THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 29, 2022 Page 7 Mayor, Revere Dept. of Planning & Community Development distribute $380K in CDBG Funds to 38 Revere small businesses Special to Th e Advocate D uring the next few weeks, Mayor Brian Arrigo and the City of Revere Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) will distribute $380,000 in Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) to 38 small business owners who operate in Revere. The program was announced in January 2022 and is aimed to help small entrepreneurs as they withstand the continued pressures of operating in a COVID environment. Micro-enterprises are defi ned as businesses with no more than fi ve employees – such as hair and nail salons and small family-run operations. During this round of funding, more than 84% of the businesses awarded are owned by people of color, and 52% are woman-owned. “Revere’s Department of Planning and Community Development has done a fantastic job over the last few years expanding and making the CDBG program more accessible for those who need it most,” said Mayor Arrigo. “The CDBG program is essential to how our city operates, and, whether or not our Attorneys at Law residents know it, the program benefi ts us all. From infrastructure projects to funding direct services for residents and small businesses, the program touches on almost every sector of municipal responsibility. I am proud of the work our Department of Planning and Community Development has accomplished over the last few years and I’m looking forward to seeing the program expand even further.” The CDBG program has operated nationally since 1975, and today the City of Revere funds DISTRIBUTE | SEE Page 15 Seasonal safety reminder: Be aware of mulch fire hazards S tate Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey off ered a fi re safety reminder to homeowners and others who plan on using mulch in upcoming landscaping projects. “Every spring, firefighters across Massachusetts respond to mulch fi res on commercial and residential properties,” Ostroskey said. “These include fi res that start with cigarettes and other smoking materials. Remember that mulch is combustible and can easily catch fi re.” The hazard is especially significant around residential structures because fires that start on the exterior of buildings are usually not detected early. By the time smoke and heat enter the building to trigger a fi re or smoke alarm or sprinkler system, the fi re is already large. Fortunately, many mulch fi res are noticed and extinguished before spreading to a building or motor vehicle. Provide proper smoking receptacles Smokers should never toss their cigarettes into mulch, dried leaves or other debris, and mulch should not be placed in a designated smoking area. To help reduce this unsafe behavior, businesses and homeowners using mulch to spruce up their landscaping should also provide and maintain safe receptacles for disposing of smoking materials. Metal containers with sand are best. Keep mulch at least 18 inches away from buildings Don’t place mulch directly against the side of a building. The Massachusetts Comprehensive Fire Safety Code (527 CMR 1.00, section 10.13.10.4.1) prohibits the new application of mulch within 18 inches around combustible exteriors of buildings, such as wood or vinyl, but not brick or concrete. Residential buildings with six units or fewer are exempted from this regulation, but all homeowners might wish to adopt these safety practices voluntarily. The regulation applies to all other buildings, including commercial properties. Keep mulch piles at least 30 feet apart The heat generated by large piles of mulch can cause them to ignite, so it is important to maintain a safe distance between piles. This can help prevent a fi re in one pile from spreading to another pile or to a building. The Fire Code (527 CMR 1.00, sections 31.3.6.3.2.2 and 31.3.6.4.3) limits the size of mulch piles and requires distances of 30 feet between piles and 25 feet from the property line. Permits required to store more than 300 cubic yards of mulch Permits from the local fi re department are required wherever more than 300 cubic yards of mulch are produced or stored. Call 911 to report smoldering mulch beds Mulch can generate heat, and a smoldering pile of mulch can ignite. If you see a smoldering mulch bed, please call 911 so the fire department can make sure it is truly extinguished. Mulch can smolder for a long time before erupting into fl ames. Educate your staff: mulch safety pamphlet The state Department of Fire Services provides an educational pamphlet in English and Spanish on its Mulch Fire Safety page. It provides information that building managers, landscapers and distributors can use to educate their staff . Local fi re departments are encouraged to make it available as well. Major mulch fi res Including preliminary data SAFETY | SEE Page 13 WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE! www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq.
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