~ Revere City Council Roundup ~

By The Advocate

Gifts for the Library

The City Council approved Chief Financial Officer Richard Viscay’s request to create a gift account for the Revere Public Library. Viscay said the account would allow the library to accept a large donation the Revere Beautification Committee recently made to the library. “My job as the auditor will be to ensure the funds are spent for the betterment of the library,” Viscay told councillors.

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya asked if the money could be used to make the library handicap accessible. Viscay said that as long as it was for used for the enrichment of the library, it could.

City Council President Anthony Zambuto asked who would be able to access and spend the money in the gift account. He said that in the past there were problems with such accounts. Viscay said the library director through the board of trustees would be in control of the gift account.

Councillors voted to approve the account.

High School updates

The City Council supported a motion from Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley and Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro that Brian Dakin of LeftField meet with the City Council to provide regular updates on the progress of the construction of the new high school. Kelley said residents were confused by the announced delay in the opening of the school, and she said Dakin would be able to provide the latest and most accurate information on the project.

More info on Harris Street traffic changes

Councillors voted in favor of Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro’s motion to have Chief of Planning and Community Development Tom Skwierawski meet with the City Council to present and discuss everything related to the Harris Street redesign and traffic changes. Several Councillors suggested the changes being made are safety risks.

Fix the streetlights

Councillor-at-Large Joanne McKenna and Ward 1 Councillor James Mercurio are asking that the Department of Conservation & Recreation repair the streetlights on Winthrop Parkway along Short Beach. The lights were destroyed months ago during motor vehicle accidents and have not been repaired. McKenna said the area is dark and hazardous. McKenna also suggested that the City Council should request a representative from National Grid to meet with the City Council to explain why so many streetlights in the city have not been repaired. The Councillors supported the motion.

The Parkway’s pothole problem

Councillors McKenna and Mercurio filed an additional motion that MassDOT be requested to repair potholes on the westerly side of Revere Beach Parkway, especially in the right-hand lane, from the police station to the intersection of Route 16. McKenna said the temporary fix has worn away and the holes are getting bigger. She has asked for repairs, but nothing has been done. “MassDOT, DCR, I just don’t know what to do with them,” she said. Other Councillors familiar with the road agreed it is a problem and supported the motion.

Slow down Mountain Avenue

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio and Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro are requesting that the Department of Public Works replace two stop signs with solar-powered flashing stop signs on Mountain Avenue at the corner of Adams Street. Mountain Avenue is long and straight and has a history of speeding. The intersection has been the site of several high-speed accidents. Cogliandro estimated the new flashing signs would cost $1,500. If no funding is available, both Councillors said, they would support using Community Improvement Trust Fund money for their wards to purchase the equipment.

Limit on Parking Permits

Councillors Guarino-Sawaya and Cogliandro presented a motion that Mayor Patrick Keefe request the Traffic Commission to consider a new regulation to limit the number of residential parking permits per address or unit to four with the stipulation that residents may apply for additional parking permits through an appeal process administered by the Parking Department. Guarino-Sawaya said some households have 10 permits, which makes it difficult for nearby neighbors to park on their streets.

Bring back the Snow Angels

Councillor-at-Large Robert Haas and Councillor Guarino-Sawaya are requesting that Mayor Patrick Keefe, the Youth Works Department and the School Department work together to reestablish the Teen Shoveling Program, which pairs students with seniors and disabled residents who need help clearing snow from their property. The program would provide students monetary compensation and/or community service hours.