Adult Day Center Comes Under Fire

By Sue Ellen Woodcock

Residents have been complaining about the Revere Adult Day Health Care Center for a long time, mostly regarding parking, but also about the inability to walk in front of the property on the sidewalk, which was apparently paved over.

Monday night the company and its attorney James Cipoletta appeared before the City Council to come to a resolution.

Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna took the reigns to make sure the company adheres to the stipulations placed on it when they received a special permit several years ago.

The biggest issue McKenna had was that the sidewalk was paved over and now being used for parking, forcing people to walk in the street to get around. She even brought State Rep. RoseLee Vincent with her as a witness when checking out the situation in October. They also found four unregistered trucks on the premises, when only one is allowed.

“I’m not here to shutdown the facility,” McKenna said, adding she had many telephone calls from neighbors. “I’ve received many calls about this.”

Also at issue it the employees parking in the surrounding neighborhoods on Mill, Wilson and Vine streets, during work hours. McKenna witnessed one employee park in front of a house. Minutes later the resident, pregnant and with groceries, had to double park. In addition, there is a concern that firefighting apparatus would not be able to get into the building since vans are double parked in front of the door. The facility, which has been in business for five years, cares for between 110-150 clients, with one-third being from Revere. They do have permission to park up to 30 cars at the ice rink nearby.

“This is a flagrant violation,” said Ward 3 Councillor Arthur Guinasso. “We are asking you again to be good neighbors.”

“You’re on three strikes now, actually four,” said Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky, who cited walking and fire issues and the desire to have the fire inspector and building inspector to check out the property.

Ward 6 Councillor Charles Patch said he was ready to shut the business down.

“This is the third time you’ve been here since I’ve been a councilor,” Patch said. “You say you’re going to do something and I don’t believe you.” Revere Beach Parkway is a roadway overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). DCR stated that the center is encroaching. The area that was paved over is a six-foot wide section owned by the DCR. DCR has threatened to take legal action if the center does not correct the sidewalk situation.

“There were conditions agreed to when you opened the place,” said Ward 5 Councillor John Powers. “You don’t have a fire lane, it’s just jammed with vehicles. Maybe the property is too small for what you do.”

“The message from the council is that we’re ready to pull your permit and we can,” said Councillor Anthony Zambuto.

Cipoletta said they did not pave the sidewalk. He said the curb cuts do exist.

Council President Jessica Giannino sent them away with stipulations to make sure there is a fire lane, and it has to be addressed immediately.

The council voted to send this issue to the council’s Public Safety Subcommittee.