Revere council mulls new store, billboard

REVERE – City Councilors took a mixed view Monday night on proposals to add a convenience store to the service station at the corner of Squire Road and Newman Street and a 65-foot billboard at 100 Squire.Media Vision, Inc.’s request to erect a sign similar in size to several built on the Lynnway over the last two years earned Council President George Colella’s criticism.Colella said state statistics indicate 94 billboards have been approved in Revere in the last several years compared to 76 in Lynn and 18 in Saugus.”I don’t see any reason why Revere should be the billboard capital of Massachusetts,” Colella said.Pitcairn Street resident David Catino told councilors the sign will cast a shadow over his street.”We’ve tried year after year to keep these off Squire.”Ward 4 Councilor George Rotondo estimated Media Vision will pay $15,000 a year in property taxes on the sign at a time when the city needs the revenue. The council zoning committee will review the company’s proposal next Monday at 4 p.m. in the council chamber.The council also sent local resident Ahmad Selman’s request to expand his service station to the zoning committee for a Nov. 10 review.Selman runs a small store and repair garage with gas pumps. He wants to convert his garage into added store space and relocate the garage to the former Glass America site at 220 Squire. He also wants to add three parking spaces to the current nine in front of his business.Ward 6 Councilor Charles Patch questioned the expansion, noting a convenience store is located at the nearby Mobil station. Councilor at large Daniel Rizzo called Selman “a solid citizen” and told him: “Neighbors told me the way that your business is run, they are speaking on your behalf.”But Ward 3 Councilor Arthur Guinasso said gas prices posted on Selman’s existing signs and pumps conflict.”It’s sort of like false advertising. None of your competitors do that,” he said.Selman explained the discrepancy as a difference in charge card and cash gas prices. At Guinasso’s urging he said he does not intend to seek a beer and wine license for the convenience store if the council approves his expansion request.