Subcommittee backs pilot to give 15‑minute free parking on Broadway meters

The Revere City Economic Development Subcommittee voted Nov. 10 to recommend that the mayor ask the Traffic Commission to assess activating a 15‑minute grace period on parking meters in the Broadway Central Business District.

Councilor Joanne McKenna, who introduced the motion with Councilor Argenzio, said the pilot responds to repeated complaints from businesses whose customers are being ticketed for short errands. "On the parking meters, there's a green button that you can press, and you can get a 15 minutes minute grace period. You don't have to pay any money," McKenna said, describing an initial pilot of eight meters paid entirely by a grant and noting new parts were expected to arrive in January with installation slated for February.

Apolo Giannzio, who said he serves on the parking advisory commission, told the subcommittee the pilot is limited to Broadway so staff can track revenue impact at each meter. "If it's successful, we'll take some more money out of the parking advisory kitty that we have and expand the program," he said.

Chief of Planning and Community Development Tom Skro(s)ki (presenting the study follow‑ups) and other councilors said the updated vendor technology will use sensors rather than the old green‑button system. Skro(s)ki explained the sensor starts a 15‑minute grace period when a car pulls into a designated dynamic loading spot and that the city placed an order for the equipment for Shirley Avenue and Broadway.

The subcommittee recorded a roll‑call favorable recommendation to forward the motion to the full city council; the minutes note multiple recorded "Yes" responses and the item will be considered by the full council.

Next steps: equipment delivery and vendor timing remain vendor‑dependent; staff expect installation early 2026 and will monitor revenue impacts and usage during the pilot. The full City Council will receive the subcommittee's favorable recommendation.