Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2024 VOTE | FROM Page 1 hearing on the matter. That triggered a somewhat confusing and tense exchange involving Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley, who called for a vote on placing the motion to repeal the ban on fi le. Kelley said it was unfair to the many residents who worked hard to voice their opposition to marijuana businesses in the city, many of whom were at the meeting with protest signs and banners. Kelley said residents should be heard during a hearing on the repeal, which should move forward. Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto interjected that he had spoken with almost everyone in the room. “I know how they feel; they’re against it,” he said. But Kelley said that wasn’t the point. She said councillors are obliged to let residents know where they stand on the issue, which drew loud applause from the crowd in the City Council Chambers. A mass of signs in opposition to retail marijuana shops opening in the city fi lled the council chamber Monday evening. (Advocate photo) “When you put something on fi le, that means it’s dead,” said Argenzio, adding that the city’s ban on recreational marijuana would remain in place. RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM The City Council moved forward and voted 10-2 to place the motion on fi le with Councillors Kelley and Zambuto voting against fi ling it. But before moving forward, Kelley made another motion: that if a new motion to repeal the marijuana ban is made before the end of the current legislative session on Dec.31, 2025, a robo call should go out to the entire city informing them of the motion and the location, date and time when it would be heard. Fellow councillors questioned the motion as well as Residents Seneida Jorred and Patricia Escobar display their signs in opposition to retail marijuana shops opening in the city at the City Council meeting Monday. the cost of a community robo call, which some suggested would exceed $5,000. Zambuto said the motion calls for fi nancial analysis by the City Council’s Ways and Means Subcommittee. Kelley said other robo calls had been used without digging into the cost, but she agreed to the idea of having CFO Richard Viscay advise the City Council on the cost of the robo calls before the City Council votes on her motion. A Zoning Subcommittee report on recreational marijuana was also placed on fi le. However, before moving on, City Council President Anthony Cogliandro allowed Viviana Cataño to present a petition. “This has 2,119 signatures of residents saying they do not want recreational marijuana,” said Cataño. “That concludes all the business on recreational cannabis,” Cogliandro told the audience. “There will not be recreational pot shops in the city of Revere.”
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