Advocate News Online: www.advocatenews.net Vol. 32, No.4 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Free Every Friday Mayor Arrigo unanimously elected 2023 President of Massachusetts Mayors’ Association 781-286-8500 Friday, January 27, 2023 City looks at plans to pay for new high school By Barbara Taormina T he City Council has been asking for some detailed information on how the city will pay for the new $499 million high school at Wonderland. Chief Financial Officer Richard Viscay was at this week’s council meeting with a presentation on fi nancial planning and a list of options Revere has to pay for the project. Throughout his presentation, Advocate Staff Report M ayor Brian Arrigo was unanimously elected President of the Massachusetts Mayors’ Association (MMaA) during the Annual Meeting of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) held at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on Mayor Brian Arrigo (second from right) poses with MMA Executive Director/CEO Geoff rey Beckwith (left), U.S. Senator Ed Markey, Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and Pittsfi eld Mayor Linda Tyer, who is the outgoing MMaA President (right). January 21, 2023. Mayor Arrigo was elected by his mayoral colleagues to lead the MMaA, which meets regularly throughout the year so that the mayors of the state can discuss and strategize on major issues facPRESIDENT | SEE Page 2 Sgt. Christopher Giannino retires after 33 years of service A daughter refl ects on her father’s dedication to the city on his retirement “W ell, it’s offi cial, the legend retired today. When I think of everything Chris Giannino accomplished over 33 years of service to the City of Revere, I can’t help but be so proud. In 1989, 2 years before I was born, my dad took his oath of offi ce to serve and protect. During that time, he has impacted so many; from the colleagues who mentored him to the next generation he mentored, the countless people he helped every day, by ‘just doing his job.’ From walking Shirley Ave in the early 90s to driving his motorcycle down Revere Beach during the last Sandcastle Festival. Over the decades, he’s watched this city grow, change, and made its citizens feel safe each step of the way. In 2008, he got RETIREMENT | SEE Page 13 C Viscay stressed that the school can’t be built by taxing Revere property owners. “We tax at the levy limit. We can’t build a high school on the backs of taxpayers,” said Viscay. With the city raising taxes off the table, Viscay suggested bringing the question to the voters to see if they want to increase their taxes to pay for a new high school. But he also had other options for the council to consider. Viscay suggested looking at the Community Preservation Act, which allows cities and towns to collect money for community projects through a property tax surcharge, which is matched by the state. Viscay also suggested the city can be vigilant about state grant opportunities. He said there are often grants available for environmental improvements and energy effi ciencies. Viscay also felt a multiyear forecast of Chapter 70 funding state aid to Revere Public Schools would help keep costs manageable. Although Revere already collects the maximum allowed for room and meals taxes, Viscay highlighted the potential revenue from cannabis local option taxes and impact fees. He showed a list of what other communities are taking in from recreational cannabis shops. He said Revere is not taking advantage of any of that revenue, which has brought $3.2 million to Salem and $1.2 million to Melrose. PAY PLANS | SEE Page 15 How do you solve a problem like coyotes, asks council By Barbara Taormina ouncillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo proposed that the City Council sponsor an informational session about coyote behavior and intrusive interactions and encounters with the city’s growing coyote population. “Like other communities we have a signifi cant coyote problem. Some people have it worse than others,” he said. Rizzo said he had heard about a program in Malden led by Northeast District Wildlife Biologist Chalis Bird that helped residents understand the typically shy and reclusive predators. Revere Police Chief David Callahan and State Rep. and proud daughter Jessica Giannino congratulated Sgt. Christopher Giannino on his retirement this past week at the Revere Police Public Safety Building. “A lot of people with small pets are concerned,” said Rizzo. Councillors were quick to support Rizzo’s motion. “We’ve had a lot of coyotes down by Stop & Shop and Target because people are throwing out food to feed them and then taking pictures when they come out of the marsh,” said City Council Vice President Joanne McKenna. She said she has asked for a sign warning against feeding the animals to COYOTES | SEE Page 12 $4.20 GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602
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