The Quincy City Council held a meeting at Historic City Hall covering several key items:
- Public Hearing on a utility grant for GoNetspeed at 29 Sargent Street - Committee Review of resident interactions with City Hall and expanding online municipal services - Key Agenda Items: - Solar energy installation on General McConville Way parking garages - Discussion of fair, data-driven pay raises for politicians - Establishing a Public Art & Place-Making Program - Review of adopting a Specialized Stretch Energy Code - "No Surprise" Government resolution
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| Category | Total | Democrat | Republican | |---|---|---|---| | Total Voter Turnout | 15,359 | 12,492 | 2,867 | | Election Day | 8,647 | 6,596 | 2,051 | | Mail Accepted | 5,641 | 4,995 | 646 |
- Turnout rate: 22% (up from 19% in 2024) - Early voting: 1,011 (significantly higher than prior years) - Registered voters: 68,983 - Historical comparison shows 2020 had the highest turnout at 39% (24,007 voters)
Voter List Maintenance (Jan–Sep 2026): - 4,495 new registrations - 4,275 total deletions (moved, deceased, or non-responsive)
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Introduced by Mayor Thomas P. Koch
The City Council authorized the Mayor to enter into lease, easement, and Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Solect Energy Development LLC for solar photovoltaic systems on two new downtown parking garages:
- 86 Parkingway (25-55 General McConville Way) - 119 Parkingway (101 General McConville Way)
- Agreement Term: Up to 25 years (with one 5-year extension option) - Provider: Solect Energy Development LLC, Hopkinton, MA - Program: PowerOptions Solar Program / SMART 3.0 incentive program - PPA Rates: - 119 Parkingway: ~$0.22498–$0.22962/kWh - 86 Parkingway: ~$0.16628–$0.17085/kWh - Performance Guarantee: 85% of estimated annual production - Equipment: ~879 solar PV modules (119 Parkingway) and ~850 modules (86 Parkingway), each with 6 inverters - Estimated Annual Production: ~591,000 kWh (119 Parkingway) and ~580,000 kWh (86 Parkingway) in Year 1 - Purchase Options: City may purchase the systems at Years 7, 10, 15, or end of term at fair market value - Prevailing wages required for all installation work - Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC): 30% assumed; must be in service by December 31, 2029
- Reduce municipal operating costs - Lower the city's carbon footprint - Promote clean energy initiatives
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Introduced by Councillor Maggie McKee
Ordered a formal, transparent process to establish fair salaries for elected officials, including: - Rigorous council discussions on politician pay - A public hearing to allow community input - Development of data-driven salary ordinances
Background: Previous councils passed large pay raises (79% for the mayor, 50% for councillors) without public debate, which were later repealed in June 2026.
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Introduced by Councillors Ash, Mahoney, Jacobs, Hubley, and Riley
Proposed amending Chapter 12 of the Municipal Code to establish: - A Public Art & Place-Making Program for properties over ¼ acre and city-owned buildings - A Public Art Commission consisting of: - 5 voting members + 2 alternates (Mayor-appointed) - 1 non-voting high school student - Nominations from City Council, Mayor, Planning Director, Public Buildings Commissioner, and Quincy Art Association - Commission duties include adopting guidelines, recommending public art expenditures of $50,000+, and holding at least 4 public meetings annually
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Introduced by Councillors Ash, Mahoney, Yuan, Jacobs, Hubley, Riley, and Ryan
Resolved that the Administration review and present the benefits of adopting Massachusetts' updated Specialized Energy Code, which: - Builds upon the Stretch Code adopted by Quincy in 2010 - Aligns with the Climate Act of 2021 and Massachusetts greenhouse gas reduction goals - Covers residential (low-rise and multi-family) and commercial construction - Could save homeowners an average of $500/year in utility costs - Review to include financial and environmental benefits for residents and public/private projects
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The September 22, 2026 Quincy City Council meeting focused heavily on clean energy initiatives (solar installations on two new parking garages), government transparency (politician pay reform and a "No Surprise" government initiative), community enrichment (public art program), and environmental sustainability (energy code review). The election data presented showed a notable increase in voter participation compared to prior primaries, reflecting greater civic engagement.