--------- Good afternoon and welcome to the June 8th appointment subcommittee. Can we all stand and pledge the of allegiance? So tonight's agenda. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> Roll call of the members. Councelor Cogleandro >> here.
>> Here. Councelor Hass is absent. >> Council mccurio >> here. >> Here. Councelor Sylvestri >> here. >> Here. And chairwoman McKenna >> here. >> Here. Quorum is present. So tonight we have uh two appointments,
one appointment and one reappoint. Um and then we have a motion by councelor Garino SA. So we'll take up the motions f um the appointments first. Uh we have the appointment of one Haramello to the
affordable housing trust fund. Is one here? Okay. So, Juan is not here. This is the second time that Juan has not come to an appointments committee. So, um
I don't know unless he comes late. Um and now we're going to take the uh reappoint of Daniel OSHA to >> Osina to the license commission. >> Yes. Oh, just in time. >> Well, you're not supposed to go to the
gym when you have an appointment. [snorts] >> Cuz you get on tele. >> Okay. So, >> I apologize. >> That's all right. So, you're going to name your um >> push the button. >> Oh, I'm familiar. >> Your name and your address. >> I'm familiar from this side of it.
>> Name an address for the record, please. >> Good afternoon. >> Thank you. Attorney Daniel Osina, fellow licensed commissioner. >> Okay. And >> and uh Oh, sorry. One or square rever mass. >> Thank you very much. And can you just tell me what you've done? How many years
have you been on the license commission? Well, I was appointed as the interim uh commissioner back during COVID in June of uh 2020 and uh with the great Lisa uh Granaso, Linda Granaso, and um and she's no
longer on it, but um and I've been on the commission since then. So, what four and a half years? >> Tell me what you do for the city. what what you've been doing for the city for the last >> Well, aside from practicing law in the city for close to 15 years, I've also run, you know, several youth programs uh
with Rever Pop Warner and my own private organization with the Panthers youth football. Um I'm currently uh still actively practicing and you know and I enjoy my time working for the city as a commissioner. >> Thank you very much. We're going to open it up to the counselors. Any counselors?
Councelor Kogandro. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. Uh, Mr. Osina, I think you do a wonderful job up there. You're very fair, and when you need to be strict, you're strict. When you need to be stern, you're stern. So, I'm happy to see that you want to continue serving. Thank you. >> Absolutely. >> Um, Council Garina SA. Thank you,
Councelor. >> Tell [laughter] don't counsel Garino SA. I would actually like to speak in favor of Daniel Osina. Um during his service, he's been a
tremendous, tremendous asset to the commission, bringing forth both professionalism and strong understanding of the legal matters that come before him. As an attorney, his knowledge and insight have been invaluable in helping the commission make informed decisions.
I fully support his reappoint, and I beg the council to do the same, this commission to do the same. Thank you. Thank you. >> Um, Council Zimbabuto. [clears throat] >> Thank you, Madam Chairman, chairperson.
Uh, Daniel, I'm I'm happy that uh you want to continue to serve in your position. I've admired your uh uh attitude up there and and and the way
you treat people. and uh I'm happy that you're going want to continue to uh serve. So uh please keep up the good work and thank you for your service. >> Thank you. Council Council Sylvestri >> Daniel, thanks for coming up tonight. I appreciate you. I appreciate your
service to the city. Seems like you're going to get a favorable vote tonight and uh just continue to do good work. >> Appreciate it. >> Thank you, >> Councilman Mccurio. >> Thank you, Madam President. Uh uh Daniel, thank you very much. Uh you're a great asset to the city. Uh, I've seen you in action up here. I've been to a
couple of licensing hearings. Uh, you do you ask the right questions. You do a great job and it's a great great to have an attorney up here knowing uh the laws of uh the Massachusetts Bar Association. So, uh it's uh greatly great to have you here. Thank you. >> Appreciate it.
>> Council Novasowski. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Iron Novaski, 53 Deon Street, W 2 counselor. Uh I can't say any more that uh than the counselors have said just prior to me but uh I've been to many many many license
commission meetings and I can't say so much that he is cool calm and collected. He's never raised his voice, never been mad at anybody or angry or any at anybody and he's been there's said he's been very fair. So I'm in favor of this.
Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh, councelor Oh, councelor Aenzio. >> Councelor Aenzio, thank you. Um, I I think this is a great appointment. Mr. Oena was is excellent at what he does. A couple of months back, uh, I appeared
before the license commission and the subject matter was a little um, tenacious there. You know, it was it was a tough uh, tough meeting. U, the way he handled it, he was acting chair at the time. um the way he handled it and with
his cool calm demeanor asked the right questions. Uh excellent appointment. >> Thank you, councelor. Uh Daniel do a good job for the city. >> All in favor? All opposed? So ordered. >> Sorry, madam chairperson. regarding the
Juan John Melo appointment to the affordable housing trust. Uh is this his second time being here? >> Yes. >> Uh then I I think we should pull the plug on him and uh >> place on file. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Motion presented by councilors Garino SA
and councelor Nobasellski pursuant to rule 46 of the city council rules of order that the city council approved the installation of a portrait for Katherine Penn in honor of her being the first woman elected to serve as president of the city council and the first woman elected to represent W 2.
>> Council Green Sua. >> Thank you madam president. Madam Chair, I'm proud to have filed this motion along with Council Novaski to honor the legacy of Katherine Penn as the first woman elected to represent war in 1980
and the first woman elected president of the River City Council in 1983. She broke barriers and helped pave the way for women in local government like you and me. As the first woman ever elected to serve as w five counselor, this
recognition holds special meaning for me. Leaders like Katherine Penn demonstrated that women belonged belonged in the decision-making table long before it was common to see women serving as elected in elected office.
Her dedication to the city of Rivier and her historic accomplishments deserve to be permanently recognized. This portrait is not only to honor her memory but also will serve as an inspiration for future
generation who enter these chambers and see that leadership is open for everyone. Thank you so much. >> Thank you councelor Councel Novaski. [clears throat] >> Thank you madam chair. Iron Novaski 53
do counselor. What can I say about uh Kathy? She'll always be Kathy to me. Um I've knew her for over 60 years, even before her lovely daughter was even born. And uh she lived around economy.
And believe it or not, I had the honor of losing to her to allow her to come on to the council. [laughter] And um you know, she did a great job and then Dicki came next to her and uh he did a fine job and and things moved
along very well and she was very honored and she was proud. She was proud to be a city counselor and a teacher in the River School system. So, I look forward for this to be put up. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Any other
counselors? Councelor Zimbabuto. >> Thank you, Madam Chia. I'm I'm grateful that Ira is not holding a grudge. [laughter] >> Uh I I knew Kathy a long time and she was a special lady. We had our ups and downs. We disagreed on a lot of stuff
and uh we agreed on some stuff and we especially agreed on her brother who was a dear friend of mine and uh when he passed somebody asked me from the newspaper and I said the truth about him
what a wonderful man he was and what a wonderful representative of a a good businessman and so forth and so on. And from that day on, Kathy and I had a much better relationship. And uh uh but uh all kidding aside, uh this is welld
deserved and uh I'm happy that this is happening. Thank you. >> Any other counselors? I'd like to speak from the chair, please. I've known your mother and father for a long time. I worked with your mother. Um, and I'm so
happy that she got to um, come up here and witness her um, recognition on the plaque. I think that was wonderful. Um, it's it's nice to see, you know, be alive and see your accomplishments. So,
I'm really glad that happened. So, thank you very much, >> Marci. >> Sure. Just just say your name, Moss, so they know. Marcy Mucci, 20 Wsworth Avenue. And I just wanted to take a moment to thank
councelor Garino Sire for putting forth this motion to honor my mom as well as councelor Novaski who also made a lovely tribute speech regarding my mother um in the meeting shortly after she passed.
Um as well as a certificate of condolence. And anybody that knows me knows, and I'll say it right now, right here, I don't like politics. I was born into it. And it was my mother's life. She loved it more than
life itself. It was her she I can't say how how much she enjoyed serving Riviera politics. And I just wanted to thank everybody tonight. >> That's all. There's no further business.
>> Next is ways and means. Good evening. Welcome to the June 8th Ways and Means Subcommittee. Please rise to salute the flag. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation
under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Roll call of the members. Councelor Jenzio >> here. >> Here. Council McKenna >> here. >> Here. Council mccurio >> here. >> Here. Council novelski >> here. >> Here. And chairman Kaggleandro >> here.
>> Here. Quum is present. We have one item on tonight's agenda and that's an ordinance further amending the revolving funds table for FY27 or the rever revised ordinances. >> Do any of the subcommittee members have any questions regarding the revolving funds? In that case
all in favor all opposed awarded meeting is adjourned. Good evening. Welcome to the June 8th zoning subcommittee. Please rise to salute the flag to the flag of the United States of
America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Madame clerk, roll close the members. Councelor Arenzio >> here. >> Here. Council Kogandro
>> here. >> Here. Councelor Gino Sua >> here. >> Here. Councelor Kelly >> here. >> Here. And chairman Sylvester >> here. >> Here. A quorum is present. First item on tonight's agenda is an ordinance further amending title 17, the rea revised ordinances relative to outdoor lighting.
>> Anyone here to speak on this? City Councilors, Council Cog. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh myself and Council McKenna filed this. Uh we do want to make one adjustment and we would like to remove the section regarding holiday lighting uh to this ordinance.
Uh also, it's further it's been reviewed by the solicitor's office and uh Frank Stringy as well and uh got positive remarks and actually the the holiday lighting removal came suggested by the solicitor's office. So, I'm happy with the rest of it if anyone has any other
questions. But that's it. Thank you, >> Council Kelly. >> Thank you. So, the the biggest question I have, I'm glad that the holiday lighting is going to be taken out, but I don't think I'm going to be able to support this regardless. But um
>> there seems to be mention of glare but then there's also mention of in other words in terms of how bright the lighting is.
The way I read it is that in some instances an inspector can go out and actually measure how bright something is to to see if it is being a nuisance, but in in other instance there's a section that just says if it causes intense discomfort and
to me that's kind of subjective. So, and if if that's going to result in potentially a resident being on the hook for a $300 a day fine, I don't know if I'm comfortable with something that's
subjective being included in there. Um, and then also the section about whenever a property undergoes a modification, they have to be lighting must be brought into compliance. So, I'm not sure what
kind of modification that property if if it goes under. Is it any little thing? Is it some is it a threshold that they have to meet? I think it's kind of unclear about that. So, I I I'm not comfortable in the format it's in right now to be able to support
it. So, thank you. >> Any other counselors? >> Council McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, the reason why we did this is because both of us have problems with uh residents. Um, I
live in Beachmont and the houses are so close together. Um, I have a woman in the back of me where my bedroom lies and she has her uh light on 24/7, even in the daytime. And then on the side of me where my other window lies, where my
bedroom is, I we have uh flood lights that go on and off all during the night. So in and co um councelor Kuggleandro has the same problem, but especially in Beachmont where we're so close together,
um this makes a lot of sense. And listen, Councelor Kelly, I I agree with you. I think $300 is a lot of money to to uh uh find someone. Um I would suggest that we give them uh we go in
there and and give them a couple of, you know, not freebies, but say, you know, your lighting, can you change your lighting? Maybe we can talk to the the residents before we start finding them if they if they're non-compliant. So, um that's the scoop with this is the reason
why we filed this because especially in Beachmont. Thank you. >> Thank you, Council McKenna. Uh, Council Zambo, Council President Zambo. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Uh, I think I I I see a compromise in here somewhere. I
I I I agree with Councelor Kelly that it's too broad and it it should be narrowly defined as to what is offensive. I mean, obviously the example that Council McKenna just gave is pretty good. It's shining in her window, the
spotlight. So, I mean, and I I also agree that maybe there's a couple of warnings before you actually find somebody. You work with them to try to get them to reposition the light. Uh I'm sure there's a lot more instances uh
besides council cardro and council McKenna. I know I there's there's many instances where I see lighting really causing a nuisance. So I think you know maybe maybe the wording maybe nuisance
rather than uh maybe we should just narrow it down so it's not as broad and uh but I would certainly be in favor of it otherwise. Thank you. >> Thank you councelor. Any other conando? >> Thank you Mr. Chairman. um through you
to councelor Kelly reading the definition of glare. I I see your point. Would you be agreeable if we removed the wording where it says visual discomfort andor and just made it momentary visual impairment because the visual comfort I can completely uh discomfort completely
understand. Everybody has different sensitivity to light. Um I don't know if that would be a compromise on that to to make you a little happier. please. >> Thank you. Um, so I don't know. I guess I'm just confused because under section
1733.040B, right, we've got a definition there about light output and we've got 5,000 lumens and all of that and that's pretty clear. Um, so I guess my issue is is it if it's something that can be
objectively measured, >> right, >> then I guess that's something, right? I just don't want there to be any subjectivity to it. So, if we have a threshold and that threshold is etched in stone and someone's above that threshold, then okay. I still think the $300 a day is steep. Um, also, I'm like
I said, I'm just concerned about that section about property modification. I don't know what the threshold would be for that. Are we going to have everybody now make sure that whenever they do any little thing to their property, their lights are going to be checked to make sure they're, you know, um, so I don't
know. I and also the planning board did not favorably recommend adopting this either. So I I would have to really rework this whole thing in order for me to be comfortable with it, but that's just my opinion. Thank you,
>> Council Kiano. >> Thank you, uh, Mr. Chairman. Yeah. Um, I also agree $300 a day is steep. Be willing to lower that significantly. Okay. As as little of a problem as this could be, it it does cause issues for for a lot of neighbors in in my area. I
don't want to speak for the rest of the city, but um I do know that when a building or a home or any type of property is out of compliance, whether it's grandfathered in or how, you know, we used to have two families that have three parking spots, if they pull a
permit to, you know, do anything, it kind of lights up the house like a Christmas tree. I would imagine that's what it's like, but I do agree. It's it is a little broad. Um I'm happy to to uh table this for now and take a look at these these few things. Lower the fines.
Um and also just one more point as far as the uh planning board. They said they were not in favor, but they really didn't give a description of why they weren't in favor. So maybe they can shed some more light on that. No pun intended. And uh you know, but I'm
absolutely willing to rework this. I think this this is a good ordinance that we can really make beneficial to the people. Uh so that's all happy to table this. >> Thank you councelor Councelor Zambo. >> Thank you. just I I was going to suggest that we uh send it to committee and and
reshape it and and definitely you don't want to have it like they did when they were when they were uh enforcing the new fire code that was was has since been uh uh abandoned by this
that started in the city of Boston. and we were forcing people to hardwire their smoke detectors in a one family if they took a building permit out. So, this is this falls in that same category. If you you're going to do something to your house and you're going to you're going
to have to spend thousands of dollars to redo your lighting. I'm not in favor. So, we got to be very careful when we shape this. But, I think we can come up with a good solution. >> Thank you, councelor. Um, permission to speak from the chair. >> Um, I I agree. Um, as is I I'm I'm very
uncomfortable. I I think we're one creating a lot of work for our our departments of of of who's policing this, who's like like the building department and whatnot. Two, one light for one neighbor may be a nuisance.
Another light for another neighbor may be their safety when taking out their trash or walking their dog in the middle of the night. Um, so I I think it's it's very very much uh too broad for me to agree with right now. So I think table
it is the best. Um, but I councelor Novasowski. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Iron Overelski 53 do the home street w 2 counselor. I agree with every single one of you and I I did read it and
I understand what the planning board did and they did say that it was still it was very ambiguous basically uh needed a lot of work and I think it does um one question I have is who is to determine that your light is too bright you know
are there tools are there kind of a piece of equipment that we'd have to buy the building department for them to check out So, I still have some issues with this and I think we ought to table it and work uh see if it can be worked out again. Thank you, >> Kogandra. Comfortable table
>> motion to table. >> Thank you, Madame Clerk. >> Did you want to do? >> Uh, no. >> Yeah. Okay. This will remain in committee. All in favor? All opposed?
Next item is the special permit application of Zereda Yuron, trustee of Zera Euron Family Trust, 53 Tap Street, requesting a special permit to enable the appellent to alter and extend a pre-existing non-conforming singlestory single family dwelling to a three-story
two family dwelling at 53 Tap Street. >> Petitioner There we go. Uh, good evening. Uh, my name is Matt Graves and I'm an attorney located at 14 Proctor Avenue. Uh, I represent the applicant in this matter, Zorida Euron. Uh, and the Zorida Euron
Family Trust. Uh, Miss Euron is here tonight. So is the project architect, Hector Prio, for any technical questions. Um, just to sort of summarize the project, um, as you heard on May 18th, uh, this project project is for an addition at 53 Taft Street, which
currently contains, uh, an outdated singlestory residential structure, uh, in an area of the neighborhood that is predominantly two three-story multi-unit residential buildings. Uh, Miss Euron's plan is to add a second and third stories to the home and turn those into
a second living unit. Uh, I will put the floor plans up. Um, the applicant plans to continue living at the property. She's not a developer. She's a local Revier resident. Uh, just trying to improve her home for her and her family. Ultimately,
her plan is for, uh, her son and his family to move into the second unit after, uh, he and his wife returned from active duty in the US Air Force. Um, also as noted on May 18th, um, Ms.'s done extensive outreach to neighbors,
uh, and secured at least 20 letters of support, uh, from folks in the neighborhood. Uh, the letters are all on file with the city clerk. Um, one concern that had been raised about the project was with respect to storm water. So right now we have plans the
architect's drawn up plans for two 500galon um dry wells if needed. I mean the plan is we'll do those if we need to but to consult with site plan review and any requirements that you want us to have and you know basically however the city wants it to be handled uh we'll handle
it that way but those would um handle storm water better than even the singlestory structure is doing it right now. Um 53 Taff Street is the largest residential lot on this particular block uh of Taff Street. Um let me put up the
exterior elevations. So here is the what the exterior of the proposed project would look like. Um, this project would increase the total square footage of the structure to just below about 200 or so square feet below the average of other houses on the block. So, it's really just bringing it
up right in line with the average of the neighborhood. Um, there are no traffic or parking impacts expected as this is just a a family upgrade to the property. The three planned parking spaces uh are more than sufficient to meet Miss Euron's needs and those of her family.
Um, and in any event, uh, the property is just about 500 ft or so from the 116 bus line. Major bus line comes every 10 minutes. Service from Wonderland to, uh, Maverick Station in East Boston. Um, so yeah, in conclusion, um, this property,
this project will align the property more closely with its neighbors um, and ultimately allow the the applicant's son and his family uh, to move into that second unit uh, when he comes back from service in the Air Force. The project has broad support from the neighborhood and I'm happy to take any of your
questions and Hector can take any uh more technical questions that you have. >> Thank you, councelor. Any city councilors? >> No. >> Hector, >> council, how you doing, council members? Heck
>> name and address? 114 Addison Street, Chelsea, Massachusetts. >> Oh, no. I'm sorry. I thought there was a question. >> Oh, >> no, no, no. She was. >> Sorry. >> Pleased to meet you, though. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> You get that later on.
>> I thought I thought you were appoint one city councelor. Uh I've been working with this family with this project for the last year. Uh even before I was on the council. Um and then I got uh voted in and uh I worked uh with them uh continuously with this project. Um I'm
in favor of this project. It's a it's a great design. It's going to fit very well into the neighborhood. Uh the this family has lived in this home for 11 years. They're not going to go anywhere. They're going to they're in for the long haul. So uh it's a good project. We had
one issue with uh one of the residents regarding storm warn uh storm water drainage. Uh I think we addressed that uh with uh uh uh with the installation of potentially two 500galon storm water tanks. Um she is currently uh hooked up
to the storm water system uh right now. Uh so we might make adjustments with that. We might only need one uh 500galon tank. Um, but uh it's a good project and uh I hope everyone uh votes this in favor. Thank you very much, Mr. President. >> Thank you, councelor. Any other
counselors? Permission to speak from the chair. >> Um I got to be honest, this is a project I'm very excited about. We uh go back and forth with developers all the time on veterans housing, and we're getting veterans housing here in my eyes. Um it
it's Can Can we get that first poster put up again? picture, >> please. Yes. >> Yes. The house we're talking about is the the yellow house, correct? >> Yeah, exactly. You can see the rest of the neighbor
>> and and the rest of the neighbors just so the I want the the people at home to see the difference. Um because a lot of times neighbors have issues with us approving development in neighborhoods and and to see the the
every house on that street is is well above beyond the this house. So um I'm happy to approve this tonight and I am hoping the council does as well. Thank you. Anyone else?
Name and address. Steve Capano, 63 Tap Street. Um, we got uh 21 community support letters, including her closest uh neighbors, which was in front and both sides and behind. Those would be the ones you would normally have problems with. So, I
mean, it's it's a great project and I and uh I'm happy for her. Yeah. >> Thank you, Steve. >> All right. Thanks, sir. Um, Madame Clerk, can we uh have a roll call um to approve depending on the site
plan review decisions and revisions? Uh so if we can make the special permit uh granted um with approval of site plan review, the conditions with of site plan review. Yes. >> Shall the zoning subcommittee offer a
favorable recommendation to the full city council to grant the relief requested subject to the conditions set forth by site plan review? Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Cogleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes.
>> Yes. And Chairman Sylvester. >> Yes. >> Yes. The special department has received a favorable recommendation. And there's a motion by councelor Go Slaya that the mayor request planning and community development, inspectional services, engineering, conservation,
fire, and the city solicitor to review and evaluate the implementation of the accessory dwelling unit ordinance in light of significant increase in ADU applications throughout the city and provide recommendations to the city council. Council go.
>> The motion speaks for itself. >> Thank you. That was Yeah. Any other counselors? Council Kelly. >> Thank you. So, I'm wondering if we could just amend this to include um larger
apartment buildings as well. I just want to see that application is being consistently applied across the board. So could would there be any um opposition to also
including developments exceeding 20 units to also be included in this >> con would you be willing to do that? >> I don't see a problem with it but they already have to do that.
anything that is typically on a larger scale, they have to upgrade the infrastructure, including the drainage system and other utilities. So, I I I think it's a m moot point,
but if it would make council Kelly happy, that's fine with me. I >> councelor, it's your motion. You have to either agree or disagree to add the >> I just I think it's a moot point because they already have to do all that. >> Okay. So, madame clerk, could we have a
roll call on the motion as is >> on councelor for a favorable recommendation to the send it to the city council? Councelor Aenzio, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Kogleandro, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Garino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly, >> no.
>> No. And Chairman Sylvester, >> yes. >> Yes. The motion has received a favorable recommendation. It will be sent to the city council this evening. >> And there'll be no further business this evening. Thank you. Have a great night. Part: 2
Welcome to the June 8th 2026 meeting of the Revere City Council. All rise and salute the flag, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Madam Clerk. >> Roll call of the members. Councilor D'Ambrosio. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Cogliandro. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Giannino. >> Here.
>> Here. Councilor Guinasso. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Haas. Is absent. Councilor Kelly. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor McKenna. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Macario. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Novoselsky. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Silvestri. >> Here. >> Here. And Council President Zambuto. >> Here.
>> Here. A quorum is present. Approval of the journal of the regular meeting of June 1st. >> So moved. >> All in favor, all opposed. So ordered. >> Calendar item number three. Ryan Daken of LeftField will provide the City Council with a brief update on the progress of the high school
construction. >> Mr. Daken. >> Good [clears throat] evening, Council President, Councilors. Thank you for your time. Uh so, quick update, um budget update first, then we'll go into schedule, and we can handle some questions, um on the budget side of the high school
project, bidding is complete. Uh the end culmination of bidding put the project $14.8 million under the established previously established construction cost. Um that sort of is the difference between about $950 a square foot and 935
is where we ended up post bidding. Uh that bid savings of about 14.8 million will be transferred into the project's hard cost contingency resulting in that contingency [clears throat] moving from 18.5 million dollars, um which is none of that money's been spent. That's
the original value of the contingency. 18.5 million of 33.2 million. Um as with any contingency or allowance in the project, if it's unspent, it comes back to the city at the end of the day. Um we have also submitted the whole
guaranteed maximum price final construction contract to the state, the MSBA, um for their analysis. They will take probably a few months, um 1 to 3 months to turn around the final update to the MSBA agreement, which is called
the PFA bid amendment. Um that adjusts the budget to the actual bid cost, not estimated cost, and provides us the final breakdown of range of reimbursement. So, once we get bid amendment back, um a topic of discussion at a future update
meeting will be how the bottom line cost to Revere has evolved. Um bottom line cost to Revere meaning what Revere's putting up front minus what they're getting back from the state. Um >> [clears throat] >> ultimately
the project is very healthy financially. Um we do anticipate, barring any sort of completely unforeseen uh out there event in the next few years, we absolutely anticipate being able to deliver the project under budget. The question is going to be how much.
Um that's something we can certainly, once we have the reimbursement projections back and get through this next winter and enclosing the building will be a topic of focus over the next 2 years. Um moving into the schedule, um we are approximately 15% complete with
construction. Site work is ongoing. Um that includes grading, underground utilities, ground improvements, stiffening up the ground around the building is complete. We're working our way away from the building
to roadways and retaining walls in terms of ground improvements. The soil exporting um >> [clears throat] >> process is complete around the building in what we're calling zones 1 and 2. We're working our way north on the site.
Um geothermal wells are also in the process of being drilled. We have multiple rigs that are drilling about between 3 and 5 350-ft deep holes for the geothermal system per day. That'll take the next 2 to 3 months to
complete. Foundation concrete pours for foundation and footings are underway three to five pours per week. Translates to a couple hundred trucks coming and going. Uh and all of that is putting us on schedule for the receipt of structural steel. Uh
the second week of July the crane will show up by the third week of July steel will start arriving from Canada and erection will begin and run through December. So, um by the time this fall turns into winter, we'll be free of foundations,
done with ground improvements, uh we'll be out of the soil exporting business. We will have the steel erected and be moving into cladding the envelope of the building um as steel goes up. That envelope work will run through
straight through next fall and as portions of the building are closed in will be rapidly followed by mechanical systems and interior construction. Those will be the main the main activities going on the site most of 2027 and into 2028 completing
mechanical systems, completing inside the building. As that evolves from site work will be ongoing throughout the duration of the project. Right now, it's all about the things I noted, ground improvements, grading, utilities. As we get into next spring, it'll start turning into finish grading and
landscaping. And the athletic the turf fields will be going in, wrapping everything up to turn over the building in fall of 2028 as scheduled. Still on schedule for occupancy over the
holidays in 2028. And um I can get into any other detail you folks would like to with some questions, but otherwise, you'll hear this through City Hall. But we're in the process of planning a site visit for the city council, a school committee, a
school building committee would like to show up. Right now, we're penciling that in July 29th at 2:30. So, that communication will come to all of you through City Hall and or the clerk once we have that solidified. But if you want to see what's going on down there, I think that'd be a good day to
come see it. We'll be drilling in the geothermal wells. Steel will be going up and we'll have foundation and site work still moving along. So, overall, on schedule, under budget. [clears throat] And I'd pause and see what type of questions we want to address tonight.
>> Councilor Greenough-Shwayrih. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Brian, thank you for coming and giving us this update. I'm glad to hear [clears throat] that it is under budget. It's fantastic. I have actually have a couple of questions from the residents that are around that area.
Particularly one on Dunn Road. The question is they they want to know regarding the access on Dunn Road to the new high school. Is vehicular access going to be denied
completely and just with a pass code or whatever for the fire department? And >> Good. Sorry, keep going. >> Okay. Will it be completely denied? >> Public vehicular access is not intended. There'll be a locked gate there with just first responder, police, fire access through that.
Walking access and bike access there will be paths, but no vehicular access through Dunn Road. >> Okay, so the kids will be able to get there through the back. >> Yep. >> The bikes will be able to get there through the back, but the cars will not. >> Correct. >> Okay. I cuz I know my residents on Dunn
Road are watching. >> Yep. >> So, I just wanted I wanted them to hear it from you. And so, it will ease them. Thank you so much. That was the most important thing. And then, um um Well, that's it. I'm good. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. Counselor McKenna.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. I have an you Thank you for coming, um Mr. Deacon. Um I have an unusual uh question. >> Sure. >> Um so, um I don't know. Do you know about the understanding that there was an
osprey um nest on that land, and it was removed? >> Yes. >> Um and it wasn't supposed to. Oh, so you do know. >> Yeah, there's a long history of this. Yep. >> Huh? They replaced it. Oh, yes. All right. So, um that's all set. They replaced it.
>> Uh yeah, you interested I could give you a little bit of history. I know >> Yes. So, I mean, I was told by Ranger Riley um from DCI that um this was uh probably about uh 6 months ago that they removed the osprey uh nest, and they
were afraid the osprey made um his nest on the high-tension wires. And he was afraid that the grass and whatever they make their nest with would catch on fire. So, he was wondering if they could put um a disc uh somewhere that they
could make a nest. And I was down there, I don't know, probably a couple of weeks ago, and I did see the osprey uh in his new home. So, I was just wondering I I didn't know if you knew this or not, but everybody's very happy. So, thank you. >> Sure.
Thank you, counselor. Counselor Mercurio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Deakin, thank you very much for being here. You had mentioned that we're under budget by about projected to be 14.8 million dollars. Does that come off our side or does that come off the
state side? >> The The document that the state needs to return to us will confirm that. Our projections, which are conservative, are that the savings would be split. So, you'll probably lose 7 or 8 million in the MSBA grant, which means the cost to
Revere will be reduced by 7 or 8 million. Depending on how the MSBA reacts to it and some of their updates to reimbursement could be a little better than that. But, the way I view it is a 15-ish million dollar reduction in the overall budget will result in 7-8
millions in savings for Revere. >> Okay, great. And how did how did we come up with that 14.8 million under budget? What what are some of the things that got us to that point? >> So, really there was There has never been any value engineering on the
project. Nothing has been removed from the scope that was requested and presented. That purely is the result of market conditions and bidding. We didn't have to perform any actions removing, changing things to get there. That's just a result of moving from
estimated numbers to actual real market numbers. >> Okay. And uh I think that's all I have at this time. Thank you very much for being here and we appreciate all your hard work. >> Thank you, counselor. >> Thank you, counselor. Counselor Carigliano. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Hi, Brian. Um
three questions. The first one is about the commuter rail. Any talk about that from the state side? I know there's not a lot of room over there and we're kind of counting on that. >> I know the process is ongoing. Um I'm not fully up to date on the progress
other than I know that they've presented I believe there are at least three concepts of It's less from what I understand about how to fit a commuter rail station that would mostly be over the tracks from what I'm told. It's more about how to bring vehicular and pedestrian access in
bulk to it. So I've seen a few proposals that would our surface based which would change around some sidewalks and get a drive aisle in there and I've seen a scheme that involved an elevated walkway. But I'm keeping in touch with that process. I
expect it to go relatively slowly. I don't have all the details though. >> All right. And we've previously I'm on the building committee. We've had previous opportunities to vote to save money or spend money. Are there going to be any more of those coming up and I would refer you to the the field
lighting that we just voted on the 1.8 million. Are there going to be any other opportunities for savings within the project for the committee? >> I don't know of any right now. I think the only thing that's worth mentioning is probably the opposite
which is not what you're looking for. One of the things at this point in the process as we're clearing getting into real construction is revisiting the items owner furnished items at the end of the day. Mainly that's the technology package and the furniture and equipment package.
I expect the furniture equipment package budget to be inadequate. I don't know by how much. So I think I think there's going to be a decision point a little bit down the road with the building committee of potentially tapping contingency to write the
furniture budget. But that's probably a number of months away. I just don't think that budget is a few years old at this point and nothing good has happened in that industry in terms of cost. So I anticipate that we're going to need to top off the furniture budget by the time we're buying it at the end of 2027 in
the beginning of 2028. >> And I said three I have four. I'm sorry, Mr. President. Um as far as the layout for the interior. I know we've had conversations about why we're having two cafeterias, things like that. Are we at a point where we can't change any of
that to save money or are we still going with the original plan? >> Original plan, and at this point the train has left the station on the configuration of the building. >> And lastly, I don't want to jinx anything, but we had some luck with the MSBA reimbursement rates. Do we foresee
that maybe increasing at some point for more savings? >> I hope it does. I can't speak for them. Since the last update when the council passed the project, that year they had changed the metrics of reimbursement, which drove it up. They've pushed a few
other reimbursement level levers up over the last few years, and we're going to hope that we can capture those in the final project funding agreement amendment in the coming months. And that's the sort of thing that would change the ratio that I mentioned to Councillor Mercurio a little bit from a
50/50 savings to a little more in Revere's favor. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Councillor. Councillor Kelly. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So, I just wanted to circle back on the Osprey just for a second because um I know that National Grid comes
before us every once in a while, and we are pretty hard on them. Uh and for good reason sometimes, but I just wanted to let everyone know that a resident did contact me about the issue with the Osprey. They are I contacted National Grid a lot Jim McKay at National Grid
specifically, um and um also Brian I forget his last name, but he was a biologist that was also involved. And I think I contacted them on April 9th, and I think by April 12th the whole thing was done, and it was done beautifully.
So, I did just want to give a shout-out publicly to National Grid because on this they worked as expeditiously, and they did a great job. So, that's all. Thank you. >> And I'll just note that there is um there's a temporary osprey nest that was put up before it came back this year. It
chose on the site it chose not to nest in it. It picked a power pole that is technically Mass DOT property. Um there is still a new pole for it in the final design. So, the hope is that it eventually moves back when the site quiets down to the area closer to Dunn
Road on the back side of the site. >> Thank you, counselor. Uh Counselor Silvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Brian, I just want to say thank you for coming up tonight and keeping us updated and keeping the process moving. Greatly appreciate it. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Any other counselors? Thank you very much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Placed on file. Um we're moving to public uh comment pursuant to chapter 402 the acts of
1965. I will ask that you listen carefully to the city clerk on who's allowed to speak and what what the process is. >> Public comment is limited to Revere residents or Revere business owners
only. Please provide your name and full address for the record. Two minutes per person. Please indicate which council order number you will be speaking on. Thank you. >> Name and address and what council order you plan to speak on?
>> Yes, hi. My name is Jean Chepen. I'm the president of the Revere Teachers Association and I'm here tonight to speak on uh the >> Your >> And your please. >> 15 Guild Street, Boston, Mass. >> And you're not allowed to speak. >> Not allowed to speak? >> No. >> Okay.
>> I asked you to listen to the carefully to the clerk. >> I listened carefully to the clerk. I spoke many times here before as the president of the Revere Teachers Association. >> that was on the agenda. This This This isn't This isn't You're not First of all, you're not a resident.
That You don't fit the qualifications. I'm sorry. >> As >> Next. >> As a teacher of Revere, just Thank you for I I don't fit the qualifications to speak in front of the council. Okay, thank you very much for your >> I don't >> time. >> You misinterpreted what I said, but
that's fine. Someone else? >> Name and address. >> Philip Hancock, 153 Winthrop Parkway. >> Revere? [clears throat] >> Um I am >> Revere? >> I do live in Revere, yes. 153 Winthrop Parkway, Revere, Massachusetts. >> Okay.
>> Um I am a teacher at the Rumney Marsh Academy, and I >> I need to know what you're going to speak on, sir. >> I am speaking um some notes uh speaking about the city budget. >> No, no. I'm sorry. You got to speak on
something that's on the agenda for tonight. >> Is this not public comment? >> It's public comment. You have to I I I I tried to let you listen to the requirements for public comments. If you're not speaking on something
specifically that's on our agenda, you're not entitled to speak. >> Very well. >> Thank you. Anybody else in public comments? Seeing none, that ends the public comment period. >> The appointment subcommittee report. >> We want some order. I enough.
That's enough. Two minute recess. We follow the rules up here. We follow We follow rules up here. Thank you. >> Okay. We're back to regular order business.
>> The appointment subcommittee report. Thank you. Um >> Madam Madam Chairwoman. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh so, tonight we had a appointment subcommittee report um a committee and we had two appointments, one a new appointment,
Juanita Melo, who didn't show up. This is his second time not showing up so we placed it on file and then we had a reappointment from Daniel Osseina to the license commission and we approved his appointment. We also had a
motion presented by counselor Guerrino Sawayerr and counselor Novaselski. That the city council approved the installation of a portrait for Katherine Penn in honor of her being the first woman elected to serve as president of the city council in 1983.
And the first woman elected to represent ward two. And she was this was approved so um >> Take them both up with a roll call. >> think we should take a roll call a roll call yes. Thank you. >> both up with a roll call please.
We'll take them up one at a time as advised by the city clerk. On the appointment of Juan Hermelo placed on file all in favor all opposed. I. Roll call on the other two or do you want to take
separate? >> Daniel Osseina to the license commission counselor Genzio. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor Coglinadro. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor Guerrino Sawayerr. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor House is absent counselor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor McKenna.
>> Yes. >> Yes counselor Macellaro. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor Novaselski. >> Yes. >> Yes counselor Silvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes and council president Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes the appointment has been confirmed and >> Yes. On the portrait for Kathy Pahn.
>> On the portrait for Kathy Pahn. Councilor Argenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Cogliano. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Genino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Greenough-Swig. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Haas is absent. Councilor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Mercurio. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Councilor Novaselsky. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Silvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The motion has been approved. Uh next up is the Ways and Means Sub-Committee report. >> Chairman Cogliano, please. >> Mr. President. Uh we had one item on the
agenda uh regarding the revolving funds table for fiscal year '27. It was voted out unanimously favorably, and I ask for a roll call. >> Ordered on a second reading. All in favor, all opposed.
Ordered on a third and final reading. All in favor, all opposed. Roll call on engrossment and ordainment. >> Shall the City Council approve an ordinance further amending the revolving funds table for FY '27? Councilor Argenzio. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Councilor Cogliano. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Genino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Greenough-Swig. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Haas is absent. Councilor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Mercurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Novaselsky. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Silvestri. >> Yes.
>> Yes. And Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The ordinance is engrossed and ordained. Next up is the Zoning Sub-Committee report. >> Chairman Silvestri. >> Good evening, Mr. President. Um this evening we had three uh items on
the agenda. First was an ordinance to further amend the Title 17 of the Revere Revised Ordinance relative to outdoor lighting. That is um going back to committee and uh will be worked on a later date. It'll be placed on file.
>> Placed on file. >> We got to reverse that. >> [laughter] >> So, we're keeping this in committee for further discussion. Then we had um a the 53 Taft Street in Revere uh
requesting a special permit to enable an appellant to alter and expand a pre-existing non-conforming single-family dwelling to a three-story two-family dwelling at 53 Taft Street in Revere. And this was uh approved unanimously.
Like a favorable. Madam Clerk. Sorry. Call the roll, please. >> Shall the City Council grant the relief requested for 53 Taft Street subject to the condition any conditions set forth by Site Plan Review. Councilor Genzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Cogiliano.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Guarino Squillacia. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Hassey's absent. Councilor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Macario. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Novoselsky. >> Present. >> Voting present. Councilor Silvestri.
>> Yes. >> Yes. And Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The special permit has been granted. >> And then lastly, we had a motion uh by Councilor Guarino Squillacia uh requesting that the mayor bring up uh
a several departments to speak on the ADU ordinance um and uh that also had a favorable uh uh vote. All in favor, all opposed. So ordered.
>> Calendar item number 11, communication from the city auditor requesting an appropriation in the amount of $50,000 from the stormwater improvement trust fund for design services for North Revere stormwater improvements. >> Mr. CFO.
>> Good evening. Councillors, Rich Viscay, CFO, 201 Broadway. Um a few years back this body did approve a uh trust fund for the purposes of putting money aside for stormwater related um repairs to the city. Uh and
since we've funded it the last couple of years, we have incorporated that into our capital plan and uh right now we plan on trying to use those funds to do design work for um some of the stormwater issues in the city and then once we get the design work done, we would uh do uh bond
authorization for the work. If if it needed it or an appropriation from the fund if if there was enough there, but in this particular instance, it's just $50,000 so we can do uh design work for some uh stormwater up in North Revere and um happy to answer any questions on that. Thank you.
>> Any councillors? Hearing and seeing none, call the roll. >> Shall the city council approve a transfer in the amount of $50,000 from the drainage and stormwater trust to the drainage improvements design account? Councillor Argenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Cogliano.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Giannino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Greenough Swig. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Hassell is absent. Councillor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor MacCurtain. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Novoselsky. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councillor Silvestri. >> Yes.
>> Yes. And Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes. The transfer has been approved. Calendar item number 12, communication from the city auditor requesting an appropriation from the solid waste enterprise retained earnings account in the amount of $190,000 for the purchase
of a street sweeper. >> Mr. CFO. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um we have um I believe since 2018 ran our our solid waste through an enterprise fund which um every year we end up in a slight
deficit. We've never had positive retained earnings until uh 2025. Fiscally, I mean fiscal year ending in June 30th, 2025. So, fiscally at 26. Um we did have a certification of uh $280,000 uh or so and uh we thought that
that was a great opportunity for us to use that um and put it back into the operation by purchasing this uh street sweeper which is a little bit different than the typical street street sweeper you see. This one actually has an arm on it that allows you to maneuver inside and and clear out catch basins and do
some additional stuff that would uh serve the uh solid waste uh in the city's [snorts] department well. So, uh we're hoping to buy that with the one-time funds available and um happy to answer any questions on that. Thank you very much. >> Any counselors?
Councilor Mercurio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh thank you, Mr. Mr. Viscay and uh thank you for uh saving our money for $287,000. That's good work on your part. Um but I have to question the $190,000 at this time
uh when we're going to have a fiscal gap 28-29. Couldn't we use that money to fill the gap uh in that in that time period? >> The when we get our retained earnings certified, similar to the free cash, this is usually as a result of
operations from the prior fiscal year. So, this is one-time money that um is certified and you have to use it by June 30th otherwise you close the books and get it recertified. So it's not really an I don't typically like to use one time funds to fund the recurring operating
costs. So this we try to make our appropriations from our retained earnings for for one time expenditures so that we don't create any kind of funding gap. So these are essentially one time revenues that we have and we're trying to put it towards one time expenses. >> And and the unit that we're going to buy, can you can you the manufacturer
name? Do you know that off hand? >> I happen to have a copy of a brochure. Nighthawk uh Raptor. I can give you this picture here. Sorry I didn't get it earlier, but yeah it's uh I can I can read all this stuff but I'll happen to hand this to you to check it
out but it's uh It's right here. >> Okay, great. That's a >> Yeah, no problem. >> That's a Tymco sweeper. I did some work research on it. And the operational costs that are we bonding that or is that just going to be paid free cash? >> No, the 190,000 will cover the cost of this entirely.
>> What we're not bonding that. We're just going to pay for it, write a check and pay for it. >> Correct. >> Correct. What do you know what do you know what the operational cost of that machine is per year? >> I do not. >> Okay. With the 190,000 dollars that we're going to pay for it, I did it over a five year span. That machine's going
to cost us 366,000 dollars. That would be operating costs and maintenance and repairs. That's a very high maintenance machine. Um I'd like to talk to Chris Ciamello a little bit more detail regarding this machine. I think it's a great idea, but
I think appropriate that amount of money for a high maintenance machine like that I think is not fiscally sound. >> Yeah, I'm not sure where those maintenance and operating costs come from. Obviously that seems a little excessive to me, but not here to debate it, but um
You're you're within your right to do whatever you like with this appropriation request. >> industry for 42 years, I I know what operating heavy machinery costs. And that's all I'm saying. I I I would like a cost >> This is a street sweeper. It's not heavy machinery.
>> It That is a heavy machinery. There's a lot of components to that. There's There's hydraulic. The brooms alone are cost Just one one little broom costs over $300. And those have to be replaced in four or five times a year. >> I imagine so.
>> Okay. >> That's not 300,000, but >> Excuse me? >> That's That don't equal 300,000 in 5 years. >> operational >> I'd love to see those numbers. >> Okay. I will present them to you. >> Councilor Silvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Biscay,
thank you. Um Right now, currently, how does our street sweeping get done? >> We have one machine in-house that we use, but we are on the contract with Arrow Sweeping for our typical street sweeping on the street. So, I think we use that street sweeper
for special events and other things. And again, there's always an a need in the city to have this type of equipment. Our street sweeper we've had I think it's about 5 years old now. So, this this particular piece of equipment I believe it will allow for a little more maneuverability within the the tight
streets that we'll get in some of the areas, but um >> Does >> But, we are on the contract for our street sweeping as as as a regular operation. >> For how long are we under that that contract? >> this is the last year of our 3-year contract. I believe all our contracts are 1 year with two 1-year options. >> Do we have any
any thought process of of now having two street sweepers and possibly not going out to contract and and doing it ourselves? Is that not a possibility? I I just can't I'm just confused. Like, if there was an idea like going towards that, I could say, "Hey, yeah, let's buy another street sweeper."
Um but just to buy a street sweeper, to have a street sweeper for I'm not sure why. >> Well, we've had the street sweeper on the capital plan for a little while. We've actually accelerated up this year because we happen to get the certified free cash in our enterprise fund, but
fancy a question I would say Chris is definitely interested in perhaps taking more of these operations in house and using his own people, but I think that's probably a better question for the budget meetings over the next couple days, but I do believe that's something he wants to consider. I mean, we always looking for ways to bring
stuff in house as a way to be a little more efficient with our dollars. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Any other counselors? I guess I'll ask a couple questions. If that's okay. Um How do we end up with free cash from the
from from the uh waste account when we >> The best >> We're operating at a $4 million deficit, I think. And >> Well >> And I know we pay less than any other city in town because of your negotiating and and so forth. >> Well, thank you. I appreciate it, but
>> I you know, I talked to Chris earlier, but the bottom line is how the heck do we end up with this free cash? >> So, most of the costs in the enterprise fund for solid waste are fixed costs. Our labor, our contract with capital for collection. However,
you know, the tipping fee is is is variable cost. So, depending on how much we bring to the dump and how much is weighed there, we get billed accordingly. So, if we have less tonnage in a fiscal year than we budget, we'd have some surplus. >> So, in this case, it's >> Okay. In that situation.
>> Great. Great. Well, I I understand my colleagues' concerns, but uh I it's it's obvious that we've got a five What is it? A five seven-year-old sweeper right now in house. >> It's five years old and and it's it's
it's a little different than the style of sweeper. So, it's a This is a little bit of a different piece of equipment. >> one sounds great that it can you can it can reach out and clean the So, think that's wonderful. Um You know, I support this and but I'm only one counselor here.
So uh You Counselor Iannicelli. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So uh Councilor Mercurio was right. Street sweepers are notoriously uh difficult to maintain. But where the one we have now is 5 to 6 years old.
The life expectancy of that is probably gone. I know this is a new style of sweeper. It has a little bit more versatility to it. So um I don't see a problem in purchasing it cuz the one we have now, I'm sure it's on its way out. And
it would behoove us to try to maintain that any longer than it is. So I'm in favor of the purchase of the sweeper. >> [laughter] >> Let's call the roll. >> [clears throat] >> Shall the City Council approve a transfer from the solid waste retained earnings account to the new equipment
account in the amount of $190,000 for the purchase of a street sweeper? Councilor Iannicelli. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Cogliandro. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Giannino. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Guarino Sawaya. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Haas. Is absent. Councilor Kelly.
>> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Mercurio. >> Absent. >> Voting Present. Councilor Napolitanski. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Silvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes, and Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes, the transfer has been approved.
Calendar item number 13, communication from the City Auditor requesting approval of the fiscal year 2017 water rates as follows. Residential, $5.25 per 100 cubic feet. in commercial $8.70 per 100 cubic feet.
>> Mr. Viscay. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Here we are fiscal year 2027 being contemplated for appropriations. The overall budget is expected to go up 4.06%
for fiscal year 2027. Most of that increase is due to the water and sewer assessments from the MWRA. Mostly operating costs are pretty level at that service is actually pretty level, but all that being said that that $20
million of uh >> [snorts] >> water and sewer we we buy from MWRA is effectively uh uh in order to keep up with the operating costs. Uh it's coming in at at a 4% increase to the water rates and um that's just based upon we need about 4%
more money to cover the bills this year. So, there's no uh no pattern there or or anything else. It's just a standard increase to keep up with operating costs. So, happy to answer any questions on that. >> Councilor Guerrino Sullai. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. Vis- Mr.
Mr. Viscay, um it's 4% across the board commercial and residential. >> That would be for residential commercial both for water and for sewer. This body actually does the water and the sewer is done by the administration. But, it'll be 4% across the board, yes. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you, Councilor Kelly. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Mr. Viscay, so last year wasn't there a pretty big increase on this? It was 9.7% I think was approved. >> Yes. >> So, that that's the problem that I have
with this is just that in 2 years to ask residents to see almost a 14% increase in 2 years on their water bill is just it's a lot. Um and I'm particularly concerned with the seniors having to
go along with that and keep up with that. It's a lot. So, has there been any um discussion or thought given to maybe some increased um reductions for our seniors? >> Um not as not as part of this motion. I
know we we had some conversation about that, but um this that that is not contemplated in this rate increase. Um >> What if the um if the 4% increase were not approved, what would the projected impact be on the enterprise
fund next year for water and sewer? >> Um well >> we had we had $6 million and we've seen a decline to 1.5 million on the water and sewer stabilization fund. Is that correct? From >> Yeah, we we Well, the reason we had such a large increase last year is cuz we had
a um we had to work ourselves off using one-time revenues to support recurring costs. So, that 9.7 kind of got us back to par. So, essentially rate increases going forward so long as, you know, nothing um crazy happens again. We we All of this
is forecast to be based upon expected expenses and um so, the 4% increase represents the 4% increase in the budget. So, if we look at it at, you know, $37 million operation, you know, 1% of that
is $370,000. So, times that by four, that's about a million and a half. So, let's just say we left the water rate zero, we did nothing, we'd probably ultimately end up with a million and a half dollar shortfall in our enterprise fund next year. Which would then have to be raised
the following year and then on top of that we'd have to double up to catch up again. So, >> Right. I >> understand. I just don't know if considering that that hike last year was large that this year another 4% is just >> It's usually the worst counselor I bring up here to ask for
water rate increases. I understand that, but these are uh just if we're going to continue to be self-sufficient in the water and sewer at the price fund, we have to set the rates accordingly. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, counselor. Counselor Argensio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Mr. Biscay,
uh how much of an increase is the is uh attributable to the MWRA water and sewer rate? How much of that 4% increase could be attributed to that? >> [clears throat] >> Excuse me, essentially all of it to be
honest, but um in um fiscally at '27, uh water assessment is 7.26 million dollars. That's up 6% from the previous fiscal year. And our sewer is 13.4 million
dollars and that's up 3.49% from the prior fiscal year, so that kind of combined effective rate brings us in at about 4%. Sewer is a little less, but it's, you know, twice as much as the water, so >> Okay, so this is more or less a direct result of what the MWRA is charging us.
>> It's an exact you know, it's exactly uh to that. Even our you know, our our enterprise fund water and sewer expenses in-house at 3 million dollars on a on a 37 million dollar budget, so >> And our water and sewer enterprise
department uh runs solely on money collected through um water rates. There There isn't any >> It's fully self-supporting. There's no There's no general fund subsidy on it. >> There's no general Okay, that's good. Thank you very much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, counselor. Counselor
Silvestri. >> Thank you, uh Mr. President. Um Mr. Biscay, I I [clears throat] too have a huge problem with with another raise, and I understand why, and I understand that that it that it must,
but right now, everything's being raised. People's People can't afford to put gas in their car. They They can't afford to to feed their families. We just raised it 9% last year and and
I kind of took that like we were doing it one big one because we let it get by on a few years of of lower lowering it for people. Um and that was the pitch that I At least that's how I took it. Um and then we'd be to par, as you said.
Um but it seems that we're when we're no longer at par, and we have to raise another 4%. Um there's no way we can and and I hate to do this to to to to large businesses, but like there's no way to offset it with larger businesses, Targets and Stop
& Shops and Market Baskets to to then single-family residents who who are who are just struggling to get by. >> I mean, we we certainly do shift a large portion of the commercial rates are much higher than the residential, so we've we've effectively done that, and um
you know, how much a supermarket uses in water versus a 300-unit building, you know, there's there's a lot to go into it. I mean, there there may be uh you know, a comprehensive study may may want to be done to see if there's a way to you know, reset rates. I've heard of I've heard of tiered systems where you
know, the less water you use, you get charged a little less. That would be a pretty comprehensive study that, you know, happy to sit down and brainstorm and do anything we could, and you know, I think it's a great idea to consider some other options on seniors and such to try to help them offset these costs, for sure.
So, and you're right, just to be just to clarify that 9.7 last year got us par for 2026. So now we're in 2027. So and my fear is if we use one-time revenues again, if we use 1.5 million of say we use that stabilization fund to level
these, that that'll stop us this year, but it would only force us to double up next year again because we'll have to play catch up on the on using the one-time revenues. So yeah, it's unfortunate. I I there's no there's no way to make this sound like it's anything good, but I'm here to
take the take the questions and try my best to answer them. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you, Council. Council McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So 15 years ago the MWRA made us pay a godly amount of money
for the Clean Water Act and we paid, you know, hundreds of dollars for water every month because they wanted to clean the ocean and and you know, it was because it was so dirty.
And we did it. As a community we did it and you can see the results from what we did. We paid Winthrop paid Revere paid. I don't know there was a whole bunch of towns that paid this godly amount of money. But as you
go down the ocean the seals have come back. The you know, all kinds of shellfish have come back. Everything's come back. So we see what we did with paying all this money. Now you're asking for and I
know it's not you, but you're asking for 4%. What are we going to say? I just want to know. What are we going to see? We we saw 9%. We saw a 9% raise last year and I know that we were bargaining, you know, to get low
percentage on the water and then it just came to a head and we had to pay the 9%. But But now again, here we are another year and we're asking for 4 % a raise. What are we seeing with that money? I mean, [clears throat] we saw
the ocean change. It's beautiful now. You know, you can see from the bottom where you're standing. But what are we seeing? We're seeing What are we seeing? Nothing. We can't We We We kind of even used the garden things to save a little bit money. That
was all taken away, too, and I understand people were abusing that, but you know, we're getting We're getting all this We're paying all this money. We're getting nothing for it. We're just We're getting water, but you know, we can't really water our gardens. We can't do anything now
because I'm The money's going to be crazy. So, I don't know. >> I mean, I I share your frustrations. I I I pay several water bills in the city myself, so I No one knows better than me. I paid
a $890 water bill 2 days ago. I understand. But just to answer your question, it's a great question for the MWRA authority to ask what they're doing with this money because they just take our usage over a 3-year history and bill us
accordingly. So, we're buying water and we're buying service to pump our sewerage to the sewage treatment plant. That I What they do with these assessments throughout the 100 communities they they serve and what their capital plan is and
what they're doing about some of the stuff you speak of, that'll be a great question for them because I'm not too much involved in the day-to-day activities. They literally send me a bill, say this is how much you owe for the year, and I bring it before you. You're welcome.
>> Councilor Mercurio. >> Uh thank you, Mr. President. Uh Mr. Visco, if we were to forego the 4% uh uh, increase this year, and you said it will double for next year. What what would that be next year if we forego this year? >> I mean, I'd have to see what the
assessments are for fiscal year 2028 for the water and sewer department. So, let's assume it's about the same as it was this year. Your 4% would most likely be a 8 or 9% on on the rate. So, it would kind of be 4% and then maybe a compounding interest of a couple. But,
yeah, you you know, it'd be great if we can use the one-time funding kind of stop it, but we we just have to fill that gap in the following year. So, you you're essentially be raising 2 years worth of increases in the second year. So, you know, it's you know, do you want to go 0 0 15, or do you want to try to
smooth it out? That's a that's a, you know, Everyone would have a different opinion on that. >> thinking for the ratepayer right now I'm all ears. How we can handle this. I I understand where you're all coming from. You're just getting a bill from the MWRA, and then, you know, you have to come up with the money.
>> debt service and and the assessments from water and from the MWRA, it's essentially 90% of our budget. So, we can be as lean as we want at 10%, and it doesn't really move the needle too much on the debt service and the assessments. So, >> I see. Thank you, Richard. I appreciate it.
>> Councilor Coggliano. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Rich, thanks for coming up here. So, I just just to to go back in history, the rates were going up I think maybe 3% or less because we were supplementing with COVID money or ARPA funding, correct? And then we
>> Yeah, we used about $9 of one-time money to kind of keep those rates and then >> And I just we we we reconciled last year and kind of went back to And that's where the big jump came from cuz we ran out of the ARPA funding. And then I think last year we knew that this type of a hike was going to happen this year.
Um, and I think you kind of gave us a forecast. But, my question is not about why the rates are what they are cuz how much is the school department's water bill, and why do we continue to pay it? >> Um Because we do not Well,
I'll answer this in this manner. If we would have billed all the city departments for water and sewer, then I guess we could bill the schools, but we'd bill the DPW, we'd bill the library, we'd bill everybody everybody else. Again, if that's the direction someone wants to take, that's fine, but you know, we do
get money from the schools for shared expenses administratively. There is money that comes back from the school, and that's all calculated through the schedule 19, and um you know, again, the merits of that agreement and and and what should or shouldn't be in there is a is a very large discussion that again, is uh
probably uh beyond what I do. I'm happy to work with anybody on any, you know, methodologies we can come up to make it as fair as possible, but uh the short answer is that we don't charge any city departments for water. The school is a city department, so kind of come, you know, in a sense, it's almost like
putting money in your left pocket from your right pocket. But, um again, I don't want to get too philosophical on that. >> And I also know that we don't charge churches for their water. Has there been conversation regarding that? Because it seems like there's a church on every other street now.
>> Churches are exempt from property taxes. Um that's a law. They're not exempt from water and sewer. That's uh something that I inherited when I came here, and um you know, I don't mess with veterans, and I don't mess with churches usually, so
I'll leave that to others. >> Thanks, Rich. >> An- Any other councilors want to speak? All right, so um I'll take Oh, Paul Igenzio. I'm sorry. Councilor Igenzio. >> Thank you for the leeway. I know the church situation, and I know there's a
lot of churches out there now, but if a church is renting from a owner, the owner still has to pay property tax and and water. It's only if the church owns the building itself. Is that correct? >> Yeah, that's correct. Yes. >> And then if what Councillor Cogger-Alexander was
suggesting about charging the the um school department and other departments, I think you we would be seeing it in the budget that we're going to be talking about uh tomorrow and the next day. So, there'd be a line item in in every department to pay for their water. So,
although we're trying to figure out something. Now, the tiered system that we've talked about for years, do you think at some point a comprehensive study can be done on that because that may save seniors money. If you're a senior and you use very little
water, your rate that you're charging per gallon comes down. The people that use a lot of money, their rate goes up. So, that would help seniors, I believe, who don't use much water. Maybe a a study can be done to see where this all falls
into place. >> I I I think it's a great idea and um happy to, you know, work with the DPW water sewer and whomever, you know, maybe that may be something you want to bring in a a consultant to really get in it's it's dangerous because you
When I say dangerous, I mean you can set all these tiered rates and if we miss, we can put ourselves way behind the eight ball, but I I think that there's there's organizations out there that can probably do a pretty comprehensive exam on that and like you said, those who use less water would pay less and and that's
usually tiered. If you use X amount of gallons, it goes to a new rate and up to a new rate. So, um you know, at the end of the day, we need to raise, let's call it 37 million and how that money comes in, I'm sure someone will be happy with a tiered rate and then there'll be others screaming up here about it, but um >> Right. And if [snorts] you said I'm
happy to happy to look at anything. >> And if you wanted to promote water conservation, that would certainly be the way to do it. If if if I'm somebody that's paying a higher rate, I'm going to say, "Well, we got to use less water here in the house." >> If the water rates aren't conserving water yet, then that might be an alternative, you know. >> Thank you very much. >> Put some, you know, quarters on the
shower, you know. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Councilor Novaselsky. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Richie, isn't there a senior abatement program now? >> There's definitely a senior abatement program for the water rates. We do have
it for real estate, and we do it for water and sewer. I'm sorry, I won't be able to recite right off the top of my head what it is, but I believe there's up to 50 abatements we give up to $500 for seniors who qualify, but um I can follow up and get more information. As a matter of fact, Dan will be doing his
budget tomorrow. We can um we can ask him about that abatement program. >> Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Okay, anybody else? That's it. Um So, I guess uh you're asking us to either pay now or pay later.
But, we've got to pay. So, I guess that this I guess the decision is do we want kick the can down the road and pay it next year uh or do we go with the 4% increase that MWRA is
charging us? So, it's as simple as that, and it's up to us to make that decision. That's why we're paid the big bucks. So, uh call the roll, please. >> Shall the City Council approve the fiscal year 2027 water rates as follows:
residential, $5.25 per 100 cubic feet, and commercial, $8.70 per 100 cubic feet. Councilor Argenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Coggiandro. [clears throat] >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Genino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Greiswalder. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Councilor Hass is absent. Councilor Kelly. >> No. >> No. Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor McCurry. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councilor Novaselsky. >> Yes. >> Yes, Council Silvestri. >> No. >> No, and Council President Ciambutto. >> Yes. >> Yes, the water rates for FY2017 have
been approved. >> Thank you, Mayor. >> Motions, calendar item number 14, motion presented by Council Guerrino Sollazzo that the City Council award a certificate of appreciation to John Jack Piccari in recognition of his tireless dedication, volunteer service, and
commitment to the Gibson Park Community Garden. >> Council Guerrino Sollazzo. >> I'll hold my comments. Thank you. >> Anybody else want to speak on this? All in favor, all opposed. So ordered. >> Calendar item number 15, motion
presented by Council Silvestri that the Mayor request the Chief of Police and the Director of Parking to appear before the City Council to speak about Flock systems, such as how they are used, who who has access to the data, and how the data is being shared. >> Council Silvestri.
>> Uh motion speaks for itself. >> Thank you. All in favor, all opposed. So ordered. >> Calendar item number 16, motion presented by Councils Haas and Silvestri that the City Council award a certificate of commendation to Bill Reedy in recognition of his 90th
birthday. >> Council Silvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um I'll save my comments for the night of, but we all know what amazing man Bill Reedy is and what he's done for our city. He shows up all the time. Um so I I would like to support of this. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Council. Council Novaselski. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, I know Bill very well as a member of the American Legion and uh an active member down at the Senior Center who just received an award from uh from doing his work everywhere in the city, and uh I
think it's a great call. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um anybody else? So uh I can't believe he's going to be 90 years old and where do I sign up to be in the shape he's in what if I God willing make
it to 90 cuz he's he's an amazing person. So all in favor all opposed so ordered. No further business the city council now stands adjourned until June 22nd.
Thank you all.