Councillor calls for meeting to curb citywide speeding

By Barbara Taormina

City councillors thanked Council President Anthony Cogliandro this week for his motion that the mayor, police chief and Public Works superintendent meet with the city council to discuss the growing problem of vehicles speeding throughout the city and the enforcement of traffic laws, violations and speed calming measures such as speed tables.

Cogliandro introduced the motion and said, like other councillors, the most frequent calls he receives from constituents involves speeding and road safety. He mentioned he received eight calls just before filing the motion.

“It’s time we had a conversation with everyone involved,” said Cogliandro adding he’s looking for ways to rectify the situation.

Councillor-At-Large Marc Silvestri agreed wholeheartedly with the motion but added a caveat.

“I hate to say it, but the only way to curb this is with enforcement,” he said.

Councillor-At-Large Michelle Kelley said there were problems all around the city and people are getting hurt.

“I hate to see the city (filled) with speed tables although I know they are a measure to curb this,” said Kelley who agreed with Silvestri that enforcement is the most effective way to confront the problem.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you,” said Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky in response to Cogliandro’s motion.

Novoselsky said he had just fielded calls about speeding on several streets including Franklin Avenue where children are playing and Walnut Avenue where seniors typically cross the street.

“People are flying down that street,” he said, adding something needs to be done and the cost was irrelevant. “We need to protect out people.”

Cogliandro agreed with Kelley and said he didn’t want Revere to become a city of speed bumps. He said the police department is trying to fill positions and details, strategically placed may be an option.

“We need to have that conversation,” he said.