Revere City Council Roundup

The City Council began their meeting this week with a resolution of condolence for former City Councillor John Jordan, who passed away this week. Jordan served as both ward 4 councillor and as Councillor-at-Large from 1982 to 2003, serving as council president for two terms. Councillors who served with Jordan shared a few brief memories.

“John Jordan was a great city councillor and a real stand-up guy. One thing you knew about him was he loved the city of Revere…he bled Revere,” said Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto.

Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky said Jordan would do everything possible to make every ward in the city better. “He was a great guy and we’ll all miss and remember him,” said Novoselsky.

Special permit for 114 Shirley Ave.

The council voted to approve a special permit for Trichilo Development to raze the existing structure at 114 Shirley Ave. and construct a five-story mixed-use building with 50 residential units and two commercial units. The bank financing the development would not allow the company to include any affordable units so Trichilo Development has pledged a $20,000 donation to the city’s affordable housing trust fund.

Congratulations

The City Council approved the appointments of Chaimaa Hossaini and Sheila Johnson to the Human Rights Commission. Lark Logan’s appointment to the Cultural Council was also approved.

Safety on Revere Street

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya filed a motion to have the city install a pedestrian activated crossing signal at 356 Revere St. The motion was referred to the Ways and Means Subcommittee for review.

A new constable in town

Councillors referred the nomination of Robert Selevitch as constable for Revere to the Appointments Subcommittee for review.

Slow down

Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya filed a motion to have the Public Works Department install a blinking light warning sign to alert drivers that a speed bump is ahead. Ward 5 residents have complained that they run into speed bumps and it’s dangerous.

The council supported Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro’s request to have police combat speeding on Cushman Avenue.

Port-a-potties for the parks

Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto and Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna requested the Director of Parks and Recreation to install an ADA-compliant port-a-potty at Sonny Myers Park. Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro requested that Parks and Recreation do a cost analysis to see the price of installing port-a-potties in all city parks.

Parking variances

The City Council voted to support Councillor at-Large Michelle Kelley’s call for a public hearing to have the City Council vote on variances involving the reduction of parking requirements for developments.

Free cash transfers

The council unanimously approved the following transfers from the city’s $4.45 million in free cash:

$667,902 to the General Stabilization Fund

$667,902 to the Capital Improvements Stabilization Fund

$445,268 to the Revere High School Stabilization Fund

$222,634 to the Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund

$222,634 to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

$445,268 to the Drainage, Stormwater and Culvert Stabilization Fund

Save Sales Creek

Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna filed a motion requesting the city to take steps to protect Sales Creek, which she said is a critical environmental resource for the city. McKenna is asking inspectional services and the conservation commission to investigate businesses that abut the creek for debris and litter violations. She proposed increasing fines to prevent future dumping in the creek. McKenna is also calling on the city to line the banks of the creek with hay bales to prevent any trash from entering the waterway and endangering wildlife. The motion was referred to the Legislative Affairs subcommittee.