Boards and Commissions

The Board of Assessors consists of three members appointed by the Mayor. Under the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 58 to 65C, the Board of Assessors fall under the jurisdiction of the Commission of Revenue to value real and personal property fairly and accurately. In accordance to such laws, the board also administers motor vehicle excise, exemption and abatement programs.

The Board of Health is committed to protecting the public health, safety and welfare of the City’s residents and visitors through the enforcement of State and Local Laws and bylaws, codes and regulations.

The Revere Conservation Commission works in conjunction with the Mayor's Office, the City Council and other city departments and boards particularly with the Inspectional Services Department, Planning Department and Department of Public Works.

The control of activities is achieved through permitting required under Chapter 131 Section 40 of Massachusetts General Laws (The Wetlands Protection Act) and Title 16 of The Revised Ordinances of the City of Revere. The Revere Conservation Commission is also responsible for enforcement activities resulting from violations of the Wetlands Protection Act and Title 16.

The Revere Cultural Council is responsible for recommending and overseeing mini-grants that are distributed from the Massachusetts Cultural Council to Revere entities. The Council can have up to 22 members.

The Commission on Disabilities works to increase opportunities and remove barriers for people with disabilities by facilitating full and equal participation in all aspects of life within the City of Revere, and assures compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Board directs the Elder Affairs Department to support the independence of seniors within the City of Revere by advocating for services, programs, and activities to meet their needs. Each member shall be  a minimum of sixty years of age. Members shall be residents of the City, and shall serve for terms of three years.

In 1952, the Board of Election Commissioners was established through Chapter 424 of the Acts of 1952, An Act Abolishing the Board of Registrars of Voters of the City of Revere and Establishing a Board of Election Commissioners. The Special Act of the Massachusetts Legislature is part of the City Charter of the City of Revere. The Board of Election Commissioners consists of four persons, of whom two shall always represent each one of the two leading political parties, as defined in section one of chapter fifty of the Massachusetts General Laws. Appointments to the Board of Election Commissioners are for four years beginning April first, except that any appointment to fill a vacancy shall be for the unexpired term. 

The Board organizes annually in the month of April to choose a Chairman. The Secretary keeps a full and accurate record of the proceedings of the Board meetings and shall cause such notices as the Board may require to be properly posted.

The Housing Authority Board of Commissioners operate under State and Federal regulations to oversee projects, vote on the annual budget and sanction the management of the Revere Housing Authority.

It is the policy of the city of Revere, including its employees, agents and officials, to protect the constitutional, civil and human rights of all people within the city and to promote understanding among individuals and groups in the city through improving the quality of discourse and eliminating unlawful discrimination.

The City Council and Mayor established a Human Rights Commission, which is to be made up of up to 11 members including a chair, plus an executive director, each appointed by the mayor and subject to city council approval. 

Per City Ordinance:

The function of the commission shall be to implement the policy of this chapter by the exercise of the following powers and duties.

A. To initiate activities designed to educate and inform the city about the effects of prejudice, intolerance, and bigotry through the following actions:

  1. To study the problems of discrimination in the city, to issue publications, results of research, and to make recommendations to the mayor and the city council as, in its judgment, will promote good will and minimize or eliminate prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and disorder occasioned thereby,

  2. To improve the life of the city by enlisting community-based groups in educational programs campaigns to increase mutual self-respect, harmonious inter-group relations, and the peaceful enjoyment of life,

  3. To work with the municipal government agencies to increase compliance with local, state and federal laws and to raise the level of awareness and sensitivity to human and civil rights through workforce-wide required training programs,

  4. To speak out with other city officials against all forms of discrimination, hate motivated violence or civil rights violations;

B. To attempt by mediation to resolve human or civil rights related disputes between residents of Revere or between any resident of Revere and its city, its employees, agents and officials that come before it and to recommend to all city agencies such action as it feels will resolve such disputes;

C. To refer individuals with complaints to the appropriate state or federal agency of any violations of:

  1. The denial of equal access to and discrimination in housing, employment education, contracts, purchasing, public services or public accommodations (regardless of the public or private source of such denial or discrimination) where such denial or discrimination against a person is based on age, ancestry, disability, ethnicity, family/marital status, gender, military status, handicap, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or source of income,

  2. Violation of the enjoyment and exercise by any person of her or his civil rights,

  3. Any acts of prejudice, intolerance, bigotry, discrimination and the disorder occasioned thereby;

D. To raise funds for the use of the commission and to accept money, gifts, and services for its exclusive use and expend the same.

The Library Board is responsible for conducting oversight of the management and operations of the Revere Public Library. The Board advises the Director of the Library on such matters as programming, acquisition, and accessibility, among other library matters.

The Licensing Commission works to ensure that all licensed businesses under its purview operate in a manner to protect the public safety and serve the common good in accordance with rules, regulations, local ordinances, and state laws.

Duties of the Planning Board include enforcing the rules and regulations governing the subdivision of land within the City of Revere by virtue of the authority granted by the M.G.L. Ch. 41, Sec 81. The Planning Board also makes recommendations to the City Council with respect to amendments to the Revere Revised Zoning Ordinance and Official Zoning Map.

The City’s retirement system is governed by Massachusetts Law and overseen by the state Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC). The Board administers retirement benefits for eligible City of Revere employees in accordance with the provisions of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 32, and 840 CMR.

* The Mayor's Appointee on the Retirement Board serves at the
pleasure of the Mayor. There is no term.

The Site Plan Review process and committee is governed by Zoning Ordinance Chapter 17.17 as established by the City Council. The purpose of Site Plan Review is to ensure that the design and layout of new commercial, industrial, and residential developments will be beneficial to the neighborhoods and environment of the City of Revere. Site Plan Review is required for all new construction projects over 1,000 gross square feet of building area.

Site Plan Review is held every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM in the Council Chambers in City Hall and is presided over by the Site Plan Review Committee (SPRC). Site Plan Review applications are due by Wednesday at 4PM for the following week’s Site Plan Review meeting; late applications will be reviewed at the next meeting. Information on Site Plan Review applications can be found on the “Permitting Applications” section below. For further assistance or Site Plan Review scheduling, please contact Tyler Ash at (781) 286-8182.

The Traffic Commission is the regulatory body that oversees all traffic, and parking regulations in the City of Revere.

The mission of the Zoning Board of Appeals is to hear and decide applications in a timely, professional, and impartial manner for property owners requesting variances of the Zoning Ordinances, appealing decisions of the Building Inspector, or requesting comprehensive permits pursuant to MGL Chapter 40B.

The Airport Hazard Committee is a new collaboration between residents, businesses, and local government advocating for greater mitigation from Massport to offset increased traffic, noise, and pollution from the continued expansion of Logan Airport.

The Arts Council will promote high-quality, community-based arts programming throughout the city. The Council will have the authority to administer municipal grants to local artists and otherwise support artistic expressive within the community.

The Faith-Based Advisory Group will provide an opportunity to bring together the city's vibrant, diverse array of religious backgrounds and beliefs. The advisory group will convene to discuss their needs, concerns, and hopes for the city in order to effectively communicate these to City Hall and Revere residents.

The Youth Leadership Council offers the city's young people the opportunity to engage in municipal politics and develop leadership within their community. Youth will discuss matters impacting their lives in the city and work on programming meant to engage other young people in community life.