[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6083905,"mediaKeyId","2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77","parentId",2925673,"title","Council approves reappointments; several budget and zoning orders moved to committee","audioSeconds",29,"startMs",5004000,"endMs",5033000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77&start=5004&end=5033","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77/thumbnail_5004000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6083905/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Council-approves-reappointments-several-budget-and-zoning-orders-moved-to-committee","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083905-4e354059daa569c99f7078fc2f922b75/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536353&Signature=QX~30FYF-kXK9-nyocObtlHkQH0WvdHkOpenmMsNvubCyN3tyZHsnxWsqMQDj1NzyxNJ3wZ-YUxGcQihKZWJ3EYMkLzZosUVYcfB7eAOz0mb~lKq6mBetCSTHNPT~W-rT3rkwEm8f78tFUssBNpsTTKkccJBFq6sf2MddUsjvHBVStEZ5ActbBhN1VEfEn3eJod-k4WvMCqYg91rg0Lwdwid6R~Ve3PUvHWqwZwH-pgs5yR-G-11-BgN1XfOAsVof9TBGxfAVVRB6yK3HOgPZKNvTWDB5fjqmM6k2~gjhVK38PFiKgWC~tJIgF85Nu-kkHXdyVUZV5i2Jyhz7GIDEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chelsea City, MA","date","2025-04-08T00:00:00Z","article","The Chelsea City Council approved three reappointments by unanimous roll call and referred several financial and zoning-related orders to committees for further review.

Appointments approved: On a roll-call vote the council approved reappointments to municipal boards and commissions. The clerk recorded nine members voting in favor, none opposed and no abstentions. The council did not record any dissent during the vote.

Orders referred to Ways & Means and other actions: The council voted to send a budget-management order that would authorize prior-year payments totaling $3,791.11 to Ways & Means. The council also referred an order seeking transfer of $990,692.24 from older capital-improvement accounts to fund downtown Broadway water-and-sewer construction to Ways & Means. Those orders will receive committee review and recommendation before final council action.

Parking penalties order: The council adopted and filed an order asking the city manager and parking clerk to review the city’s penalty structure for traffic and parking violations, with emphasis on overnight residential parking without a residential sticker. Councilors debated concerns about deterrence and enforcement and asked staff to return with options; no immediate fine change was authorized at the meeting.

Administrative items: Several city-manager communications were accepted and filed by the council during the meeting, and a request to move an historical-commission appointment to a second reading was approved without objection.

Votes and next steps: The council will consider Ways & Means committee recommendations on referred orders at a future meeting. The reappointments take effect per charter appointment rules; the record shows nine votes in favor and 0 opposed for the roll-call action recorded at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chelsea City City Council Meeting of 4-7-25","oneSentenceSummary","The council approved three reappointments by roll call (9-0) and moved several orders — including prior-year payments and capital transfer orders — to the Ways & Means committee for further review; the council also adopted an order to have staff review residential parking fines.","taxTitle","Chelsea City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",78275,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083910,"City manager reports: Forbes sale, Market Basket grant, rail quiet-zone wait and Broadway housing updates",864,3502000,4366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77&start=3502&end=4366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77/thumbnail_3502000.jpg","/articles/6083910/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/City-manager-reports-Forbes-sale-Market-Basket-grant-rail-quiet-zone-wait-and-Broadway-housing-updates","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083910-5ebe94ee8c8403259a4d534054a6e5af/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536353&Signature=IfVuK2dHvK3781lb6i3vWRdjGRqnmSY-dsTQpsaJNJF9A7biPcdcqfFQMtW23Vm~uQm8nXD09RW--CcWH6LIj6z89S2Wgic1GN7Ux~PMnemeH17BOLRm55lonKjorlJ2crv1sLhOicoXqZpxDvMlExHtRXSakUEor5-XvLj3mLV4iSuaNNpWb6U9i4QWDJ8TqNPe6XhLj4p0YMB9p7iAQwl0PcpMuf5uCTPcwHK~PBQ1zLsvDcbGog06BUNy2vVoBgfnYyVndL4GdFrUcGL34C39HDC6g7S53wxPaskM~Uur~ULGbGt1E~6j4Yev6nE7nOqPixIeFJKpSJl9xdBwKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city manager reported several development and infrastructure updates to the Chelsea City Council, including activity at the long-vacant Forbes property, a $1 million state grant for Market Basket redevelopment planning, a delay in the commuter-rail quiet-zone project and progress on two Broadway housing projects.

Forbes property: City staff said the Forbes site, which suffered a major fire and was placed in receivership, has been boarded and secured by the appointed receiver. The council heard that a consortium including Mass Audubon and GreenRoots has been awarded rights to build on the parcel, though that decision is under appeal. Councilors welcomed development plans that pair open space and community access with tax revenue potential.

Market Basket site and MBTA grant: The city manager reported Chelsea received a $1,000,000 grant from the MBTA Communities Catalyst Fund to improve infrastructure on Second and Spruce streets to prepare the Market Basket property for development. The city has received an initial zoning-overlay draft from a developer group that would raise density to 150 units per acre and allow up to 14 stories in places; staff are still reviewing the draft and a full recommendation to the council is pending.

Commuter-rail quiet zone: The quiet-zone project is on hold until the MBTA delivers updated rail-safety drawings related to automatic train control (ATC/PTC). The MBTA anticipated delivering drawings by April 15, 2025; the city’s consultant will finalize design after receiving those plans and then submit for Federal Railroad Administration approval. Councilors said the horns have had a negative economic effect on lodging and residents’ sleep.

Broadway housing projects: The old Salvation Army building at 440 Broadway has been demolished and a new project with 29 units is slated to begin construction; 10 units are planned as affordable homeownership at 80% AMI and 19 rental units at income tiers ranging from 30% to 60% of area median income. A separate 375 Broadway project closed financing and is moving into construction phases; the city engaged a relocation coordinator to assist current residents where needed.

Other updates: The city manager described plans to bring vehicle maintenance in-house over time, budgeting two positions in the FY26 budget (mechanic supervisor and mechanic) and adding a junior mechanic in FY27 to create a recruitment pipeline. The city also announced Chelsea is a finalist for the All-America City award and will assemble a planning committee for the June competition in Denver.

Council reaction: Councilors praised the Forbes development direction, urged timely MBTA follow-up on the quiet zone and noted the need to weigh open space versus revenue for large parcels. No formal votes were taken on these communications; most were accepted and filed during the meeting.

Ending: Staff will return to council with recommended zoning changes, design packages and implementation timelines as reviews and federal/state approvals proceed.","City manager communications covered a receiver at the Forbes property and potential sale to conservation and community partners, a $1 million MBTA grant to ready Market Basket for development, commuter-rail quiet-zone design delays pending MBTA drawings, and progress on two Broadway housing projects.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083915,"Neighbors oppose Wolf’s Fish processing plant near residential Admirals Hill site",1960,1426000,3386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77&start=1426&end=3386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77/thumbnail_1426000.jpg","/articles/6083915/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Neighbors-oppose-Wolfs-Fish-processing-plant-near-residential-Admirals-Hill-site","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083915-86e103bc3d0302457f59c8608bb4a81c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536353&Signature=M2oeHQShgm1UnXN4lEdOaqNfknBxYPi1uHADvDXU-5NPIPfug-UX0GrSuW7rKxv~yTWST76F5x19P~1Q-3j6Et-rCpRaTbKVjC~~jHBAn88kBGvU8e2IXuCIOkQ84wTAY8TuIMg42o9mkS-BDa7w4HW~lJh5BeRPoj2DfUnj~~3fTzBLTCs16EL7~4BEAHHx9Cou~WaZ~sa5LJKc8y3q-CsWKCgRTdIARTB~F4Z6foVqqdbcd9ZMhVy3BVO-XhuANUcQx8L3FQZ77hMsTK6s05slTV4Z~wNwkDEpl7Q-0c~iwH9ypvMsac-uoUTZEPCxjDvThH6cWpn9K3TzX7JesA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Residents, community leaders and tenants packed the microphone to oppose a proposed Wolf’s Fish processing facility in the Admirals Hill/Commandant Way area, raising concerns about odors, early-morning truck traffic, noise, rodents and perceived lack of transparent notice from city officials and the company.

\"I'm not here to talk about the effects. I just wanted to focus ... on the effects of fish processing chemicals on humans,\" said Svetlin Baderoff, who told the council he is a nearby resident and described worries about air pollutants, truck exhaust and sleep disruption from trucks beginning operations at 4 a.m.

Multiple speakers described prior local experiences with odorous industrial operations and urged the council and city staff to scrutinize the proposed change. \"I'd rather lose 50 jobs than have a fish market or a fish processing plant behind a residential place,\" said Clarice Vega, president of La Collaborativa and a longtime resident. Joe Lafond, a resident who lives with a direct view of the building slated for Wolf’s Fish, said residents had little notice about the potential tenant and said, \"a fish factory and a bread factory are incredibly different smelling.\"

Why it matters: Speakers warned that continuous odors and truck traffic would damage quality of life, reduce property values and could bring health effects. Several asked whether an environmental or odor-control study had been performed and urged the city to require neighborhood protections if a permit is granted.

Process and notifications: Several residents said a zoning change to allow seafood processing had already been made at one level and that additional zoning- and planning-board reviews remain. Suzanne Perry and others said they learned about the company's interest only through informal neighborhood networks and requested clearer public notice for upcoming zoning and planning hearings. \"There has to be other things that it can be,\" Perry said, urging alternatives for the waterfront parcel.

Council response and next steps: Council leaders told speakers that the fish market/processing topic was not on the meeting agenda and encouraged residents to attend the scheduled zoning and planning-board meetings where formal review and public comment will take place. A councilor said a community meeting had occurred and that additional zoning board meetings are pending; city staff said they will accept emails and phone calls from residents.

Ending: No permit or zoning action occurred at the council meeting. Residents said they will pursue public hearings before the zoning board and planning board and asked the council for continued disclosure and local hiring commitments if Wolf’s Fish proceeds.","Residents and community leaders raised health, odor, noise and traffic concerns about a proposed Wolf’s Fish processing facility at a former bakery site; speakers sought clearer public notice of zoning actions and promised further participation at zoning board meetings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6083920,"Residents urge council to keep Chelsea’s sanctuary-city protections",696,715000,1411000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77&start=715&end=1411","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2925673-520a377586696fd744f4902d2dfd0f77/thumbnail_715000.jpg","/articles/6083920/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Residents-urge-council-to-keep-Chelseas-sanctuary-city-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6083920-1bdd076467ae1200bada7233f41f7b88/orig.mp4?Expires=1773536353&Signature=gxoddIsFS5MTQSCSOWbZ2mHNAxrnUhhq-crXVXowIdzJZgjxQzvjjik-UJO8iDgSAFU7VsBayP16NPg1j2uGJxaBlzbXs5rZSJn0tFRDLpOltZdk~tMmgex8btlfgglM4Z42mt8UYI21oSk4qNBaON65EWNsLMLEEBqZiFe6c-5N5E0D3ncqu3T86cRhgw7QXUJ3giwnlDjarKr3mRFo5SXaMxB3LDUfJN~3ybY3IfcaFWjT5jUOtv-ahT9kxJeq5~DhIweIjP-qlQC4SeS8v0u4TO3wHu22u67VzsakWi2OwfuynNDf4JrpBj-yq6zBe~ITQ6qZTYJSB9ejau4FUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of residents told the Chelsea City Council they want the city to keep its sanctuary-city protections, saying the designation keeps immigrant families safe, preserves trust with law enforcement and supports local businesses.

Speakers at the packed public-comment period said sanctuary protections let residents call 911, send children to school and work without fear. \"Sanctuary policies aren't about ignoring laws, they're about upholding values,\" said Komi Balo, a Chelsea resident. \"They ensure that every resident regardless of immigration status can call 911 without fear, can send their kids to school without worry, and can live with dignity.\"

The comments came from a broad cross-section of the public — parents, high-school students and long-time residents — who described fear that removing the designation would deter people from seeking health care, attending school or working. \"If we took away our status as a sanctuary city, then that will give us a bigger target,\" said Christian Vicente, addressing the council. \"The only thing that maintains our safety and what makes our community feel somewhat safe is the fact that their documentation status isn't shared.\"

Why it matters: Supporters said sanctuary protections are both a moral stance and a practical public-safety measure that preserves cooperation between immigrant communities and local police. Speakers warned that rescinding the status would damage the city’s economy and cause residents to withdraw from public life, harming schools, small businesses and neighborhood cohesion.

Council response and next steps: The presiding councilor reiterated that the council had not placed a change to the sanctuary designation on the meeting agenda. \"The topic on switching out, or going back on our sanctuary city, that has not been brought up in any of our agendas,\" the presiding officer said during the meeting, and encouraged speakers to follow up with individual councilors by phone or email.

The council did not take any formal action on the sanctuary designation at the meeting. Several residents said they want the council to publicly reaffirm the policy; others asked for clearer notice if the issue ever moves to a future agenda. Council staff and the public were reminded that individual councilors' contact information is available for follow-up.

Community context: Multiple young speakers said sanctuary protections are central to their ability to attend school and participate in extracurricular activities without fear. Commenters also tied the issue to past local encounters with federal immigration agents and praised Chelsea officers they said upheld community trust during those incidents.

Ending: Councilors accepted public comment and urged continued engagement by email and phone. No ordinance, vote or council order changing the sanctuary designation was proposed or debated at the meeting.","Dozens of residents, including students and immigrant families, urged the Chelsea City Council during public comment to maintain the city’s sanctuary designation; council leaders said the topic is not on the meeting agenda and encouraged continued engagement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves reappointments; several budget and zoning orders moved to committee

City manager reports: Forbes sale, Market Basket grant, rail quiet-zone wait and Broadway housing updates

Neighbors oppose Wolf’s Fish processing plant near residential Admirals Hill site

Residents urge council to keep Chelsea’s sanctuary-city protections