusetts of comparable size.
• Selected metrics for comparison include population, operating budget, total municipal employees, form of government, full-time versus part-time council classification, and council size.
• Councilors volunteered to compile primary source fiscal year 2026 budget data across Massachusetts municipalities using a shared form, with data submission targeted for October 19, 2026, and subsequent analysis planned for November 23, 2026.
• The committee agreed to conduct a public hearing after comparative data analysis is prepared, followed by a statutory public hearing once a formal ordinance is drafted.
• The committee recessed at 7:30 p.m. to allow the regular City Council meeting to convene, subsequently reconvened at the conclusion of the regular meeting, and adjourned.

The City Council presented official citations to Special Envoy Dr. Breema Rogers on behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone, honoring President Julius Maada Bio, First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, and Ambassador Amara Sowa.

• Council President Mahoney recognized the historic connection between Quincy and Sierra Leone originating from President John Quincy Adams' 1841 defense of the Mende captives of the Amistad before the U.S. Supreme Court.
• Dr. Rogers expressed gratitude to the City of Quincy and reflected on the enduring historical ties and the preservation of historic artifacts, including the Mende Bible.

Councilor Ash presented remarks recognizing two awareness initiatives for the month of October:

• Recognized White Cane Awareness Month, noting that White Cane Awareness Day is October 15, and highlighted city efforts to expand ADA accessibility, audible crosswalk indicators, and local partnerships with the Lions Club and Massachusetts Commission for the Blind.
• Recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month, commending the work of DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended), noting the lighting of the Fore River Bridge in purple and announcing their Harvesting Hope Gala scheduled for October 30.

Multiple public commenters addressed the Council:

• A public commenter suggested expanding the Great Lawn at Nickerson Post/Squaw Rock Park to provide adequate space for Indigenous cultural ceremonies and dances.
• A public commenter urged the Council to conclude discussions regarding former employee Thomas Clasby, complete the audit of Quarry Hills/Granite Links, and supported utilizing municipal comparisons for official compensation.
• A public commenter criticized unsubstantiated allegations raised during previous council meetings, urged a focus on positive progress, and defended city administration employees.
• A public commenter opposed limiting open forum topics to council agenda items and condemned online harassment directed at residents and council members.
• A public commenter voiced frustration regarding contractor permits posted online for the demolition of the Nickerson Post building.
• A public commenter proposed that mayoral compensation be set within a range of $183,000 to $225,000, argued that automatic inflation indexing may violate state law, and recommended obtaining a court advisory opinion regarding Section 17A of the City Charter.
• A public commenter urged evaluating Quincy's active, growing community rather than strictly relying on smaller comparative municipalities when evaluating compensation.
• Two public commenters raised civil liberties and oversight concerns regarding Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) surveillance cameras, advocating for traditional police alternatives and ending the program.
• A public commenter suggested establishing a deliberative civic assembly model for municipal decisions and advocated adjusting council compensation.
• A public commenter supported fair compensation methodologies linked to union percentages and advocated exploring retroactive pay for periods officials went without raises.
• A public commenter recommended adopting an owner-occupied residential tax exemption policy to provide property tax relief to single-family and two-family homeowners relative to large commercial residential developments.

Councilor Yuan introduced an ordinance mandating that the Mayor submit an annual rolling five-year capital improvement plan to the City Council by February 1 of each year, beginning February 1, 2027, covering fiscal years 2028 through 2032.

• The ordinance requires details on anticipated projects, costs, timelines, and funding sources across municipal bonds, grants, city funds, and revolving funds.
• Councilor DiBona noted past capital planning inventories undertaken by previous councils and departments, while Council President Mahoney noted the need for formal, updated planning processes.
• Councilor Yuan moved to refer the order to the Ordinance Committee, seconded by Councilor Riley.
• The ayes have it, and the order was referred to the Ordinance Committee.

Councilor Ash presented a resolution regarding Chapter 215 of the City of Quincy Code governing the Noise Control Advisory Board, citing increased vehicle speeding, modified exhaust systems, and general noise concerns across city arteries.

• The resolution calls on the municipal administration, Noise Control Advisory Board, Police Department, and Inspectional Services Department to review complaints, examine remedies such as noise cameras, and consider regulatory updates.
• Councilor Riley requested that excessive dog barking after permitted hours also be evaluated as part of noise quality of life concerns.
• Councilor Ash moved to refer the resolve to the Oversight Committee, seconded by Councilor Riley.
• The ayes have it, and the order was referred to the Oversight Committee.

Councilor Hubley introduced a resolution requesting that the Information Technology Department assess quantifiable website usage analytics and evaluate site navigability to streamline resident access to popular online transactions.

• Councilor Hubley moved to refer the matter to the Municipal Technology Committee, seconded by Councilor Ryan.
• Councilor Riley spoke in favor of making key functions, such as bill payments and reporting streetlight outages, easily discoverable.
• The ayes have it, and the order was referred to the Municipal Technology Committee.

Council President Mahoney introduced a resolution requesting a comprehensive chronological review of Quincy Center Station redevelopment initiatives dating from the parking garage closure in 2012 to the present.

• The resolution seeks detailed status updates, timelines, and milestones regarding approximately $96,000,000 allocated under MBTA Capital Investment Plan Project P1165, requesting participation from the MBTA, MassDOT, and the administration.
• Council President Mahoney moved to refer the resolution to the Oversight Committee, seconded by Councilor Jacobs.
• The ayes have it, and the order was referred to the Oversight Committee.

Councilor Jacobs presented a resolution regarding an anticipated $136,000 restitution payment related to the criminal conviction of former elder services director Thomas Clasby, requesting notification upon receipt of funds and confirmation of allocation directly to senior services.

• Councilor Hubley offered a friendly amendment specifying that the restitution be deposited into the Council on Aging revolving gift account pursuant to M.G.L. c. 44, § 53A, rather than the annual departmental operating budget, allowing funds to be expended across fiscal years.
• Councilor Jacobs and seconder Councilor Riley accepted the friendly amendment.
• Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

The City Council considered the acceptance of a gift totaling $1,800 from various donors.

• Motion to approve made by Councilor DiBona, seconded by Councilor Riley.
• Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

The Public Works Committee reported favorably on the grant of location petition submitted by Massachusetts Electric Company for electrical conduit work on Chestnut Street.

• Motion to approve made by Councilor Ash, seconded by Councilor Riley.
• Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.

The Public Works Committee initially reported out the utility grant of location to relocate a pole near 10 Homestead Avenue at Bayview Avenue.

• Councilor Jacobs requested confirmation regarding whether abutting property owners had been notified of the pole relocation adjacent to their driveway and requested the matter be held.
• Without objection, Order 2026-131 was tabled and remained in committee.

The Ordinance Committee reported favorably on four traffic regulations:

1. Add handicap parking in front of 5 Bittern Road in Ward 1 (Order 2026-127). Motion to approve by Councilor McKee, seconded by Councilor Jacobs. Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.
2. Add handicap parking in front of 29 Spear Street in Ward 1 (Order 2026-128). Motion to approve by Councilor McKee, seconded by Councilor Jacobs. Passed 9-0 on a roll call vote.
3. Add handicap parking opposite 72 Taffrail Road (Order 2026-132). Motion to approve by Councilor McKee, seconded by Councilor Jacobs. The ayes have it, and the motion passed by voice vote.
4. Add no parking on the west side of Mullen Avenue from O'Connell Avenue to the accepted portion of Mullen Avenue (Order 2026-129). Motion to approve by Councilor McKee, seconded by Councilor Ryan. The ayes have it, and the motion passed by voice vote.

Councilor Riley delivered a summary of the September 29, 2026 joint meeting of the Finance and Oversight Committees, noting that several matters remain under committee review:

• Oversight of Public Works Enhancement Fund (Order 2026-106): Noted statutory restrictions under a 2004 special act limiting fund expenditures to road and sidewalk repairs and capital equipment.
• Audit of Lease Deductions by Quarry Hills Associates (Order 2026-081): Highlighted committee inquiries regarding income deductions, administrative costs, advisory committee status, and a requested comprehensive audit.
• American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Spending Transparency (Order 2026-042): Identified expenditures on statues, landscaping, string lights, and real estate, noting ongoing review.
• Council on Aging Department Theft and Whistleblower Policy (Order 2026-056): Recommended adopting an independent municipal fraud reporting hotline and mandatory employee fraud prevention training.

During the petitions, memorials, and remonstrances portion of the agenda, councilors offered condolences and addressed municipal oversight:

• Councilor Ash offered condolences upon the passing of Rita McGowan, recognizing her long service, family, and reception of the Cheverus Award.
• Councilor Jacobs offered condolences upon the passing of Clementina Brill, recalling her family's operation of the historic Hough's Neck carousel and community involvement.
• Councilor Yuan retracted an inaccurate statement made at a prior meeting alleging that Thomas Clasby was the best man at the Mayor's wedding, while reiterating concerns regarding the absence of departmental oversight and reporting protections during Clasby's tenure.
• Following procedural objections regarding decorum, Council President Mahoney stated that the Council holds legislative oversight responsibilities to review past administrative failures and ensure municipal safeguards are established.