A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the city’s rodent control program. Director of Public Health Lauren Buck and Director of Inspectional Services Mike Wells presented comprehensive strategies to combat the rodent population in Revere. They detailed the increasing number of rodent-related calls to the city’s 311 service, which rose from 291 in 2018 to 468 in 2024. This increase was attributed to challenges with a previous contractor. Buck and Wells highlighted the introduction of blue waste disposal carts in 2019, designed to curb trash violations that attract rodents. Residents were educated on using these carts, with fines imposed for non-compliance.

The presentation also covered the city’s free extermination service waiver program, which allows residents of properties with up to six units to receive up to six extermination visits per year at no cost. The officials noted a significant rise in waiver requests in 2024, linked to procedural changes requiring renewals every two years.

Public education was a recurring theme, with officials stressing the importance of managing food and water sources and maintaining property cleanliness to deter rodents. The use of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides was explained, and concerns were addressed regarding the environmental impact and potential secondary poisoning risks. Officials called for responsible use of pest control products and emphasized the need for behavioral changes among residents to effectively manage the rodent population.

Attention then turned to the construction of a new Revere High School, a project complicated by its location within a 100-year floodplain. The council discussed various design and safety features intended to mitigate flood risks, such as elevating the building and incorporating stormwater management systems. Concerns were raised about the project’s potential environmental impacts, including the risk of flooding from Chelsea Creek and the increased traffic expected as a result of the new school.

The council addressed regulatory challenges, including the need for compliance with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) and the implications of a new Massachusetts School Building Authority rule requiring state approval before reimbursement for project costs. This rule could necessitate additional borrowing by the city. Despite these challenges, the project team expressed confidence in their ability to address regulatory concerns and highlighted the school’s design features, which include a four-story academic wing, sustainable building materials, and a central gathering space designed to foster community engagement.

Discussion also revolved around proposed changes to housing incentives, particularly the authorization for Mayor Patrick M. Keefe Jr. to negotiate Housing Development Tax Exemption Agreements within designated zones. The council debated the language of the motion, ultimately agreeing to require council approval for any final agreements. There were concerns about the financial implications of these incentives, particularly in relation to the Suffolk Downs project. The council sought assurances that these proposals would not negatively impact the city’s fiscal health.

The meeting concluded with motions aimed at enhancing community safety and recognizing local law enforcement efforts. Council members unanimously passed measures to improve traffic and pedestrian safety along Revere Street and to ensure apartment buildings display proper contact information for emergencies. They also agreed to award commendations to police divisions for their success in dismantling drug operations.