Revere License Board eyes extending closing time for bars

REVERE – The Revere License Board plans to reconsider its 2008 rollback of last call and closing time for city bars.The board that year moved closing time from 2 a.m. to 1 a.m., with last call at 12:30 a.m.”We had a good trial period and it’s worked wonderful,” License Commissioner Linda Guinasso said. “However, at this point I have seen what has been happening in our city, unfortunately. I have been seeing a lot of boarded-up buildings.”A public meeting has been scheduled for May 17 with the License Board, City Council and Mayor Dan Rizzo, to discuss the matter.License Board Chairman Thomas R. Henneberry, who proposed the public meeting, said he is “not opposed to a reconsideration” to extend closing time.License Commissioner Robert A. Marra said the meeting will allow the License Board to “make an informed decision based on data (rather) than emotion.”Guinasso said the rollback has had a negative impact on businesses.”We are seeing a lot of 35- to 40-year-old businesses leave,” she said.City Councilor at Large Anthony T. Zambuto agreed.”It really has hurt businesses. A lot of them have gone to East Boston,” Zambuto said. “In the haste of trying to get something right, I think we have gone too far.”Zambuto said he is open to a discussion and leans in favor of extending the hours.”I think right now I am for it, but I would want to hear the pros and cons first,” Zambuto said.However, some have reservations.”My opinion is if it’s not broke then don’t fix it,” Councilor at large John. R. Correggio said. “I haven’t really seen any problems from it.”Correggio said the 1 a.m. closing hasn’t had much of a negative impact.”I don’t think that one hour makes that much of a difference,” he said, adding that public safety has improved since the rollback.Zambuto disagrees on that point.”If the argument is that people will be drunk driving in Revere then that argument doesn’t work. People are just going to East Boston and then driving back to Revere,” he said.Although commenting in support of businesses affected by the rollback, Guinasso said she is not in favor for a 2 a.m. closing.”I am not for a 2 a.m. closing. Maybe there is some sort of comprise this board can come to,” she said.Rizzo said he is waiting for the meeting to form an opinion.”I am confident with diligence the board will work out the negatives and come to the right decision,” Rizzo said. “I will leave that in their very capable hands.”Rizzo, however, said he agrees the rollback has had a negative impact.”From what I hear, it has negatively affected businesses, but I also don’t know the impact it has on crime and drunk driving,” Rizzo said. “The License Board is doing exactly what they should be doing; evaluating what is best for the city.”Correggio said he would like to wait until a casino comes to the city until adjusting bar closing times.”A casino will impact the city a lot and we need to focus on that. Then, we can look at the rollback,” he said.Councilor at large Robert Haas agreed at Monday night’s City Council meeting.”There might be a whole different set of rules and regulations,” he said. “I don’t see any harm in waiting.”However, the City Council has no say in the vote as all the power is with the License Board.Meanwhile, the debate has caused quite a stir around the city.”I have heard that they want to make it a 4 a.m. closing time,” Revere resident Frank Campagna said about rumors he has heard around the city.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].