Chelsea council adopts grants, park funding and emergency assistance; rejects MBTA curb/bus redesign item
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Summary
At the meeting the council approved several grant and donation orders — including a $425,000 park grant for KM Park (total project $825,000 appropriation), a $100,000 United Way grant for the 1 Chelsea fund, a $10,000 Carnegie donation to the library and other smaller grants — and rejected an MBTA-requested bus-stop/curb change (item 11) by roll call.
The Chelsea City Council approved a package of grants, donations and appropriations and separately rejected an MBTA-requested bus-stop redesign after a separate roll-call vote on the transportation item.
Key votes adopted by roll call (9 yes, 0 no, 2 absent unless noted):
- K M Park renovation: Council endorsed the receipt of a $425,000 park grant and appropriated $825,000 from general stabilization to cover full project cost and to certify funding prior to reimbursement; resolution adopted by roll call.
- United Way grant: Council accepted a $100,000 grant from United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley to fund the 1 Chelsea fund.
- Carnegie donation: Council accepted a $10,000 gift from the Carnegie Corporation of New York for the Chelsea Public Library to support a community event.
- Mystic Valley Elder Services grant: Council authorized acceptance of a $15,000 grant for a health and wellness program at the Chelsea Senior Center.
- Ruby Bridges Foundation mini-grant: Council accepted a $1,000 mini-grant for the Department of Recreation and Cultural Affairs.
- Appropriation to 1 Chelsea fund: Council appropriated $100,000 from the stabilization fund to the City Manager’s account for emergency assistance in the 1 Chelsea fund.
In transportation business, councilors singled out agenda item 11 — an MBTA request that included a one-foot curb extension at Pearl Street opposite Essex Street and other curb/bus stop modifications intended to make a specific stop ADA accessible. After discussion and a roll-call separation, council rejected item 11: the vote was recorded 3 in favor, 6 opposed and 2 absent; the agenda item was rejected.
Council also adopted a technical budget-management order to satisfy small unpaid FY25 balances (documented $37.95 in the reading) and accepted multiple communications into file.
Councilors said the subcommittee process and follow-up meetings would manage implementation and any necessary coordination with outside agencies (e.g., MBTA or state grant administrators).