42:06The meeting’s most discussion centered on the reappointments to various city boards and commissions, particularly the Chelsea Housing Authority Board and the Board of Health. Concerns were raised about the residency of appointees, with some council members arguing that only Chelsea residents should hold positions that influence city governance. A motion to refer two specific appointments—Mr. Mario Leno Fernandez to the Board of Health and Miss Janice Tarka to the Zoning Board of Appeals—to a subcommittee was proposed for further scrutiny. Ultimately, the motion to refer these appointments to a subcommittee was defeated, and the council proceeded to approve the reappointments as a whole with a majority vote.

0:28Public concerns about the regionalization of emergency 911 dispatch operations also took center stage. Residents and union representatives voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the potential negative impacts on response times, community connection, and local employment. Mariam ASO, the local 911 dispatchers’ union president, argued against the proposal, stating, “Chelsea 911 is more than a service; we are a lifeline for our community.” The city manager addressed the council, noting that regionalization aimed to improve service quality through collaboration with neighboring municipalities. However, a councilor clarified that no vote would be taken at the meeting.

59:08The council also addressed several financial matters. A $215,000 grant for the preservation of the Governor Bellingham Carriage House was approved, as well as a $75,000 grant for the Lewis Latimer Archive. Additionally, a $200,000 grant was approved for a property on Orange Street. However, the Sunflower Garden Project’s funding was referred back to the Ways and Means Committee for further discussion due to time constraints in previous meetings and expressed community concerns.

In other business, the council approved the allocation of $1,522.62 to cover unpaid costs owed to vendors from previous fiscal years and accepted a $155,000 grant from Mystic Valley Elder Services. A financial order was also passed to transfer funds from salary reserves to support collective bargaining agreements across various departments, including the fire and police departments.

1:20:16Community-focused initiatives were also discussed, with Councilor Tesh introducing an order to study the impact of Broadway construction on local businesses, citing reports of significant revenue losses. Another order called for the city manager to provide updates on opioid funds and the entrepreneur support program, emphasizing the importance of these initiatives for Chelsea’s economic health. Councilor Recupero proposed an order to ensure transparency in the spending of grant funds, particularly those from the Community Preservation Committee, to prevent misuse on salaries instead of community projects.

The council also expressed support for Chelsea’s immigrant community through a resolution, acknowledging the significant impact of federal immigration policies on the city’s large foreign-born population. Although one councilor voted against it, citing a personal practice of opposing resolutions related to current political situations, the resolution passed with a majority vote.

Lastly, Councilor Aesh introduced a proposal to allocate $500,000 for year-round youth jobs. This proposal was sent to a subcommittee for further discussion, with Councilor Kelly Garcia recusing herself due to potential conflicts of interest related to her involvement with an organization running youth job programs.