[{"_1":2,"_106":-5,"_107":-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",[32,74,84,96],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6052395,"mediaKeyId","3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d","parentId",3397124,"title","Chelsea launches $20,000 forgivable down‑payment program for first‑time buyers; appointment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board advanced","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1522000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d&start=1522&end=1522","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d/thumbnail_1522000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6052395/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-launches-20000-forgivable-downpayment-program-for-firsttime-buyers-appointment-to-Affordable-Housing-Trust-Fund-Board-advanced","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052395-63a2858d82897595c95f67ab15c4fed3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580632&Signature=TscGGKCKWvaNo3pW5SQUVfE2QnovPEMb6dRQsf9DFDXHJfGQSMYZJZZjHQ2XHeui9hnJvd1V5Qn-bLOTdVuzOtxIvYR3VDFduUUyKb1u1LjjjTkgUnIxm6vh4CAPJnwwvsPfa-oEW9o3wK5iF2M7~YcYKimr0Tc9dow2JVVb~1cIJqxthws2VXukFUO-izWfpHm2QaguIKzUlsTA0V2qlCIoXmL7Hn91vbQF8bz8wYf2aDc5iAqQ-vNs9meLKhb8sYW3XqH08jq6ddd71jPFbi3iRoXvz7-pFHivP5vvJkNju5qznP-doLbKtGOBoG7oyU4eEY4smgD5N3c9-4nE1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chelsea City, MA","date","2025-05-14T00:00:00Z","article","City staff updated the Chelsea City Council on the administration’s efforts to expand affordable housing and announced a first‑time homebuyer down‑payment assistance program that will provide forgivable loans of $20,000 to income‑eligible long‑term Chelsea residents purchasing their first home in the city.

The communication said the program will be funded through the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and that a request for proposals is open to select a qualified administrator to run the program. The administration said the program is intended to lower barriers to homeownership, increase economic mobility and reduce displacement. A strategic housing plan is under review and expected to be completed in June 2025, staff said.

The administration’s internal review reported that since 2015 the city has facilitated 23 affordable housing projects creating 482 units: 78 homeownership condominiums and 404 rental units. The Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board and the Community Preservation Committee have opened new grant rounds for predevelopment, rental assistance and new affordable housing creation.

Separately, the council received a communication recommending the appointment of Ben Cares, director of housing and community development, to serve on the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board to fill the unexpired term of Deputy City Manager of Operations Devon Fields while she is on maternity leave; the council moved the appointment to second reading. A councilor also suggested engaging Chelsea Restoration, a local organization that has helped more than 250 families purchase homes, to advise on program design.

The administration asked the council to accept and file the communications; councilors moved the items to the appropriate next steps for review and subsequent action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Chelsea City Council Meeting of 5-19-25","oneSentenceSummary","The city announced a new first‑time homebuyer down‑payment assistance program offering $20,000 forgivable loans to eligible long‑term Chelsea residents, funded by the Affordable Housing Trust Fund; the council moved to second reading an appointment of Ben Cares to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board.","taxTitle","Chelsea City, Suffolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",78275,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":44,"_45":78,"_46":79,"_48":49,"_50":80,"_52":81,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":82,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":83,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6052400,"Chelsea council moves FY26 operating, water, sewer budgets to public hearing; total proposed budget $261.7 million",1122,2644000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d&start=1522&end=2644","/articles/6052400/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-council-moves-FY26-operating-water-sewer-budgets-to-public-hearing-total-proposed-budget-2617-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052400-2d44e1917d6e8c5ab5d0d5ecb8839880/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580632&Signature=MhJmbDkq9soTirH-9-3YSfUSFgw1-WVllJqryqoj3rkwpOUrAUVeLGX9qnlPd7NQ62kd~TUpMdN0g0zcaeyLJmf9cX-fTOLLpHSwahTIpNw6NPTHzlw2JpB64Pw3E27edUSNrgF-x2mCkQnEdIE4dlQ8~wG0gRCG5b~mJszwVA2CvFpDOzbsFgtIHNXPEi0zTDIfZfWrTlhTc~cOvID-0cZQykj-Ec6ROP7rosLpeiP0e1uYNpbXPR65dN5wpAMbcZ3ZAmZdQwhQKZloSe~KLxQ43PpldWbwDd6jLKnys4577An3rihuvMHFnfLshVc~ZMyLzk0gx56z5TsZ4sWo1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff presented the proposed fiscal year 2026 operating budget to the Chelsea City Council and the council moved the general fund and enterprise fund orders to second reading and scheduled public hearings.

The budget communication reported proposed FY26 expenditures of $110,809,868 for city operations and $150,891,360 for the Chelsea Public Schools, for a total proposed budget of $261,701,228. The communication said the school budget rose 7.54% year over year, largely financed by additional Chapter 70 funding generated by the Student Opportunity Act; the city’s operating expenditures rose 5.84%.

Deputy City Manager of Finance Michael Mason was named as having held two community budget sessions; the administration said it shared budget materials through televised hearings and local media. Councilors moved to schedule a public hearing on the general fund budget; the council also moved the sewer and water enterprise fund appropriation orders to second reading and scheduled their public hearings. The council set the public hearing for the general fund and related FY26 budget items for the following meeting on June 2 at 7 p.m.

In addition to the general fund order, councilors introduced separate orders to appropriate sewer and water enterprise fund salaries, operations and capital for FY26, and an order allocating $1,710,663 in certified free cash. Those enterprise fund and free cash orders were moved to second reading with public hearings scheduled.","The city presented the proposed FY26 operating budget — $110.8 million for city operations and $150.9 million for schools, totaling $261.7 million — and the council moved the general fund, sewer and water enterprise fund appropriations to second reading and scheduled public hearings (general fund hearing set for June 2).",{"_33":85,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":86,"_41":87,"_43":88,"_45":89,"_46":90,"_48":91,"_50":92,"_52":93,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":94,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":95,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6052406,"Chelsea Council approves funds for Forbes cleanup, Marginal Street upgrades, conference and permitting software",202,2167000,2369000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d&start=2167&end=2369","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d/thumbnail_2167000.jpg","/articles/6052406/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-Council-approves-funds-for-Forbes-cleanup-Marginal-Street-upgrades-conference-and-permitting-software","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052406-bd9ef11aa278f88d4a4fa38d1eb168d7/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580632&Signature=Pk9w82oluvCJdPHoXzFYRdM~7iBkeEL-IoMkPLnVOILB72y99kT944yWooxmrEncYoDEukmkBxNxDPpgGgYfuxBJZ6E7wHqUr~TF4An0-nd84KSNRkzmS3brr5aW5CnFGmT3HO7EM54b8YmdLGov-eRcnmbHV0GuNz-3z3scEhJxfvfZ-51fxEx5yJbkYpxd95BG~H9LX6xiyA-p9CLokytX-fPZH3a~DEUB8vJz5Aj0XeI~~bdQJBrD~1OmrvFVAIk7ykKBjRhx-BbgniCwhemv9BEMPX65QLfD8g~64weVQ~YrJFdFBtCkw0Cr-kpoj-ZRSlZV7e5r0zJqL1~OCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chelsea City Council voted unanimously to adopt a series of appropriations at its meeting, approving funding for a Forbes site cleanup, building improvements on Marginal Street including a solar project, travel for the All‑America City awards, and software for inspectional services.

The council adopted an order appropriating $200,000 from free cash to the fiscal year 2025 Public Works Department building emergency demos/boarding account to cover receivership expenses related to the Forbes site. Councilors voted by roll call: 11 in favor, 0 opposed, 0 absent.

The council also approved a $3,172,287 appropriation from overlay surplus to the Marginal Street building improvements account for land and building upgrades at 324 Marginal Street, including funding for a solar project the administration said will cover 100% of that property’s energy consumption. The motion passed by roll call vote, 11‑0.

An appropriation of $53,000 from free cash was approved for executive department conference travel to cover expenses for the All‑America City Awards ceremony in Denver; the order passed 11‑0. The council also adopted an order authorizing $160,000 from free cash for inspectional services software license fees to implement and subscribe to a new permitting and ticketing platform; that order likewise passed 11‑0.

Councilors who voted in the roll calls include Councilors Tenari Garcia, Jimenez Rivera, Recupero, Taylor, Robinson, Tesher, Kelly Garcia, Sandigot, Vega, Brown and Desius. The orders were introduced by Councilor Taylor and carried by unanimous roll call votes.","The council adopted four appropriations: $200,000 from free cash for Forbes receivership expenses; $3,172,287 from overlay surplus for Marginal Street building improvements including a solar project; $53,000 for All‑America City conference travel; and $160,000 for inspectional services permitting and ticketing software.",{"_33":97,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":98,"_41":42,"_43":99,"_45":99,"_46":100,"_48":101,"_50":102,"_52":103,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":104,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":105,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6052411,"Chelsea moves to acquire easements, properties for island and river flood barrier; public hearing set for June 2",1319000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d&start=1319&end=1319","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397124-647df4cbaefeecabcb1b0f27e581bb4d/thumbnail_1319000.jpg","/articles/6052411/Chelsea-City/Suffolk-County/Massachusetts/Chelsea-moves-to-acquire-easements-properties-for-island-and-river-flood-barrier-public-hearing-set-for-June-2","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6052411-6cfcca23f2eab3e9cbcc05df7e6c2ba2/orig.mp4?Expires=1773580632&Signature=Xi~MjfVe6aoelfhMIjte0jAI2fEA558XQHFVykZS1rJkLJ3VFTJQNqybD8NcyCeQwUOsk1vw7R4-5KShxUU2Hj2UYKhvhiKWrJ1k08fLpoRoaLNuTjiAxCLqKBe2OWIu-QCxRyuSvWJ~NmwaPYAllHAeAiy5Dh~h~w0VoY6~TL1W6CgmOzEmySogmrYLL4NdR8wj6enl0H~ykUC90BSQwlY34R6pzAVYlvlECzMM~jg7-LWRgERramMK3oz-VYAMpzPUpKqi8PeiRB1~QbHx0AY~gPP1Dw00gGmvX13WDEu2peIrC-pbJ8XwlNeCrMafIScQe-8k~t3xkpYoOi7KNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff informed the Chelsea City Council that the administration plans to pursue friendly eminent‑domain takings of property and easements needed to construct the city’s long‑planned island and river flood barrier and that a public hearing and second reading of the order of taking are scheduled for 7 p.m. on June 2.

The communication to the council said the takings would be funded through a Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) state grant and city matching funds already appropriated in the capital improvement program. The administration noted prior appraisals have been completed and that, as required by the state grant, the city will not pay more than appraised value.

City staff described two initial takings the administration intends to pursue. For 145 Market Street the administration seeks to acquire the property in fee; the communication states the owner is prepared to accept the independent appraisal (appraised amount for 145 Market Street was presented in the communication but was not clearly specified in the transcript). For 359 Beecham Street the city seeks a permanent easement of about one‑third of an acre (reported as roughly 13,884 square feet) and a temporary construction easement of 3,504 square feet. The communication reported an independent appraisal for 359 Beecham of $937,587 and said the city proposes and the owner is prepared to accept $528,836.49 for the combined easement and fee, leaving an implied donation of $483,007.51 of value by the owner.

The administration told the council the island and river flood barrier project has been advanced in partnership with nearby Everett and has been under work for nearly a decade. Staff said recent loss of a $50 million grant delayed construction timing but did not remove the project from top priority status; design, engineering, and land‑acquisition work are continuing using secured state funds.

Council members moved to accept and file the communication under communications, and later introduced related orders and scheduled the public hearing and second readings for June 2. During the meeting one councilor objected to waiving full readings of the addresses and appraisals but the council proceeded to accept the communication and to set the hearing.

If adopted after the required public hearing and second reading, the takings would give the city the access and ownership rights staff said are necessary to build and maintain the flood barrier and associated infrastructure.","City staff told the Chelsea City Council it will pursue friendly eminent‑domain takings for portions of 145 Market Street and 359 Beecham Street to build an island and river flood barrier, funded by an MVP grant and previously appropriated city matching funds; a public hearing and second reading are scheduled for June 2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Chelsea launches $20,000 forgivable down‑payment program for first‑time buyers; appointment to Affordable Housing Trust Fund Board advanced

Chelsea council moves FY26 operating, water, sewer budgets to public hearing; total proposed budget $261.7 million

Chelsea Council approves funds for Forbes cleanup, Marginal Street upgrades, conference and permitting software

Chelsea moves to acquire easements, properties for island and river flood barrier; public hearing set for June 2