Councillor concerned about conservation donation

  If a tree falls in Ward 2, you can rest assured that Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky will hear about it.

  Last Monday night, the City Council heard from an attorney representing Paul Ferragamo of Nahant, who is looking to donate about a half-acre of land he owns on Revere Beach Parkway to the city as conservation land. Earlier this year, the Conservation Commission recommended the acceptance of the .518 acre lot for conservation purposes. “It is a vacant lot at this point in time,” said Attorney Evan Pilavis. “[Ferragamo] entertained some offers from the abutters for purchase of it, but he decided it would be better for the environment and the city of Revere for open space and green space.”

  However, Novoselsky said he couldn’t support the city accepting the parcel in its current state. “It’s along Sales Creek and it’s a total tree forest in there,” said Novoselsky. “We’ve had many trees fall on people’s property from Mr. Ferragamo’s property and damaging fences over the last several storms. I will say that before we accept it that this property be cleaned up and all the dead branches and the debris and everything that is there be taken out; it’s a disgrace right now.”

  Pilavis said he has not personally seen the property, but he noted that it has already gone through the Conservation Commission process. “I’m not here to be argumentative, but it is an open piece of property that we’d like to donate to the city,” said Pilavis.

  Novoselsky reiterated that the city should not accept the property until it is in better condition. “I know exactly where it is, and I have a problem with this,” he said. “It’s nice that you want to donate it and get it off your tax rolls and make it someone else’s problem, but before it becomes our problem, I want it straightened out.”

  The property is currently assessed at just over $107,000, according to Revere’s online assessing database.

  Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo said he is also familiar with the property and agreed with Novoselsky that there are problems with it. “The only thing I can say, if I may, is that trees fall all the time,” said Pilavis.

  City Council President Anthony Zambuto forwarded the request to the Ways and Means Subcommittee for further discussion before the council considers a final vote on accepting the property.