~ Revere City Council Roundup ~

By The Advocate

 

Congratulations

  The City Council awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to John (“Jack”) Polcari in recognition of his volunteer service, and commitment to the Gibson Park Community Garden. The council also presented a Certificate of Commendation to Danni Hope Randall, Revere High School Class of 2026, in recognition of her academic achievements, exemplary leadership, dedication to community service and accomplishments as a student-athlete.

 

Outdoor lighting

  The council approved a five-page ordinance relative to outdoor lighting. The goals are to increase night sky visibility, improve nighttime vision and reduce the impacts of outdoor lighting for people and wildlife; also to conserve energy and reduce the consumption of electricity for lighting purposes. The ordinance also aims to reduce light pollution and glare from outdoor lighting fixtures and reduce excessive light levels as existing fixtures are replaced over time. The ordinance will permit the use of outdoor lighting that does not exceed the minimum levels specified by recommended practices of the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) for nighttime safety, utility, security, productivity, enjoyment and commerce. Also, the goal is to minimize adverse impacts of lighting, such as light trespass, obtrusive light spillover and harmful glare. And to curtail light pollution, reduce sky-glow and improve the nighttime environment.

The ordinance includes specific requirements and definitions, such as “The output of any luminaire installed on a residential property shall not exceed fifteen hundred (1,500) lumens. The output of any luminaire on a nonresidential property shall not exceed five thousand (5,000) lumens.” There are also guidelines for enforcement, which include a $50 fine if improper lighting is cited and not corrected within 21 days.

 

Revere Housing Report

  The council supported a motion presented by Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya that Mayor Patrick Keefe establish a Housing Impact Monitoring Program, to be administered by the Department of Planning & Development with relevant city departments. This program shall produce an annual public report on housing development in Revere, including:

• Total housing units permitted, under construction and completed
• Distribution of development by neighborhood and zoning district
• Progress related to MBTA Communities Act compliance
• Housing proximity to transit corridors

The report shall also assess impacts on:

• School enrollment and capacity
• Traffic and transportation infrastructure
• Water, sewer and public safety services
• Emergency response access

The Department shall include policy recommendations based on observed trends, including potential zoning, infrastructure or planning adjustments.

The report shall be presented annually to the City Council and posted publicly on the City’s website. It shall be Included in major zoning and large development review materials, where applicable. The Administration shall provide an implementation plan within 90 days.

 

State responsibilities

  Councillors supported a motion presented by Ward 1 Councillor James Mercurio that State Reps Jeffrey Turco and Jessica Giannino meet with the City Council to present a comprehensive map and overview identifying all state agency responsibilities within the City of Revere, including but not limited to Massachusetts Department of Transportation, Department of Conservation & Recreation and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Mercurio asked that the presentation identify which agencies are responsible for road maintenance, snow plowing, sidewalk snow removal, grass and landscape maintenance, sidewalk grass strip maintenance, pothole repairs, roadway reconstruction, traffic signal maintenance, parking lot maintenance and surrounding areas around parking lots and other seasonal maintenance responsibilities. The presentation should also include a detailed map of all applicable roads, sidewalks, parking lots and traffic signals and a list of agency contacts for residents and city officials.

 

Towing & Recovery on North Shore Road

  The council approved a special permit for 128 Towing & Recovery, LLC, 885 North Shore Road, to conduct a towing and roadside assistance operations business at 885 North Shore Road.

 

Free cash transfers

  The council approved the following year-end free cash and retained earnings appropriations:

• $435,000 for fire department overtime. Chief Financial Officer Richard Viscay said the funds would cover staffing for the new Point of Pines Fire Station.
• $140,000 for the Revere Partnership, which is dedicated to the enhancement of Revere Beach. Viscay said the funds would be used for security during the Sand Sculpting Festival.
• $539 for the Workers Compensation Trust
• $70,000 for the replacement of water meters
• $62,604 for Public Works Department overtime account

 

American Legion landscaping

  The council approved a $25,000 appropriation from the Community Improvement Trust Fund for landscaping at the American Legion.

 

Heads up on construction vehicle traffic

  The council supported a motion from Councillors Anthony Cogliandro, James Mercurio and Joanne McKenna that city officials meet with the council to provide information and discuss concerns regarding construction vehicles being diverted through residential side streets. The councillors are asking that advance notice of any road closures or detours be provided to the affected ward councillors and residents to ensure they are informed of any traffic impacts and changes to local road access.

 

Parking at McMakin Field

  Councillors Anthony Cogliandro, James Mercurio and Joanne McKenna filed a motion that city officials meet with the council to discuss concerns about parking at McMakin Field, the impacts on the neighbors and any plans in place for the neighborhood to prevent any parking-related issues. Mercurio suggested the possibly of an agreement with Immaculate Conception Church to use their parking lot. McKenna floated the idea of residential parking to protect the neighborhood.

 

Washington Avenue makeover

  The council supported a motion presented by Councillors Paul Argenzio and Chris Giannino that Mayor Patrick Keefe, the Superintendent of Public Works and the City Engineer be requested to allocate a portion of funds from next year’s Chapter 90 monies to pave Washington Avenue and install new sidewalks from 134 Washington Avenue to the Chelsea line.

 

Tuttle Street patrols

  Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro filed a motion to increase police patrols on Tuttle Street due to alleged suspicious activity in the area.

 

Fireworks follow-up

  Councillors supported a motion presented by Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro that the Chief of Police provide the City Council with a report detailing fireworks enforcement activities conducted between July 1 and July 8, 2026, including the number of citations issued, warnings given, arrests made and any other enforcement actions taken during that period.

“I’m just asking for simple report,” said Cogliandro. “I just want to know what the police are doing about this. I see both sides and I’m curious about the enforcement.”

 

In Honor of Sgt. Richie Serino

  The council unanimously and enthusiastically supported a motion presented by Councillors Marc Silvestri and Chris Giannino that the Veterans Service Officer approve and install a veteran memorial pole for Sgt. Richie Serino at the corner of Malden Street and Washington Avenue.

 

Drones over Revere

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya filed a motion requesting the Fire Dept., Police Dept., Engineering Dept. and Emergency Management report on the feasibility of expanding municipal drone operations for emergency response, shoreline monitoring, infrastructure inspections and disaster assessment.

 

Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan

  Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya presented a motion that the Office of Emergency Management and the Public Health Department develop an Extreme Heat Preparedness Plan identifying cooling centers, vulnerable populations, communication strategies and long-term mitigation efforts to address increasing summer temperatures.