Why You Should Speak Out on the Quarry Hills Lease Extension (Bill H.3897)

In Case You're Unfamiliar

Quarry Hills is a major public recreation area in Quincy, currently leased to Quarry Hills Associates (QHA), the private developer behind Granite Links Golf Club. The City of Quincy is proposing a new 50-year lease extension—stretching control of this public land to the year 2106.

This deal, outlined in Bill H.3897, would sidestep standard public bidding and limit oversight for generations. QHA has previously failed to deliver on promised public benefits, including hiking trails, field maintenance, and advisory transparency. Residents and local advocates are calling this a “forever lease”—and raising serious red flags.

Background

To proceed, the City needs state lawmakers to approve the lease extension. That’s because the bill seeks to waive two Massachusetts laws that protect public land:

  • Chapter 30B: Ensures competitive bidding on public contracts.

  • Chapter 40, Section 3: Limits public land leases to 30 years.

Why It Matters

  • Locks in private control of public land for 82 more years.

  • Grants leaseholder unchecked development options, including potential hotel construction on open space.

  • Ignores past broken promises to the community.

  • Provides minimal accountability, and allows mayoral amendments without review.

  • Essentially mirrors a previously rejected 99-year lease—with only 17 fewer years.

What You Can Do

Submit written testimony by Tuesday, July 1 at 5 PM.

Email:
jointcommittee.municipalities&regionalgovernment@malegislature.gov
Mail:
Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis, Attn: Geoff Richelew
Joint Committee on Municipalities and Regional Government
24 Beacon St., Room 450, Boston, MA 02133

Subject line: "Testimony on Bill H.3897"
Address your message to: Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis & Sen. Becca Rausch
CC your reps: Keenan, Chan, Ayers, and Mariano (emails below)

Sample Testimony

Dear Representatives Lewis and Rausch,

I urge you to oppose H.3897. This lease would extend private control over public land until 2106, with no open bid process and minimal oversight. Quarry Hills Associates has failed to meet obligations from its current lease and should not be rewarded with extended privileges.

Please vote no on H.3897.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Contact Your City Councilor

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Additional Resources