Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 Revere residents share mixed emotions about paid parking on Revere Beach Protest DCR’s installation of parking meters along Revere Beach Boulevard By Tara Vocino A pproximately 50 people gathered to protest parking meters along Revere Beach on Saturday morning. “People are starting to fi ght back,” event organizer Wayne Rose said. “We’re getting plenty of beeps.” During the protest, residents shared why they’re against the meters, and whether nonresidents should have to pay to park along the beach. Residents, who have a sticker on their dashboard, won’t have to pay due to their location. Resident Stephen Fiore said it was news to him that they were installing meters. “It’s a terrible idea, especially [for those] who live at the end of the beach, who will get hit with a nice ticket if they host a party,” Fiore said. “They’ll be hit with a nice ticket if they forget to pay.” However, Fiore thinks the state should charge nonresidents money, if necessary, to maintain bathrooms. On the contrary, Paul Hawkins believes that nonresidents shouldn’t have to pay. “Since it is America’s First Public Beach, it’s for everyone,” Hawkins said. “Revere people don’t support it, which was done behind their backs.” Daily beachgoer Margaret McPherson, who is a senior, said she can’t aff ord to pay daily. Michael Ferrara said he’s angry about this. “Why can’t local At a podium on Saturday, speaker Peter Martino addressed the attendees at the rally against parking meters. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) offi cials be here?” Ferrara asked. “We pay taxes here.” The meters, which go in efWearing a Revere Beach T-shirt, Paul Hawkins said nonresidents shouldn’t have to pay since, he said, it was done behind their backs. Stephen Fiore said nonresidents should pay, if necessary, to help maintain bathrooms. fect May 1, will be $1.25 an hour and enforced from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during beach season. Originally, residents also had to pay, but after a public outcry, changes were made thanks to Mayor Brian Arrigo and the city councillors reaching out to the state. Protestors against parking meters received many beeps in front of the William Reinstein Memorial Bandstand on Saturday morning.
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