--------- Welcome to the Revere City Council Committee as a whole for June 22nd, 2026. 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. >> Roll call of the members. Councilor Genzio. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Coggliano. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Giudice. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Guinasso.
>> Here. >> Here. Councilor Haas. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Kelly. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor McKenna. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Macchiorlati. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Novaselsky. >> Here. >> Here. Councilor Silvestri. >> Here. >> Here. And Council President Zambuto. >> Here. >> Here. Quorum is present. We have one item on tonight's agenda, and that is
the fiscal year 2027 operating budget. >> Chairman Coggliano. >> Thank you, Mr. President. The Ways and Means Subcommittee met on June 9th and June 10th. We had pretty efficient meetings, and
this is now the second year we have this Committee of the Whole to allow the rest of the council to have a public and open discussion regarding the budget. We have a lot of department heads here. We have the CFO, Chief of Staff. And so, yeah, let's if we have any
questions uh >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> All right. So, I guess we'll bring up the CFO with case anybody has any questions. We won't make you get up and down. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Richard Biscay, CFO, 201 Broadway. Um like um
Councilor Caggiano said we had uh department meetings with um Ways and Means Committee and people asked their questions if they had any. Um any questions that were asked that I think I got back to everybody with the answers and um here before you tonight to answer any other questions with regard to the budget. Thank you.
>> Thank you. So, I guess Mr. Chairman, I'll let you I'll let you with start and then I'll call on from end to end. Uh How do you want to do this? >> I think you'd have better luck asking who has questions. I mean, I don't think there's the budget's lean. It's
>> Yeah, I know. >> There's nothing to as far as I'm concerned. >> All right. So, does any councilors have questions? >> Who's that one question please? >> Councilor Mercurio. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Biscay, just had one question for you. On the revenues and the local receipts, the
investment income of $3 million, uh that's from the uh $75 million ban. And will that go away to zero after we spend that uh $75 million down? >> Actually, the $3 million um there's $3 million from just uh the borrowings that
we've had for the high school. But, we also estimate that we'll make $3 million just on ordinary investment income with our our funds on hand. So, technically, it's a $6 million, but the $3 million is put in a special uh account that we'll transfer over to pay for that um bond
anticipation note. But, yes, we'll we borrow the money and while the bills are getting paid down, we actively invest it. We get some return on that money. But, like for instance, this month that we have $8.5 million um account payable for the high school. So, when those chunks of money come out, then obviously there's less money to
invest. But yes, the short answer is we we tail that money down as the project comes to an end and that's in the forecast. >> Okay. Is that And is that estimated in the shortfall that we're going to have in the in the those lean years, 28, 29, and 30? >> Well, there's some of that there, but again, as we borrow the money, like
we're going to borrow $150 million in July, we'll pay back 75 and then we'll have another 75 and then as I get drawn down, we'll have less and less money to invest, but we put that active We don't invest it in like the stock market, but we put it in money market accounts and stuff like that. Yeah. >> Some safe investments. And you project
maybe 3 million for 28, 3 million for 29? >> I think we tail I think we tail it down to like 2 million and then 1 million and then and gone by 2030 when we permanently bond. Yes. >> Great. Um And we we always see this we're seeking new creative options to steer funds
directly into RHS stabilization fund. Can you be more specific what your creativity might look at? >> Well, when we first adopted the high school stabilization account, we put a percentage of our free cash in there. So, 10% every year of our free cash will go into that and then we adopted our you
adopted the council any energy credits from the theo geothermal wells and any energy credits we get from the building of that high school, those revenues go right into that stabilization account, but we can direct any funds into that stabilization account within Mass General Law. So, if
we get new recurring revenue streams or something comes up, we are allowed to dedicate revenues to that and that's kind of what I was talking about when we talk about forecasting for the next couple of years is trying to find some ways to kind of put some money in there because the idea will be to build that up and then when the lean years come, we
start drawing it down to zero. >> Okay, great. Yeah. And the debt service cost as construction progresses with the new high school and we're talking about those gap years, 28, 29, and 30. What what how much we looking at in those gap years? It's going to be like 4 million,
5 million that we have to try to make up or >> I mean at the time we put the budget out, we had a gap year of $8 million in 2029, but actually we've got some updated numbers from our financial advisors that bring that number down. And then like I said, when we do our bond sale in July, we'll know what kind
of interest rate rate we pay and then we kind of project with the financial advisors what they believe. We run a 4% that's what we assume that we're going to sell the money at and our short-term we assume 3.25%, but we never know what the interest rate is going to get until we actually get the bids in on the bond,
so >> Okay. >> but they they sell enough where they kind of know what the market is and and they're pretty good at guestimating where we should be with those those rates. >> Great. And just one further question, please. And we have a bond rating that was done this past June. Has that been completed?
>> We just had our bond rating call last week and Wednesday is supposed to give us a draft and we should have our updated bond rating on Thursday. >> And how do you think that's looking right now? >> We're double A with a stable outlook and I presume that we're going to remain the same. I don't think we're going to go up. I don't believe we're going to go down, but um
they don't they don't give me any cheat sheets to let me know. They kind of give us a a draft. If we don't like what it says, we can you can fight with them a little bit, but um if they come back with a stable outlook and a double A is what I'm assuming is going to happen. >> Okay, great. Um that's it, Mr. Biscay. Thank you very much for the budget and you did a great
job with it and thank you very much for answering all my questions. So I know sometimes I can ask some uh tough ones and you seem to be uh right on top of the game, so I appreciate it. >> Anytime. >> I appreciate all your hard work that you do put into the budget. >> Thank you. Appreciate it. >> Thank you, counselor. Counselor Kelly.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. >> [clears throat] >> Mr. Biscay, um I asked most of my questions the night that you gave your presentation, but towards the end when I ran out of time, I was touching on CPA. Could you just give us a brief description of that um
Community Preservation Act and how it differs from a prop 2 1/2 override. It was listed as one of your creative alternatives in in the event that there is any kind of a budget gap in the future years and years to come. So, could you just give us a little I know
that it doesn't go into the general fund and there's some specifics there, but just for edification purposes for the public, if you could just give us a rundown of that. Thank you. >> Yeah, sure. No problem, ma'am. The CPA, the Community Preservation Act, is a law that was adopted by the state probably
about 15 20 years ago and it allows for communities to basically vote to to raise the levy up to 3% over the levy. So, if we're 120 million, 1.2 million is 1%. So, you can
vote 1%, 2%, up to 3%. So, let's just assume 3% would be about 3.6 million dollars that you can tax over the levy and those funds have to be used for specific things, historical preservation, open space and recreation, and um
um affordable housing. So, uh the state matches those funds based upon the money they collect, I think, through tax stamps when people close on their buildings and um you know, at one point when it first came out, it was a dollar for dollar match, so they were matching 100% of those funds, but as more communities
jumped in, the matching funds went down. I believe in 2025, it might have been about 18%, but those dollars can be used to do things that we're doing, right, within our operating budget right now. So, historical preservation on any buildings, the library and other types
of things, open space and recreation, and um affordable housing. So, if there was a revenue source to fund those types of things, it would free up capacity in the general fund. So, that was kind of the the genesis of what I was getting at. >> So, just for clarification, it would have to be voted on.
>> It would have to be voted on, yes. >> would be an increase on a property tax bill, as seen as a surcharge, right? >> it's definitely above and beyond prop two. It's It's above the levy limit for sure. >> Okay, thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Councilor Iannicello. Thank you, Mr. President. In your last
statement you say it has to be voted on. Is it voted on by the citizens or voted on by us? >> Voted on by the council to put on a ballot and then voted by the citizens to pass it. Majority vote. >> Thank you very much. I just want to say as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I asked a lot of questions. The
department heads were very knowledgeable. I want to thank them. They answered every question I had to my satisfaction and I want to thank you, the mayor. I asked for a lot of backup information and you and your staff got it to me immediately. So that the budget process
went very smoothly and and thank you and look forward to voting on it. Thank you. >> Mr. President. >> Mr. Chairman. >> If no one else has any questions, I'd like to motion to send a favorable recommendation to the City Council.
>> Okay. Let's have a roll call. On the budget as presented. >> Shall the Committee of the Whole offer a favorable recommendation to the full City Council to adopt the FY27 budget as
presented in the amount of $297,566,962? Councilor Iannicello. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Colangelo. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Gennaro. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Guarino Sawaya. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Haas. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Macario. >> Yes.
>> Yes, Councilor Baselski. >> Yes. >> Yes, Councilor Silvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes, and Council President Zambuto. >> Yes. >> Yes, the FY27 budget has received a favorable recommendation to be adopted as presented. No further business. >> That concludes the committee as a whole
in the record time. We set a new record here tonight. >> [applause] Part: 2
Welcome to the Reier City Council meeting of June 22nd, 2026. All rise and salute the flag, please >> and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
>> Roll call of the members. Councelor Arenzio >> here. >> Here. Councelor Kaggleandro >> here. >> Here. Councelor Judino >> here. >> Here. Councelor Gino SA >> here. >> Here. Councelor H >> here. >> Here. Councelor Kelly >> here. here. Council McKenna >> here. >> Here. Council mccurio
>> here. >> Here. Councilski >> here. >> Here. Council Sylvestri >> here. >> Here. And council president Samuto >> here. >> Here. Forum is present. Approval of the journal of the regular meeting of June 8th. >> All in favor? All post. Awarded.
>> Calendar item number three. Motion presented by councilors H and Sylvestri that the city council award a certificate of commendation to Bill Rei in recognition of his 90th birthday. >> [applause] [applause] [applause] >> All right.
>> I told you I want to be like you when I get to your age. >> Me, too. >> If I make it to that. So tomorrow's Billy's actually is actually his 90th birthday. So happy birthday, Billy. [applause]
>> Billy was actually recently honored by Mystic Valley Elder Services for his commitment to the city and also the senior center, which I was fortunate enough to to see up close and personal on my time in the senior center. Billy was the the king of botchi. He attended
every event that the senior center had and you can see tonight how many of his friends from the senior center came. But he's an inspiration to me. He's an inspiration to a lot of the people at the senior center just how involved he is whether it's down the stadium working in the morning and then or running a
botchi league. He's he's incredible to see up up close and personal and um it's an honor to call him a friend. Thanks Billy. Happy birthday. [applause] Uh, I'll be real quick. I I met Bill 10 years ago and when I became the director of veteran services, I went over to the
office on my first day and Donna was in the office and then there was a gentleman sitting in the corner and then the next day I went in, that gentleman was sitting in the corner again. And then the next day I went in, the gentleman was sitting in the corner again. I finally said to Donna, I said, "Hey, does this guy work here?" And she
says, "Well, yeah, kind of sort of. he, you know, he's on the Elder uh team and he he helps us, but Bill became a he was in and became a focal point in that office. And and from that day on, I I learned who Bill really was and the amount of effort and commitment he put
into the city of Revier every day was like council H said, really something that that I look up to and and really admire. a new bill. And in all the all the times I've ever picked up the phone in needed, Bill to to help out a veteran or the office or anything, I've never
had the man say no. So, Bill, thank you very much. You deserve this more than anyone I know. And happy birthday, bud. [applause] Should I? Yes. So, I'd like to read the birthday citation for Billy. In acknowledgement and recognition of
his milestone 90th birthday to be celebrated on June 23rd, 2026, special recognition is hereby accorded to Bill Reedi. The city council of the city of Rivier offers its sincerest congratulations and sends its best wishes for continued health, happiness,
and good fortune. This certificate of commendation is presented by the city council of the city of Rivier, Massachusetts on behalf of its citizens this 22nd day of June in the year of our our Lord 2026th and of the independence of the United States of America the
249th. Billy, congratulations. Happy birthday. Bring that botchi trophy home again this year. >> Thank you. [applause] >> Thank you everybody. You're going to need to thank >> just thank you.
>> Okay. Just thank you. >> Get in the middle. [laughter] >> Thank you. >> All right. Thanks, Bill. You take one. >> Thanks, Ashley. >> Huh? >> One more for the road.
>> One more for the road. >> One more. >> Oh, >> William. Council. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Okay. All good. >> Have a good day. Thank you. >> We will be great.
Public hearings calendar item number four. Hearing called is ordered on the application of 596 Raymond LLC, 546 Fth A, New York, New York, requesting a chapter 148 license from the Riviera City Council to enable the applicant to park five motor vehicles underneath the
multi-unit residential structure at 13. >> This is a public hearing. We'll call on proponents. Proponents. Anybody here in favor of this? hearing and seeing none. >> Oh, here we go.
>> Name and address for the record, please. >> The address of the property. Is that what you need? >> Your name and address. >> Sorry. Jeannie Dylan and my address is nine Ogden Lane in Quag, New York 11959. >> Thank you.
>> So, I'm here um to talk about the five parking spaces at 13. Um three particular reasons that we want this approved is to improve safety by not having cars circling our block trying to find parking um or illegally
parking. also to re reduce uh street parking congestion. Um support all ages and abilities of attendant of tenants. Some tenants might not be able to park remotely or need are able to use public transportation
and then also promoting responsible development and free up parking on the street for our retail businesses. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other proponents? People in favor hearing and seeing none, we'll close
that side of the hearing. Opponents, anybody opposed to this hearing and seeing none, we'll close that side of the hearing. Counselors, >> councelor Novasowski. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, uh, this is a brand new apartment house that was built
on the antav. I've been dealing with it from day one, even from the previous owner. And uh if they had four spaces, we wouldn't have be we going through this, but they added another space so they could squeeze in another space. So they needed the fifth uh they needed to
go for this 148. So it's a beautiful building. The apartments are terrific. They did a great great job and it was nice dealing with them over the last uh nine or 10 months. So I'm in favor of this and I hope the rest of the council will approve it. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor
Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um Mr. President, I just have one small question um regarding the five spots. Is it like first come first serve? How are the spots are they are they >> come to the come to the uh podium
please? >> Now now I need your name and address. You got to press the button first. >> Mark Carbone. Uh same address 9 Ogden Lane Quag, New York 1159. the the parking spaces will be as part of a lease. So, it's not first come,
first serve. So, everyone has a designated space. Makes it a lot lot lot less chaotic and there nowhere to go. We were just at the building. It's very well organized. >> Thank you very much. I'll be in support of this. Mr. President, >> any other counselors, >> if I might. Is this the Willlet?
>> Yes, it is. >> That's a very nice building. We were there for the ribbon cutting. >> Yes. >> Marvelous job. [clears throat] That's what we want to see. >> Good. >> All good. Thank you. >> Our pleasure. Thank you. >> Okay. So, we'll call a roll.
>> Shall the city council approve a chapter 148 license at 13 Avenue for its stated purpose? Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Councelor Cogandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Go Sua. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McKenna.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Council Mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novaski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Sambutoo? >> Yes. >> Yes. The chapter 148 license has been granted. >> Congratulations. [snorts] >> Calendar item number five. Hearing
called is ordered on the application of 128 Towing and Recovery LLC, 885 Northshore Road, requesting a special permit to enable the appellant to conduct a towing and roadside assistance operations business at 885 Northshore Road.
>> Public hearing. Proponents. Proponents. People in favor. Name and address for the record, please. Turn the mic on. >> There's no light. What's going on? >> Thank you.
>> Uh Medici 61 Pro in River and this is my wife Sam Fagmi. >> Same address. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Tell us about what's going on here. >> Um so I know that 885 Northshore Road has a pretty bad name and um it's kind
of was a mess. Um it looks a lot better now. I spent the last five months there trying to push the previous tenant out and cleaning up his mess. Um, it's kind of in and out with my business. It's more of a cars don't sit there, cars get towed out, cars get towed in, so they
don't stay there for more than three, three to five days. A lot of cars next day they're gone. I have five tow trucks. Um, I service the Northshore, mainly River, Lynn, anything on this side of the water or the harbor.
Um, I've spent a lot of time like I've missed out on my daughter and I've spent a lot less time with my wife over there. So, I know like it's not ideal. I don't know what's going on on the other side of the fence at the next address, but there's a bunch of buses, but at least
on my side, there's nothing spilling onto the street anymore from the previous tenant. I've helped him move. Um, I've swept, I've taken out oil, I've spent countless nights over there cleaning up the inside of the building. So, it's it's a small operation. I'm not
looking to make any noise or anything. Um, just looking to run a business, small business. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Any other proponents? People in favor hearing and seeing none, we'll close that side of the hearing. Opponents,
people opposed. >> Good evening. Michael Tucker, nine Ellton Street. I'm a director of butter in a party of interest there. Um there has been major issues with that property as well as the one abuing that for well
over a year. Um this gentleman is saying he's just leased it for June and he's been trying to get it cleaned up, but I'm still opposed to having tow trucks come in at night, having garage doors open, beeping of the backup alarms. It's
directly my bedroom window faces the place. The elderly woman that is in front of that. She's constantly annoyed by the beeping, the all of the noise over there. Now, yes, it may not be him according to what he's stating
cuz he's only really been active there one month. He's been trying to clean up with the former owner. The the farmer owner still has trucks there. So, I'm not sure what's going I know this is going to committee, so maybe more discussion can take place, but at this point, I'm definitely opposed.
>> Thank you, Mr. Tucker. Any other opponents? People opposed hearing and seeing none, we're going to close that side of the hearing. City councilors, councelor Gino SA. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um,
I'm in strong opposition um to this application. The applicant is seeking permission for a towing and roadside assistance operation after already operating on the site. So, he's now claiming that he went
in there in June. So, but he stood up there and just said he's been cleaning it out for the past 5 months. Then on his application, it stated that he has four tow trucks, but when he stood up there, he just said
five tow trucks. Um he's operating without a certificate of occupancy as well. Um and there's no permits. He went in front of site plan review and he was given a list of stuff that had to be done. Nothing has been
done as of today. Um residents have been contacting me that live directly behind the property um and have repeatedly comp um contacted me with complaints about the beeping noises, multiple violations. There are vehicles parked along
Northshore Road which makes it a safety hazard. Um tow trucks, cars, and they're frequently parked outside. They're creating um the sighteline [clears throat] re um sighteline issues for motorists and it's ra raising serious um public
safety concerns. I understand that a 21D process due to code violations has already been initiated against them. Um, and the proposed hours of operations are not credible to me. It on the paper it
said being asked to on the paper it said they want us to believe that they're going to be operating from 6 um 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. What tow company works from till 6:00 p.m.? None. If you get a phone call in the middle of the night, you're going to have to go. And then there's cars idling constantly. The
backup alarms that are going off. There's residents behind there. So from for me um granting a special permit is not feasible for this. And um the other issue that I had was when looking at the paperwork that they
filed, it says it's not anywhere near a salt marsh. Some of the property is 40 feet away from a salt marsh. So there's just too many red red tags for me. Thanks. >> Thank you, councelor. Any other
counselors? Council Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, Council Go, thank you for that information. Sir, can you would you mind coming up? >> Yep. >> Who who would have been operating out of
there for these past months? >> Yep. Please. >> So, um, I just needed somewhere to park my at two of the trucks. So, two of the trucks were there with the mechanic, the previous tenant who was there, which was a diesel tech. Um, I was there. I wasn't
operating out of there. I have an invoice of the first I I paid for one month just to park my trucks while I was cleaning the the building and outside and then towing out whatever the diesel mechanic left. So, um, just to repeat your question.
>> Nope. Nope. And, um, did did have you gone in front of site plan review and have you gotten any of the the list of things? Well, I submitted everything to the city clerk. Um, I submitted a plot plan, I think a certified plot plan, and whatever was on the application. I I
submitted everything. I mean, I'm not operate. I have somewhere to park my trucks. I'm not operating a business. I mean, um, 8 to 6, that's like that would be garage use. We we mainly need a place
to park the trucks and park vehicles. It's not. We're not going to be there. >> So, you're not looking to tow cars to this location? >> No, we'll tow cars to that location, but it'll be the smaller trucks doing it. The flatbeds don't do the nighttime work that my small trucks do. My small trucks don't have backup alarms and they're
they're like they're trespassing. Then they're it's a small truck. It's a quiet truck. >> So, then you would be operating past 8:00 p.m. >> only to drop off a vehicle. Like say it was an accident or an impound. But like I said, it wouldn't create as much noise as
what people are thinking. >> Okay. Um, Mr. President, are we voting on to send this to committee or >> It has to go to committee. >> Okay. >> Anybody else? Council McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um would you
be willing um if everything passes uh in the future to put a fence um to separate the salt marsh from your uh business? >> That that's the plan is to separate higher fencing and a private fence. That way there is no eyesore to the
community. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> No problem. >> Councelor Mccurio. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. President, uh you said you have four tow trucks. >> I we just got a fifth. >> You just started. We just got a fifth one. >> You got a fifth one. So you have five tow trucks. >> Yeah, I have three flatbeds and two
small wreckers. >> And what uh other cities or towns that you service? >> Anything on this side of the water going north? >> Do you have to tow contracts with the city of Lynn, city of Sus or anything like that? >> Uh not police work or uh like city city
work yet. >> You So you don't have any contracts? >> No, we have like we have like like roadside like roadside assistance. We I'm contracted with certain properties and apartment buildings and stuff. >> And according to the plan here, you're going to store 20 cars plus the five
trucks. >> Correct. >> That site can handle up to 25 vehicles. >> Probably fit a lot more. But I mean, the way I am, I like stuff organized. I don't like just piling stuff up how it was before. I'd like to to move around
on the property and be able to drive in one side and drive out the other side. That way there isn't backup alarm noises at all times during the day. >> Okay. And you have two bays, two uh correct >> and you're not going to do any vehicle maintenance there. Just basically
maintenance on your trucks >> there. There's no maintenance at all at at the moment until >> down the road when the funds are there. Right now we just we just store our personal vehicles in there. >> Okay.
I have no further questions. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Councelor Kelly. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I just want to thank councelor Gino Savoya for bringing that information to light because I was unaware of the issues that she mentioned and also want to thank a resident for bringing to my attention
the um 40 feet location within a salt marsh. So, if that is in fact the case, that is something that would be problematic. So, those are my only issues. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor uh Cogleandro. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Are you
operating right now? >> It's just I just need somewhere to park my trucks. I can't. >> But are you towing vehicles into the location? Are you doing any work? You said you want to store 20 cars on the property. >> The plan is to store cars at the property, but right now I just it's just
my tow trucks there. >> So, but you're not towing vehicles onto the property. You're not you you're not you have a tow truck. That's fine, but are you towing vehicles to that property to store them right now? >> No. Unless it's a personal car. No. >> Okay. And and I I know I spoke to the fire chief earlier, but since you're
storing so many vehicles there, do you need a chapter 148 license as well? Uh you you're shaking your head. Yes, you do need one. So, you would have to get this special permit for the use and then you have probably go back to site plan and then get a chapter 148 license for that.
>> Okay. >> So, thank you. Sorry, thanks for the leeway. Um, do you have a um DPU rights with the state? >> Yes. >> You already have them? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Um, that area is really concerning to me because within the last few months,
there's already been two car crashes right in front of that gate with those vehicles parked out there. >> And that's my word. So, I'm extremely adamant about making sure that none of that stuff ever happens outside there. >> Uh, have you been aware of before when
all the trucks were there? >> I was aware of it. >> It looks a lot better now. >> To be honest with you, no, it doesn't because those cars were never parked outside on >> I can definitely make sure there's no cars in that breakdown lane in front of the property ever.
>> I can make cars parked outside. So that's why I'm so adamant about this. And now they >> there were there were trucks on there. There were trucks piled up on the side of like the previous tenant had trucks spilling over onto the street. But those
two that I know the two cars that are usually parked outside. I'll address it and if they continue to park outside, then they can't be a part of the my business. I I'll make sure there's nothing parked out there. >> Mr. President, if you don't mind, I would really appreciate this going back to site plan review before it goes to
committee. >> It's it's going to zoning. It can it can also go there, but it's this is >> the rule is we have a a hearing for a special permanent goes to zoning and that's where it's going. >> That's fine. Thank you.
>> Anybody else? Council Janino, >> one question for the um 20 cars you're talking out front plus the employees cars plus the five trucks. >> Mhm. >> And nothing on the street out front because I have been there in the past with a fatal accident in front of that
building about 15 years ago involving a truck and a car. So I mean is there enough parking there for >> there? There's enough there's enough parking. So right now I mean I have pictures and stuff of what it is right now. There's still you can fit a lot
more than 20 cars. >> Are you parking out front of the building or parking behind the building for for >> No, no. Everything's everything's behind the fence. And when I when I put up a if everything goes everything gets approved and all that, I'll put a higher fence to where it's closed off. So, >> the cas will be in a locked in area
then. >> Yeah. Yeah. It'll be a locked in area and it won't be on the street. >> All right. Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Council mccurial. >> Just one other question. Thank you for the leeway, Mr. President. There's no storage tanks there, gas underground
tanks on the site. >> There's nothing besides >> clean 21E right now >> that you know of. >> It's clean. I I've ran through around the whole building. There's just part a partial extension of the building for an air compressor just for inside for
obviously mechanic work. It's enclosed and it's open the door, service it, whatever the case may be. But other than that, there's nothing nothing outside of the pro outside of the building. There's nothing but cars and trucks stored right now. I have there's about 12 or 15
trucks that aren't mine that are from the previous tenant that need to be removed off the property that I'm still trying to push out. >> Trying to push out. >> Yeah. But other than that, there's would be literally just cars and five tow trucks outside. That That's it.
Okay. Thank you, Mr. President. You're >> welcome. Okay. This goes to zoning. Public comment pursuant to chapter 402 of the acts of 1965. Reier residents or river business owners only as well as employees. Please provide your full name and complete residential address or
complete business address for the record. Indicate which council order number you will be speaking on on the agenda. Two minutes per person and the public comment period is capped at 30 minutes. Captain name and address for the record, please. >> Uh, Captain Kevin O'Hara, President
Reire Fighters Local 926, 400 Broadway Reier. Thank you, council president, counselors. I'm speaking on um agenda item 26-132, the best technology systems going up in Muzzy, North Riiera. I wanted to uh
share local 926 position regarding the proposed battery energy systems planned for the end of Muzzy Street in North Ria. In September 2025, Mayor Keefe first inform you about the battery storage systems that could p potentially be coming to the city. Since that time,
we spent several months researching these systems, speaking with industrial industrial professionals, fire service professionals, receiving specialized training in order to better understand both the risk and advancement associated with this technology. When I first began
researching best technology, I was not in favor of the systems due to the seven several significant incidents that occurred around 2019. However, part of my responsibility is to understand the emerging technologies that ensure that our members are properly trained to
respond to any hazards that may may present. In addition to conducting the research over on firefighter challenges associated with best facilities, I reached out to fire departments across the country through the international associations of firefighters. I spoke with training officers, captains,
chiefs, and the fire prevention personnel with firsthand experience responding to the incidents involving these systems. Their insight provided valuable information on both the challenges and the lessons learned from these real world emergencies. To further
educate myself, I traveled to Nevada and completed both classroom hands-on training focused specifically on the best systems. Through the training, my discussion with the fire service professionals, I learned that these systems have evolved significantly over
the past several years. Since the incidents that raised concerns in 2019, manufacturers have made substantial, excuse me, substantial improvements in system design, construction, monitoring, and safety features. Emergency response
procedures also advance and become more effective. One important improvement is that these systems no longer are designed in a fully enclosed units which was contributing factor some of the early incidents the industry has learned the past several events and
safety measures continue continue to improve with the proper training equipment and resource. I'm confident that local 926 can continue to provide the highest level of service to the residents of Riviera while ensuring the safety of our firefighters. This confidence is contingent upon the
resources and support that we have been discussed and proposed through flat iron being delivered as promised. adaptability has been one of the >> I'm sorry I got cut you off because I'm gonna let have to let >> I just had another paragraph to go but I just want to make sure all the councils understand we do
>> that these uh systems are going to go up and down route one and the city rea has been very well educated the chief myself and we're the only ones stepping up sitting down with flat iron we're way ahead of all the other cities around the country thank you
>> next name and address for the record and what you're going to speak on. >> Um, my name is William Johnson. My address, I'm a employee for the schools. I'm a teacher at River High School. My address is 86 West Cedar Street, Boston, Massachusetts.
>> Yeah. >> Um, I'm here to speak on number 26136 and 26137. both of which have to do with city of river employees being able to speak and
have our voices heard before not only this body but also talking about the school committee. Um we are as employees even though many of us might not live in the city we do spend a lot of time in the city and are a large amount of the
community. So it is only fair and democratic for us to be able to have our voice heard at least even if sometimes things aren't don't go our way. That is how a democracy works. But in the past to have not been able to either speak or
when it comes to the school committee to have meetings while we are working is not fair to be able to hear the voices of the people who are in the room with the students that they are speaking about. So, I'm happy to hear about both
of these motions being made to both change the rules here and to look into how things are done at school committee to allow our voices to be heard better, not only of myself, but of other teachers, of the firemen, of the policemen, of all city and police. >> Great.
>> Thank you very much for your comments. >> Next name and address for the record, please. Michael Morgan 5 Agnes A uh local represent local 103 and I'm here for uh 26132 the best battery storage
union member from River who like to see the job stay in the city um also as an electrician we need this technology because every day you your chargers your car plug in the demand is
going up and up and just think if any everyone on your block bought a Tesla tomorrow, what would happen to the the power just on your street? And this is happening every single day. Okay, loads are being added. I don't think they're keeping up. Not to mention, they want to
take away gas. And if everything becomes electric, where do we get the demand? We need to store it so we can use it when it's cheap. So, um, on behalf of local 103 and the Morgan family, I I favor this project and, um, we we would
appreciate your a vote in the yes for this. >> Too much common sense. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Uh Bruce Singer uh 14 Bellingham Avenue Reviews, give or take 70 years. Welcome. >> Good evening.
Um this is about uh the uh item 26-132. Um I also support this. It's a smart thing, modern, green, economical,
building up and supporting our infrastructure. And I hope you support it, too. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Next. No. What? Nobody else in the public comment period. I guess that ends the public comment
period. Calendar item number six, committee of the whole report. >> Should I let the chairman do this or >> chairman Cardandra? >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um we've now met three times on this. We've heard
from each department. Um it's become a very efficient process. Uh I want to thank the subcommittee, the ways and means subcommittee for their work. Um and uh I know that uh any questions I
guess any any more questions that people thought of between now and an hour ago, but if not, let's take a roll uh on all the Before before we take the role, I want to take a minute here to just uh
tell you that how proud I am of you as the chairman of ways and means and it shows my judgment that I know who to pick and uh a wonderful job uh handled uh very nicely and I'm sure everybody uh agrees with me
on that. >> Thank you, Mr. President. >> Now we can call the role. I would like to take the entire budget up at once. >> All at once. >> Shall the city council adopt and approve the FY27 budget as presented in the amount of 297,566,962?
Councelor Aenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Kogandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Janino. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Yes. Council mccurio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Vasilski.
>> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Samudo. >> Yes. >> Yes. The FY27 budget has been approved. >> Good job. [applause] calendar item number seven, communication from the chief of planning
and community development requesting a public hearing on zoning amendments to the Revier revised ordinances relative to body art and food trucks. Is the director in the audience? There he is. >> Welcome. >> Good evening, councelor. Tom Skreski, 20
on Broadway. Um the motion speaks for itself. Um the request is to put send these both to a public hearing. Uh this would allow body art or you know colloquially known as tattoos um amongst other things in
few different districts within the city. Um and then the um food truck provision is a little bit more specific and pertains specifically to the Wonderland um marketplace strip mall site there as there have been some inquiries as to you
know there's a lot of concrete on that site and some potential for a food truck or two and um currently zoning prohibits it. So happy to take any questions now or go into more detail when it goes into public hearing. >> Uh council carandro. >> Thank you Mr. President. So obviously in
regards to body. So if I'm reading this correctly, central business, highway business, and TED, those are the three zones that only it's allowed. >> That's correct. >> So I do want to say thank you because I don't I did not like the wording of the the the way the ordinance is now. So
thank you for looking into this and changing it. My [clears throat] question is why isn't general business listed? I think we aimed to start with um a basic or ordinance proposal, the one
that's in front of you, and figured if there were any additional flexibility that folks wanted to add to it, uh you could do so at the council's um with the council's judgment. We wanted to make sure we went from basically an outright prohibition to allowing it and and hopefully we could take it further than
that. I also have a question regarding I think it's section uh section 10 uh D where it says body establishment should not be allowed in any residential or mixeduse residential buildings. So my question is if a mixeduse residential building falls into one of the zones
that we're allowing which rule do we follow? Do we follow the zone or do we follow this rule that it's mixed use? you would follow the were that rule to stand, you would you would follow the the the built particular building that
we're referring to. >> And what was the reasoning for not wanting it in mixeduse buildings? >> This was a um I think previously considered um change that had just kind of carried over. Personally, I I lived next to a tattoo parlor for 4 years and
I never woke up with a tattoo. Um, you know, I still require my own fition to get a tattoo. So, I don't really see the the logic. >> You must not live next to a bar either then. So, [laughter] >> so I I would um >> not yet. >> I would love to if we're if we're
talking about prohibition, lifting the prohibition on this, I would love to see it available anywhere. I mean, you know, let's take a a tour with threetory mixed unit building. That would be ideal for just a tattoo artist that wants to start his own shop. One or two chairs, maybe
do some piercing. So, I just I I think if we're going to do this, let's open it up, give people an opportunity because in these zones that, you know, the rent's going to be expensive. It's only going up around here. So, let's give people an opportunity to open up this type of business. You know, that's all.
So, I would I mean I'm not going to make amendments till we get to zoning, but >> thank you, Tom. >> Anybody else? >> Mr. President >> Council Novasowski, >> as you can tell in the past that I've
spoken about something with zoning, I'd like to see a map of what the zones you're going to put it in and even a proposal of what council Kogleandrew want to know include. So, I'd like to see that for our zoning subcommittee meeting when we go to it. >> We'll do.
>> Thank you. Anybody else? This is going to a public hearing on the 27th of July. >> Calendar item number eight, communication from the chief of planning and community development requesting approval of a host community agreement
and pilot agreement with Flat Iron for rel relative to the operation of proposed battery storage energy facility at zero Muzzy Street. >> Mr. Mayor, welcome. >> Mr. President, uh thank you and honorable councel. Uh I think that we
shared with you the host community agreement and the uh p pilot agreement. Um and and they they I would say that they're self-explanatory, but I also know that there's a lot of language in there. Uh what I wanted to do is just to talk really quickly uh similar to what you
had heard from some of the proponents tonight. Um this best facility uh proposal through flat iron energy uh is just that a proposal uh this agreement is really a preemptive measure to make sure the city's financial and public safety interests are met before flat
iron moves forward with any permitting uh and location specific approvals of permits. Uh this is a very tenative agreement when it comes to the space. I don't even believe that the land has been officially sold. Uh this would all be contingent on zoning on on permitting. Uh we've worked with uh
professional tax assessments, public safety professionals to ensure that the city is maximizing its benefits uh while providing necessary resources to alleviate concerns that may arise with the propos proposed development. And while this agreement is very straightforward, I wanted to stress this
is merely the entry point of engagement and will be uh any and all permitting, site approvals, private property sales, uh approvals through DPU, etc. State and city are very much in its infancy stage. Uh but with p but with pending regulatory changes and this is where the
the timeline is important. We may lose that negotiation and bargaining chip that we do do not want to because as the state continues to loosen up the regulations. It makes um these host community gr agreements uh less and less
advantageous uh and they they become really null and void. So, we want to uh strike while the iron is hot. What I will say is this agreement was not done overnight. Uh and it was done with again um my entire cabinet uh the city's fire department, public safety resources to
negotiate a really good deal. And I know that you trust me and I know that um uh you you understand the executive office and and the committee um work worked relentlessly to make sure that we're getting the maximum benefit to the city. I can assure you that we did the metrics
across the state. We are one of we are per megawatt one of the highest um um recipients of pilot and uh HCA. I am I I'd like to consider myself a good negotiator. What I will say is um you know there's always an opportunity to say can but can we get more but can
we get more and it is very much like a game of poker uh but it's very high stakes and uh we feel that we push the envelope as much as we possibly could. Uh and I I think that it's one of those where there are competing interest in the state. If you looked at today's
paper, uh other communities are continuing to uh jump at these proposals. Uh and they're very much in those they're going to be negotiating their pilots and HCAs. This is a bit of a race to the finish line for the best
these best facilities. So flat iron if they're if they get the willingness from the city that we're willing to work with them. That doesn't mean we just lay over. Uh they can go and start working on this their their ACU site acquisitions uh and then work on uh the the more formal agreements with the
state to get the permitting process uh going going smoothly. Uh in front of you, you'll see the agreement equals out to about $43 million uh an estimated $1.6 million in pilot or payment in lie of taxes uh because they would be an
exempt organization. Uh so standard $1.6 6 million which by an assessment standpoint right now the site generates approximately $75,000 in taxes. So $1.6 million would be certainly a lot more
annually and then the uh over $600,000 in HCA uh broken down. The majority of that is going to be going towards the fire department apparatus training and u safety personnel. The other bucket that it will mainly serve is the high school stabilization account. And the third
bucket will be um energy efficiencies and stabilization programs to benefit our residents uh city municipal buildings. I did get a very thoughtful and uh I thought very nice uh email from councelor Kelly with some really good questions uh and I did go back again. I
don't want to we we've gone back and forth with this group for a few months now on this agreement and I just wanted to give uh councelor Kelly some answers to her specific questions. If you'd like me to answer those now, I certainly can. And then of course I'm open to any other questions from the committee. >> Okay.
>> But specific to councelor Kelly's questions. Um so the plume >> perhaps perhaps I'll stop you for a minute. Maybe >> maybe I'll let her highlight the bullet points in her letter and then you can answer so other people will understand
what we're talking about here. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So to preface this, I just had some questions. Um, and I guess you could call them additional asks. Um, I want to thank you for all the hard work that you did in negotiating this. I think the 43 million
over the 20 years is is great. Um, however, I do want everyone to keep in mind just the size and scope of this project is one of the larger ones in the state. Um, so what I'm asking is really very measured in terms of the size that
we're talking here and the scope of this um, proposal. Um, I we spoke briefly. The first issue I had is that there seemed to be an offset clause regarding the $600,000 payment that would be required to be paid to the Revier Fire
Department in the first year for um equipment and some other things. meaning that if the company was required to do additional safety measures and those safety measures required in monetary expenses, those monetary expenses would
then be deducted from that $600,000 payment. So, I believe that you said we would you would strike that language and ensure that the whole $600,000 payment would in fact go to the fire department, which I would I love to hear. Um, the
next item was just CPI on the 25,000. And if we're going to do an annual obligation of $25,000 for training and risk reduction, I wouldn't want in 10 or 15 years because of inflation that 25,000 to not be enough. So if we could just add CPI to that 25,000, I think it
would be great. the decommissioning. Um, I just would like if it's not if it's not spoken to in these agreements, I would just like an insure assurance and I think you give that gave that to me earlier when we spoke that if the site is decommissioned for any reason even at
the end of the contractual term at 20 years, the decommissioning expenses would not fall on the city and the company would bear the expense and of the obligations of decommissioning the site. So, we wouldn't be stuck with that as taxpayers. Now moving on to um some
of the additional asks that I requested. Um I would like some just assurance that a specific plume dispersion test would be done which basically just gives residents the fire department more information in terms of
if there were an incident as the site, how much of um toxicity would be released, which direction they would most be likely to go and all of that stuff. Um, if that's going to be taken care of during site plan review, that's great and I think it is. So, no issue
there. I would like to try to get some funds earmarked, some additional earmarked funds. Um, the the amounts that I'm asking for I don't feel are unreasonable again compared to the size and scope of the project. I'm looking specifically for an annual contribution
of $60,000 per year for 15 years to be earmarked towards um water senior water sewer and utility assistance dedicated to assisting low and moderate income seniors with the rising cost of water
and sewer and utility costs. Um, I'd also like to see a $100,000 payment earmarked to the senior center themselves so that they could use that for any facility improvements, mainten um or any initiatives that would be
benefiting our seniors. And I would like considering the fact lastly I'm wrapping up um considering the fact that generally developers would be making a payment into a CIT fund if they were required to get special permits and
variances considering that this project is not subject to that because they're going to the sighting state sighting board. Um, I still would like to see some earmarking in terms of a CIT, so to speak, fund for the residents of Ward Six, given that the residents of W 6 are
going to bear the brunt of the construction, the construction vehicles, the noise, all of that. Um, I did check with the assessor's office and it looks like we've got 70 residential properties located within 600 feet and 90 located
within 750 feet. So that CIT payment of $500,000 to the ward specifically, I would love to see I would love at least if it could be entertained. Um and there was a question of the 300 feet. I know we were told by the fire department that
there are no residential um buildings located within 300 feet of the project. I got a list from the assessor's office um giving me a list of properties within the 300 feet, but I think that might be an issue of where we're measuring. If we're measuring from
the exact battery container or if we're measuring from the um the middle of the site or from the you know the the parameter of the site, the exterior parameter, I'm not sure. So, I would like that just clarified. And I think above all else, I really would like a
presentation from Flat Iron first before we approve um these agreements just because typically that's generally how other from my research anyway, how other communities usually do it. They come in, they give us our pitch, and then we kind
of go through the agreements and see where we are. Um this to me is kind of backwards. So, I would like that opportunity for them to come in before signing off on this. And I do want to say that um thank you very much for negotiating the 100% of union labor. That's great. And that's it. Thank you.
Sorry it took so long. >> Thank you, counselor. >> Do you want me to answer some of those? >> Well, you can answer them. I know what your answer to the last one is, and that's >> I'll answer them all at once. >> Okay, go ahead. Go right ahead. >> No, I'll answer. >> What's that? >> Okay. Um Council Kelly through Mr.
Mayor, I'm sorry, Mr. President. the uh council Kelly, I think with the first uh four we were very much in alignment with uh striking some of the language, but also uh as mentioned the plume was was handled with uh the fire department and that's going to be part of the process and the decommissioning will be part of
the site permitting as well uh with the separate uh fund completely separate fund designated to decommission the site when it becomes end of life. Uh as I had mentioned I felt like we pushed the envelope uh more than any other community. As a matter of fact, we did
compare ourselves to every community that has already signed an mitigation package and we were in the the top few and I say few only because the first one was the earliest adopter. They they they got the biggest benefit but the most recent agreements it's all generated
this is this is a really it's a math equation based on the megawatt uh and what what is what is dispersed per megawatt to the community. uh we got the highest per megawatt uh uh in the agreement over the last couple of years that's been that that's been granted.
The HCA does very much serve like that CIT where we are going to be designated some of those specific funds and it's you know 600,000 600,000 600,000 and then it goes up to 646,000 the last uh five years and all in between. we are
going to slice that up so that some of the more impacted community or the at least the radius is is is being served. Um and we know we feel confident that we'll be able to add uh to some of those resiliency programs for our residents uh especially the vulnerable residents or
residents that have uh have need uh and we will look at a thoughtful process to make sure that it gets served equitably. we um will have that pot of funds reserved specifically for a program like that which I'd be happy to work with the council on adopting. Again, this is
probably two plus two years out before any of this comes to fruition. Uh and then the they do this in addition you you have to remind yourself at $70,000 a year in taxes the the the $1.6 million $
1.5 million in payment in le of taxes and all the way up to 1.61 615. That's think about the difference between $75,000 and 1.6 million. Never mind it's a $200 million facility. The permit fees that will come along uh with that. So there is there are going to be a lot of
resources to share in community benefit. They will in addition uh be uh starting a grant type program that will distribute quarterly separate from the HCA and the pilot to serve our nonprofit community. uh they will continue to fund
that program and they will be looking at guidance from our local leaders to see that the the needs of the community are met through those grant type programs that will serve our nonprofit organizations, our little leagues, our our urban walking trails and and and
people, you know, the the sand castles, the partnerships, all of that. Um and then lastly, as far as meeting the council, they have um specifically reached out to every council, I'm pretty sure, many of times. uh they do want to present in front of the council. Um the
you know whether one comes before the other it's more about making sure that the the communication and the information is accurate. Uh as you know there's a lot of inaccurate information regarding uh this types of u technology.
Uh I I have solar panels on my home. I just got an email from Sunun and said we're going to give you a $1,000 credit if you want to add a battery pack to your house. I was like wow that sounds pretty cool. And we all know and like Captain O'Hara said, every everyone in the city is going to have a battery pack
attached to the home or a lot of communities are going to have that. This is going to help resiliency in the in in in the uh city of River uh to and again Everett's got the biggest one going. It's 800 megawatts. You name it. But I hope that answers most of your questions. Thank you,
>> Councelor Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um Mr. Mayor, I want to thank you. great job negotiating this. Um, I got to be honest, I've learned more about batteries and these type of systems than I ever wanted to or ever thought I could
or need to. Um, I was a at first I was I wasn't for this. I was against it. I sat down with Flat Iron. Uh, the their team is great. They fielded a ton of phone calls from me over the past two weeks. Um, and I really think that they they
really did a good job. Um like councelor Kelly, we discussed earlier this afternoon um the the deduction in the the the firetruck portion. Um that was my big concern also. Um so if if you could take care of that, but other than that, I I think you did a really good
job with this. Congratulations and um look forward to any way we can assist. >> Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Cogleandro. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Mr. Mayor, great job. I just want to address something. A few residents have reached
out to me say saying, "Vote no on this. We don't want the battery storage." And I just want to be clear that we are not voting on whether or not this is allowed or not. We are voting on the pilot program. Right. >> Correct. This is merely a financial agreement. This still needs to go
through all the standard rigors of permitting uh and and and everything that comes alike. Uh, and I know that I've said it a few times, this is still very early in the process, but we do not want to lose our bargaining ability to make sure that this the community is
left out if this becomes a buy right uh proposal and as you've seen in the state that can happen and it's very much leaning that way because these are these are basically necessary in a community. >> Thank you. And just just because someone asked me what happens if we vote no on
this. >> The the truth the truth is is nothing uh we don't we're not you're not obl we don't have to present this in front of the the council. I think it's a best practice to make sure the council's involved. This is your this is the city's money and it's to the benefit of
the community from a financial standpoint. I don't like uh operate working in a silo. Uh there's this is because it's a 20-year agreement. We thought it was the best practice to include the council uh rather and be that be transparent and be open and upfront.
>> Appreciate that. Thank you very much. >> Thank you, council. Councelor Mccurio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr. Mayor, for being here tonight. Uh I too was against this when they when they first proposed this uh down at the trailer park, but I did my research on the uh these new manufactured uh battery
storage facilities. uh they're streamlined, they're very safe, uh they're self-contained, so there's a lot of plus side. Um, of course, the pl better plus side is the money that the city will be receiving. I would like to see from year 15 to 20 though that they
post a $5 million bond for year 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. Uh, the batteries are going to be older. We might be in the decommission stage at that point. At least we'll have some insurance, a $5 million policy uh that they would have
to post that uh would uh benefit the the city if something should happen in those uh year 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20. And if they de decommission this facility uh in year 20. >> Thank you. And as far as going through the site plan proposal, those are the
things that can be added. I want to say that they're putting $20 million in a decommissioning bond uh as a standard practice. uh these battery um storage facilities and these individual batteries uh they actually do replace them throughout throughout the time. So
even though it's a 20-year project, they at times you know 5 years out they they they turn into newer product or the next new technology. Uh one of the benefits to them is creating a stable uh pilot agreement is uh there could be back and forth on the enhancements of the
environment and we can go hey we need to tax you more on that. So that is their benefit. Uh and that's that's something that they've been upfront and honest about. Uh but we took a standard approach on what the highest and best use of that acreage would be and how much generated revenues and then we put
an a little bit of a multiplier on it. And that's what we pitched. But this did start, just so everyone's aware, this started in that $30 million range for the 20-year proposal. We we did push and sweat and you know we we hammered a little bit uh to get it to almost $44
million. And just as to the decommissioning, so if you recall when you had a zoning ordinance amendment in front of you that we then pulled due to the do amendment, um there was a clause that called for
125% of the cost of decommissioning um certified cost stamp by an engineer and everything to be set aside in a shorty um for the decommissioning. So that is a requirement that will hold in sight plan regardless of whether or not that amendment went through.
>> And how is that being held by a bond or >> it a bond is the most likely scenario. There are there are others that were um set forth in the zoning escrow being another but it would be either bond or escrow. >> Okay. Great. >> Thank you council councelor Jenino.
>> Thank you Mr. Mayor. I I myself in the beginning was against this here 100% till I educated myself on it and not by Google searches. I did a lot of reading a lot of research on it and listen to our fire department. Captain O'Hara and Chief Cullen, excellent job as they did.
And I just want to make sure that the community gets educated also about this here and that we hold a meeting or something or some sort of a an event to have them learn how we learned the safety that that is involved with it
and everything else. >> Um, Council Gino, the they're very excited to get out to the community. They want to host uh community meetings in the neighborhood. They also uh will be uh once we're able to sign, they're going to start a website that'll have
information that uh residents can can could reach out to, ask questions uh and and get as much uh community information and they would like to present to the council. I know that there was a request from councelor Kelly. They could get here as soon as the July meeting uh as long as they worked with the schedule
with the president and the clerk uh and to do another full scale presentation. They want to be part of our community. They've already expressed that they're they're just they're waiting. They're waiting and and and it's mostly they want to get we we both want to get through this process and then let them
go and then see where the chips may fall. >> Because I'm getting married now, they're mostly getting misinformation on stuff or they're getting rumors and they're falling through. And I did quite a few callers on it. I just want to make sure that they are aware they're willing to educate them a little better. >> I agree. I mean change is difficult but it's also new technology can be scary
for some and if you just read one you know one uh you know social media post they could tell you the world is going to end tomorrow and then the next day you get something else. So I understand there's a lot of misinformation. I'm not the content expert on that. Uh and I would I would ask that they come and
present and give you all all the time in the world to be able to ask all the questions and and then re work with the community. Thank you. >> Thank you, councelor. Council McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. So, um about four or five years ago, I worked with
Captain O'Hara on uh 5Gs. Uh we stopped the 5Gs from coming into the city because it was detrimental to the health of the citizens of Riviera. Um, and at first I was definitely against this, but
with the presentation of Flat Iron, uh, sitting down in Dimrosio's office and having a presentation with them and his assurance, Captain O'Hara Harris's assurance that this is going to be good for the city and the fire department is
all set and uh, Chief Cullen um, I'm in favor of it. Thank you. >> Thank Thank you. Also, uh I did I know that written testimony uh was not part of tonight, but we did you saw there were letters from IBW, Luent Tanellis, uh Brian Dy from the Greater Boston
Building Trades, uh the carpenters union, uh local 22 uh was in support as well as uh the fire chief uh Cullen uh the fire uh union 926 represented by Cap Captain O'Hara. And uh we also received we weren't able to get a letter in time.
Uh I have assurances that um uh groups like the Environmental League of Massachusetts and Sierra Club are also proponents of this clean energy. Uh that is you know you got to think about what our community had 50 years ago and it was moltoff cocktails along 1A. So um this is much cleaner and it's definitely
a lot uh less combustible. Uh I feel I feel that we're going to be in a better position. >> Councelor Aenzio. >> Thank you Mr. President and um thank you Mr. mayor and your team for negotiating this. Uh unlike everyone else, I was
never really against it. I I had heard about these technologies coming and I and I I knew we'd probably be presented with it at some point. Uh and I want to thank councelor Kelly uh who came up and did some great research on this and great came up with some great questions and you answered them uh to my
satisfaction. Um I think this is a great thing, a great financial boon to the city. uh the fire department. Uh that's the main my main concern and there for it. So I'd like to make a motion to approve. >> Thank you. Thank you, council. I'll hold
that for a couple minutes and if I get a chance to speak if the council allows. Um but I I I will give uh Council Kelly one more minute. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. I just want to thank you, Mr. Mayor, for taking my um concerns into such great
consideration. So, thank you for that. My my only issue I I want to be able to support this. I think the only reason why I won't be able to tonight is because I really would like Flat Iron to come in and give the presentation before we have to vote on these agreements um
to give the public an opportunity to to view what's going to be going on to answer so many of their questions and concerns. So, if I don't vote favorably on this tonight, it's for no no other reason than I would just want to do the typical process of having them come in first and then reviewing the agreements.
But thank you very much for all your consideration. Thank you. >> Thank you, council. I may regret I gave you that last minute. Um, let me say a couple things. Uh, I'm grateful for the job you did negotiating this. I think it's I think it's a
when when people step back and look at this, this is a do amendment. This is by right. They could have this without any of this mitigation. We're nitpicking here right now. And the one of the things you said that really
struck me is this could be no pilot, no nothing tomorrow. And this state does that. this could be by right tomorrow and all this leverage goes away and all the good stuff we're gonna get
from this goes away. So, uh to to to be cute about this, we got to strike while the flat iron is hot. So, I our our economic development guy is a standup comic. I had to take a little bit, you know, so there might be
a job for me after I leave here, you know. Uh but all all kidding aside, this is something we're going to vote on tonight because I think it's important we vote on it tonight. We can there can always be a public presentation for uh
uh as the mayor said, this is the actuality of this is a couple of years away before this comes out of the ground. So now's the time to get this agreement while they're willing to give it up before the governor or whoever makes
this by right tomorrow. So I'm going to I'm going to suggest we vote on this uh tonight. Uh so I'll call for a roll call, Madame Clerk. >> Council President, there's two different agreements. One is the host community agreement and the other is the pilot
agreement. Be two separate. You call them and we'll we'll vote on them. >> Please. Shall the city council approve the host community agreement between the city of Rivier and Revolution Storage LLC? Councelor Arenzio. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Kleandro. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Gino. >> Yes.
>> Yes. Council Gino SA. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly >> present. >> Voting present. Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council mccario. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Novasellski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Councelor Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Zambudo. >> Yes.
>> Yes. The host community agreement with Revolution Storage LLC has been approved. >> Mr. President, thank Council Novasowski. >> Uh, we have point for reconsideration, please. One reconsideration. >> On reconsideration, all in favor, all
oppose. So audited >> does not prevail. >> Right. Next item. There's another roll call coming up here. Shall the city council approve an agreement for payment in lie of taxes between the city of Rivier and
Revolution Storage LLC? Councelor Aenzio, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Kleandro, >> yes. >> Yes. Council Jino, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Gino Slaya, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Hass, >> yes. >> Yes. Councelor Kelly, >> present. >> Voting present. Council McKenna. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Mccurio, >> yes.
>> Yes. Council Nobasilski. >> Yes. >> Yes. Council Sylvestri. >> Yes. >> Yes. And council president Sambudo. >> Yes. >> Yes. The pilot agreement has been approved. >> Mr. President, reconsideration again, please. >> Suspension of We Suspension of Rules.
>> Yes. >> Reconsideration. All in favor? All oppose. Regular order of business. >> Thank you. [applause] Calendar item number nine, motion presented by council McKenna, that the mayor request constituent services to
issue a reverse 911 call to all residents, reminding them that fireworks are illegal, are a fire hazard due to the close proximity of homes in the city and negatively impact individuals with certain medical conditions and pets. >> Councelor McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this is
the third year that I've done this and it really has made an improvement on uh on uh July 4th. Um, veterans, pets, and certain people with mental health and disability issues are vulnerable vulnerable from the noise of fireworks.
An old neighborhood like Beachmont that is so dense is also vulnerable. If a rocket fire work lands on a rooftop in a matter of minutes, fire will fire can start. I have witnessed not too long
ago six houses going up on Enderot A when a woman threw her cigarette near a wooden porch because the houses are so old. Let's try to curb this act of lighting fireworks in July by making a 311 call to all residents in Revier,
warning them that fireworks are dangerous, deadly, and illegal in River and in Massachusetts. Thank you. >> Anybody else? Councelor Mccurial. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I just
want to uh I'm in full support of this motion and um I'll be behind it 100%. Thank you. >> Thank you, council. Councilor Novasowski. >> Thank you, Mr. President. This is a great idea. I know last year u uh Shirley a area was inundated with
fireworks and pe cars and people couldn't even cross and walk the streets and drive the streets. It was so bad with all the paper. Uh I know that police are going to concentrate this year on the Thon Street, Highland
Street, Sum Street uh area to curb as much as they can. Now the only thing I would ask within this motion is they they do it the announcements in multiple languages.
question >> and I would I would hope that uh the word gets out to all the people no matter what language they they speak. >> I would think that we're we're past that technology that we should be able to do it in all languages.
>> Well, I just like to make sure that it's included in this motion. >> You want to make that an amendment? >> An amendment. Okay. >> Great. Uh Council Sylvestri. >> Thank you, Mr. President. um fully support this motion. Uh as we know, no matter what we pass here, uh people are
going to take their their own celebratory um stance. So, if you do decide to light fireworks, please try to contain it. Be safe, be smart with the way you do choose, try to keep the kids from lighting them. Um and have a safe and happy Fourth of July.
>> Thank you, councelor. Anybody else? on the motion. All as amended. All in favor? All opposed. So audited. >> Calendar item number 10. Motion presented by council McKenna that the mayor request the MWR to appear before the city council to discuss the 6%
increase in its assessment to the city of River. >> Councelor McKenna. >> Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to put the whole committee um the committee as a whole on this motion instead of just me. Uh I'm just looking for a representative
from the MWR to come up and explain why the increase of 6% to the city starting in January. I I just think it's a very high percentage. We paid 9% last year, but we had to because we were lacking
behind. But six 6% is a lot of money and especially for seniors uh in uh people of low income that really can't afford um you know 300 $400
uh a month for um or quarterly for uh water. So thank you very much Uh, I think there's a discrepancy. We seem to think it was 4%, not 6%. >> Okay. So, you want to we'll want to
change that motion to say 4%. Uh, cuz I would have been more furious if I thought it was 6% and I I was mad enough that it was 4%. >> Okay. Uh, >> anybody else on the motion?
All in favor? All opposed? Good luck. >> Good luck. >> Calendar item number 11. Motion presented by Council Mccurio, that the city council award a certificate of commendation to Danny Hope Randall, RHS class of 2026, in recognition of her outstanding academic achievements,
exemplary leadership, dedication to community service, and remarkable accomplishments as a student athlete. Councelor Mccurio. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh I'm going to reserve my comments. I have a long list of uh exemplary
uh facts that uh this is she's quite a student and quite an athlete and I look forward to presenting this uh certificate to her. >> Great. On the motion, all in favor, all opposed. So audited. Council item number 12, motion presented by councilors
Kagglandro and Zabutoo that the city council amend rule 34 public comment pursuant to chapter 402 of the acts of 1965 to include employees of the city of Rivier. >> Councelor Cogleandra. >> Thank you, Mr. President. Uh this is
correcting the language in our public comment rules of order. The acts of 1965 chapter 4022 states residents and employees. Our rules of order state residents and
business owners. We are now combining to have residents, employees, and business owners to correct our rules of order. So, um, moving forward, we'll be compliant with state law. Thank you. >> Thank you, counselor. And uh I joined
you in this motion because it was so important that uh when we found out it should have been in there and uh uh that's why we we've waved that before we've actually passed this motion. So uh
on the motion anybody else? >> Oh change I I missed something here tonight. It must lay on the table for one week. Calendar item [clears throat] number 13, motion presented by councelor Cogleandro that the may request the city solicitor to provide a legal opinion regarding the
interaction between section 2.03.050e of the river revised ordinances and chapter 402 of the acts of 1965 facts. Section 2.03.050e 050e provides an exception to the city's open meeting requirements for subcommittees of the
school committee that meet before 5 p.m. Chapter 402 of the acts of 1965 provides that employees of the city of Reier shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard at any meeting of a public body concerning a matter being considered by the public body in
which they have an interest. So the question is if a subcommittee of the school committee convenes pursuant to the exception set forth in the ordinances at a time when interested city employees are unable to attend due to their work schedules. Would such a
meeting violate chapter 402 of the acts of 1965 on the grounds that the affected employees were not afforded a reasonable opportunity to be heard? Councelor Cogandro.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. I just want to make sure everybody's complying. And you know, we also hold our budget meetings at 9:00 a.m., but the mayor is not making people take a personal day or a sick day to show up to those meetings. Um, and I just want to
make sure that everybody is compliant with state law. I've received some comments that this might somehow be a shot at the school committee. Um, I could, you know, this could be doing everybody a favor. This isn't just about school committee. I know they're in the motion, but this is also about the
license commission that meets everybody that's exempt in the city ordinance that was created by former councelor Sero in 2023. Everyone, including our 9:00 a.m. budget meeting. I want to make sure that all of these meetings are compliant so that the stakeholders that these meetings are about have the ability to
show up. And if they're going to continue to hold meetings at 9:00 a.m., the city side and the school side, I would hope that everybody would be allowed to go to those meetings without taking a personal day or vacation time or sick time or whatever it is. So, let's get a legal opinion, make sure
we're all following the law. This isn't personal. >> Thank you, Councelor. >> Councelor Mccurial. >> Thank you, Mr. President, a couple I I researched this a little um the last few days and there's two items that I I think we should ask the city solicitor.
Um does chapter 42 create an affirmative right for employees to participate? If so, can a local ordinance be applied in a manner that effectively eliminates that right? And number three, does reasonable opportunity require
consideration of employees work schedule? So, we need these answers by uh uh uh uh answered by the uh city solicitor. Uh and I think it's very important uh that we get a a review. >> I agree. Anybody else? Council Gino SA.
>> Thank you, Mr. President. I only have one um suggestion for a change. I would like to remove the requirement for res residential addresses um for school employees. So when they come up here and they have
to speak, they want to speak about something, I don't think we should require them to give their personal home addresses because it's just it's not good to have a teacher's address out there for a student to know where a teacher lives.
Just being a former teacher myself, I I wouldn't feel comfortable giving my address out there. Maybe they can say the school and the school's address where they work. But as far as giving a teacher's personal address out there, I would request that that be excluded if
possible. >> Point of point of inquiry. >> Go ahead. >> Is that is that is that legal? >> No. >> Is is what legal? >> Council, I'm sorry. Sorry. Go ahead. >> Okay. I'm just asking, is it legal to
not allow someone to say their address? I know we've had a lot. >> Well, I think I think that you know uh a lot of employees come up here and give the 281 Broadway and I'm sure this can be an exception uh under that under that
kind of a rule. But uh >> we should add this to the legal >> I don't know where that >> we should add it to the what we can amend the uh >> Yeah. Okay. >> Item 13. You can add >> I I did want to make a statement here on this this motion because uh a citizen
wanted a uh a letter read uh and he had his opinion in it. All this motion does is ask for a legal opinion. So I couldn't allow the letter to be read from someone stating their opinion on the rule. It's this this is you know
we're asking for a legal opinion here and that's what we're going to get. And then when we get that, then we can deal with what's who's who's violating what if we're violating if if our budget meetings are violating the law or if the school committee whoever whatever. And
that's that's where we that's why this is a good motion. It's asking for the legal way to go forward. And uh as we found out with our our other rule of order, we left the piece out. And so maybe there's similar things going on
here. Councilor Sylvester, you got your mic on. Are you I didn't know if you wanted to speak. >> No, it's okay. Uh councelor Aenzio. Uh I was just going to comment on on what uh councelor Suire said. Uh every employee
that comes up here gives city hall address, they give a school address. I mean, I I don't think we have to be sticklers for that. Somebody comes up, they're an employee, and they give their >> That's Yeah, we >> That's all That's all I wanted. >> Yeah. I I don't think there's any that we've been doing that for years.
>> Yes. Right. >> And so that's fine, but this is a different situation here. And uh so uh this is going all in favor, all opposed. >> I'd like to before. >> Sorry. Go ahead. >> I I I would like this to go to legislative affairs because if we find something, >> okay,
>> we're going to need to change the ordinance. >> And also, I mean, if you're a resident, you have to say that you're a resident by the address. If you're a business owner, you have to tell us where your business is. If you're an employee, tell us you work at 101 School Street or whatever it might be. So that's no problem. >> All good.
>> Okay. So this will go to legislative affairs. >> Thank you. >> Calendar item number 14, motion presented by councelor Cogandro, that the mayor direct the chief of police increase patrols overnight in the area of Greavves Road and Pit Karn Street.
The area is experiencing theft on their properties. >> Council Leandro, >> motion speaks for itself. And anyone who lives in that area, you've probably received a letter from one of your neighbors. They're starting a neighborhood watch and uh they're trying to keep their area safe and I would
encourage all areas to do that if they're experiencing anything. And and the chief is in full support. Thank you. >> On the motion. All in favor? All opposed? So audited. >> Okay. So, the uh before the uh I want to wish everybody a
happy 250th birthday of the United States of America coming up this July 4th. And uh please be safe and uh have make sure kids aren't playing with fireworks. And uh this city council stands
adjourned until July 13th.