By Jenna Caldwell, The Boston Report
QUINCY — The Quincy City Council has stopped work on a city-run broadband network for now and approved leases that would put solar panels on two downtown parking garages, according to a record of the council’s Oct. 19 meetings published by Govly from Quincy Access Television’s broadcast.
The same night, councilors sent a proposal involving the former Eastern Nazarene College campus to committee and passed several resolutions, including one on contracted snow-removal trucks.
Municipal broadband on hold
At a Municipal Technology Committee meeting held before the full council session, members reviewed the city’s municipal broadband project. They agreed it would not move forward in the near future, according to the meeting summary.
The main reason cited was new private competition. The summary lists Verizon Fios and GoNet Speed’s announced $34 million fiber investment as new options for Quincy households and businesses.
City staff told the committee that contracts with Entry Point Communications and Tillson Technologies totaled about $500,000 over seven to eight years. No physical buildout had begun and no bonds had been issued. Staff said no more spending on the project was planned, and the council did not authorize any new broadband funding or borrowing.
Pausing the project leaves the city’s options open. Because no network was built and no debt was taken on, Quincy is not committed to operating internet service. The council could revisit the idea later if private service does not meet residents’ needs.
Solar panels on downtown garages
The council voted unanimously to approve leases for solar installations on two downtown parking garages. The city-owned garages along General McConville Way serve the redeveloped Quincy Center area.
Under the agreements described at the meeting, the city would pay no upfront construction cost. Instead, Quincy would buy the electricity the panels produce under 25-year agreements. The stated maximum rates are 22 cents and 16 cents per kilowatt-hour for the two sites, with the possibility of lower rates. The transcript identifies the provider as Select.
Arrangements like this are common for public buildings in Massachusetts. A private developer builds and owns the system, the property owner hosts it, and the owner agrees to buy the power at a set price. The city’s savings depend on how the contract rate compares with utility rates over 25 years.
Eastern Nazarene campus referred to committee
Councilors also discussed the Quincy Housing Authority’s nonprofit and its pending purchase of the former Eastern Nazarene College campus in Wollaston. Eastern Nazarene closed in 2024, and the future of its campus has been a major local question since then.
According to the meeting summary, the nonprofit may apply for money from the city’s affordable housing trust and Community Preservation Act funds. Details of the deal and its status remained under review. The council referred an order on the campus to its Finance and Oversight committees, so no final action was taken.
Snow trucks and city nonprofits
A resolution asking that contracted snow-removal vehicles carry identifying markers passed unanimously. Public Works officials discussed a possible pilot because contracts for this winter are already in place.
The council also referred to committee an order seeking financial disclosures and oversight of nonprofits and events associated with the city.
License plate cameras
The Oct. 19 session also included an 8-1 vote on a resolution urging the administration to end its contracts with Flock Safety and other automated license plate reader networks. A related surveillance ordinance was sent to committee. The city has since deactivated its Flock cameras. Our earlier report covers Quincy’s decision to switch off the Flock cameras.
What happens next
The Eastern Nazarene order and the nonprofit oversight order now go to committee review before any council vote. The solar leases are approved, but no construction schedule was given in the meeting summary. The broadband project stays paused unless the council takes it up again.
Residents can watch council meetings on Quincy Access Television and find agendas and minutes on the city website.
For more Quincy coverage, see our Quincy local news and city guide and the Local Towns hub.
Sources
- Govly, Quincy City Council meeting record, Oct. 19, 2026 (Quincy Access Television broadcast)
- City of Quincy, City Council agendas and minutes
Additional sources
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