the new Good evening. Welcome to the Monday, August 25th, 2025 city council meeting. Please join me to salute the flag. 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. Madame clerk, if you can roll call the members. Roll call the members. Councelor Aenzio here. Here. Councelor Cogleandro here. Here. Council Gino here.
Here. Councelor Gino SA here. Here. Councelor H here. Here. Councelor Herio here. Here. Councelor Kelly here. Here. Council McKenna here. Here. Council Novaski here. Here. Councelor Zamutoo here. Here. And council president Sylvester here.
Here. Forum is present. Approval of the journal of the meeting of July 28th. So move. All in favor? All opposed. Uh madame clerk um I'd like to take a
moment of personal privilege. Um, so last week the council as a whole sent a letter out to DOT, Mass DOT. Um, I just want to update everyone that uh, Mass DOT did respond. They sent out workers to um, take a look at Northshore
Road in some of the areas that we pointed out. Um, so there was a response and uh I just wanted to update us all on that and if we could suspend the rules to take up uh the legislative affairs 12
and 13 under suspension of rules. Motion to suspend the rules. Motion to suspend the rules. So what? Legislative affairs subcommittee report. Councelor Aenzil. Thank you, Mr. President. We had two items before us. The first one is an
ordinance further amending chapter 12.2 of the rever of the rever revised ordinances relative to poles, wires, and cable. Uh we looked upon this favorably and I'd like to call for a roll call. Mr. President,
councelor. Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, uh I know the committee voted favorable recommendation, but uh I'm against this. Uh I think we as a city council lose control of what we want to do and uh I I
don't think the city engineer or and I'm going say a lot of the departments have poor communication to the counselors and I just don't feel comfortable with uh the approvals going through the city engineer without us
directly being involved. I just don't feel confident that they'll be touching base with us and uh filling us in and giving us the right reason not to object to something or to allow
something and I I just feel very uncomfortable doing this. So, uh I'll be voting against this. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other city councils? Council has Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, is there any way to put an amendment in to have the city engineer listed as well
as the ward counselor just to make sure that goes through? Absolutely. I agree. Thank you, Council Goa. Council Clarkando. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this I'm
I'm kind of torn on this one. This this brings up a memory of when uh former W3 counselor Arthur Guanaso put his foot down with National Grid. They would not fix the the electrical issue at Fior's market. And because Arthur um said that
he would not vote for another project after 10 years of them not having the correct uh electrical power and it was finally fixed because the council agreed not to vote any you know. So this this is I understand you know which uh why why we don't want this here. I do agree
with the communication. We could definitely have better communication. Um, I know sometimes they're a text message away, but you know, sometimes people want to know what's going on if the road's being dug up or something. And for me, my big issue that I always ask about and they never know is the
scope of the project. Um, which, you know, this this poor kid comes up here and, you know, they send him here. So, um, that's it. That's my two cents. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Zimbabo. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh um I
appreciate my colleague from W3 talking about Arthur Granaso and his uh his fight, but that was a I want to say almost a once in a-lifetime situation because of the kind of power that was required to travel across the city to get there. They did
drag their feet. they were terrible and and uh but I I don't think I can use that as a reason not to vote for this because I think this streamlines things and if we had a situation like that again I'm sure we can create enough
pressure to get it done. So I'm I'm going to support this. Thank you. Thank you counselor. Any other counselors? Permission to speak from the chair. Um, I I am also torn in between this, but I I think if we um I think if we
asked the the city engineer to to keep us in the loop that they they would do that. I think they would do it better than uh National Grid. That's just my opinion. Um I think they might feel a little bit more compelled to communicate with us. Um at least I would hope. But
that's just my opinion. So I guess we'll have a roll call with the amendment to first of all what what's being amended? How is it being written up to add the
how you wanted to read? There's two section there's two sections as follows. Section one chapter 12.2 of title 12 of the revised ordinances of the city is hereby amended by removing all instances of the word city council and inserting in place thereof the word
city engineer. So how how would you like that to read? Council has city engineer and then relay that information to the respective ward counselor. It's not as simple as just adding that phrase after the word city council. The
way that the ordinance is presented to the city council is deleting the word city council and inserting a place there of city engineer. And then if you're continuing the sentence on it may not fit in the other sections where it's being replaced. Council Kando. Thank you for the leeway, Mr. President.
Um if I guess we we could just pass this as is, see how the communication is and as a council if this isn't working out, we can come back and change it, modify it, repeal it. Is everyone okay with that?
I'd be okay with that. councils. Okay. We'll go back to the original. Um, and no amendments. No amendments. Yep. So, this would be on a second. Yep. Okay. So, audit on a second
reading. Audit on a third and fin Mr. President. No. Okay. This will automatically get tabled. just record. Yes. And if we could go to number 13, Madame Clerk,
legislative affairs subcommittee report. Yes. Aenzio. Yes. The second item on our agenda, an ordinance further amending appendix A, table of fees of the rever revived ordinances. We looked on it favorably and I call for a roll call.
Thank you, councelor. Madame clerk, can we get a roll call on a second reading as amended? Audit on a third and final reading as amended. Roll call for engrossment and shall the city council approve an
ordinance further amending appendix A table fees the revised ordinances of the city of Rivier is amended. Councelor Aenzio yes yes. Councelor Cogleandro yes yes. Councelor Jino yes yes. Councelor Gino SA. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass. Yes. Yes. Councelor Jerio.
Yes. Yes. Councelor Kelly. Yes. Yes. Councel McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Novaski. Yes. Yes. Councelor Zamudo. Yes. Yes. and council president Sylvester. Yes, council. Yep.
Yes. I just needed to record it. My mic had gone out. Ordinance has been approved. Thank you. Um well, under suspension of rules, could we please bring up uh item number 31, please? Council McKenna.
Yeah, hold on. I'm just trying to my pages are everything's stuck together. My apologies. Calendar item number 31, motion presented by councilors McKenna, Argenzio, and Coglandro, that the may request the traffic commission to order to a public hearing and adopt the attached proposed ordinance relative to
the regulation of motorized scooters, Chief Levia, how are you? Good. Good evening, Council McKenna. No. Okay. Thank you. Uh, thank you, Mr. President. Uh, I would like to amend my motion. Um, Ashley and I wrote this
ordinance not knowing that there was already a Massachusetts general law MGL chapter 90 section 1E on the books regulating um, motorized scooters. I added my two colleagues on this motion because of their previous motions.
Attached is a legal update issue to police departments for enforcement suggestions. I've had a number of conversations with Captain Malone and Chief Levita and I would like to put a substitute motion in. Uh my substitute
motion is that um by myself, Aenzio and Cogleandro that the mayor request the chief of police to enforce the provisions of MGL chapter 90 section 1E. further that the chief of police in conjunction with the superintendent of
public schools develop an educational campaign for students relative to the laws in proper usage of the motorized vehic uh scooters. The current the current fines are $30 and I think the city should increase the fines the first
fines to $50. I just want to say that the problems that I'm seeing and I'm sure all of the counselors are seeing as two on a scooter. Um I see a mother every single day with her daughter on a scooter going to the Beachmont school when school is in session. If a rock or
a divot in the road um ends up there, that could be a tragedy. um not not obeying the traffic laws, going in the opposite direction on oncoming cars or a oneway. Uh no helmets, no support to
drive. You're not supposed to drive at night. There's scooters all around um the city. Um just like drivers in uh that have uh motorcycle licenses. Uh you must be 16 years older old to drive a scooter with either a learner's permit
or a driver's license. and driving on the sidewalks is so dra dangerous for pedestrians and it starts with education. It starts in the schools and we need to do a better job educating our youths so they can obey the laws. Thank you. Thank you counselor.
Yeah, thank you for putting the motion and I'm definitely not opposed to a city ordinance being passed. I just wanted to point out that we did have some conversation about there being mass general law already on the books. So I guess the question would be, you know,
whi which if this were to pass, which enforcement the police would use, would it be a a motor vehicle citation that goes through the registry verse um the city ordinance uh doing it that way? So
that would be a further discussion but I just wanted to point out that it is something that can already be enforced. Um and as you know within the past month I've asked and distributed these types of uh direction to try and do something
with it. We are already working with the um school department on an educational form to be provided um as as school starts tomorrow. So that that is in progress but a great recommendation. Thank you very much.
Thank you chief councelor Aenzio. Thank you. Uh thank you chief. Um I know this was a serious issue for me. I this is one of the first things I put in when I came on the council. I think my first month in uh people getting hit as they come out of stores um uh from scooters
and what have you. So so thank you very much. My only question about the registry is if if you have a small electric scooter, is is that um just is there jurisdiction from the registry over uh something like that?
So the law reads motorized scooter. Okay. So we there are laws on the books that cover ebikes as well. Okay. Which are electric run. Um, and then they have motorized scooters and mopeds.
Okay. So, if somebody 12 years old is going down, that citation would go to this 12y old or would it go to their parents or technically it would go to them. You could actually cite somebody on on a bicycle as well. So, um, that it is it
is the question I guess there in lies. Is is that the right way to police this? Right. I mean, it's okay with me. I just didn't know if that's something that was feasible, but it sounds like it is. All right. Thank you. Thank you, council. Council cover. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh Chief,
you're doing a great job, by the way. Thank you. Thank you. So, my initial instinct was that the the ticket was way too low considering the amount of problems we have. Uh and you had mentioned in earlier today that what
gives it teeth is the fact that it will be a search charge on there if it's a moving violation. if it go if we go through the state, it'll be a search charge on their insurance. So, that's what gives it teeth. Um, so I guess the question is if we do create an ordinance and use our own fee schedule, um, which
one do we want to do? I mean, I'm going to support this either way, but I guess it's just, uh, food for thought. We'll have a conversation on it at some point, but that's it. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Garinoa. Thank you, Mr. President. Chief, I I
like the idea of what you were saying. Um, which one are we going to do? Are we going to do it citywide or are we going to send it to the registry? Um, just by listening to that, I would say if it's a first offense, maybe do it a city ticket and then if they continue their
offenses, then send it to the registry motor vehicles. Especially age- wise, I mean, if you're talking a 12, 13 year old, you can't send it to them registered motor vehicles because they don't even have a license. So maybe if we start implementing it citywide and have giving them a ticket or even the
parents a ticket because they're not old enough to be driving and parents shouldn't be allowing them to drive it. So something like that won't be a child's responsibility. It would be the parent to parent them, you know. Um and then the other and the other thing is
once they do turn 16, then if you wanted to go to the registry of motor vehicles, if it's a second or third offense, I wouldn't do it right away. We have to give this a chance to run its course and for for everybody to realize what we are doing, what we're trying to implement. But Council McKenna, thank you for
putting this motion in. It's it's a great motion. Thank you, councelor Councelor Janino. Thank you, Chief. I like the um idea of the enforcement on it. However, I have some concern over the citing them to the city ordinance at the chapter 40s with
the enforcement part of it when you pull over someone there's no teeth to it and trying to get money out of them to pay the fines has been almost impossible in some instances unless they unless they have um property owners or something in the city. I like going through the
registry this and like council Gino said, you know, maybe first offense item on the city ordinance if it continues on IRV. Thank you.
Thank you, councelor. Councelor Kelly. Thank you, Mr. President. So, I guess I'm a little torn on this because in one way I think that we'll have more enforcability or more of a deterrent effect if it does go through the registry.
However, if we keep it with the city ordinance, we have more control over how we craft it and what we charge for violations. So maybe we do have to do something like I think councelor Janino um suggested
doing a a firsttime offense under the city ordinance and then for multiple offenses um enforcing it under the RMV. That would be my my suggestion. Thanks. Thank you councelor. Any other
counselors? Permission to speak from the chair. Thank you. Um, Chief, I I appreciate you coming up tonight. Um, I also appreciate I I filed a similar motion last month and um I don't know if my fellow
counselors are aware, but I appreciate the information that you sent out yesterday along with the the mayor's office and the administration. If you have not seen it, um it's back to school safety for motorized scooters. It explains the dos and don'ts. Uh motorized scooter is defined as two or
three-wheel device with handlebars designated for standing or sitting powered electric or gas motor capable of propelling with or without human effort. What you can do on regular roadways only where you cannot ride never sidewalks never on highways never in bike lanes or
roadways. Never on street recreational paths. Must follows non-negotiables. Must have a valid driver's license or permit. Non-registration required. A helmet is mandatory. No passengers, one rider only. Maximum speed of 20. Daytime
only. No riding at night. Now, Chief, can you help us understand is this? A lot of people have when they seen this reposted and shared have had ne negative comments. There's no way we can enforce this. How can we enforce this? Do you
think there's a way to um enforce this maybe even through the school more that so we have the the students and parents understanding and possibly if the the superintendent can send these out to families so that the families understand
the the repercussions that come along with this. Yes. So that's pretty much the first the first wave of this whole initiative, right? To educate people. I think there's always going to be people that fall in line and there are always going
to be a few that don't. So I think to to get the people to understand what the law is because it is it's a little it's complicated. Um so to put a nice you know um thorough
uh something out that people can actually read and follow say oh that's me. I'm supposed to be wearing a helmet. Um, and I'm not supposed to be on the sidewalks. Those are those are two of the biggest things. So, I think if we can get a lot of people to understand that that's not
allowed, then enforcement would be a little easier. Thank you very much. Um, any other city councilors? Okay. All in favor? All opposed?
Oh. Yes. Uh on the amended motion. All in favor? All opposed? So ordered. And madame clerk, if we can go back to the regular order business, please. Brian Dacon will give the council a
brief verbal update on the construction of the new high school. Uh Brian Dacon, one High Street um the owners project manager for the high school project work for left field. Thank you for your time. Um tonight I wanted to give you a brief sort of look
back on a few milestones the project's hit in the last month or two and then similar month or two um look ahead on what's to come. Um in the last few months we finished the 60% construction document phase. We've subsequently
submitted that to the MSBA. Um the most important takeaway at that milestone is the um construction cost estimates. So um as you know we have Conigley on board as the construction manager. We always do peer estimates, two estimates in parallel. Ultimately the Conigi cost
estimate was $ 8.6 $6 million under um the prior budget and the um peer estimate was 10.9 million under for construction costs. So um very good sign but again those are just estimates. Um as we move forward into bidding which
I'll talk about in a minute we will ultimately in the next number of months get clear resolution on uh are those projections of being somewhere in the realm of $10 million under the budget uh reality. We have also launched a number of peer
reviews of the design. Um peer reviews for structural fire code, building code. Um that's those are items that we've launched after speaking with uh fire department, building commissioner and with the structural peer review. It's required by
Mass General Law. So the 60% construction document sets being reviewed by about four different entities. Um there have comments back to us. We will debate the merits of their comments, incorporate them into the future 90% construction drawings that uh and ultimately the final drawings
that'll get bid. Uh in terms of site work, phase one site demo is nearing completion. The next week, two weeks, we should be done cleaning up the um abandoned utilities and old foundations down at the uh of the former Wonderland dog track. we have hit no underground
surprises in terms of soil contamination or potential change order events. So the budget for um phase one site demo remains intact as we're about 95% complete with that work. Looking ahead a little the next two to four weeks a
whole lot of important activities we anticipate being complete with the MEPA process and at the concom meeting next Wednesday. Uh we anticipate that that'll bring our environmental permitting for the rest of the project into completion.
The only early scope we're bidding um when I say early scope, it's scope that we're bidding off prefal documents. So on all of these CM projects to maintain schedule and to establish the schedule really we bid uh site work, concrete, steel early. We've
uh those are out on the street. We do not have results. We'll have bid results in the next two to three weeks. that'll start it's about call it about a third of the value of the project that's being bid right now. So that'll at least give us really good resolution and real dollars uh about where we are
financially. Uh the other thing I'll say about the bidding process is again we don't have numbers yet but there's been really high interest. Um, we descope, we meet with a lot of these biders to make sure that they're clear on what their obligations are and let them ask questions. And there is a ton of interest out there for
this. Um, looking a little bit more ahead, the 90% construction drawings will be released in September. We'll do another round uh of two estimates on anything that's not bid in that 90% construction set. That construction set will also
incorporate a lot of the comments from the peer reviewers. We'll release the final construction document package by the end of the year and bid the rest of the project other than those early items, steel, concrete, site work, um, and elevators. Elevators we have to get
way ahead of ordering. Um, so we'll bid the rest of that over the winter. In general, we're looking at site work, um, not site demo, but actual site work commencing in September, October. We'll be pouring foundations through the winter, moving on to steel and elevated
concrete decks late winter into the spring, and then by spring next summer, um if there's a construction trade out there, they'll be on that site. So, we'll should have the building closed in and onto mechanical systems and
interiors fall into next winter and then really work out the interior of the building 2027, be ready to move in in 2028. So, we still are holding schedule. Uh, we're holding budget. We're showing that we're somewhere in the realm of estimated 10
million under the budget right now. We hope to improve that by the bidding process and we're about to complete most of permitting. So, uh, on that note, I'll I'll pause for some questions. Thank you, Brian. Council Kelly, thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Mr.
Dacon, for finally coming in. I know it was a little tricky trying to get you in here, so thanks for finally being here. Um, and I know that we had a couple of conversations too in the meantime over the last couple of months. So, I want to start out just by saying I think that everyone can agree we want to build the
best educational facility that we possibly can. Um, however, a a lot of people that I speak to, most people that I speak to, including myself, have concerns about our ability to pay for it. Um, that is where my sole concern comes from, from that standpoint, just
from our ability to pay. So hearing that we're coming in under budget is extremely good news. Um what I would ask is that if we do come in under budget that that money is saved and not spent on other things. So I would like us to
just save it and not find other things that we can spend it on. Um the other thing that I would like to um mention is that after my motion to open the discussions about cost and maybe talk about how we could reduce cost, um I
know that during an RHS building committee, the mayor requested a $10 million um cut be taken um out of respect for that motion. But it was also discussed during that meeting that we as city councilors probably shouldn't be
involved in any discussions regarding cost mitigation um and that those discussions should be left solely in the RHS building committee meetings. So um although I respect that um I do think that we as city councilors as elected
officials should also be involved in those discussions. I think that we have a responsibility having voted on the bonding of the closely to $500 million, we have a responsibility to continue to stay in and oversee um the budget and
the costs. So, um in that regard, um I just think that we need to know exactly what we're getting for our money as well. And I think there are a lot of um things that I'm hearing out there from people that you know there's five tennis courts, there's three soccer,
there's a lot out there and I just want to make sure that we're getting factual information out to the constituents so that we know exactly what we're getting for our money. Um for instance, I was um surprised to learn that there's no indoor track. Um I thought for almost $500 million we would have an indoor
track. So I was surprised to learn that. So the three areas that we spoke about regarding cuts if at all possible the first had to do with the size of the building meaning the square footage which basically can't be done because of
the um MSBA and we're kind of locked into that unless of course there were a severe decline in enrollment then maybe that would give us an argument to pause and re rethink that but that doesn't seem to be the case. So that doesn't seem to be a viable option. The second has to do with savings dealing with the
actual site. You mentioned things like plantings or outdoor gardens and outdoor classrooms and things like that that may be able to be explored. Um and then the third was a list of items that you um gave to me
that was weren't really in layman's terms. So a lot of it was some technical jargon that wasn't, you know, 100% clear to me. But I believe that list totaled maybe $18 million.
So again, the 10 million that we're saving, the 10 million that was requested, um it's a great start, but on a $500 million budget, it it doesn't really seem like it's something that's
meaty enough that, you know, to to dent the the budget. So, I don't know if we can have more talks about exactly what amenities are included and maybe what could be I know we mentioned maybe not doing all the outdoor plantings all at once, maybe doing some, you know,
initially and doing doing them in phases. So, I just think these are things that we need to be involved in as a city council and as elected officials. So, that's the reason why I wanted you to appear this evening. And and again, so from looking at the list, it didn't look like there was anything that I saw
that was like really over and above what I would expect to be in this high school. So, it brought me back to my original thought as to whether or not the cost of this high school really has to do with the location and the fact that the
environmental, the flood zone, and all that is really adding to the cost of this build. But then again, when I asked about that, when we were discussing the sites, I was told that was not the case. So, I'm a little confused as to we have this huge price tag, but we don't have
some things that I would expect. I would have expected we'd have even more. Um, but now that I'm looking at this a little closely, it doesn't seem to be the case. So, is a lot of this cost being attributed to just because of the site that we're building it on? I guess
that's the first thing that I'd like to explore. Thank you. So the cost site costs are a huge driver on any project. Um we had the site costs of this site when we last in a detailed manner compared the existing site to
Wonderland. The site costs were close to level. If I'm not mistaken I think Wonderland was uh was a bit more but they were within a few% of each other. The main driver of that was soil conditions at the existing site.
We believe actually would have been worse. There's a lot more urban fill like rubble, old building materials at the existing site that um we're not encountering in a loose buried manner at Wonderland. Wonderland's just what's there is there. The foundations are there. Um,
and the major cost driver at the existing site would have been to have to rebuild the culvert that runs in there and ultimately drains out through the eastern county ditch. They are part of the same water system. So, I don't think there's a massive premium on the Wonderland site. where you see a little
bit of the premium is there is more space and those plantings and landscape finishes that I would that we talked about a little are higher than just by virtue of there being more outdoor space. We was was squeezing in the same amount of fields for the options at the
existing site. So those costs were neutral. Um but there is more green space over at Wonderland. There's more planting. So, um, that definitely is an item that we're meeting with the school, school maintenance to try to make as most efficient as possible. And, um,
just getting back to a few your other comments on the discussion that we had, square footage, size of the building, shape of the building, I consider locked in at this point really because it's out to bid. Um, if we wanted to make the building smaller, we'd be changing the steel design, the concrete design, and I
think we're beyond that point. So we are looking at are there efficiencies in the interior finishes of the building? Are there optimizations in the mechanical systems that still achieve the sustainability um goals? And landscape's always the last thing that goes in anyway. So
that's the thing we have the most time flexibility on dialing in. So uh I also do completely agree with you the the value engineering log that um that you have has is a lot of industry jargon and um we are updating that. we're we're going to bring some new ideas into that
in the event that these bids don't come back aggressive or under budget. So, that list of potential cuts is there to ensure that um not only can we meet the budget, we can meet the reduced $10 million reduced budget.
I I guess one more thing we I absolutely agree with you that as we achieve bid savings on a technical basis the bottom line number of the budget will still s stay the same and all the reports but I can even I'll send you the budget and I'll show you how we start reflecting
bid savings as savings. Um that game gets played really until we have the whole project bid is the thing. One trade might come in a million under. Another trade might come in a million over. We hope that by the time we have it fully bid, we're millions under, if
not tens of millions under, and that starts getting reported as money that doesn't have to be spent or borrowed. So, as we get closer to the end of the project, we'll work with um CFO Viske to hone in on sort of the last borrowing and say, how close to this budget are we
going to come? Are we going to be able to be 10 million, 20 million, 30 million under? And that ultimately would just be money that wasn't borrowed and therefore not expended. And so, um, Mr. Don, how often do you think would you be appearing to give us updates? Do you would you think it would be feasible to come in?
I think, um, if we do if we skip next month and do October, we will have about a third of the project bid. We can show you real bid results for that. we'll have that whole ve list updated and it's we could potentially go through it in a manner that's a little more not full of
acronyms and abbreviations and building jargon. Um and we should be through the permitting process and really launching construction. So I think I think an update two months from now would be um appropriate and I think maybe two months after that should put us a lot closer to
bidding the rest of the building and that's really the big item at this point is where are these bids going to fall? that might make the job difficult if they come in high to really hit the $10 million reduced budget. It might instantly make it easy and we might be able to really exceed it.
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, Councelor. Councelor Gino. Thank you, Mr. President. I agree with Councelor Kelly. We should be informed and we should be able to make a decision with the school committee. If we can
budget the $500 million, then we should be included in how that $500 million is spent. Um, also if you're sending um letters and the entire council needs to be aware of of what's happening. Um, my
question is how are we going to maintain this building afterwards? Where is that money going to come from? I know we only have like one HVAC guy, one um, electrician,
one plumber. This school is 10 times the size of the old school. How are we going where's that money going to come from? And is that already budgeted at some point? I I Where is it going to come from? I I just
th those aren't questions I could help with other than saying um we will have updated what we call life cycle cost analysis of the building. We will have estimates on what the electric bill would be, what maintenance for the
grounds will be. However, I think that's um the the jurisdiction of the project doesn't really carry into operating and maintaining the building. So, I'm just not sure I could provide answers for those. We try to give you the city and the school all the warning about this is what it's going to cost to operate and
that's about all we can do. I'm asking that because I've had residents come up to me and they're like, "Oh my god, Angel, where are they going to come up with this money? There's only one of this and one of that and one of that. You're talking about on an ongoing basis, how are we going to
pay? And they're right. They're right. So, this is why I'm I I just want to put it out there that I did ask the question that was asked of me because I don't have the answer. So, I'm praying somebody will have the answer at some point, but um I do
believe that the city council should be involved in where this money is going. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councelor H. Thank you, Mr. President. Brian, thanks so much for being here. Appreciate the timeline. A lot of great information in there. I had a quick question regarding
being under budget. I know you said the estimate was 10.9. Is there I know you touched a little on this before. Um, is there a target number that you look for in this? Is there something you had in your mind or the company had in your
in their minds about let's try and shoot for 20% under 20 you know 20 million under 25 million under? Is there a target number that you guys had in mind? Not a specific target other than I mean once the school building committee and
the city made it clear that um the there's a lot of numbers here but the the the approved original construction budgets right around 412 million. That's not the total project budget. Total project's 493 plus the feasibility. So out of the 412, we've been we've been
treating it as we want to finish this construction contract with a minimum of $10 million on uh unspent there. But so from a planning point of view, no. But from a understanding the economy and looking at other projects, um it's a lot
different with these big projects than folks at home. Um there's a lot more economy of scale. Most of these contractors going after projects of this size are very hungry, very interested to ride out the next two to four years with a large contract near the city that's
easy to get to for their workforce. So we are expecting aggressive bids. I am expecting to bid overall as an aggregate under budget, but we don't really have a magic target. Um, this just really honestly right now uh despite any talk
about tariffs or whatnot is an excellent time to bid a job like this. And it sounds like from what you said that it's a pretty attractive project. So maybe that number will go huge interest will go even higher if anything during the um review of biders and pre-qualification on this
project. The few that we might have to weed out in the future simply won't be big enough. they won't have done something anywhere near this size and they might want to go after it but we might not want to be the experiment. So I think there'll be more biders um than we need. We might have to
whittle the pool down a bit. Great. Thank you. Yep. Thank you councelor. Any other city council? Council Kogiano. Thank you Mr. President Brian. Thanks for being here. So welcome. Before I ask anything, would it be reasonable for us to ask the CFO? And the only reason I
ask is because I think every person in this room that lives in this city could agree. We all want to make sure whether we're 100% optimistic, whether we're cautiously optimistic or not optimistic at all. We all want to know how we're paying for this and where we were
relying so heavily on revenue from Suffach Downs. That's going to come in at some point. But I think we owe it to the residents to be transparent with this and maybe the CFO would be able to come up alongside Brian because I know Brian can't Brian I know you can't uh
answer budgetary questions unless it has to do with the project. So maybe that we can get get him as well. Um so could you just explain to me why we need two cafeterias, Brian? Well I I think that's a it is actually a
good question and I know where you're coming from. Um the cafeteria in this building was really establishing what the designers in the school are calling a heart of the school. That main center atrium, the the front entry, the courtyard entry, all a
butt, the athletic wing of butts, the arts wing of abuts, the academic wing of butts. That in the end was the place to put the cafeteria to sort of foster that. And ultimately laying out an efficient shape of the building and not having it get
too big meant we were going to put that on two floors. And ultimately that's how it does seem like we have two cafeterias. It's more that it's a stacked cafeteria. One of them is being called the freshman cafeteria. That concerns me. the social aspect of
that just when I was a freshman I was with everybody else. Um I don't and and if that's the reason that's that's why I asked because in the building committee meeting it was said this is the freshman cafeteria. Um and you know I just these
all these gardens we're putting in there and and one of the huge selling points when this originally was happening was we need more fields in the city. We have so many sports teams. You know, I wish we weren't doing things like a healing garden because the last thing that's going to be used for is healing. I can
tell you right now, uh, speaking as an RHS alum. So, I I would I just wish we were putting more field space out there. But that's that's, you know, neither here nor there, I guess. Um, my So, I was at the uh conservation commission
meeting last month. this D certificate that's supposed to come in on the 29th. Yes, we'll we'll know that we're getting that on the 29th. We sort of fear the signed copy of it won't show up till the
Tuesday after Labor Day, which I think one of the discussions was that they were going to only have 24 hours to review it. Is that are we just needing the certificate regardless of what it says or can you just explain that process
what that means? We're waiting cuz I don't know anything about that part. What are we wait what is the certificate for? What could it entail? Does that mean we're a go? That's Yeah, that that certificate first off it's not permit. Um it's not a license. It's that MEEPA process is a more or
less a clearing house of requiring any project to formally engage through one submission every regulatory agency that the state has. So the process itself is a big back and forth of multiple submissions. They comment, we respond with the next submission. They comment
again, we respond. And ultimately that final certificate is simply saying you've done that. All the regulators comments have been addressed. Uh if there's any suggestions on how we have to handle any final comments, they'll be
in there. And then you're free to go finish whatever local permitting you have. So I think that we will get some comments back in that certificate um and we will follow up with them. However, the certificate is more a confirmation that you've gone through that process,
engaged D, EPA, all of these other agencies. Okay, thank thank you for explaining that. So it seems like this should be the end of this. It it's definitely the end of MEPA. Um it's been linked now to once we clear that I
think there's uh the way I understood concom was um we'll go through there concom has issued a draft order of conditions to the project. Um I can tell you that there's no technical issues in that draft. So we anticipate having MEPA
probably by the Tuesday and the following day hopefully go through concom. That's the end of environmental permitting. We still have to get local building permits. Um, but that's the end of the the bigger part of the permitting process. And then once we once we get that
certificate, everything's a go. Is it is that the point where the MSBA will then reimburse us? Correct. Okay. Wonderful. So they they get that I I hope that means cash flowing back to the city of Rivier next month. Uh, and we'll stay on them about that. But um yes, the short
answer is once they get that certificate, they issue the project funding agreement. By my estimates, the it's up to about 14 to$16 million that they owe the city. And I think I asked already, but we get that all at once, right? You get that first one all at once because it's back reimbursement for the
last year and a half. Then it starts every month. Building committee approves x amount of money. We submit it to the state. The following month, they audit it, send them the money directly back to the city. Thank you very much, Brian. Thank you, councilors. Any other city councilors?
Permission to speak from the chair. Thank you, Brian. Thanks for coming up tonight. Um, we're we're hearing some good news with with some savings. Um, I I do appreciate that the city is actually only has to pay $250 million
instead of $500 million because there's there's a big difference there. We are getting reimbursed um half of this project. I did ask uh the mayor actually last week in our meeting about the cost um daytoday counselor um day-to-day
budgeting goes to the school department and they're looking at a lot of savings with the the new technology the new build school a lot of the places we spend money now plumbing issues HVAC issues stuff like that will have a brand new school so they're hoping to have
some savings with the new and then other things get um sent out to to bid if we can't fix it within within the building. Um, but the mayor thinks we'll be in very good shape to to handle that as well. Um, I I thank you for coming up. I thank you for keeping us in the loop. My
one question for you is, have you seen any projects l recently that uh the materials are are causing more of an issue than anything else? Uh, the cost of materials and and things like that. Generally speaking, right now, again, if
you're dealing with a large project, it's going to be very different for smaller contractors, residential contractors. In fact, it's going to be the opposite for them. But, um, honestly, it seems to be that materials overall, a few are up, a few are down,
but um, every bid we've seen for the last three or four months is coming in under budget. Okay? and um despite tariffs, despite all that um so I don't exactly know why. I'm not smart enough to understand why, but um
at least on this size of construction, we're seeing extremely aggressive bidding and um it's just the right time because we don't know how long that's going to last. Yeah, I I agree with you there as well. Um, in speaking with the union trades for the last few weeks about several
projects within the city, they're hungry for work of large projects. They say within the next few weeks they're going to have a lot of men and women on the on the bench instead of out at work. So, I think we will be in a good position for that. So, thank you for coming out tonight, Brian. Appreciate it.
Thank you all. You're welcome. Public hearings calendar item number three. Hearing call is ordered on a petition submitted by National Grid and Verizon to install one jointly owned pole near 160 Campbell A. Anyone here from National Grid?
No. Any proponents? Anyone here to speak in favor? Proponent. Jim Mccurio 193 Crescent A. Uh I'm in favor of this. uh even though I know national grid is not available. Uh we need to get electricity to uh a few of
the houses that were uh in development stage right now. Uh so this will be an important issue uh come up the next couple of months. So uh I know I'm going to be meeting with uh Ira, the ward counselor and also the uh national grid
engineer uh to go over more specifics on the project. Uh but it's really important that we get some electricity uh to the site uh for the winter months that are fast approaching. Thank you. Thank you, Jimmy. Any other proponents?
Anyone here in favor? Hearing none. Closing that side. Any opponents here in person? Do we have any opponents in the crowd? Okay. Madam Mor. Yes. Just a point of information that
there were three uh Yeah, I was just about to read them in now. Thank you. Um so we have three opponents. Um all seem to Yeah. All are on res uh Campbell. We have uh Leonardo Bulkman of
160 Campbell, Daniel Lopez of 156 Campbell, and Masayam Bagaria of 172 Camelav all wanted to be uh recognized as opponents. And this will be placed on file.
Yes. Um also National Grid actually has um withdrawn the petition based on customs change and um they're they're going to withdraw because of the neighborhood push back. So this will be placed on file. Calendar item number four, hearing
called is ordered on a petition submitted by National Grid to install underground conduits near 160 Campbell Aross Campbell A and into the property located at 155 165 Campbell A. National Grid Proponents.
Anyone here in favor? name and address. Uh James Mccuria 193 Crescent. Uh once again uh we're looking to get electricity over to the development project. So I in favor of uh re-engineering of this uh where the
poles will be located. And once again, I will be uh in communication with uh uh W 2 counselor uh Iron Novaski along with the National Good Engineer to get this uh problem rectified. Thank you.
Thank you, Jim. Any other proponents? Anyone in here in favor? Okay, closing that side. Any opponents? Anyone here in person against? Okay, hearing none. I actually have the same three opponents. Leonard Belkman
160 Campbell Aav, Daniel Lopez 156 Campbell Aav and Masim Bagarili 172 Campbell Aav all would like to be recognized as opponents and National Grid will also be withdrawing this um with neighborhood push back placed on
file. [Music] calendar item number five. Hearing called is ordered on an ordinance establishing zoning provisions for battery energy storage systems in the city of River. Any proponents?
from Tom. Good evening, councilors. Tom Skarowski, chief of planning, community development, 281 Broadway. Um, I'm here in support of this uh petition and the amendment that was put in front of you for our zoning ordinance to allow for
battery energy storage systems as a new use in our zoning ordinance use table. Um, and to be permitted by special permit in the highway business and the TED districts. Um this is a relatively new use to adapt to an everchanging
electrical grid. Um the concept basically is to hold power um during low uh usage periods where power is more affordable and hang on to it for distribution back onto the network during those high peak periods like 5:00
p.m. to 10 p.m. when folks are coming home from work and um you know they they've got their air conditioners running, TVs on, they're they're running their heating cooling systems. Um, so the this is a use that's rapidly growing throughout the Commonwealth and will only begin to grow even more as um, you
know, we're grappling with issues of energy affordability and looking at new ways to make energy cheaper for all consumers and across the network. Um, ultimately this will help lower energy costs for us in the long run. Um, supports the use of renewable energies,
but not just renewable. Um it also helps to again just support usage um during low peak periods to bring them back on the grid during those high peak periods. It helps diversify our land use in the city um with a new growing um field um
and it can provide both lucrative host community agreements and pilot agreements. So, just, you know, a few examples. Chelsea in their recent um project that was approved, they have a pilot, which is a 20-year $ 1.5 million per year agreement that comes along with
a host community agreement with roughly five $550,000 in payments to the city of Chelsea for a variety of purposes. And there's a few corlaries across the um the region with similar projects. Um but, you know, at the same time, this is not just
economically lucrative. Um, it is done in keeping with our fire department and local NFPA standards, building code, UI code, um, all of the necessary safety and and, uh, public safety and, uh, health protection measures to make sure
this is done the right way. Um, this was done in consultation with our solicitor's office, the fire department, and with, uh, professionals in the industry. Um, the parameters for this would be any energy storage system above 30 megawws. Um, this doesn't include
smaller energy storage systems. Um, and this is a use, it's worth noting, that does have some degree of protection under 4A. Currently, um, it has been designated as a system which facilitates um the collection and distribution of
solar energy onto the grid and as such does have certain protections under 4A. um our goal here um is to create some reasonable local regulations which which you see before you tonight um to in
advance of July of 2026 when this actually becomes the state permitting process. Uh we're looking to jump ahead of that to make sure we have any instances where companies would like to come in front of us for a battery battery energy storage system proposal.
This is really our last opportunity to have local control over the process. So, this will allow us to exert some of that local control. Um, as after we go through the pros and the cons, happy to answer any specific questions folks might have. Thank you, Tom. Um, anyone
else here for a proponent? Anyone else here in favor? Hearing none. Closing that side. Any opponents? Opponents. Name and address, please.
Uh Jim Mccuria 193 Crescent Aav. I don't know if I'm a pro proponent or opponent against this um these uh battery energy storage uh facilities. Um they're called best bees. Uh there's pros and cons of these
facilities. Uh one will be uh where the location would be for this facility. I'm hearing rumors it could be the old trailer park because it's in relationship with the uh uh uh transmission station which is located on railroad a
um the pros yes we can get u lower our energy costs uh you know we get uh grid reliability and resistance uh legal clarity on the permitting we'll need uh uh state policy alignment uh economic
and uh benefits. There'll definitely be some benefits to the city of Riviera for this facility. Uh as Tom has said, uh we'll get a great tax revenue and and and the city right now is looking for um some major tax revenue to pay for the new high school, but it comes with a lot
of risk. You know, these system these battery facilities do catch on fire and have some been some major fires out there. um uh the risk of you know fire, thermal runaway and first responder safety uh coastal flood plane uh sitting
constraints. So these things have to be elevated above the uh flood plane. It cannot be anywhere in the flood zone. So there's some areas down in that uh proposed area. I believe the trailer park is in the flood zone. Uh
neighborhood compatibility uh we have to look at as a council. um municipal capacity. What size facility we going to build? Small, medium or large. There's three different sizes which carried uh specific wattages that
uh these battery facilities store. So we have to look into that. Uh over and under regulation exposure which is a very important uh issue. Um uh couple other things that I'd like to mention. I know this is in the early
stage, but you know, we we we got to start thinking about this now because, you know, this could come at us real fast and we need to really sit down and and think about this. Um, you know, like I said, what size system is going to be uh are we looking going to be looking at
um hazard mitigation analysis, emergency response, you know, these systems are nice uh but if something fails on these systems, we have to have special equipment for the fire department. We need special fire engines to put these
fires out. Massport has a foam truck. Will that be available to us? Will the city need a foam truck at 1.5 million? Okay. Yes, there is a benefit. Mr. Mccurio, I can we hold this to the public hearing. I I understand you could
be you're not sure as opponent or I'm not sure where I'd like to go on this. So, we'll we'll labor you down and and when the public hearing gets we gets more meat into this, we can I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you, council president. Thank you. Thank you.
Uh any other opponents hearing? None. City councilors council. Thank you, Mr. President. Um Tom, I just have a couple questions. um what are the initial or ongoing costs of
installing these um storage facilities and how would the city fund the project? Do we know? Um so this would be privately funded um and would not be a city project per se. Um although you know we would certainly look to be very engaged throughout the
process. I think u Mr. Arurio had mentioned, you know, hazard mitigation analysis, for example, that's something that's done through the NFPA regulations that govern this work. Um, they would actually need to submit a lengthy analysis that we could then have peer reviewed um to show that they've
accounted for every instance where something could go wrong and what would need to be done to mitigate that effort. um as part of our host community agreement. Um another thing we would be looking to achieve through this is um like he mentioned the various um public
safety facilities and you know the special trucks and specialized equipment. That's all stuff that we we would often see. So, in these host community agreements, there's often a one-time series of payments that cover um many uh of those purchases for the necessary health and safety materials,
and then there's some longer term kind of sustainability goals related to training of of the fire department um and ongoing training. And um you know they're required to have a a public safety plan on file that you know
they're um necessary to be available upon inspection upon request and um just overall making sure we have a really robust plan in place that reflects the ongoing communication between us and them. But this would be privately funded this effort. Thank you. Um I'm also concerned about
um the system against cyber attacks. Um, I've heard that there's been cyber attacks to these systems um in other parts and security threats with it. How are we going to mitigate that and make sure that that doesn't happen? Or also
there's one other thing, the temperature. So if it's hot or cold, what how do we com um control its efficiency? So everything is like stems from that as well with them,
right? So I think these would likely be questions best answered by industry professionals when if and when they would submit proposals to the city. Um you know in terms of the the risk of cyber security I I would
imagine that's a similar risk that the the current grid faces. Um, this would at least provide almost a sense of redundancy in some sense because you could store some of that energy off the grid to put back on if anything else
goes ary. Um, but as it pertains to the efficiency in hot and cold environments, I only know that um there's a lot of proposals and and various projects that have been permitted and built throughout the Commonwealth. And as we know on a day like today or we can imagine what
it's going to be like in February, it gets very hot and cold all the time here and the all I can say is it seems like built to industry grade standard. It's it's built to withstand that and maintain efficiency. Thank you. Thank you councel council Kelly.
Thank you Mr. President. Uh thanks for being here and sharing the information Tom. So, um, my concerns with this is that thankfully they will require a special permit if we allow these at all. Um, however, I think that allowing them in the HB
district and TED districts gives kind of a false sense of security almost because because we're such a densely populated city, those HB districts and TED districts can be very closely situated in proximity to
residential homes. So I think it g it lends the impression that well these are going to be industrial kind of areas but when in fact those you know I know that the stop and shop um on Squire Road that's a TED district but you've got houses you know 50 feet away or whatever
it is. So very very close proximity to that. So, I think we'd have to be very concerned even though just in the HB and TED districts. And I'm wondering if whether or not we could add some further constraints in terms of proximity to residential homes so that even if it's
in a TED district, if you've got a residential home located within so many yards of the facility, it, you know, we a special permit could not be granted. Um, so that's something that I would like to give some consideration to just considering the safety risks. We know
that fires can um occur. Fires can lead to explosions. There's all kinds of leaks, things like that. So, I think, you know, again, because we're so densely populated, even in these zones being near residential homes, uh we've got to be very careful. So, maybe some
further constraints in there if this even were to go through, um I think need to be considered. Thanks. Great. Thank you. And currently the setbacks mirror those within the individual districts. That's certainly something we could consider. um because of the 48 protection that it's afforded.
If we were subject to um a we would have to defend a decision we would make basically to create some reasonable regulations that would still allow for the use um and not unreasonably prohibited. So we we don't just in paper
allow the use but then make it so complicated through impossible to achieve setbacks. But I understand your point. I think there's there's something we could do there. I think I think that the safety concerns are valid enough to um you know give some credence to to those mod to the
modifications that we wanted to do. So there are safety concerns here of our residents and I think that should rise to the level of you know having enough you know to to get it but no understood it's workable. I I just we can't have a mild setback. It has to be reasonable. But I think you understand
that right thank you. Thank you councel council McKenna. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm sure this is going to take a while to produce, but uh for me, I think it's less intrusive uh
um invasive in intrusive uh for the community because um if we're talking about Lease Trailer Park, there was 350 apartments going up and then in four or five years or whatever it was, there was another 350
uh apartment buildings going up. So, there would be 700 uh apartments in more than five acres of a lot there. Um I was always concerned about the traffic coming in and out of two streets and inundating Beachmont. So
I look to this as a plus. I'm sure that um everybody's going to do their homework. Um the revenue generated from the wear one warehouse is $2 million. So, that would help uh going forward to help with um the school the building of
the new high school. Um I know there's some uh houses in Lee's trailer park um the Lee's lot, but um not surrounded by a community. And if they made it smaller, then they could contain whatever they put in there. But I'm sure
with um it's going to be, you know, uh they're going to do this proper. They're going to do the fire prote uh protection properly. Uh I'm sure there's going to be uh tons of studies. You could light a match down in River Beach. It's all wood. The whole thing would go up. All
those apartments would go up. It's all wood. So, what's the difference? What's the difference? I mean, they protect the houses down in um all the condos down in River Beach. They're all made of wood. One match would light that whole thing
on fire. So I do think with um you know time and studies and fire protections that this would be a great project and it would eliminate 700 apartments in Revier. Thank you. Thank you councelor. Council has
Thank you Mr. President Tom. I wanted to touch on a few things quickly. Um the host community agreement with Chelsea you said was $550,000 correct? Thereabouts. Yes. Okay. And is that something that surrounding cities and towns in the
state is that similar to numbers that other cities have seen? It it depends on the use and um and kind of the the interplay between that and the pilot agreement. So it was actually 584,000. Now I'm checking my notes. Um and in in the case of their pilot, they
were 1.5 million a year for 20 years. Um in the case of Medway, it is 2.237 million a year for 20 years. for the pilot and then there's about $200,000 through the host community agreement.
So, it's basically there's a a certain size pie and it's really about how that pie is distributed amongst either the pilot or the host community agreement. Great. Thank you. And I know that there's a lot of concerns that go into the um the fire con fire hazards and the
possibility of a fire and not being able to put it out. And you had mentioned foam trucks and special equipment that um that the fire departments will will buy as a as a result of this. But did did I hear you say that this had the
support of the Reier fire department? It does and it was developed in consultation with them and um any post community agreement that we sign and any developments that we would look at would be done handinand glove in partnership with them. So in conjunction with them
regarding equipment needed just in case and um you know absolutely the Medway example I think had well over a million in upfront equipment purchases for um the Medway Fire Department to deal with all these issues. We'd be looking at something similar here. Great. Thanks Tom.
Thank you councelor Councel Zambo. Thank you Mr. President. I'm sorry I came in late to this discussion. Um I have great fear over electric storage. Uh, you know, my biggest fear is that we haven't fully protected ourselves with
uh with EV EV uh vehicles in our in our new apartment buildings. I don't I don't think we're fully protected and I'm I have a great fear about that. But that being said, uh I love my colleague to my right, but she talked about a match
lighting. They uh I don't want to scare the residents out there. These buildings are sprinkling. They, you know, they're built they're built with wood, but they're sprinkled, you know, they're they're protective. It's not like we're it's not like we're throwing up matchboxes here. And and and I don't
want to scare anybody because it sounds, you know, listen, I think this may be a good idea. If I can see the protections that are in place, this may eliminate a lot of housing and generate revenue. and and if I'm
comfortable that it's safe, then I' I'd vote for it. But I'm a long way from there right now. Um, you know, these ideas all sound great in the beginning and then we get into the nitty-gritty. There's there's some things that it's
hard to overcome. Yeah. I still don't know how we're protecting these e vehicles in in these garages in our new buildings here because one of them goes on fire, you can't put them out. You just can't put them out. I don't care how much foam you got. It's that it's a
scary situation. So anyways, and and we've got to deal with that. And I tried to put an ordinance in for a couple years now and everybody seems to be afraid to dig into it. And but it's a serious problem. And um
I don't want to see a disaster and then we say, "Geez, we should have listened to him. He was talking about this for a long time and and now we've had this tragedy." So, I don't want to go down that road, but I'm I'm off the I apologize, Mr. President, for getting off the track here, but my concern is
safety, and it'll be in the zoning committee, and we'll do a lot of exploring, and uh if we find it safe, and I think it may be a good use, but I'm not there by any means. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Permission to speak from the chair. Absolutely. Okay. Thank you. Um, so I I had some
concerns as well. I actually had a great conversation with um both the companies that are are wanting to come to the city. Um they were very exciting conversations. They they they're very excited about possibly coming to the city. I also reached out to the fire
department and they are all okay with this as long as they are 100% in with the planning as Tom suggested. As long as they're in on that procedures and in the planning from the get-go, they're okay with it. Um and and those are the professionals I think that we leave the
opinions to. Um as many have said here tonight, these uh these are companies that could come in and give us some major economic growth without putting any stress on our infrastructure, schools, roads, etc. So I think it's a
plus and I look forward to it. So thank you, Tom. All in favor? All opposed? Oh no. Oh yes. This is going to zoning September 8th. [Music] Calendar item number six, hearing called is order in the on the application of
Reier Mass Owner LLC, Fort Washington, PA, requesting a special permit from the River City Council to operate a commercial automotive storage use within the TED district on Lee Burbank Highway. Proponents. Anyone here in favor? Anyone
in favor? Proponents. Oh. Oh. Good evening. Um, Quinno Sullivan, attorney with DM Broio LLP on behalf of the applicant. And at this time, the applicant would like to withdraw their application for their special permit.
Okay. Thank you very much. Any other proponents? Anyone else here in favor? Hearing none. Any opponents? Opponents. Anyone here against
closing that side. City councilors. Mr. President, they're asking for a withdrawal without prejudice. They are asking to address. Yes, we know we got to put a a motion in to do that. Okay. Thank you. Okay. With hearing that and uh they will
withdraw. So this will be placed on file. Yeah. Okay. Okay. Madame clerk, shall the city council grant the petitioner's request to withdraw the application without prejudice? Councelor Agenzio, yes.
Yes. Councelor Cogleandro, yes. Yes. Councelor Janino, yes. Yes. Council Gino Slaya, yes. Yes. Councelor Hass, yes. Yes. Councelor Hario, yes. Yes. Council Kelly, yes. Yes. Council McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Novaski. Yes. Yes. Council Zambudo.
Yes. Yes. And council president Sylvestri. Yes. Yes. The application has been withdrawn without prejudice. Calendar item number seven, hearing call is ordered on the application of Chem's Development Corp. Danver's Mass requesting a special permit for the
Riviera City Council to exceed the maximum height allowance in the IP district to enable the appellent to construct a sixstory self-s storage facility at 195 American Legion Highway. Proponents. Anyone here in favor?
Hearing? None. Closing that side. Opponents. Anyone here against? Opponents. Hearing none. Closing that side. City councilors. Council Cogandro. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this has been uh they're requesting a withdrawal
without prejudice. uh reason pretty much simply put is they're not ready to present to us yet. Uh from what was in the email as well, they're also going to be uh asking for the same from the ZBA. Um I do want to say that I did witness
their presentation at the concom last month and it was very impressive. Um so they are taking their time. I'd like to you know ask for the support and withdrawing with no prejudice. Thank you counselor. Any other city
councilors? Okay. Um to request a withdrawal without prejudice. Madame clerk, can we have a roll call? Shall the city council grant the petitioner's request to withdraw the application without prejudice? Councelor Aenzio? Yes. Yes. Councelor Cogleandro.
Yes. Yes. Councelor Jino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Gino SA. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass. Yes. Yes. Councelor Harmo. Yes. Councelor Kelly. Yes. Yes. Councelor McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Vaselski. Yes. Yes. Council Zamutoo. Yes.
Yes. And Council President Sylvester. Yes. Yes. The application has been withdrawn without prejudice. Calendar item number eight. Hearing called is ordered on the application of 791 Broadway LLC, Middleton, Mass, requesting a chapter 148 license from
the Reier City Council for above ground storage of approximately 840 gallons of gasoline, which would be contained within 42 vehicles to be parked at ground level of a residential development at 791 Broadway. Petitioners,
proponents, do we have any proponents? Anyone here in favor? Closing that side. Hearing none. Any opponents? Anyone here against? Opponents hearing none. We'll close that side.
City councilors. Council war mill. Just wanted to note that there was a resident here who lives on Carlton Street that um just had some additional questions. I don't know if there's anyone from the development developer here or if we can have them come when
this comes to zoning so that um so that the resident can ask the proper questions. Is this not going to zoning? M city. Yeah. Mr. the president counselor,
this is a a gasoline storage license, correct? Correct. Okay. What and what's where are we with it? So, I I believe the a resident near the location had a few questions um regarding that itself. I'm not sure what
the questions are. They relay them to council hero. Yeah, that I don't know what the questions are. I know she was she literally just walked out. Um but she lives at uh she lives on I think six Carlton Street her name is Dolores and she just had some Mr. President
additional questions about the parking that's and not to interrupt the call my colleague uh I did speak to that woman and I explained to her it's just a gasoline storage to park the cars in there. She seemed I'm not saying she agreed with me or thought it was okay,
but I did explain to her what it was. I simply a gasoline storage license to allow the cash to pack and so she knows that anyway. Through you to councelor Zamba, then it sounds like maybe this has already been
resolved. Okay. Um, cool. Thank you. So, where are we at? Okay. 6. So, proponents. Oh, yeah. We already went through this.
Never mind. Okay. Um purpose. Okay. Madam clerk, roll call. Shall the city council grant a chapter 148 license to 791 Broadway for the applicant stated purpose? Councelor Aenzio. Yes.
Yes. Councelor Cogleandro. Yes. Yes. Councelor Janino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Go SA. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass. Yes. Yes. Councelor Harammo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Kelly. Yes. Yes. Councelor McKenna. Yes. Yes. Councelor Noveski. Yes. Yes. Councelor Zambudo.
Yes. Yes. And council president Sylvester. Yes. Yes. The chapter 148 license has been granted. Public comment pursuant to chapter 402 of the acts of 1965. Okay. Any resident or business owner
here in the audience that's want to get up and speak on any motion here, you have two minutes. Please come forward. State your name, address, and the motion you'll be speaking on. Two minutes, please. Anyone? No one.
Okay. Oh, we got someone. Okay. Name and address in the motion, please. Juliet Raft Tree, 88 East Mountain A. I live on the corner of Kerry Avenue and East Mount A. Um, I'm guess we're going to talk about
the uh traffic cutting through the high school parking lot. Is that what it is? Okay. So, uh, Miss R. So, I'm I'm I'm so sorry. So the motion is about making that closing Carrie AB off and making it a street. Okay. I'm in favor of anything to help
alleviate that problem because there's speeding coming through coming one way and going the other way. So anything you can do to alleviate that problem, I'm in favor. Thank you very much. And congratulations on your sidewalks.
Thank you. Thank you. 61 years. Thank you, Anthony. 61 years, right? Okay, closing public comments. Unfinished business. Calendar item number nine, revocation of chapter 148 license number 651,22 Naples Road
granted January 24th 22 for a cause. Councelor Cogleandro. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, I would like to table this. Um, attorney Cipella and I had a discussion. he was unable to be here tonight and I want to be fair and allow him the opportunity to
represent his client. Um, we're also still waiting from a report from the building commissioner uh to ensure compliance with all the special permit conditions as well. So, I would like to motion to table this until the next meeting. U motion to table. All in favor? All
opposed? Appointment subcommittee report. Council McKenna. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, tonight we had two appointees, Victor Pelleter and Albert Teti, um, to the Human Rights Commission. They were appointed to the
Human Rights Commission. I would like to vote these two appointments out favorably tonight. Thank you, counselor. Thank you. Um, do we have to take them together? Okay. So, can we have a roll call on
both of these, Madame Clerk, please? Shall the city council confirm the appointments as reported by chairwoman McKenna? That's the appointments of Victor Pelitier to the human rights commission and Albert Teshi to the human rights commission. Councelor Aenzio, yes. Yes. Councelor Cogleandro.
Yes. Yes. Councelor Janino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Go Slaya. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass. Yes. Yes. Council Harammo. Yes. Yes. Councelor Kelly. Yes. Yes. Council McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Novaski. Yes. Yes. Council Zamudo. Yes.
Yes. And council president Sylvestri. Yes. The appointments have been confirmed. Commu communications calendar item number 14. Communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint of Michael Tucker to the zoning board of appeals.
This will be referred to appointment September 29th. Communication from the mayor relative to the appointment of Peggy Pratt to the zoning board of appeals. Referred to appointment September 29th. Calendar item number 16. Communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint
of Lori Manzo to the affordable housing trust fund board. Refer to appointment September 29th. Calendar item number 17, communication from the mayor relative to the reappoint of Ano Usui to the affordable housing trust fund board. This will also be
referred to appointments on the 29th of September. Calendar item number 18, communication from the engineering department, requesting a public hearing relative to storm water management amendments. This will be ordered to a public hearing
September 29th. Challenger item number 19, communication from the chief of department of planning and community development requesting a public hearing relative to storm water management amendments for zoning.
This will be ordered to a public hearing on September 29th. Calendar item number 20, communication from the CFO relative to a loan order in the amount of $5 million for the lower Broadway water main replacement project.
Ordered to a public hearing, September 29th. Calendar item number 21, communication from the CFO relative to the transportation network assessment appropriation. Also, audit to a public hearing September 29th.
Okay. Is um CFO not in attendance? Okay. Madame clerk, if we can have a roll call. Shall the city council approve an appropriation in the amount of 141, $90.30 from the transportation fund to
the department of planning and community development transportation outlay account. Councelor Aenzio. Yes. Yes. Councelor Kogandro. Yes. Yes. Council Janino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Go SA. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hario.
Yes. Yes. Council Kelly. Yes. Yes. Council McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Novaski. Yes. Yes. Council Zamutoo. Yes. Yes. And Council President Sylvester. Yes. Yes. The appropriation has been approved. Calendar item number 22. communication
from the CFO relative to Reier TV's quarterly invoice appropriation. Mr. Visque. Okay. Madame Clerk, can we have a roll call? Shall the city council approve an appropriation in the amount of $130,893.50
from the cable access receipt reserved fund to pay Riviera TV's quarterly invoice. Councelor Aenzio. Yes. Yes. Yes. Councelor Kaggleandro. Yes. Yes. Council Gino Jino. Yes. Councelor Gina Slaya. Yes. Yes. Councelor Hass.
Yes. Yes. Council Haramino. Yes. Yes. Councelor Kelly. Yes. Yes. Council McKenna. Yes. Yes. Council Vaselski. Yes. Yes. Council Zamutoo. Yes. Yes. And Council President Sylvester. Yes. Yes. The appropriation has been approved.
Motions. Calendar item number 23. Motion presented by councelor Oenzio that the city council move to accept chapter 64G sections 3DA and 3DB of the Massachusetts general laws which will allow the city of Rivier to impose an
impact fee of up to 3% on the transfer of occupancy of a professionally managed unit and the transfer of occupancy of certain short-term rentals. Councelor Oenzio. Thank you very much, Mr. President, and I'd like to thank the short-term rental office for bringing this to our
attention. Uh, Massachusetts has a general law that if adopted, which we uh hopefully will do tonight, we're allowed to charge a 3% community impact fee on all short-term rentals. This would be in addition to the 6% room tax. I think
this is a way of um raising some revenue for the city, and I think this would go a long way uh and help regulating short-term rentals. Um, so I'm in favor of this and it's a a good source of revenue and um I hope everyone looks favorably on it.
Good motion, counselor. Any other counselors? Okay. All in favor? All opposed? I. So ordered. Calendar item number 24. Motion presented by councelor Cogleandro that the mayor and the superintendent of the
department of public works begin studying the feasibility of closing off Kerav at its connection to the River High School parking lot effectively making it a dead end. Additionally, an exit only roadway should be created in adjacent to the baseball field providing
access to American Legion Highway. This proposal aims to provide relief to residents of East Mountain Avenue and surrounding streets from reckless driving while also enhancing safety for both residents and pedestrians. Council Kleandro. Thank you, Mr. President. Um
we we have a lot going on in that area. We we have a petition in for a a speed table on East Mountain A where we had an issue where some signage was put up on Karyav. There was a do not enter resident only sign. There was a one-way sign. Apparently, they were not uh
officially made into the ordinance and they were taken down due to the construction on School Street. Those people in that area have suffered. I I sat there. I I've been going after things. Some kind of safety measures
there to help for three years or three and a half years now. Um, this is kind of a last ditch effort to try to try to look into something like this that would stop the cars from coming out of that lot and and it's just a nightmare over
there. And we had a we had a car flip over and everything. I mean, we got to do something. So, this is just to look into the feasibility of closing it off. It's not asking to close it off. So, hopefully you can all support it. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other city councilors?
All in favor, all opposed. So ordered. Calendar item number 25. Motion presented by councelor Cogandro that the mayor request the owners and/or management company for Overlook Ridge to appear before the city council to discuss what security measures are being
taken to combat the rampant theft and vandalism happening to the residents of the complex. Councilandro. Thank you. Uh Mr. President, uh Councelor Janino was supposed to be attached to this as well. I'm so sorry. Um, I do want to state that before I
filed this, I did speak to councelor Janino and he was in agreement with it. So, I appreciate that. Uh, we've had a lot of issues with uh vandalism and burglary in that area and um just recently during the sand castle
events and I not to downplay that but it was during the same weekend we had four cars have their tires stolen. Tires just left on the grounds. Uh, yes. Think about that for a second. They took all four tires and left the car and this was
inside of a parking garage that was in in overlook. Um, I I want to thank the Riviera Police Department who spent hours there reviewing video footage of the cameras that worked. I also want to state that to my
knowledge they don't have security there. So, I just want them to come here because we that is a large area. There's a lot of residents there and I want to know what they're doing to keep those people safe. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other
counselors? All in favor? All opposed? So, ordered. Calendar item number 26. Motion presented by councelor Cogleandro that the mayor direct the chief of police to increase patrols at all intersections of Graves Road. Cars are speeding out of
control and running stop signs. Council call the speaks for itself. All in favor? All oppose. Calra item number 27 motion presented by councelor Kagglandro that the city council in conjunction with the conservation commission award a
certificate of appreciation to Linda reading for her exceptional administrative work for the conservation commission. Council Kogleandro. Thank you Mr. President. Sorry for maxing out the number of motions we're allowed. We've had a month off. Um so yes, uh speaking with the
conservation commission, they would love to do something for Miss Reading. She she's an amazing administrator. The work that she does, u they recognize it, but they want to give her some some more recognition and I was happy to help and hopefully you guys agree. Thank you.
Great motion. All in favor, all opposed. Calendar item number 28, motion presented by councelor Cogleandro, that the city council order to a public hearing the repeal of section 9.12.030 posting political signs of the revised ordinances of the city of Revier.
Whereas the ordinance is contentbased and unconstitutional by violating the first amendment pursuant to the Supreme Court's decision on Reed versus Town of Gilbert 576 US. That was a case from 2015. Council Kogandro.
Oh, here we go. Thank you, Mr. President. That was an interesting uh little hiccup in technology. Here we go. So, I filed this exact motion two years ago and it ended up going in to subcommittee and went signi at the end of the year. There is
absolutely no reason that this council should have an ordinance on the books that is unenforcable and also it will alleviate probably hundreds of phone calls to the election commissioner.
I understand the thought process behind this uh that there is a you know this where it's not in enforceable that we've had a gentleman's agreement but realistically nobody follows it. And I want to state here publicly that I'm not putting a sign up until after Labor Day. I don't even want to my own sign in my
house for more than two months. Um it's it's sign pollution every two years, you know. So that's that's my personal opinion. If you want to put a sign up now, that is your constitutional right as an American. Okay? So you do whatever you want. Um it won't bother me either
way. That's so we need to repeal this because it's uninforceable and shouldn't be on the books. And I'm hoping you'll at least let it go to a public hearing before you vote it down. Thank you. [Music] Okay, this will be audited to a public
hear. Oh, would you like to come up and speak? Good call. Good evening, Danielle Petrantonio, election commissioner. Um, I agree it is uninforceable. um our office was um
instructed by legal counsel that if anyone called and asked about it to tell them that yes it is on the books but it is uninforceable. So, and I think it, you know, because it's uninforceable, it creates confusion um more than anything and then conflict because some people
read it and and follow it. Some call and then they hear that it's not enforceable, so they don't and then the people who followed it feel it's unfair and it so um we are the the office is definitely um in support of repealing it. Thank you. Um any council councelor
Agenzio? Thank you, Mr. President. When it comes to these signs, is there any regulation maybe through the building department as far as the size of it? I mean, yes, we understand there's lawn signs and but
there's some people 4 by8 uh 10 by 12 or at what point does it become a structure that so that's beyond what I know. Um we were just instructed that it's private property. We can't tell people they that they can put up signs. I'm sure that there are regulations to that. That just
goes beyond my scope. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other counselors? Mr. President. Councelor. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh to answer councelor Aenzio's about the sizes. Um this has been going on for 13 years.
We've never had a problem. People obey the alleged illegal uh ordinance, but I think it works. And honestly, I wrote it.
in 2012 and the council at that time was given permission from the city solicitor at the time that we could do it. Now, I want this city to look good. Y and by allowing people to leave them up
year round is poor judgment. Want to see them down. It's worked again for 12 years. People put them up on time and they take them down on time. They still have the right to put them up and
show what they want to do and who they want to vote for. You know, when it comes in January, nobody cares. And I think we ought to keep it, leave it, and let the people look at it and obey it just like they're doing now.
People are putting them up exactly the way the way they're supposed to right now. It's 30 days before the approved preliminary election and that's what they're doing and that's when I heard them I saw them the first time on the
30-day limit. So people are obeying it now whether it's enforceable or not. That's because the we as the city don't want to enforce it you know because it gives you a lot of headaches. But I believe also the uh the city inspector,
the building inspector was also another source to file a complaint with. And all it is is a letter going out to these people saying, "Well, you get it up too early or you got it up too long. Now it's seven days after an election. Who
cares after an election? Just because you want your name plastered all over the city. Again, that makes us look bad and like look like secondhand citizens in a secondhand city. No, I don't agree with that and I will not vote for this. I want to keep it on the books. Thank
you. Thank you, councelor. Council McKenna. Thank you, Mr. President. I agree with my counselor on my left. I feel aesthetically it's not good for a city. a look for a city. I agree that maybe
two months uh uh sign should be up. Um I don't really believe that a resident, they're just doing the um you know the elected official a favor. They don't want a sign there for a whole year. They don't want to sign there for six months.
Two months, yes, I I think that's reasonable, but they don't want to sign there for the whole year. And I understand it's it's freedom of speech and you can do whatever you want to, but aesthetically it doesn't make a town a city look good. It really doesn't. So I
agree with uh Council Novaski. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councel Gino Sua. Thank you, Mr. President. I agree with both my fellow counselors. Um I actually have had complaints,
numerous complaints along Revier Beach Boulevard. um for signs going up too early. Um repealing this ordinance would only make the situation worse. Um I'm hearing these complaints and I I have to
tell you there was 10 of them of people that called me within the last uh couple of weeks and um in this case it's not even a citywide election until November. Um, it's unreasonable for neighborhoods to already be cluttered with signs
months before the voters even go to the polls. It creates distracted drivers. This ordinance provides balance, allowing political expression, but setting reasonable limits to protect our residents quality of life. Instead of
repealing it, we should strengthen the clarity and timing rules so signs don't overwhelm the neighborhoods before they need to. Also, excessive signage can create visual clutter, lower property
values, and even block sight lines at intersections, and our reasonable rules on how, when, and where signs can be placed, as well as within the city's rights. I myself am not putting signs up
um until probably October um the end of September, beginning of October, but people have been complaining that signs I mean even along city the city hall area there are signs up and people have been complaining um
about them being up way too early. And I think even though they say it's non enforcable because it's freedom of speech, I still believe that us having an ordinance on the books should be adhered to. Thank you.
And I just want to clarify our office doesn't care when anyone puts up signs just on our end. We were told um by outside legal counsel and by the city solicitor's office that if people call and question ask us questions about it that we're supposed to tell them that it's it is uninforceable.
um from both the city and the state end. So that's so then we get push back. Um so this was my first election here, but that was what I've heard from the from the staff. That was one of their first things that they were worried about the signed calls and and how to handle them because of that.
Thank you, Councelor Councel Cogandro. Thank you for the leeway, Mr. President. So it's not that I disagree with you guys, and I also want to state one thing that if this was done in 2012, the United States Supreme Court case is from 2014. So, it may be worth looking at. Now,
having an ordinance on the books that's uninforcable is doesn't make sense to me. And again, I've always been told this is a gentleman's agreement. Right now, we do have all the restrictions that some of you guys talked about. You're only supposed to have three signs on your lawn according to on your
property. According to the ordinance, you can't have more than one sign for a candidate on your property. There are lengths of time, 30 days, 45 days on businesses. There are dates for primaries. There are a lot of rules within this ordinance and it's well done
and it's well written, but it's uninforceable. I I put the case I put the case you can all look up to see the the the findings of the case. So again, it was this was allowed in 2012. It was decided on in 2014.
So it's worth looking at. And it guys, it if if they if people are following the ordinance, calling, putting complaints in, and being told that there's nothing they can do about it because it's uninforceable, why do we have the ordinance in the first place? That's all. Thank you,
Councelor Arenzio. Thank you. U So, M. Petro, if if a call comes in to you about these, you you have an answer already for them that it's uninforcable. there's nothing we can do it and we're not going to that's what we were instructed by the city solicitor and outside council to tell people that it's um uninforceable
and it doesn't even necessarily have to be a political candidate. You could put up a sign about your views on any social issue or Yeah. and that's uninforceable. You can do that. Yeah. So that's what we were um instructed to um tell people if they
called about it and we do get calls. Right. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Kelly. Thank you, Mr. president. Um, so I am totally in support of repealing this because I think it does lend itself to confusion. Um, if there's a gentleman's
agreement in place or something like that, I'd be all for it. But the fact is, I'm not even so much um concerned about the unenforcability of it. I'm more concerned about the unconstitutionality of it, which is why
it's uninforcable. so that freedom of speech and freedom of expression is protected. We're in America and people should be able to do what they want with the properties that they own when they want, when they want, for how long they
want. Um, if there's a gentleman's agreement in place, like I said, and everyone wants to agree to that, I'm all for that. But for trying to institute and enforce something that is case law, we have we have decided case law stating that it's unconstitutional. We shouldn't
be doing it. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other counselors? Councelor Zambo. Thank you, Mr. President. I agree it's uninforcable, but it is a freedom of speech thing and and and that's where we should start with this and and and
there's nothing we can do about it. I mean if some you know a gentleman's agreement requires gentleman's to to be involved andadies and ladies whatever but but the the my point is my point is that
people are never going to agree. So you know you can put a sign up whenever you want wherever you want and that's it. It's just leave it at that. I I don't think it's I don't think it's been People take them down uh pretty
much right away. I I I don't see, you know, there's maybe a couple of stragglers, but most times everybody removes them and and so I I don't know. I I don't think we need to do anything with it, but um I see everybody's side to it, but the the Constitution is the
leader of the uh Okay. Thanks. Thank you, counselor. Um any other city? Why did this get so loud? Okay. Okay. Perfect. Um any other city councilors permission to speak from the chair?
Um I I do see both sides in this and and um but I'm big into the support of of free speech. Um, and I know this came up about I think two years ago maybe in um, Commissioner, maybe you can answer this
question, maybe you not. Um, so what about in places like the Coolage Street in Rose Street projects where people live in housing authorities? Are they allowed to use signs? Okay. Uh, point of information they can put signs within their home out
of a window. They can't put them on the lawn or anything like that. Okay. Okay. And that's River Housing Authorities rules. Okay. Um, and I I got to be honest, we we are the main people, us candidates, those that are elected, are the main
people that should make this rule forced, when to put them out, when to take them down. If we do our thing, you might have a straggler here and there that that don't. Um, but I think it's mainly up to us. Uh, so if it's uninforceable, I don't see how we keep
it on the books. Um, we can have a gentleman's agreement and and continue to police it ourselves, but I think that's as far as we can go. Madame Clerk, say again. Yeah, this will be ordered to a public
hearing September 28th. Mr. President, I'd like to vote no on that. Ordered to a public hearing. Council Novaski recorded as no. Calendar item number 29, motion presented by councelor Arenzio may request the chief of planning and
community development, the owner's project manager and architect for the McKinley school project to appear before the city council to discuss the project, specifically the construction of of a proposed 145 foot radio tower. Council Jenzio.
Thank you, Mr. President. So, uh, we've been aware of this project at the McKinley School for quite a while now. Um, the 911, uh, facility and the child care and the, um, municipal offices, and I think we're all in favor of it. It's a great
project, and I'm in favor of it. Uh, but just a few weeks ago, it's come to light that it's going to require 145 foot antenna so that we can properly communicate with Winthrop and Chelsea. So, a 145- ft tower is going to be a
dramatic landscape change to the neighborhood and to the central business district. So, I would and I did attend the site plan review um meeting a couple of weeks ago and I asked some questions there. Um I have a lot of questions
about the tower and how this just came to light or how this was just discovered. Um so, Mr. Scorseski is here tonight. maybe can shed some light, but I would um like the architect, the OPM,
and who did the study that um says that this is required. Now, I know this is going before the ZBA on Wednesday. Uh my intent is to go there and speak and see if I can uh get this tabled until
uh these uh the team comes up and explains um how this happened and how it just came to light. And now we have I don't know the ZBA is before them about the height restriction. You can only go up 35 ft. This is 145. the we have an
ordinance uh that there's other rules and regulations that uh govern this tower. Um they they're not supposed to be attached to any public building. Um they're not supposed to be uh close to any residential
uh homes and there's going to be very extremely close to residential homes. So that's my uh purpose for putting this in. I just like some answers before this gets uh goes any further. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other city councils? Council McKenna.
Thank you. U Mr. President, uh so about five years ago, uh we fought to uh keep the 5Gs um uh out of um Riviera because we found out that there's there was a lot of
studies that it was causing microwave uh radiation coming down 60 feet uh from the where the uh the satellite was uh located. So, we kept it out of reveal. We wrote an ordinance. Um
when we see electrical fields, there's no neighborhoods near them because electrical fields also uh create u havoc on on people. Um, I just don't think that it's right to put a tower and we
don't know what's going to be in the tower, what's it going to have, if it's if it's radiating uh microwave uh uh whatever uh to people. I mean, I I just I think we need to do a lot of
studies on this because uh it could be harmful to people and especially in a neighborhood um densely as uh where um Mckenley school is. So, I think we really need to do our homework on this. Thank you.
Thank you, councelor. Councelor Zamudo. Uh thank you, Mr. President. I've I've heard from a lot of people on this. Obviously, as soon as it's come out, people are calling. I've had people give me suggestions. Why don't we put this tower up on reservoir uh with and bring
a cable down? I don't know if that's engineering feasibility. I mean, I'm not a I'm not a engineer, but I I think that would be a great solution if we could do that. But, um to put that in that neighborhood, you know, it's it's a
hardship on the people that live right next door. Um uh I'm I'm looking forward to hearing all about this, but uh it's not a good right now. It's not a good solution putting a 140 or what is it 145 ft
tower? I mean, come on. And how come when we talked about moving the rec center to the McKinley school, nobody said anything about this? That's the biggest piece of equipment
related to this project. It should have been the first thing we talked about. That's that's my point. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Councelor Kelly. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, so that's my biggest concern because we voted on
this and it's very important for us as elected officials to make sure that when we vote when we're voting on things, we're making informed decisions. And I feel as though this aspect of it, I didn't know about it. Had I known about it, I may have wanted to ask for, you
know, if there were any other different options that we could have explored and things like that. So, I have a big problem with it from that point of view, the fact that I didn't know about it until now. Um, the other thing in terms of all of the other safety concerns that
we've heard, um, we live in a in a environment where we have very unexpected weather conditions with high winds. Um, I would feel very uncomfortable knowing that this is close to residential homes. With that in mind, I mean, we even had a tornado come down
Broadway, right down uh Broadway, not too far from this location. I know that was kind of a fluke, but you know, stranger things have happened. So, I wouldn't feel too good about this being so close to residential homes. In that regard, when those concerns are exist,
um I wonder what that does to maybe property values in that area as well. So, I wouldn't want to see any decline in property values to the surrounding homes because of something like this going up. So, I think this is definitely some I commend Councelor Agenzio for bringing this motion. I think we should
definitely put the brakes on it um and maybe get the ZBA to hold off on this until we can do a little more research and get some more answers. Thank you. Thank you, Councelor. Council Kleandro. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh the good news is we won't be able to put any
political signs on this thing. Um but I have the same the same issue um that council Zambo and council Kelly brought up when we approved this. This size of a tower and location was not brought before us and any say that the
council had is now taken away. Um all we can do is fight through other other boards and means to try to slow this down. I I just I we there's a lot of questions that we need answered and thank you for standing up here and taking all the blows tonight. I appreciate it.
Thank you, councelor. Councelor Jenino. Hi, Tom. Thank you. I'm not comfortable with the size of town either. I can't figure out why there aren't other options available to us. I know I know back in the day the old station we're next door. We had a repeat up on
reservoir a reservoir avenue and yet we had Bayern which communicated with all the surrounding cities and towns around us. So they're saying they need a tower to reach over to east I mean um Chelsea and Winthrop and what have you. But I'd like to see other other avenues or
ruptures looked at before we move forward this year. Thank you councelor. Any other counselors permission to speak from the chair? Thank you. Um, Tom, I two questions. Maybe you can answer them off the top.
Maybe you have to get some information. One, can we make it 200 ft? I'm kidding. Um, can it go up on Reservoir Rav where where the where the reservoir is and the other antenna is up there? And two, can
it go on the roof of the building? Okay, thank you for the questions and I'll try to answer some of the other ones afterwards as well. Um, I understand that you also want the OPM and the designer to come speak here and you've probably heard enough of me tonight and I'll try to keep it brief. Um, but hopefully I can address most of
your questions. Any other ones? I'd love to hear them so I could bring them back to the team. Um, starting with the reservoir as have question which we have heard quite a bit. Um, this system will basically operate as a hub and spoke system with McKinley being the hub. Um
were we to have the tower solely located at the uh Reservoir A site where it is today, have have the microwave tower located there, we wouldn't have the redundancy that's necessary to create the public safety standards that we would need for a facility like this
today. So what that would mean um Malden Aav last year there was a car fire that actually um knocked out some of the underlying fiber and put the system out for about 2 to three days. um in Winthrop a similar situation happened where somebody was digging and it hit
the fiber network and disrupted um Winthrop's fiber network and and thus the Metro North region for for a few days. There was another instance um at school in Central last year that occurred right around Thanksgiving and because it was right around the holiday,
it took over a week to get the system back functioning as it should. So fiber is the first line of defense in creating a strong network of communication and all three communities will be connected through fiber but there needs to be
redundancy in the system and that's ultimately what this radio tower provides. Um so the the microwave towers uh or the microwaves at the top of the tower will communicate in those instances where redundancy is needed
unlike um a 5G tower that councelor McKenna had mentioned earlier which is you know constantly transmitting signals. This would be used in those instances where we needed that backup and we needed that redundancy. And it's important to note the the microwave uh
tower is quite different from a 5G tower. They're they're two, you know, in in terms of the the impacts and everything that was discussed. Um the the second question that you had mentioned, if you could remind me. Um can it go up above on the roof? Oh, can it go on the roof? Um, so I'm
actually going to hand each of you um some responses from Introba, the team that put together our um analysis of of what we would need for the height of the tower, why the tower height is necessary. We also have an analysis from our engineer that's working on the project that that did state we could add
a tower to the structure of McKinley. It would still need to be 145 ft tall. And given the structural load that that would place on the building, it would exponentially increase the cost. And just aesthetically speaking, not that that's the most important thing, but it would look a bit strange. Um, and I
think it would take away from the the building and the grandor of it. Um, so I think that's important to note. And the one comment I had heard a few times, if I could address, um, the vote that was taken to consolidate the wreck. So currently the wreck serves Winthrop and
River. There was a recent vote taken to bring Chelsea into the fold as well. Um the tower does need to go to 145 ft to reach the Chelsea soldiers home. Um but even without the addition of Chelsea, the tower would need to be at least 110
ft to reach the Winthre water tower. Not to minimize the height difference there, but actually it is important because the tower gets thinner as you go up and all the appertinances um are below 100 feet. So everything you
see above, you know, from 110 to 145 ft, again, not insignificant, but you won't see the the antennas or or um I think there's one or two microwaves that will be there to to catch signals when necessary.
Okay. Council McKenna. Thank you, uh, Mr. President. So, uh, five years ago when we discussed the 5Gs, um, the reason why we, we discussed this was because the fire department and central central fire had a 5G on top of
their roof. And what was happening was the firefighters were getting sick and they didn't know why. And then they finally figured it out that when they went up to the roof, it was blocked off and it said, "Please do not come to this point, radiation, whatever." So that's
how this whole thing came up. So, um, you know, we we do have to protect the people. We have to protect the neighborhoods, but we also have to, you know, I I really do think we just it just can't be shoved down our throats. We really need to do some studies on
this, you know. Um, and I I I just don't think, you know, if you want to put it on the roof, I don't think it's a good idea because what's going to happen under it, people are going to be working underneath the building. So um you know and they're going to get exposed if there is any kind of radiation or
microwave uh uh connection. So um you know we really I I really do think we can't just jump on this. We really need to work on this. Thank you. And one thing I would note too, I understand that it's coming in front of the council and it feels like for the first time um
tonight and I would say there is an opportunity for the council ultimately when you make a decision hopefully to fund this project um the full McKinley redesign that will be an opportunity for a vote that will come much later on. Um,
this was not a decision that we made without careful deliberation, not just on the impacts of McKinley itself, but even for about a year and a half before we decided on the McKinley as a site for the 911 call center for the region, we
worked with Whitney Morgan, the executive director there, and her team to try to find sites in Winthrop, to try to find sites in River, and to no avail. Um, and you know, to councelor Kelly's point earlier on another topic, we are
in a dense densely populated community where it is hard to have a site that's completely and absolutely is isolated from neighborhoods and and from where people live. And this was the best site we found um on a municipal property that
we could utilize to again reach a and fulfill a really critical public safety need for both the city and the region, but it was one that wasn't taken lightly. Thank you, Tom. Council Zamuro. Thank you, Mr. President. Tom, you know,
I have a lot of respect for you. This could be a deal breakaker. And it's it could be a deal breakaker because the the city council was not informed. I voted on something I would have never voted for. I was the proponent of the
first rec center at the I I wasn't heavily involved in building the police station. I'll say that lightly. But I spent every waking hour when that place was being built. And there were some elect there were some appointed
officials that didn't speak to me because they thought it was a they thought it was a a tradeoff of of bodies and uh but I know how important a rec center is. But to come up now, I mean, you know, with all due respect, when you
say we put a lot of thought into this, where the hell was it that the council knew that we were going to get 150 foot tower? Nowhere. I I don't care how much thought you put in it. I don't care how much effort was put in it. This is
blindsiding us and and and I'm I'm telling you, I I'm I'm looking to kill it. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, councelor. Uh Tom, just one quick clarification if you could, please. Um, so when you first said why
it had to go at the McKinley site was because of the I I don't know the receive and the the send to the thing, but then you just said that we looked for another location in Winthrop in Chelsea. How would that have worked? We looked for another location for a 911
call center specifically. So once you deter whatever the location is, that's to be the hub of of the hub and the spoke. And then in November as we initiated design, we understood this to be something that was necessary. We brought in Introva as a team to figure
out what the necessary height of the tower would be. We learned that height in June. We then applied in July to the site plan review requesting a variance once we once we determined that the height was of a level that that was necessary. Um again there in full
transparency within a month of us learning that we put it in front of a site plan review going to ZBA understanding we would have these conversations as a community. I I respect that again it's it's a tall tower but it's one that we're being very transparent with the community about the
need for from a public safety standpoint. Thank you Tom. Any other council Kelly? Thank you for the leeway. Um Tom, you said that this would basically be in use when the fibers fail for some reason. So
that there the the systems down for some reason and then this would kick in as kind of a backup system. Correct. So there are no other alternative options to utilize in that scenario when you know there is a the system goes down um
the fiber goes down there's no other alternatives that we could employ. That's my understanding and and again if you look at some of the precedents um Hullbrook Lynn Sus the North Middle Sex region 911 call center Newton Boston all
recently developed 911 call centers that all have these towers because it's the I understand the current um public safety facility on River Beach Parkway does not have one. That's in part a question of sightelines. Um but
also this new system does create those necessary redundancies and like it or not we live in a different world. Um we live in uh at times scary world where we have to protect for our security and make sure that we communicate as clearly
and effectively as possible while reducing those redundancies. So again, I I I believe at a future meeting, the police chief and the fire chief will be here right behind me speaking in favor of this because they appreciate and understand the need and the importance
of having this tower. And again, we wouldn't want it there unless we absolutely needed it. Thank you, Tom. Council Kleandro. Thank you, Mr. President. Um I just want to state that I am hearing from early education teachers that they're very
concerned about this as well. Um I also heard that some of the school department is in favor of this. So just to put things in so one question is are the police and fire departments on part of the communication about this project.
Are they okay with this? I mean I know that we need it for them. I know we need to do something that's we have to make it happen. But how do they feel about the height, the location? So, we've we've all deliberated this carefully over the last few months since
we learned what the height was going to need to be. Um, and they I don't think understood there would be a full discussion tonight, but Wednesday when they knew there would be, I you know, the police chief, the fire chief, the executive director of the wreck, Whitney
Morgan, and and her team will be here to support this because they understand the importance from a public safety standpoint. And um Oh, sorry. Yeah, I just looked up the height of Broadway Towers and it's
101 feet. So, we're talking about 44 more feet high is the height of that tower. Just just so people can get their eyes on how tall this thing is actually going to be. Um so, thank you for Tom. Thanks for coming up. Like I said, taking the punches. Appreciate it.
Thank you, councelor. Councelor Jenzio. Thank you very much. So, Mr. Skowski, this wasn't meant to uh hammer you with the questions. I had wanted Who did you say the company was? The engineering firm that um Introv Introvers the the firm that
that did the study for the radio waves. So I hopefully they they'll be able to appear before the council because I think that's where the questions are going to be directed. I know I had asked for the OPM and the architect, but it doesn't seem like they're going to be able to answer these questions. Uh will they be able to appear before the
council, you think? And I think they would be okay. I'd like to think I could do a good job answering the questions, but I hear you and I appreciate it. And I think u council Kelly brings up uh some good points. We we need redundancy.
We need a backup system. Is there something else that can give us that redundancy or that backup? I know you had said in Winthrop the the fiber went down. So So what happened when that fiber went down? Nobody was able to talk
to each other for so essentially they were able to communicate but ineffectively by their public safety grade standard. Okay. That's how it's been communicated to me by the wreck.
Okay. So, so I would like to ask this this company these questions. Uh like I say and and the and the biggest concern is how this just came to light. you know th this 145 foot tower and at the uh site plan review I said if if the report
came back that we needed a 200 foot tower you would said well we'd be talking about a 200t tower so it seems that if we were going to get a 911 call center before anything happened that study should have been done and that we would have that information before we
entered into this u whole project and got excited about it that should have been the first thing before anything else uh was done. That study should have been done. Um so I'm a little disappointed that that wasn't the first thing that was done. So hopefully um we
can get them before us. I intend on going to the ZBA on Wednesday and asking them to um table it until we get a we're satisfied with uh uh the questions we want to ask. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Council McKenna.
Thank you uh for the le leeway. Uh Mr. President, I just wanted to ask Tom um does the tower look like the one down in the VFW in Beachmont? Is that what it looks like? So it's not a cell tower um in that way
where you have again the the pertinances, difficult word to say, are all kind of shooting out in every which way in a cell tower. This is much more sleek and it just sort of a tall tower. You'll see
some radio tow radio antenna on under 100 ft. Um and then at the top you have a I think it was about a two or three foot in diameter um radio transmitter um a microwave transmitter but it it won't have all those things poking out in
every which way like you might see in a cell tower. Okay. And do you know how big just just for people's knowledge if they if they saw this tower in the VFW? Do you know how big that is? That um that tower that
they have down the VFW is that about 140 ft? I I don't believe so, but I don't want to speak out of turn. All right. Thank you. Thanks a lot. Thank you, Councelor. Councelor Kelly. Just one quick question. Sorry, Mr. President. Thank you. Um, does the city
intend to lease space off this tower with, you know, in my previous life I was in the telecommunications tower industry. So, will they be leasing any space to private um companies on this tower, whips and panels, omni panels and things like that? This is intended to serve public safety
and public safety intended to so they so there's no there's no way that they will be leasing space. No, I was just answering the question the way you asked it, but no, that that's not the goal. That's not the intent. and we don't aim to do that. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you, counselor and Tom. Thank you very much, but I appreciate your time tonight. All in favor? All opposed? So ordered. Calendar item number 30, motion presented by councilors McKenna and Garino SA that the city council send a
letter to the joint committee on financial services in support of bill H1230 an act mandating access to cancer screenings for firefighters through healthc care benefits plans or programs provided by the public employer. This bill, if approved, as proposed, will
provide our firefighters with free cancer screenings for the following cancers: colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical, testicular, and prostate. Councelor Gino Sua McKenna.
Thank you, Mr. President. Um, this bill, if approved, as proposed, will provide our firefighters with free screening for the following cancers. As um, Miss Melnik said, colon, lung, bladder, oral, thyroid, skin, blood, breast, cervical,
and prostate, etc. Many firefighters suffered from suffer from different kinds of cancer from smoke, carcinogic, foam, asbestous, diesel exhaust and even with their protected gear can absorb uh
through their personal protective gear. The most common cancer among firefighters is prostate cancer. Studies show that firefighters are diagnosed with prostate cancer at a higher rate than the general population with some
studies indicating a 20% 28% risk. Free screening would be beneficial in the long term. Thank you council. Thank you Mr. President. Every day our firefighters face they run
towards danger. While we stayed home safe, they're exposed to smoke, toxic chemical, carcinogens, and other hazardous material, sacrificing their own health to protect our community.
Studies show the firefighters have higher rates of cancers compared to the general population. The bill H1230 would provide free cancer screenings, giving these heroes a fighting chance
for early detection and treatment. That can save many lives. Supporting this bill isn't just a policy. It's a moral obligation. It's our way of saying we see your courage. We honor your sacrifice. And we
will stand by you as you stand by us. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other counselors? Mr. President, council one Mayor Millow. Uh, Mr. President, I I commend my colleagues McKenna and Guina Sai for
this uh for supporting for write asking us to write this letter in support of this bill. And I I'd like to say that of course the firefighters got a giant win in the last year through the legislature by banning the PAS which are forever chemicals that enter their their bodies
through their equipment that their protective equipment that they wear. Um I would also like to remind the the residents um that uh our city can do more about this. Of course, uh, firefighters do negotiate directly with,
uh, the city as it relates to their health plans and their health benefits, um, their wages, um, and other benefits, and that we can lead the way. Uh, but stand in full support of this bill here,
um, that, uh, councelor Gorino, SA, and councelor McKenna, uh, have, uh, have flagged for us. and I hope that we can um pass this motion. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you, council. Mr. President, could I add um one hero
counselor uh to this motion, please? Absolutely. Thank you, madam. Uh thank you, councelor McKenna. Sorry, Mr. President. M any other any other counselors? All in favor? All opposed? So ordered.
Calendar item number 32, motion presented by council McKenna, that the mayor request the superintendent of public works in tree warden to ensure that tree pits are installed when new sidewalks are constructed, which is not currently being done in contributing to the decimation of trees citywide. further that the city's grant writer be
directed to begin researching the DCR greening the gateway cities program imple implementation grant worth up to $100,000 to support tree planting, watering, and maintenance to prepare for next fiscal year's application. Council McKenna. Thank you, Mr. President. Um, in the
recent months, six streets and sidewalks were done with not one tree planted. The reason behind this is we are giving the residents the option of saying if they want a tree planted in front of their property or not, but these are on city sidewalks. They're on
city sidewalks. When did this happen? In my tenure as a council, I've planted 60 trees in Beachmont. If the city is mindful of trees not being planted near a water mane or a sewer line and it's positioned in a non-invasive spot, then
why are we pushing back and planting trees? The trees we planted 5, 10, 15 years ago are not the same trees we're planting today. Urban cities now have designer trees that don't uproot a sidewalk and only grow 15 feet. In every
city, such as Winthre, Everett, etc. Trees are planted by the city. River is not planting trees on a city sidewalk. It's becoming a concrete city. The ve uh valuable a uh uh assets from
planting trees in an urban setting is reducing air uh pollution. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and other harmful pollutants from the air and give out oxygen. Urban areas are lacking trees that are lacking
trees are often have less shade and evaporation which can lead to heat islands. I mean, if anybody's ever gone to New York, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Trees can create a more habitat
habitable and enjoyable local climate with more moisture, cooling temperatures down between 15, 10, and 15 degrees and buffering wind. Trees can also reduce toxic runoff and reduce flooding by catching rain in their leaves and
stopping it from reaching the ground and by their roots soaking up the rain and pushing it back into the atmosphere. Environmental benefits they just did a study I don't I think it was in Somerville are not only the reason why urban trees should be valued. Trees make
communities more livable for residents by adding natural beauty. And statistics are now showing with more trees in an urban setting, trees reduce crime, improve mental health and property values. Right now, they are a buffer
zone and catch emissions from the planes going over Beachmont and Point of Pines. There is so much good from having trees in an urban setting city setting. I am asking the city to move forward with a comprehensive plan to plant more trees
and that a grant and the grant writer research grants to acquire more plantings. Thank you very much. Thank you councelor Councel Novaski. Thank you Mr. President. Mr. President, I agree with councelor McKenna said I've
had I love trees. Only a few streets have been done, sidewalks have been done in my ward, but the ones that were done, the council was never requested to get give his input or her input. Just a
concrete sidewalk. Now, every time we want to put a tree into these sidewalks, it's going to cost us $150 to cut the sidewalk open for a tree pit. Right now I have 22 requests in for trees in my neighborhood. So that's
going to cost us 22 times 150 just to get cut the pit. Then we have to worry about digging it out and planting the tree. So we here's another example of poor communication.
Okay. The city engineer did not talk to the ward counselors. poor poor poor and I feel very strongly about this that and I say it again communication is very important to all of us
to all of us from every department every department. You know we we legislate up here but we we have things that we want to see get done and beautifying our city is one of those things and putting up trees is very very
important. So, I I would relay this to the mayor and all the department heads. Talk to us. That's all we ask for is talk to us. Get our input. Thank you. Thank you, councelor. Any other counselors? All in favor? All opposed?
So, ordered. Calendar item number 33. Motion presented by councelor Noveski that the city of Rivier revise the restrictions approved on council order 200286 dated November 4th 02 for lot 73B on
Centennial Lab to read the conditions on the deed shall read one the property shall be maintained and utilized as a parking lot and two no barriers or fencing shall be installed around or within the property to designate ownership boundary lines.
Council Noelsowski. Thank you, Mr. President. Uh, Mr. President, uh, this was brought to me by the owners at, uh, one and four or square, Dr. Bashetti's office, and they they're the ones that purchased the property from us, uh, back
then. And since then, um, where Seno Deaya was, the little restaurant and bar that was there has been eliminated and a new building was built right up to the property line. So, there's no easements and there's no
reason to have any kind of restriction against the property lines. And I do want to um amend this a little and only put uh item number two, the property shall be maintained and utilized as a parking
lot. And I talked to them and I told them it's very important because if they built the building, okay, we don't want them to build a building in that parking lot. We want to still be able to utilize it for their employee parking and some
of their uh constituents parking. Uh the number three issue, no barriers or fencing shall be installed around or within the property or designated to ownership boundary lines. I I just looked at the plans and
the boundary lines are the buildings right now and also the wall of Centennial Lab and OR Square. So, I'm going to ask that only one item be uh retained, and that's the property shall be maintained and utilized as a parking
lot. So, if they can make that amendment, number two. Striking number two. Yes, if I will. and uh you know the the owners you know feel like you know since a lot of these things are not applicable any longer
they want to be able to uh have better future potential on if they if they sell the property but even if they built there you know the building that's next door is five stories high and their building right now is only one story high so I I still want to give them some
potential but if they do build over this lot they have to have parking underneath So I ask for your approval on in this and I don't know if uh through the clerk if we need a public hearing of this or just a uh just a motion from us to so if
you would all approve that uh I I would be grateful and Dr. Bashetti will be grateful. Thank you. Thank you councelor as amended. All in favor all opposed. So ordered. Calendar item number 34, motion presented by councelor Go Slaya, that
the city council request the mayor in coordination with Masdot, DCR, and all other relevant state and regional agencies to establish a coordinated public process for construction projects that impact the city of River. This process should include one, a centralized public forum where residents
can access clear, up-to-date information on ongoing and upcoming projects, timelines, and traffic impacts. two regular community meetings scheduled in advance of major projects with a particular focus on impacts to school bus routes. Commuter travel and emergency response quarters. Three,
advanced notification requirements for both city and state projects ensuring residents are informed ahead of time through multiple channels. and four, traffic mitigation and coordination plans jointly developed by the city and state, including detours,
signage, and schedule scheduling adjustments to limit overlapping disruptions in the same neighborhood or corridor. Council go. Thank you, Mr. President. I'm going to ask for some leeway. Okay. Um,
the impact of our residents from overlapping construction pro projects has been extraordinary this past week. With the General Edwards Bridgework, Northshore Road, River Beach Boulevard, River Street, Broadway, American Legion Highway, Rice Avenue corridor all under
construction at the same time, daily life in Revier has been severely disrupted. Just last week, traffic came to a complete standstill. What should have taken 5 to 10 minutes took an hour
or in some cases an hour and a half to get home. Northshore Road was bumperto-bumper. Ravier Beach Boulevard was locked up. Ravier Street and Broadway were jammed. And even Limb Marsh Road was at a gridlock. Residents
were sitting in cars for hours and entire neighborhoods were effectively trapped. Luckily, this occurred before the school year began because if school buses had been on the roads during the standstill, the situation would have been even
worse. I received hundreds of calls from residents describing how horrific the traffic was. One resident told me it took her nearly 2 hours just to get from Riviera Street back home to the Oak Island neighborhood, a trip that
normally takes less than 10 minutes. People were frustrated, angry, and desperate. We even saw accidents because drivers in their frustration tried to force their way out of the gridlock. The Point of Pines Rivia Beach Boulevard and other neighborhoods were especially
impacted. It was an absolute disaster for our city and it all stemmed from lack of coordination. And it's not just the city and state. We also have major utility companies, MWRA, National Grid and others conducting
largecale projects in our city, often at the exact same time as roadways and bridges are are having work performed. When all of these entities, local, state, regional, and utilities fail to
coordinate, it's the residents of Riviera that paid the price. Even though the General Edwards Bridge is technically not in Riviera, it is outside Riviera, the ripple effect of the project combined with all the other work happening at once brought our city
to a dead stop. This should never be happening. And this didn't just affect Revier. It backed up the backup extends into surrounding communities as well. That's why I'm asking the city, the state, and the utility companies to
establish a coordinated public process for construction projects that impact Rever. This must include one centralized forum both online and in person where residents can get a clear up-to-date
information on projects, timelines, and traffic impacts. It must include regular community meetings scheduled before major projects begin well before with particular focus on impact to commuter
travel, school buses and emergency response. And it must include advanced notification requirements pushed out through multiple channels. Also, residents so residents are not blindsided.
Finally, the city, state, and utility companies must jointly develop real traffic mitigation and coordination plans, including police details, detours, signage, and scheduled schedule
adjustments so we don't see overlapping disruptions in the same neighborhood. Our residents deserve better. We cannot allow another situation where Revier is paralyzed for hours because of pure poor communication.
Never again should our city be brought to a complete standstill as it was last week. Thank you and thank you for the leeway. Thank you councelor. On councelor Goaya's motion, all in favor? All opposed? So ordered.
Calendar item number 35. Motion presented by councelor Gino SA that the mayor request the DPW and traffic commission in coordination with MASDOT to evaluate and implement safety measures at the corner of Northshore Road in Vera Street in Oak Island. The property at 795 Northshore Road has been
struck by vehicles at least four or five times due to the high rate of speed in this area. Most recently, a car hit a pole and crashed through the property's fence. The installation of barriers or a guardrail should be considered to protect residents and prevent further incidents. The owner of the property has
been requesting that something be done for over 12 years. Council go. The section of Northshore Road and Vera Street is extremely dangerous. Um the property at 795 Northshore Road has been struck multiple times over the past 12
years and the woman who lives there has been asking for help for 12 years. Nothing's been done. All she wants is some type of a barrier put in front of her house. And I understand why. Because when you're traveling down Northshore Road and you're getting you're you're
traveling at a high speed of rate, it goes from 40 to 50 and then you're at a stop at the set of lights. So, right before you get to that set of lights, people are driving 50 miles an hour. And what what happens is they're going to try to stop real short. And this is
what's happening to this poor woman. And when they stop short, sometimes they lose control of the vehicle. And where does it go? Right into her house because her house is a block away from that set of lights. So they're we need to do something to help her. And she has been asking for 12 years for something. And
if we can send this to traffic and maybe traffic can find some way to mitigate this, I would appreciate it. Mr. President, can I suggest something? Council McKenna. Um I just had some bolards bolards uh put in uh
whatever it doesn't matter. A ballet. Yeah. So um I just had um those ballards bolards put in and um they're working. They're working great. So they're all around uh ward one. So
thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. Suggest suggest that to um uh superintendent uh Chris Charamela. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you, councelor. On Council Garino Suay's motion, all in favor, all
opposed. So ordered. That concludes tonight's meeting. Thank you for joining us. Have a great night.