City Council approves 2026 subcommittee assignments, debates limits on council debate

By Barbara Tormina

At their meeting last week, the Revere City Council voted on organizational matters that will dictate how the council moves forward over the next year. Councillors approved the 2026 list of appointments to subcommittees. Much of the detailed discussion and review of issues takes place in subcommittees, which then make recommendations on actions to the full council.

This year, Councillor-at-Large Joanne McKenna will continue on as chairwoman of the Appointments & Personnel Administration Committee. Councillors Anthony Cogliandro, Robert Haas, James Mercurio and Marc Silvestri will serve on the committee.

The Ways and Means Subcommittee will be chaired by Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro. Councillors Paul Argenzio, James Mercurio, Joanne McKenna and Ira Novoselsky were appointed to Way and Means.

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya will chair the Economic Development & Planning Subcommittee. Councillors Robert Haas, Michelle Kelley, Ira Novoselsky and Marc Silvestri will serve on the Economic Development & Planning Committee.

The Youth, Parks and Recreation Subcommittee will be chaired by Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley with Councillors Paul Argenzio, Anthony Cogliandro, Robert Haas and Ira Novoselsky as members.

The City Council’s subcommittee on Public Works will be chaired by Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky with Councillors Paul Argenzio, Anthony Cogliandro, James Mercurio and Marc Silvestri serving as members.

Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri will serve as chair of the Zoning subcommittee with Councillors Paul Argenzio, Anthony Cogliandro, Angela Guarino-Sawaya and Michelle Kelly as members.

The Human Services subcommittee will be chaired by Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas. Councillors Angela Guarino-Sawaya, Michelle Kelley, Joanne McKenna and James Mercurio will serve as members.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio will continue for another year as chairman of the Legislative Affairs subcommittee, with councillors Angela Guarino-Sawaya, Robert Haas, Michelle Kelley and Joanne McKenna as members.

The Veterans subcommittee will be chaired by Ward 1 Councillor James Mercurio. Councillors Michelle Kelley, Joanne McKenna, Anthony Cogliandro and Ira Novoselsky will serve as members.

Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino will chair the council’s Public Safety subcommittee. Councillors Paul Argenzio, Anthony Cogliandro, Joanne McKenna and Marc Silvestri will serve as members.

The council also approved its Rules of Order although Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro proposed amending or repealing rule 8, which sets limits for the amount and number of times councillors are allowed to speak and debate issues. Cogliandro said the rule should be eliminated since councillors violate it every meeting.

But City Council President Anthony Zambuto disagreed and said he wants to enforce the debate limits. “And I will, as president, enforce that rule,” said Zambuto. “I think we should live with it, it’s a good rule.”