This document outlines the agenda and legislative orders for the Quincy, Massachusetts City Council meeting held on Monday, March 16, 2026, at Historic City Hall's Great Hall.
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Six utility hearings were scheduled regarding Grants of Location for National Grid (Mass Electric) and Verizon to conduct utility work at various Quincy addresses, including Coddington Street, Sea Street, Independence Avenue, Taylor Street, Willard Street, and Sagamore Street.
Focused on repealing salary raise ordinances for elected officials, including: - Repealing council member raises (Ordinance 2024-056) - Repealing the mayor's raise (Ordinance 2024-055) - Repealing annual raises for all elected officials (Ordinance 2024-090)
- Reviewed an appropriation of $2,646,730 for new Fire Department turnout gear
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Introduced by Mayor Koch
Proposes amending Chapter 134 of the municipal code to ban Kratom alongside existing synthetic marijuana prohibitions. Key provisions include: - Prohibition on manufacturing, selling, distributing, possessing, or consuming synthetic marijuana and Kratom - Fines of $150 (first offense) and $300 (subsequent offenses), with each ounce treated as a separate offense - Enforcement via criminal complaint or non-criminal disposition; police may arrest without a warrant for willful violations - Seized substances to be destroyed following adjudication
Introduced by Councillors Mahoney, Yuan, Jacobs, Ryan, McKee, and Riley
A resolve requesting a comprehensive financial briefing before FY2027 budget deliberations, citing concerns including: - ~$1.6 billion in outstanding city debt - A recent bond rating downgrade - A $475 million pension obligation bond (2021) costing ~$37 million/year through 2040 - Use of ~$35 million in reserves to reduce the tax levy - Use of ~$15 million in bond proceeds during the last tax rate setting
The Council requests the CFO, Municipal Financial Advisor, and Bond Counsel present a detailed briefing to the Finance Committee no later than April 6, 2026, covering debt schedules, credit ratings, pension liabilities, capital plans, and borrowing best practices.
Introduced by Councillors Hubley, Jacobs, Ash, Ryan, and Riley
Urges the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to withdraw or revise an interim final rule (RIN 2900-AS49) issued February 17, 2026, which would require disability ratings to reflect improvements from medication — potentially reducing benefits for veterans whose conditions are managed through treatment.
Key points: - Quincy has 2,746 veterans, with 1,326 receiving VA disability compensation - The rule reverses precedents from multiple federal court cases - The public comment period closes April 20, 2026 - The City Clerk is directed to submit formal opposition to the VA, federal legislators, and the Governor
Introduced by Mayor Koch - $250 donation from ECO Muffler to the D.A.R.E. Program - Donation of a 2012 Ford F-250 pickup truck with snow plow from State Street Bank to the Quincy Fire Department
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The meeting addressed a broad range of municipal concerns including utility infrastructure, fiscal transparency, drug regulation, veterans' rights, and public safety resources. Notable themes were the city's significant debt burden, efforts to repeal elected official pay raises, and a strong stance in support of veterans' benefits.