Proposed lithium battery park on the line between 2 North Shore communities stirring up controversy

514 is your time. Neighbors in Saugus and leadership in Revere divided over a proposed plan to bring a lithium battery park to the area. It's said to be located in Revere. Boston 25 News reporter Daniel Coates is on scene with both sides. We want to make sure that if it's happening in the city of Revere that we're mitigating all risks. Revere's Mayor Patrick Keefe and fire officials faced the City Council Monday night presenting their findings that a proposed lithium battery plant would be safe and fix their outdated energy grid system. We're going to set the standard how things will be done in this in this state. They say Revere's far from the first claiming Chelsea, Medway, Uxbridge and others are building similar plants now and many others are developing them. I see this is kind of a necessary need to continue our future success with technology. Before Monday's meeting City Councilors like Mark Silvestri wanted all safety concerns addressed before Flatiron ever breaks ground. They will be properly equipped, properly trained to handle an emergency situation like this. Any emergency situation like a lithium fire would be on the North Revere Saugus line on Muzzy Street next to a quiet neighborhood off Route 1. It's a Revere facility and yet it's gonna impact us negatively. I'm worried about my investment and I'm worried about my neighbors. Saugus Town meeting member Robert Camuso lives near Muzzy Street. He's been warning his constituents about what a lithium park with 57 tractor trailer sized buildings could bring. Toxic fumes, smells, noise from the 24 7 fans that are gonna be coolies. We're the ones that are gonna be calling when we have a problem but we don't have any equipment to put out lithium fires. Saugus residents were sat in Monday's meeting but weren't allowed to speak to the City Council. Listening while fire captain Kevin O'Hara outlined his research of battery storage units across the country. We know what's gonna protect the residents. The chief's doing his job. My job is to look over my membership and working together. That's how we get things done. Now the City Council isn't able to vote on this proposal. They only heard testimony from city officials Monday. If a deal is struck between the city and Flatiron, you can expect this development in Revere in the next 3-5 years. On scene in Revere, I'm Daniel Coates for your local station, Boston 25 News.