Recycling barrels draw ire of Revere council

REVERE – Recycling barrels from the company Creative Outdoor Advertising that are across the city have caused heated controversy among the city council and the Revere Beautification Committee.At Monday night?s city council meeting, the recycling barrels came into question. The company maintains and takes care of the barrels and has placed them in several locations. The barrels are three barrels connected to one another with an advertisement from a local business in front of it. Their purpose is to create more awareness around recycling.?They are an eyesore,” Ward 1 and council President Richard Penta said. “I have heard many businesses say the same thing.”Revere Beautification Committee member Ron Champoux said there are currently nine of these barrel sets in the city. Six in the Broadway area, two in the Beachmont area and one in the Shirley Avenue area. The money from these barrels is supposed to go to the Revere Beautification Committee.?We talk about beautifying Broadway and these are like mini billboards,” Penta said. “It?s not the right place for them.”Ward 3 councilor Arthur Guinasso agreed.?What is the aesthetic value to these?” he asked.However, Champoux believes the barrels have helped keep litter off the streets of Revere.?I have noticed a change in the city. It makes me happy to see how much less litter there is in the streets,” he said.Many councilors disagreed with the placement of certain barrels and wished their input had been asked.?There is a lack of communication,” Ward 2 councilor Ira Novoselsky said. “No one worked with the ward councilors on this. Someone from the city has to be involved.”?What we need to do is go by each location and see if it works or not,” Councilor at large Anthony Zambuto said.The matter upset some beautification committee members.?I?m very offended by this situation,” beautification committee chair Eleanor Vieira said. “We work very hard to make the city look clean and never bother you guys. This wasn?t our call. We came to you with our idea. We gave you packets that you supposedly read. You people run the city. You voted this in. Now, you are crucifying our group.”?That is a little harsh,” Zambuto said.?We are not trying to crucify you. We are just trying to clear up this matter,” Ward 6 councilor Charles Patch said.The council ultimately decided to have a joint meeting with the council, beautification committee and Creative Outdoor Advertising to try to resolve the matter.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].