A significant portion of the meeting centered around a proposal by Commonwealth Electric Technologies to install three on-street EV charging stations in Revere, in collaboration with the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center. Funded through federal grants, the initiative promises no financial burden on the city. The proposed locations—Proctor Avenue, Makoba Street, and Hutchinson Street—are in densely populated residential areas lacking off-street parking options. The charging stations are designed as Level 2 units, meant for prolonged charging sessions, with each location accommodating two vehicles, except for a single-plug station on Proctor Street.

During the discussion, commission members voiced safety concerns regarding the installation of the charging stations, specifically the risk of vehicular damage. Commonwealth Electric Technologies assured the commission that protective bollards would be installed to minimize collision risks. There was also an emphasis on maintaining pedestrian accessibility, with each station occupying roughly two square feet and considerations in place to ensure ADA compliance on sidewalks.

The proposal sparked a debate over the management of parking spaces designated for EV charging. The program requires a minimum of 12 hours of exclusive EV parking, though flexibility exists for general parking during off-peak hours. Some commission members questioned whether the 12-hour restriction could be modified to accommodate overnight parking needs. Concerns about potential underutilization and maintenance responsibilities of the charging stations were also raised, leading to a decision to table the discussion until further information could be gathered, particularly concerning community survey results and feedback from local establishments like Lighthouse Nursing Home.

Alongside the EV charging station proposal, the commission addressed community development’s submissions to impose 24-hour residential parking regulations on Pearl Avenue, Crescent Avenue, and Summer Street. Commissioner Babo provided context, pointing out that flooding issues in the area necessitated changes in parking regulations, as non-residents using the spaces during the day could impede residents’ access. He cited a study indicating over 120 parking violations on Pearl Avenue, highlighting the extent of the problem. However, concerns were raised about the impact of such restrictions on residents’ ability to host guests or contractors.

The commission ultimately decided to table the decision on 24-hour parking, opting for further community outreach to ascertain residents’ opinions. This approach aimed to ensure that any changes would align with the community’s needs and preferences.

Another noteworthy topic was the update to the police, parking, and DPW snow emergency lists. Discussions focused on consolidating these lists to rectify previous discrepancies. A councilor expressed concerns about removing parking restrictions on Nahan Avenue during snow emergencies, fearing congestion and hindrance to emergency vehicles. The commission voted unanimously to maintain current snow emergency parking restrictions on Nahan Avenue to ensure smooth navigation for emergency services.

In other discussions, the commission tabled a proposal to remove a one-way designation on Kerry Northernly, which would have allowed residents better access without navigating through a high school parking lot. The proposal included implementing a time-limited one-way designation during peak school hours to prevent conflicts between residents and school traffic. The motion to move this item to a public hearing was approved.

The meeting also touched on the ongoing efforts of the traffic working group to assess traffic data and recommend calming measures. Rice Avenue and Lantern Road were identified as candidates for temporary speed humps due to high car volumes and speeding issues, while Mills Avenue and East Mountain Avenue did not qualify for further measures. The commission plans to hold a public hearing on traffic calming measures to gather more input.