Revere City Council Roundup

By The Advocate

The City Council supported Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky’s motion that the City Council initiate a home rule petition to eliminate the primary for the municipal election of 2025. Candidates whose nomination papers have been certified will appear on the general election ballot.

“We’ve done this before, in 2017,” said Novoselsky, adding that only two or three races — a School Committee ward race and a City Council ward race — would require a preliminary election. “It’s not worth it to spend $50,000 to $60,000 for a preliminary election.” Novoselsky said all names should go on the final ballot, which gives all candidates a chance to get their votes.

Not all councillors were comfortable changing the rules this far into the game.

“I’ve been involved in many elections, and I always found it a benefit to be forwarded to the final ballot,” said Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto.

Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro also had doubts about the motion. “I feel like this is circumventing our democracy,” he said.

Still, the City Council voted in favor of the motion with Councillors Cogliandro, McKenna and Silvestri opposed.

Revere stands with you

The entire City Council signed on to a letter written by Councillor-at-Large Jaun Pablo Jaramillo to the CEO of Republic Services. Republic Services workers, who haul waste for many communities, have been on strike since the start of July over health care benefits and wages. Dumpsters are overflowing and trash is piling up.

“This is creating a serious public health crisis,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya. “The council is united in support of the workers. Revere stands for labor, always has, always will.”

Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley said Republic’s behavior has been disgraceful, and she urged the company to return to the bargaining table immediately.

Congratulations, Danny Hernandez

The City Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of Danny Hernandez as director of Veterans Services. Councillors praised Hernandez for his work as Chaplin for the Beachmont post and his involvement with projects like the veterans’ food pantry. “Danny Hernandez has always put veterans and their families above all else,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya.

The City Council referred the appointments of Victor Pelatere and Albert Tecci to the Human Rights Commission to the City Council’s Appointments Subcommittee for review.

Ramping up scooter and motor bike enforcement

Councillors quickly got behind City Council President Marc Silvestri’s motion that police increase enforcement efforts for dirt bikes, scooters and unregistered motor bikes in the interest of public safety. Ward 1 Councillor JoAnne McKenna asked to include enforcement for any of those bikes and scooters riding on the sidewalks.

Free cash spending

The City Council approved three year-end free cash appropriations to avoid any deficit for 2025. Councillors approved $300,000 for the police details accounts, $270,000 for street lighting and $43,000 for the workers compensation trust fund.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio questioned the streetlighting spending, saying, $270,000 seems like a “staggering amount.”

Viscay said the city’s switch to LED lighting was supposed to result in significant savings, but the city hasn’t seen that yet. Councillors McKenna and Novoselsky said there are spots in the city that do not have enough lighting to keep residents safe. McKenna said it was left up to National Grid to determine which wattage bulb should be installed at different locations. McKenna said the city should make that decision. Viscay said he would deliver that message to the administration.

Alden Mills Fire Station

Motion presented by Councillor McKenna, Councillor Guarino-Sawaya: That the Mayor request the Fire Department to install a dedication plaque at the new Alden A. Mills Fire Station in the Point of Pines. The plaque will include the names of all councillors who supported and voted for the fire station.

Honoring Warren Francis Myers

The City Council voted in favor of a motion presented by Councillors Guarino-Sawaya, Silvestri, Argenzio and Novoselsky that the Mayor request the Veterans Service Office to install a memorial pole on Cambridge Street in honor of Warren Francis Myers, First Lieutenant, 4021st Quartermaster Truck Company, United States Army, World War II.

Lining the streets

Councillor McKenna presented a motion to request MassDOT to install skip lines from the intersection of Tomasello Way and Winthrop Avenue crossing onto Revere Beach Parkway in the interest of public safety. There are three lanes at this intersection without any guidance as to which lane motorists should drive in when traversing this location.

Supporting The Home for Little Wanderers

The City Council approved a motion from City Council President Silvestri requesting the mayor to allocate $40,000 from an appropriate funding source for the purpose of supporting The Home for Little Wanderers’ 2025-2026 contract. The organization provides mental health support and counseling services to students during and after school hours. This contract aims to serve students who might not have access to a provider or whose parents work long hours into the evening, ensuring they receive mental health services to support their well-being and academic success.

Park at Wonderland

The City Council supported a motion presented by Councillor McKenna and Councillor Guarino-Sawaya that the Mayor request the Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation & Recreation to direct all construction workers who are working along Revere Beach Boulevard to park at the Wonderland Garage. Construction companies shall pick up and drop-off of its workers from the garage to their respective project sites. Workers are using valuable parking spaces and limiting availability for residents and beach visitors.

Repairs for Warren Street

Motion presented by Councillor Argenzio that Mayor Patrick Keefe be requested to allocate funding from Chapter 90 funds or another funding source to pave Warren Street. According to Argenzio, there has been a lot of infrastructure work taking place on Warren Street and there are holes and trenches that need to be fixed.