THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 30, 2021 Page 3 Revere Beach meters continue to be sore spot with City Council By Adam Swift T he state Department of Conservation & Recreation’s (DCR) move to install parking meters along Revere Beach continues to attract the ire of city offi cials and residents. The topic was the subject of several motions and much conversation at Monday night’s City Council meeting, even as several councillors praised Mayor Brian Arrigo and local state legislators to wrangle some concessions out of the DCR. DCR’s initial plans for the program included metered parking along Revere Beach Boulevard from Eliot Circle to Carey Circle. Last week, Arrigo announced an agreement where no meters would be installed on the west side of Revere Beach Boulevard from Revere Street to Carey Circle and that nearly 200 24/7, residentonly parking spaces would be created and that all of Ocean Avenue would be designated as 24/7, resident-only parking. City Council President Anthony Zambuto announced that the mayor was taking further steps in negotiations with DCR and that all Revere residents will be issued beach parking stickers allowing for parking on the westerly side of Revere Beach Boulevard. “It amounts to a fairly good compromise under the circumstances that we were at a couple of weeks ago,” said Zambuto. “Every citizen that has a car registered in the city of Revere will receive a beach sticker that allows [them] to park on the westerly side of the beach from Revere Street to Carey Circle and all of Ocean Avenue. We can continue to talk about this, but I dare say you are not going to change the agreement that’s already been made.” Still, several councillors expressed their dismay at the limits of the agreement and that America’s Oldest Public Beach will be marred by the installation of parking meters at all. Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo said the DCR meters will impact 1,700 parking spaces in a city where 23,000 residents own cars. “This is just foolish, quite honestly, putting meters down there will have a huge impact,” said Rotondo. While residents will be eligible for beach stickers, he noted that many of the senior citizens along the boulevard rely on occupational and physical therapists and other caregivers for at-home services. Rotondo noted that the move to metered spaces will also create acrimony where people are fi ghting for spots near the larger residential developments along the beach. Rotondo did praise an eff ort by State Representative Jeff rey Turco to fi le a bill earmarking the money obtained from the Revere Beach meters for the upkeep and preservation of the beach and its amenities. “I applaud the mayor for trying his best to get what pretty much no one could get done, except for the governor, and shame on the governor,” he said. Rotondo added that there are currently no meters along similar beaches in the state, such as Carson Beach, Malibu Beach and Lynn Beach, although Zambuto noted that rumor has it that meters could be coming to the spots across the state. Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna expressed her frustration that the meter and parking concessions do not extend in a more southerly direction toward some of the larger apartment complexes in her ward. “The residents who live at the beginning of the beach are not getting the same as those on Revere Street all the way up to the Point of Pines,” said McKenna. Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky said he agrees with many of the frustrations expressed by his fellow councillors, but that it would be hard to extract more concessions from the DCR. “We are at the point now where what we see is what we get,” said Novoselsky. Thorndike Street resident Wayne Rose said he was disgusted by the DCR meter installations. “We don’t have meters here; we’ve never had them” said Rose. “Even in the heyday, the state never tried to make money on this beach because it is a historic beach.” Rossetti Cowan Senior Center Reopens Monday, May 3 REVERE – The Revere Rossetti Cowan Senior Center (25 Winthrop Ave) announced it will open its doors to seniors for the fi rst time in over a year on Monday, May 3. Three, two-hour blocks will be open to a maximum of 20 seniors: Monday-Friday from 8:3010:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, and 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM. Seniors must reserve their spot by calling 781-286-8155 and are required to wear masks in the building. In an eff ort to keep all seniors and employees safe, seniors must provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours to enter the building. All staff at the senior center are fully vaccinated. “I have been looking forward to this day for months,” said Deb Peczka, Director of Elder Aff airs. “I am so excited to welcome back our seniors, to show them the improvements we have made to the center, and work with them to set more goals we can accomplish together.” Shuttle rides are available to members of the senior center – please call 781-286-8155 to schedule a ride and buy a $10 shuttle coupon book. www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 STAY SAFE!
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