THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2025 Page 21 RADIO TOWER | FROM Page 1 Ward 4 Councillor Paul Argenzio said there were still signifi cant concerns among early education teachers, who will share the McKinley building with the emergency call center, about health threats from the tower. Fire Captain Kevin O’Hara explained the diff erence between 5G antennas, which emit radiation, and microwave towers like the one planned for the call center. “Radiation damages DNA and causes cancer. We looked into it,” said O’Hara, adding that microwaves do not pose a health threat to people. “We need this; it’s for our communication. The union, the fi re department, we’ve all been working on this. We need it,” said O’Hara. Argenzio and several other councillors continued to express their frustration that they were not told about the tower until a few weeks ago. Keefe tried to respond to those concerns by reminding them that renderings of McKinley were shown during the state of the city address and the tower was included in those drawings. He also said all emergency call centers have tall radio towers to function properly. “We have to do what’s right for public safety and for the safety of fi re and police, and everyone who comes to Revere,” said Keefe. “The study is going to revisit the height of the tower, nothing else?” asked Councillor-atLarge Michelle Kelley. And that’s the best-case scenario, a 100-foot radio tower. Kelley and other councillors raised the issue of a deAdvertise dvertise in the in the Ad Advocatevo Classifieds! Classifieds! Call us at: 781-286-8500 Advertising that gets results! crease in property values in the McKinley neighborhood. Kelley mentioned a 2019 study that found property values were aff ected for properties within 1,000 feet of a tower. “This will result in a property value decrease,” said Kelley. “I have a big problem with that.” But Keefe said property values wouldn’t be aff ected. Instead, he said, a state-of-theart emergency public safety system would enhance property values. Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto, who previously vowed to kill the project when he fi rst learned about the tower, expressed a change of heart. “The last thing I’ll ever do is hinder the RECC center. I appreciate the eff ort the team is putting in looking at reducing the size,” said Zambuto. He promised to listen to experts and do what’s needed to make sure the city has a state-ofthe-art emergency call center. Keefe said the center will have the capacity to add another community to the regional call center. He added that there has already been an inquiry from a neighboring municipality. Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselski said property values will, no doubt, decrease. He also asked about the city leasing space on the tower to other companies. Keefe said that’s not the goal nor the intention. “Residents need to realize this is essential. I’m for this at a lower scale if you can do it,” said Ward 5 Councillor Angela Guarino-Sawaya, who added that her opinion had changed after hearing from police and fi re department leaders. “I would hate to be here in the future and we say if we had 50 more feet those guys would still be with us,” said City Council President Marc Silvestri. Reservoir Road resident Stephanie Desisto said, “I haven’t heard one mention of quality of life. Lowering this by 40 feet is not a meaningful change….It is a fact and reality that property values will go down. People will have a diffi - cult time selling their property.” Desisto said money needed to fi nd an alternative location would be well spent to maintain quality of life. The city’s application for variances for height and side yard construction is now before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Keefe has said the city went to the ZBA to give the community time to understand the project and ask questions. The city is exempt from the requirement of ZBA approval. The board will continue its hearing on the tower at its meeting later this month. FURNISHED ROOM FOR RENT EVERETT 1 bedroom, 1 bath furnished room for rent. $275. per week rent. Two week deposit plus 1 week rent required. Call: 617-435-9047 - NO TEXT
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