North Suffolk resiliency office outlines flood sensors, energy aggregation and curbside compost pilot for Revere

Officials from the North Suffolk Office of Resiliency and Sustainability (NSource) briefed the Climate, Workforce and Sustainability Subcommittee Dec. 1 on programs and pilot projects for Revere.

Tom Skowronski, who introduced the team, said NSource — formed in 2021 and serving Revere, Winthrop and Chelsea — coordinates projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect infrastructure and increase municipal capacity for catastrophic events. He introduced resilience manager Kristen, sustainability project manager Abderazak Azib and energy advocate Lydia Malcolm.

Kristen described resiliency projects addressing extreme heat, sea‑level rise and flooding. Highlights include planting 30 street trees along Shirley Avenue to mitigate heat, a proposed rain garden outside City Hall to manage stormwater in the Diamond Creek catchment, and participation in FEMA’s Community Rating System intended to reduce residents’ flood‑insurance costs. She said Beechmont Resilience Project Phase 2 will install early flood‑warning sensors to alert residents to move vehicles ahead of high tides or major precipitation events, and the office is exploring a utility elevation assistance program to help homeowners pay to raise utilities that flood insurance may not cover.

Abderazak Azib outlined sustainability work including Revere Power Choice, the city’s municipal electricity aggregation program launched in June 2025. He said participants collectively saved more than $350,000 since launch and noted an option for higher renewable energy content. Azib also described a curbside compost pilot with Garbage to Garden that requires 250 household signups to launch; incentives include a $100 gift card for households that participate for 12 months and a free starter kit at 1,000 signups. He discussed Mass Save partnerships and federal Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant funds planned for City Hall energy upgrades and said the office is coordinating with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) and MAPC on school district energy planning.

Lydia Malcolm summarized outreach to increase participation in Mass Save among renters, low‑income residents, non‑English speakers and small businesses through tabling, partner coordination and targeted materials.

In a short Q&A, Councilor Argenzio asked about the rain garden and sensor locations; staff said Weston & Sampson is conducting surveys near City Hall, that Broadway is in the Diamond Creek catchment area, and that sensors would be placed to serve Belle Isle, Remedy Marsh and Beechmont neighborhoods to collect depth data and trigger alerts.

The subcommittee thanked the NSource team and placed the presentation on file. Staff noted more public engagement opportunities will follow as projects develop.