[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6558217,"mediaKeyId","3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2","parentId",3275046,"title","Votes at a glance: key Revere City Council actions on May 12, 2025","audioSeconds",730,"startMs",5732000,"endMs",6462000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2&start=5732&end=6462","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2/thumbnail_5732000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6558217/Revere-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Votes-at-a-glance-key-Revere-City-Council-actions-on-May-12-2025","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558217-48cf92f60f416d0eb3d5669f4b6a61a5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200285&Signature=KWXGrCugtsz8xYuJGQYLkPV4zew4WWnU8xvEtdKABOXHBZA16vLAIXFGVF1vUhs1Pkdfgs2DwzqmPXOg~uqDuriEEIs2DTppxxAL2mNYjhkZWt5Fs78JjFmaV7yJmnokWMnsFDHbmElVTeIwukJdFjyEK8RBZ0902B8U6384CAWMOgbWbWVPRuaWg3qXwtttXs4wSI3qnEIf46xCfsk6~4a0yPHrZDEih8-4ptw5ETmyF-JxdNOqj7bcm0DK2rK6QhAjBBO838t8~AxTzTC9v83XPijM4ThRsZFVTRnh20qOAGDaZ8c8DKRk9Q5r3DIZk0Nk01W9CweGePVxr4F9lA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Revere City, MA","date","2025-05-06T18:54:58Z","article","The Revere City Council recorded votes on several items during its May 12 meeting. Below is a concise summary of each formal action or vote taken during the session.

TIE agreement — Portico at Suffolk Downs (Unfinished business, calendar item 6)
- Outcome: Approved (recorded roll call vote)
- Key points: 15‑year tax increment exemption at 50% for the Portico phase; approximately $5.2 million in payments to the city (including a $100,000 commencement payment), a 10% Revere worker hiring commitment, a 1.5% net‑proceeds clause on an early sale, and clawbacks tying final years of abatement to substantial completion deadlines.

Ordinance — Open meeting rules (Ways & Means / legislative affairs)
- Outcome: Ordinance engrossed and ordained (approved on third and final reading)
- Key points: Adjustments to hours/rules for Ways & Means budget hearings; recorded roll calls were held as part of the ordinance process.

Ordinance — Free cash distribution to stabilization fund
- Outcome: Approved (ordinance engrossed and ordained)
- Key points: Council approved amendments to the city’s free cash distribution rules to bolster the stabilization fund.

Appointments (appointment subcommittee)
- Outcome: Confirmed
- Appointees confirmed by roll call: Robert Selovich (constable), Brian Harkins (Public Art Commission), Dr. Drew Bunker (Board of Health).

Collective bargaining agreements — Local 22 Unit A and Unit B (Calendar item 15)
- Outcome: Appropriations to fund the memoranda of agreements were approved by roll call for both Unit A and Unit B (contracts cover FY2025–FY2028).
- Key points: Council authorized funding for three‑year MOAs; administration and union representatives said job classifications and a salary survey informed the negotiated terms.

Appropriation — FY25 snow and ice deficit (Calendar item 16)
- Outcome: Approved by roll call
- Key points: Council approved an appropriation from free cash (amount presented at the meeting) to cover the fiscal year 2025 snow and ice deficit so that the deficit will not be carried into next year’s tax recap.

Term limits nonbinding ballot question (motion to place advisory question on November ballot)
- Outcome: Motion failed on recorded vote
- Key points: The council considered and defeated a proposal to place a nonbinding advisory question about term limits on the municipal ballot.

Other adopted motions
- The council passed several nonbinding or request motions, including: requests to MassDOT and DCR for highway and crosswalk improvements; a motion to summon the left field project manager and the superintendent to discuss possible high‑school cost reductions (as amended to include the superintendent); and a motion requiring the mayor, district CFO, superintendent and RTA representatives to appear before the council to discuss proposed school budget cuts.

How the council voted (examples)
- The recorded roll call approving the Portico TIE produced 10 votes in favor and 1 opposed. Other roll calls for MOAs, ordinances, appointments, and appropriations were recorded in the meeting minutes and passed by majority votes as shown in the official roll calls.

Where to find the documents
- The final TIE text, the redline provided to councilors, and the development‑agreement summary were submitted by planning staff at the meeting and are part of the council packet; the mayor’s office and planning staff said they would post final executed documents when available.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Revere City Council Meeting- 5/12/25","oneSentenceSummary","A roundup of formal votes taken at the May 12 Revere City Council meeting, including approval of the Portico TIE, union contract funding, ordinances and appropriations.","taxTitle","Revere City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",5660,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558222,"Council schedules meeting with schools and Revere Teachers Association after teachers warn of cuts",1796,3045000,4841000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2&start=3045&end=4841","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2/thumbnail_3045000.jpg","/articles/6558222/Revere-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-schedules-meeting-with-schools-and-Revere-Teachers-Association-after-teachers-warn-of-cuts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558222-0dddfae9f44621b73ad80eba0ec31927/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200285&Signature=QXJX3HFGBY~yw3RaVM~15GqKKVhQt4PhhujxlnwHvIbLa3-PQZBe62ehbEc6hRHVnPKeqlnNjvTPnEtALpze0Ox72tEENgq6SzGExMQ6NPb13Q1f3RkxIngk8eyJ7FwK2Arebj9TCm~8k4e8l8lu1jZZIKyCbS02WLLwAYAIQGo0ong-4oNyNXgLO5H-1YpIkOBpz72GA86OOENyi2gMko8CZA7uvCcCqdDOB-l7NaukEv3iMrXJbZL5be4pmVJZknfS~JNyJoJXnQaBD1osF9wyb-k4BxxFSp3nO5OU0aT4vcPXKMmpthWEfjRSmc90P4LzswciV7MfgL13VbjxOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Revere City Council on May 12 approved a motion requiring the mayor, the Revere Public Schools chief financial officer, the superintendent and representatives of the Revere Teachers Association (RTA) to appear before the council to discuss incoming budget cuts, their impact on students and staff, and options to preserve jobs.

Teachers and union leaders spoke during public comment, expressing concern about “behind‑the‑scenes” discussions and the potential loss of classroom positions. Jane Chapin, co‑president of the Revere Teachers Association, told the council: “Any decisions that are made about our jobs need to be made with Revere teachers in the room. Educators must be part of this process.”

Why it matters: RTA leaders said emails and informal briefings have created confusion and anxiety among educators; councilors said they want a transparent, public review of the district’s budget, assumptions behind projected deficits and options to avoid layoffs.

Public comment and council action

Several public speakers told the council they support measures to protect teacher jobs and to prioritize education spending. At least one public speaker urged greater emphasis on vocational education as part of budget planning.

Councilor Cas Caballero amended the motion to specify the Revere Public Schools CFO (not the city CFO) be included; the council adopted the amendment. The council then voted to call the requested parties to appear; the motion passed on a voice vote with council assent.

Clarifications raised in the meeting

Councilors and speakers referenced a school‑department budget gap discussed earlier in the meeting; Councilor Kelly said the district has announced a $7.3 million operating deficit for the coming year during the meeting’s debate on other items. RTA leaders asked that any budget or staffing decisions be made with teacher input and for greater transparency on the process and timetable.

Next steps

The council requested a public meeting with the named participants to review the budget assumptions, timeline for any personnel decisions, and possible internal reallocations or city supports to reduce the risk of layoffs. The clerk will schedule the appearance and the council requested written budget materials in advance.","Revere teachers and community members urged transparency about proposed budget cuts. The council voted to require the mayor, the Revere Public Schools CFO, the superintendent and Revere Teachers Association representatives to appear before the council to discuss the cuts and impacts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558227,"Short‑term rental office reports drop from 1,100 listings in 2021 to 78; enforcement, software, and fees highlighted",693,1813000,2506000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2&start=1813&end=2506","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2/thumbnail_1813000.jpg","/articles/6558227/Revere-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Shortterm-rental-office-reports-drop-from-1100-listings-in-2021-to-78-enforcement-software-and-fees-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558227-89fc706a43ce7dc3e56df24dd877a7a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200285&Signature=jXBAyFaD1sGKysDP9iV99sNgc~EbRHPqTniWRIoKVq7sLM3EE2z5~FP55pp9ylqJfSyTeCPTGlCtDCLs1DsbBvZG6eGgMA6X29KfnUyGZyf6~E7AZ0F1RE2aflaF9HLYc0nHWxOBVXQZ0USHMAxvCyQUaATtdgx-YGX5WOkSfVGPiwK4kCiF0lqAAm0zk1nWnWH41Xib3TmWQ8BW64N4~IrPcAmdimhvefUnSsLiCXGO131LkneX8NlBmn9Gl-OIXq7LcGcLHIOmZLyScEvHSL66gYk-CAMej0KOMYGXPVocL0KO87qtFhyFPCj3IbQ96T6iNU1KvuXd1kb37dUWMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Revere short‑term rental office provided an update at the May 12 council meeting, reporting a sharp decline in listings since the program began and describing recent enforcement steps, software changes and fee revenues.

Vincent Argencio, who identified himself as representing the short‑term rental office, told the council the city has 78 short‑term rental properties currently identified; 65 of those are registered or are in the re‑registration process while 13 appear noncompliant or are “unidentified” (the software detected listings that may be outside Revere). Argencio said the city used an earlier software package that was projected to cost about $25,000 for the coming year and switched to a new provider that costs $9,950 annually.

Why it matters: The office said stricter registration rules, a higher annual registration fee and stepped‑up enforcement have reduced the number of short‑term listings from roughly 1,100 in February 2021 to the current 78. Councilors asked about inspections, occupancy limits, revenues and the extent of remaining noncompliance.

What the office reported

- Listings and compliance: “There’s 78 properties in total,” Argencio said. He reported 65 in the state of registration or re‑registration and about 13 that appear to be noncompliant or potentially misidentified as within Revere.

- Software and costs: The office switched to a lower‑cost platform, Argencio said, saving the city roughly $15,000 annually while retaining the property‑identification tools the office uses to detect listings and generate compliance notices.

- Enforcement and fines: Argencio said the city has issued about $30,000 in fines to date and has posted cease‑and‑desist notices at properties when necessary. The ordinance increase allows fines up to $490 per day for continued violations.

- Fees and revenue: Revere’s annual registration fee was increased to $300. With roughly 60 active registrations after the most recent enforcement work, Argencio estimated approximately $18,000 in registration fee revenue this year; he also said the software can now estimate state‑collected short‑term‑rental tax revenue and that the city’s conservative estimate of tax revenue is about $100,000 but that the feature is new and has not yet been reconciled with actuals.

Council questions and policy points

Councilors asked whether inspections would be required on renewal (Argencio said annual reinspection is performed for safety items such as smoke detectors and means of egress), whether owner‑occupancy rules remained in force (Argencio said the ordinance’s primary‑residence/owner‑occupied requirement is stricter under the new rules) and the occupancy limit (Argencio said the limit is two persons per bedroom). Several councilors expressed appreciation for enforcement that reduced neighborhood parties and other nuisances.

Rooming houses and interagency coordination

Councilors and Argencio discussed “rooming houses” (multiple private bedrooms with shared kitchens/baths). Argencio said the short‑term rental ordinance prohibits renting individual bedrooms with shared common spaces; where the office identifies advertising of individual rooms for rent for fewer than 30 days the city can take immediate enforcement action (cease‑and‑desist, fines) because the listing is public evidence. For properties advertised for longer than 30 days, Argencio said those are not covered by the short‑term‑rental enforcement tool and must be referred to inspectional services; he agreed to share data with the Revere Police Department to support safety responses and enforcement.

Next steps

Argencio said the office is continuing reregistration work, will share identified rooming‑house leads with police and inspectional services as appropriate, and expects to present a community‑impact fee package (a state‑authorized 3% fee) to the council in the near future.","The city’s short‑term rental office reported heavier enforcement and new software after the ordinance changes. Staff said 78 properties now appear active in Revere and that registration fees and penalties are being used to enforce compliance.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6558232,"Revere council approves 15‑year tax increment exemption for Portico at Suffolk Downs",2603,3197000,5800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2&start=3197&end=5800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3275046-6bb9a651ccd644633f12f3e8cec0cfe2/thumbnail_3197000.jpg","/articles/6558232/Revere-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Revere-council-approves-15year-tax-increment-exemption-for-Portico-at-Suffolk-Downs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6558232-28565ef248c58f3b10891d1633b9d09d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771200285&Signature=EyJgevDSf3usKNndLqC5YGbdoYrthZyR8fSfq-tfEUuWDZsYeixuU90Vn4CtaCq2VX1NK6x2XNQTOHWRa4nge4SRK4LiSLRgZXO-54v4g0rHF4N-j4bz7620plewMUf8GdTtMx8CZEI24CGae4aTrHx6OVOCBjhGdsD07opz4G4gfLWdlhI~qX2joltAl7-BdfgrHFxT0b5eoB16UKrxPK8wNN~4DpjrBI~rHdDapLYJfSCXq0PjAzYfJ3G8eJXyUskCvOLbh0t6g1TBQg4IYy4o6HS7bXhq6Zp~RaaVrdmJkb1x2oymTPaLUT~e~cP5O76TVpZKDG42Re1R8dRQxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Revere City Council on May 12 approved a 15‑year tax increment exemption (TIE) agreement with SDR 3 Owner LLC (the HYM Investing group) for the Portico phase of the Suffolk Downs redevelopment, a measure councilors said is intended to get construction moving and create local jobs.

The agreement, which passed by roll call vote, keeps the previously negotiated 50% abatement level and extends the abatement term from 10 to 15 years. Tom Skowalski, the city’s chief of planning and community development, told the council “we now have a $5,200,000 set of payments that will be coming back to the city.” Skowalski said the package also includes a $100,000 payment at commencement or by Nov. 30, 2025; a 10% local-hire commitment for Revere workers on the project; a 1.5% net‑proceeds return to the city if the project is sold within 10 years; and several front‑loaded community items including concert-ticket allocations and study work on a potential commercial food incubator and a regional pumping station.

Why it matters: City officials and union representatives said approving the TIE is intended to spur shovels in the ground on a long‑stalled site and to generate tax and other revenues for Revere. Opponents and some councilors pressed for tighter, objective milestones and clearer definitions of “commencement” and “substantial completion,” noting the city’s limited leverage once the agreement is executed.

Key details and council debate

Skowalski and the mayor described the approved TIE as largely consistent with the version discussed at the council’s April meeting but with additional financial commitments negotiated in the days before the May 12 meeting. Skowalski said the agreement retains a 15‑year abatement at 50% and added that the most significant new near‑term revenue is the roughly $5.2 million in payments to the city, including the signing/commencement amount. The council heard that the agreement also ties the last two years of abatement to “substantial completion” — if Portico is not substantially complete by November 2028, the developer would forfeit those years of abatement.

Councilors repeatedly pressed staff and the developer for an objective definition of when construction is considered to have begun. Skowalski and representatives said the objective measure under discussion is the pulling of building permits; developer representatives agreed pulling the building permit is a meaningful threshold and said the team plans to start construction “this summer, if we can.” Ryan O’Brien, a HYM representative, told the council, “We wanna start this project as soon as possible this summer, if we can.”

Supporters — including several councilors and union representatives who attended the meeting — emphasized the project’s union hiring commitment and the possibility of restoring local jobs and municipal revenues. Critics pressed for tighter dates and written, enforceable milestones. Councilor Jaramillo and others expressed concern that the council and community received final versions of the negotiated side‑agreement shortly before the meeting and asked for assurances that the mayor would not sign an agreement that materially differs from the terms described to the council.

Formal action

The council’s roll call approved the tax increment exemption agreement between the city and SDR 3 Owner LLC; the motion passed by recorded vote. The approved agreement includes a November 30, 2025 deadline for commencement (as interpreted in the side agreement), a 15‑year abatement term, and the additional payment and program items described above.

What the agreement does not do

The TIE is a financial incentive; it does not itself deliver construction financing, and several councilors and the developer noted that further construction financing and related documents must be finalized before substantial on‑site work begins. The council discussion made clear the TIE contains clawbacks tied to objective milestones (building-permit filing and substantial completion) but leaves some implementation details to the separate development agreement the mayor will sign.

Next steps

The mayor is authorized to execute the TIE document consistent with the terms presented to the council and with the parallel development agreement the administration expects to sign with HYM. City staff said they will monitor the developer’s progress on permits and construction milestones and report back to the council as required.

","The Revere City Council voted to approve a 15‑year tax increment exemption agreement with the developer of the Portico project at Suffolk Downs, securing up-front payments and local hiring commitments while tying later years of the abatement to project completion.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: key Revere City Council actions on May 12, 2025

Council schedules meeting with schools and Revere Teachers Association after teachers warn of cuts

Short‑term rental office reports drop from 1,100 listings in 2021 to 78; enforcement, software, and fees highlighted

Revere council approves 15‑year tax increment exemption for Portico at Suffolk Downs