THE REVERE ADVOCATE – Friday, December 6, 2019 Page 3 City Council overrules Zoning; vote to install 5G antennas By Tara Vocino D uring Monday night’s meeting, the City Council voted 8-1 to override the affirmative vote from the Zoning Committee and denied a special permit to install three Verizon Wireless 5G antennas. Zoning Sub-Committee Chairman Anthony Zambuto cast the lone dissenting vote, and Councillors Daniel Rizzo and George Rotondo were absent. Other councillors said there wasn’t enough information regarding health effects while others said it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing. Approximately 25 neighbors also came out in opposition. “Some of these people have been here for four generations,” said resident David LaChapelle. “They’re going to have their homes devaluated, because of this – they don’t want it.” The antennas were slated to be mounted on top of the utility poles along Kimball Avenue, North Shore Road and Crystal Avenue. “I believe that they violated federal law by voting against the wishes of the chair,” Zambuto said after the meeting. “I don’t think the council will get sued, but I think the permit will be issued anyway.” Ward 5 City Councillor John Powers asked Attorney Michael Giaimo, representing Verizon, how the antennas would affect current services. Giaimo replied that they would make wireless service more robust. Powers was concerned that he couldn’t get an exact answer as to how many more antennas are anticipated. “I think the Board of Health and Fire Department should be involved,” Powers said. “My reason wasn’t because of aesthetics – we just don’t have enough information.” City Council President Arthur Guinasso said firefighters came out in full force against it, citing health ramifications, particularly cancer risks. “I’ve been here for 32 years, and in a couple cases, we did overrule the chair,” Guinasso said. “We were never in jail out of conscience and concern for our community.” Ward 1 City Councillor Joanne McKenna, who made the motion to overrule the chairman, thanked Verizon representatives for the handouts, but said she needed scientific data from the We Now Offer For Your Eating Pleasure “UBER EATS” Convenient Delivery Service Bianchi’s Pizza and Renzo’s Full Menu To Go Resident David LaChapelle said many of the residents are retired public servants, and they just want to live out their life peacefully. World Health Organization. She mentioned that six months ago people didn’t know the consequences of vaping, and now it has resurfaced through deaths and sickness. “Why can’t we put it in a parking lot?” McKenna asked. “Some engineer said it gives out the best reception, but let’s put it across the street from your house [to Verizon representatives] and see how you like it.” Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino said they don’t have a lot of information regarding how safe it is, which is concerning to her. “I know it’s hard being the chair sometimes,” Giannino said to Zambuto. “But I support my colleagues on this one.” City Council Vice President Patrick Keefe said while it’s unsightly, residents deserve a vote. “You’re a fantastic councillor,” Keefe said to Zambuto. “But sometimes we do disagree, and we’re here to serve the citizens, who said that they don’t want it.” Keefe, who encouraged a vote on this, said the entire Fire Department rallied against it and that the applicant leaving prior to the vote is disrespectful, whereas the residents stayed for the two-hour meeting. Ward 2 City Councillor Ira Novoselsky said two of the proposed locations are in his ward and he received numerous pleas asking him to vote no. Councillor-at-Large Jessica Giannino declined to comment after the meeting. Zambuto said the councillors voted that way because they felt they were helping neighbors, reFor Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net ceiving applause, but in the end, he thinks, the decision will be reversed if it is contested in court. Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com. Renzo’s Entertainment Schedule 7:30 p.m. Wed: DJ George * Thurs: Vinyl Groove, Fri: Joey Canzano * Sat: Billy Pezzulo, Sunday: DJ George 381 Revere Beach Blvd., Revere 781-284-5600
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