Revere councilors squash License Commission takeover proposal

REVERE – Ward 4 City Councilor George Rotondo criticized the License Commission Monday for “selective enforcement,” but fellow councilors wanted no part of his plan to have the council assume licensing duties.Ward 6 Councilor Charles Patch cited Mayor Thomas Ambrosino’s opposition and a city solicitor’s opinion in declaring Rotondo’s proposal dead in the water.Solicitor Paul Capizzi noted in his opinion forwarded Monday to the council that the commission was created by state law – a law that can only be modified with a petition approved by the voters or one approved by the mayor and council.”Both the mayor and the city council must approve the later option,” he said.Other councilors joined Patch in pointing out that the council does not have the time to shoulder the commission’s responsibilities for reviewing dozens of liquor and other licenses for local businesses.”Before we abolish the License Commission, let’s abolish the City Council and save about $200,000,” said Council President George Colella.Commissioners Michael Pepe, Thomas Henneberry and Linda Guinasso have been in the public spotlight all year, beginning with their February vote to move the closing time for bars and other establishments from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m. to conform with Lynn and Chelsea closing times.Bar owners opposed the plan but police and Ambrosino endorsed it.The commission faced new criticism last month by deciding to review the status of Wonderland Greyhound Park’s liquor and other licenses on a month by month basis while the track pays back $800,000 in overdue taxes and other municipal bills.The city does not accept payment plans from overdue taxpayers, said Chief Financial Officer George Anzuoni, but Ambrosino last month said, “eventually our taxes are going to be paid.”Rotondo tossed another potentially controversial proposal on the council floor Monday by suggesting Ambrosino negotiate “a drug testing policy into the police patrolmen and superior officers’ contract” similar to one in force for Boston police.