Chelsea council awards $72,620 community preservation grant for Sunflower Garden

The Chelsea City Council voted unanimously to award $72,620 from the Community Preservation Committee to the Sunflower Garden project, providing funding to make the site "safe and accessible for all," a resident told the council.

The approval came after Sandy Maynard of the Community Enhancement Team urged the council to "consider voting yes on a proven grant for the Sunflower Garden so we can make it safe and accessible for all." Councilors moved the item up in the agenda so the group present in the chamber could hear the result.

Under an order read by the clerk, the appropriation was authorized "in accordance with Mass. General Law chapter 44B, section 5(3)(D)" and local ordinance language cited during the reading. The council adopted the order by roll call: nine members voted in favor, zero opposed; two members were recorded absent. The clerk announced, "9 members in favor, 0 opposed, 2 absent. Order is adopted."

Councilor Brown remarked on the broader work of advocates for autism awareness during earlier celebratory resolutions and thanked residents and volunteers involved in neighborhood beautification efforts, connecting community volunteer efforts to the garden project.

The grant will be administered through the City’s Community Preservation Committee process; the council did not specify a schedule for project start or completion in the meeting record.

The Sunflower Garden award was one of several community preservation and capital items considered during the session; councilors said they would notify applicants and post the formal paperwork per usual city procedures.

Votes at a glance: Sunflower Garden appropriation — adopted 9-0 (2 absent).