Revere legislative subcommittee forwards food-truck, parks and menstrual-product ordinances to full council

The Legislative Affairs Subcommittee of the Revere City Council on March 24 voted to forward three ordinances to the full council: an amended food‑truck location ordinance that prohibits generators at the Historical Society parking lot and sets a 4 p.m. start time; an amendment to the parks and recreation ordinance to reserve a youth seat for residents ages 16–22; and an ordinance to make menstrual and hygiene products available in city‑owned buildings.

The food‑truck amendment was presented after public comment about noise, parking congestion and school traffic. Councilor McKenna said she supported the location only if generators were not used, stating, “I just I'm not for a generator, being, in that, location.” The clerk read the proposed amendment into the record: “The use of generators at this location shall be prohibited. Alternatively, the City of Revere shall provide appropriate accommodations for electrical service, and the License Commission shall charge a nominal fee for the use of electricity,” and it also replaces 3:30 p.m. with 4:00 p.m. as the earliest start time at the site in question.

The committee heard neighborhood concerns about parking and congestion near the Historical Society lot. Ed Terrell, a nearby resident, said the lot is “really, really tight” and that added activity could worsen congestion. Business owner Anthony Cantino described technical ways vendors can keep ice cream and novelty products cold without running a generator, and Anthony Zambuto urged a clear fee structure so the city would not absorb electrical costs. Councilor Novosalski said parents had raised concerns about school‑pickup traffic; the committee accepted moving the start time to 4 p.m. after staff and museum representatives indicated the later time would address those concerns.

The subcommittee and several speakers clarified vendor licensing and background checks. A committee member noted that vendors must complete CORI (criminal background) checks as part of licensing, and Councilor Hass reminded members to ensure CORI applications and staff review are in place before operations begin.

On the parks and recreation ordinance, the committee approved an amendment to require one youth member on the Revere Parks and Recreation Commission and set the age range at 16 to 22. Councilor Hass noted a preference for prioritizing high‑school students for the seat; committee members said the License Commission (sic — the ordinance assigns appointment authority to the mayor consistent with existing rules) would administer membership terms.

On the ordinance to provide menstrual and hygiene products in city buildings, Councilor Garrino Sawaya said, “Access to menstrual and hygiene products is a basic necessity, not a luxury,” and described the proposal as a cost‑effective, equitable step that could be funded by grants or modest budget allocations. A resident asked whether the city had completed a cost impact analysis and cited a $5,000 threshold for required review; committee members said no formal cost analysis was on the record but several members expressed confidence the program could be implemented under that threshold and that grants would be pursued where appropriate.

Roll calls on the amendments and on each ordinance show the subcommittee voted unanimously to forward the measures to the full City Council with favorable recommendations.

What happens next: the three ordinances as amended will go to the full Revere City Council for consideration and possible adoption. If adopted, the food‑truck amendment will be enforced in coordination with the License Commission and city departments; the parks ordinance change will change appointment criteria for the commission; and the menstrual‑product ordinance will prompt staff follow‑up on budget and distribution logistics.