Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021 ZBA overturns Franklin St. decision in favor of business By Adam Swift T he owners of the Clean Joe/ Board Up Kings building at 7 Franklin St. can rest a little bit easier, as the Zoning Board of Appeals last week overturned a controversial decision by the city’s building inspector. The building has housed the Clean Joe business, which is managed by Josef Koch of JEK Enterprises, since 2018. The business cleans out homes and businesses affected by fires, fl oods and other property damage. JEK Enterprises has been before the ZBA several times this year trying to clear up a ruling by the building inspector stating that the business is illegally operating as a 24/7 business and that it is not a grandfathered use in the Neighborhood Business (NB) zone. Prior to 2018, the building was home for decades to Madison Associates, a small manufacturer and distributor of composite steel. At last week’s ZBA hearing, Attorney Larry Simeone, representing JEK Associates, once again noted that there is nothing in the Revere zoning ordinances that establish just what a 24/7 business is. Several neighbors and city councillors spoke in favor of overturning the building inspector’s ruling, while several other abutters countered that the business creates undue noise and disturbance during nights and weekends. “The evidence that is before [the ZBA] does not support the decision made by the building inspector,” said Simeone. “In fact, there is no evidence for which the building inspector has come forth with to substantiate his decision. The decision he stated was that neither the NB zone nor any assorted grandfathered use of the property supports … the structures or premises being utilized for a 24/7 business operation. [In] a review of the Revere zoning ordinance, as well as all the ordinances in the city of Revere, you will fi nd that no defi - nition of the term 24/7 business or operation is found in the zoning ordinance.” Simeone further stated that there is nothing in the zoning ordinance that deals with the typical hours of operation for a business in the NB district. During the public hearing, several people spoke in favor of JEK Enterprises and Clean Joe’s, including employees, people who used the business and city councillors. “What I see now is a very well-run business,” said Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo. “He provides a service to the community, and he does it respectfully. I’m not sure why this has been litigated endlessly; it’s not a detriment to the community, and he has gone out of his way to help the community.” City Council President Anthony Zambuto noted that he spent a number of years chairing the council’s zoning subcommittee and helped create many of the zoning ordinances on the city books. He said he is bothered that the building inspector was citing conditions that don’t exist anywhere in the zoning ordinances. However, several residents who live near 7 Franklin St. argued that the business is a hardship on the neighborhood. Franklin Street resident John Riccio said there are differences on what kind of business is allowed in a general business zone and what is allowed in the NB zone. “The major diff erence is that the NB zone was made to be harmonious with, and not detrimental, to the neighborhood,” said Riccio. “Clean Joe bought the property under these condiSAVINGS NOW & DOWN THE ROAD! Auto Loans as low as 1.99% PURCHASE or REFINANCE Apply FAST at massbaycu.org or call (617) 269-2700 APR* tions, and now he wants to change it, and there will be no difference between that NB zone and the general business zone in that area.” Riccio said he has lived in the neighborhood for 36 years and never complained about Madison. He added that he would not complain about Clean Joe except for their doing business after typical business hours. “It’s loud, it’s noisy, there are backup SAFETY | FROM Page 7 ropes and buoys, lifeguards onduty, and water quality testing. Undesignated waterfronts do not receive such services, and may also have hazardous features like murky water, steep slopes, and aquatic plant species, creating a potentially dangerous situation for swimmers. “The legislation fi led today reflects the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to the health and safety of Massachusetts residents and visitors,” said Secretary of Energy and Environmental Aff airs Kathleen Theoharides. “Increasing fi nes is a critical part of our comprehensive strategy to prevent potential tragedies and ensure all visitors to the Commonwealth’s state parks have a safe and enjoyable experience.” “DCR welcomes visitors of all ages and swimming abilities to our waterfronts each summer season, and we ask that each person heed park signs, staff direction, and water safety recommendations,” said DCR Commissioner James Montgomery. “The increase in fi nes for swimming in unsafe waters on DCR property is another example of the Administration’s continued commitment to increasing safety throughout our state park system.” DCR has been coordinating with the Executive Offi ce of Energy and Environmental Aff airs (EEA), the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) and the Massachusetts Environmental Police alarms; there are gates opening; and these are large metal gates,” said Riccio. “All this happens, and it could be in the middle of the night. Madison had nothing like that.” Riccio said he has no problem with the noise during regular daytime hours. ZBA Member Arthur Pelton made a motion to overturn the building inspector’s decision, which was approved by a 4-0 vote. (MEP) to implement new measures to enhance public safety and discourage swimming at undesignated waterfronts. DCR has produced and posted dozens of new swimming safety signs at DCR parks and beaches. These signs will be in multiple languages at select areas such as Houghton’s Pond within the Blue Hills State Reservation in Canton. DCR has also increased outreach for the agency’s Learn to Swim program, which offers free swimming lessons at 12 locations statewide for people of all ages. The DCR recently announced that it has increased lifeguard pay from $17 per hour or $18 per hour for head guards to $20 per hour and $21 per hour. Lifeguards who remain committed for the entire season with the DCR will also receive a $500 bonus at the end of the season. DCR continues to actively recruit individuals to become a lifeguard at its inland and coastal waterfronts, and deep water swimming pools in the Boston Region (including Cambridge and the surrounding towns), the North Region (specifi cally Saugus, Nahant and East Boston), the South Region (specifically Sandwich and Westport) and the Central Region (Metro West to Worcester County). Interested individuals can apply online and are strongly encouraged to call James Esposito at 857- 214-0400 or visit the DCR’s lifeguarding webpage, application information, and lifeguard requirements can be found. Revere residents named to Dean’s List at Quinnipiac University SOUTH BOSTON – EVERETT – QUINCY – SEAPORT *APR=Annual Percentage Rate. APR includes a .25% discount for automatic payments. 1.99% APR is for terms up to 48 months. Monthly payment is $21.69 per $1,000 borrowed. 2.24% APR without automatic payments. Monthly payment without automatic payments is $21.80 per $1,000 borrowed. Other rates and terms are available. Up to 105% financing based on NADA retail value. Qualification restrictions apply. Rate, term, and approval based on credit worthiness. Rates are subject to change without notice. Federally insured by NCUA HAMDEN, Conn. – Revere residents Cameron Barker and Rania Bensadok were named to the Dean's List at Quinnipiac University for the spring 2021 semester. To qualify for the Dean's List, students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.5 with no grade lower than C. Full-time students must complete at least 14 credits in a semester, with at least 12 credits that have been graded on a letter grade basis to be eligible. Part-time students must complete at least six credits during a semester.
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