THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2026 Page 17 City Council addresses street closures, launches support for police ‘Care Wagon’ By Anthony Boyd of that planning.” Guarino-Sawaya also emphaT he Revere City Council moved toward requiring better advance notice of street closures during its Aug. 24 meeting, with councillors supporting a proposal aimed at giving city offi cials and residents more time to prepare for traffi c disruptions. The council also unanimously approved a new Revere Police Department gift account to support a community outreach vehicle known as the “Care Wagon,” and councillors considered several development, zoning and construction-related proposals. One of the evening’s major discussions centered on a proposed ordinance that would amend the city’s street-closure notification requirements and add the Police Department and City Council to the agencies notifi ed when streets are closed. Councillors Anthony Cogliandro and Joanne McKenna introduced the measure, saying the current process does not provide councillors or residents with enough timely information about road disruptions. Cogliandro said the existing ordinance primarily requires street closures to be reported to the Fire Department, leaving other city offi cials without adequate notice. “We’ve had quite a few road closures this year that we have not known about,” Cogliandro said, adding that the additional notifi cation could be as simple as an email. McKenna pointed to a recent closure on Crescent Avenue as an example of the problems that can arise when residents and officials are not informed in advance. Traffic was diverted toward an area near Beachmont School, where drivers encountered a traffi c signal that remained red while they waited to turn toward Boston. Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya, who said she had previously proposed a similar notification requirement, supported a 24-hour-advance-notice standard. She said residents should not have to discover a closure only when leaving for work or returning home. “Construction and utility work is necessary. I understand that,” Guarino-Sawaya said. “When the work is planned, communication should be part sized the impact on seniors and residents with disabilities who rely on home health care, deliveries and other services. Knowing about a closure ahead of time, she said, would give residents more opportunity to make alternate arrangements. Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio offered some of the strongest criticism of the current situation, saying he had not seen so many street closures during his 30 years in the city. “You’re going down Broadway and then Broadway stops,” Argenzio said. “You’re going down River Street and Revere Street stops. … It’s out of control.” “I think this is one of the best motions I’ve seen. I’m a thousand percent in favor of this thing,” Argenzio added, calling for better coordination and criticizing lastminute detour signs. The proposed ordinance was sent to a public hearing scheduled for Sept. 28. The council also unanimously approved the creation of a Revere Police Department gift account to support a new community service vehicle being developed by the department. Captain Malone told councillors that the department recently purchased an electric Chevy BrightDrop that will serve as a yearround community outreach vehicle. “We’re kind of calling it an ice cream truck on steroids,” Malone said, explaining that unlike older community-service vehicles used primarily for ice cream events, Revere’s vehicle is being designed for year-round use. The vehicle, dubbed the “Care Wagon,” is intended to bring officers into neighborhoods for activities including ice cream events, Coff ee with a Cop, clothing and toy drives, homeless outreach and behavioral health initiatives. Malone said the vehicle will also be used at community events throughout the city, creating more opportunities for offi cers to interact with residents outside of traditional police calls. The department hopes to place a QR code on the vehicle so residents and businesses can make donations, with the money going back toward the vehicle and the community services it provides. Councillors expressed strong support for the initiative. Councillor-at-Large Marc Silvestri said he had seen fi rsthand how an ice cream truck in Chelsea helped police offi cers build relationships with neighborhood children. The council also considered several development and zoning matters. Martin Carbo sought a special permit to add two residential floors containing four units above an existing commercial building at 191 River St. The proposal drew concerns from abutter Lewis Mario, who raised questions about an existing clay sewer line, drainage, trash storage and trees along the property. Councillors said those concerns could be addressed during subcommittee and site plan review. They also discussed documenting the condition of the sewer line before and after construction to help protect both the property owner and abutters. Dominic Lasala appeared before the council seeking permission to add a 20-by-30-foot second fl oor to his home at 269 River St. Lasala said he has lived in Revere his entire life and wants additional space to make the home more comfortable and accommodate his grandchildren. The proposal received support from councillors, and no opposition was voiced during the hearing. Councillors also advanced an ordinance concerning body art establishments to a Sept. 28 public hearing after removing a provision that would have prohibited such establishments within 500 feet of schools, playgrounds, parks, conservation areas, houses of worship and residences. Another proposal would require qualifying construction and demolition projects to display clearly visible signs containing information, such as the permit number, property address, contractor or developer, permitted construction hours and contact information. The measure was brought forward after a resident raised concerns that existing construction signage does not always provide neighbors with enough information about projects taking place in their community. The council also approved a $127,253.15 appropriation from the cable access receipt reserve fund to pay RevereTV’s quarterly invoice. Mayor’s 2026 Revere Senior Citizen Home Repairs Program application opens Tues., Sept. 15, 2026 Program helps eligible seniors make accessibility improvements in their homes T he application for the City of Revere’s 2026 Senior Citizen Home Repairs Program will be live on the City of Revere’s website, revere. org, starting Tuesday, September 15, at 8:15 a.m. Applications can also be printed and submitted in person at the Department of Planning and Community Development (Mezzanine Level, Revere City Hall). Print versions of the application will be available at the offi ce as well. A read-only version of the application will be posted this week on revere.org, but will not be submittable until September 8. “Last year, this program was able to help 13 Revere seniors make critical upgrades to their homes to allow them to age in place,” said Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. “This year, we’re expanding the program to support more seniors and continue to make these key investments. We appreciate the support and partnership of the Revere City Council and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board in making this happen.” Through this program, the City of Revere is offering a limited number of grants of up to $6,000 to assist eligible senior homeowners with necessary home repairs and accessibility improvements. This program is being funded and administered by the City of Revere’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund. A total of $85,000 will be awarded, available on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis, to the fi rst completed and approved applications that have submitted all required documentation. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to: • Installation of grab bars or handrails • Installation of stair lifts or ramps • Walk-in shower conversions • Replacement of doorknobs with lever-style door handles • Replacement of toilet with comfort-height toilet • Other accessibility upgrades to showers/toilets • Critical roof repairs • Installation/repair of air conditioning or other HVAC • Heating or plumbing system repairs • Electrical upgrades for safety Applicants must submit income and residency information along with a quote/ contractor’s estimate both describing the work and its cost. The estimate will be reviewed by the City of Revere for feasibility, alignment with program guidelines and proper licensure of the contractor. Applicants will receive confi rmation their application has been received within one business day of submission, but processing time to completely process an application may vary. Eligible applicants must be age 60 or greater, own and occupy their home in Revere, be year-round residents and have income at or below 80% of the area median income. An information session about the program will be held at the Revere Senior Center on Wednesday, September 2, at 2:00 p.m. Staff will be on hand to discuss the program and answer questions about the application process. With questions about the program, you may contact Joe Gravellese of the Department of Planning and Community Development at 781-286-8181 or jgravellese@revere.org.
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