Chelsea Vaccine Rates Are among Best in State
The City of Chelsea leads the State of Massachusetts in youth vaccination rates (ages 12-19), and owns the highest overall vaccination rates statewide among the 20 prioritized communities featured in the Vaccine Equity Initiative (VEI).
Utilizing the data in the VEI, which compares vaccination data from 20 prioritized communities in the state of Massachusetts, 95.9 percent of 12-15 year olds in Chelsea have received the first dose of the vaccine, while 100 percent of 16-19 year olds have been administered their first dose as of October 5.
The fully vaccinated rates for these age groups are equally impressive. Among 12-15 year olds, 78.0 percent are fully vaccinated, and 16-19 year olds are 80.7 percent fully vaccinated in Chelsea. Both totals rank as the highest among the 20 communities in the VEI. Chelsea is one of just two communities in the VEI to have percentages of fully vaccinated 12-15 and 16-19 year olds that rank higher than the state average. In the 12-15 bracket, 59.7 percent of Massachusetts residents are fully vaccinated while 61.6 percent are fully vaccinated in the 16-19 age range.
Early Voting Begins Saturday, October 23
Early Voting will be available to all residents who are registered to vote ahead of the City Election on Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Beginning on Saturday, Oct. 23, and extending through the following week, registered voters who wish to cast an early ballot may do so in person at the City Clerk’s Office in City Hall.
The days and hours for early voting are:
• Saturday, Oct. 23 | 9:00am-1:00pm
• Monday, Oct. 25 | 8:00am-4:00pm
• Tuesday, Oct. 26 | 8:00am-7:00pm
• Wednesday, Oct. 27 | 8:00am-4:00pm
• Thursday, Oct. 28 | 8:00am-4:00pm
• Friday, Oct. 29 | 8:00am-12:00pm
Residents interested in voting by mail may do so by contacting the Elections Department at 617-466-4050 to receive an application.
The City of Chelsea Has Pledged to Be Part of Cities Race to Zero
Race To Zero is a global campaign to rally leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, investors for a healthy, resilient, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth.
Joining Cities Race to Zero is the latest effort in Chelsea to improve the quality of the climate and living conditions in the City. Chelsea’s participation in the program features a variety of commitments including creating a more inclusive society, creating green and healthy streets, reducing air pollution and ensuring clean air, developing zero carbon buildings, moving towards resilient and sustainable energy systems, advancing towards zero waste, creating sustainable food systems, divesting from fossil fuels, and moving towards resilient and sustainable construction systems.
Chelsea has joined over 700 cities around the world in a pledge to halve carbon emissions by 2030 – and reach net-zero emissions in the 2040s or sooner – to ensure a green and just recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The City acknowledges the current state of the national and global climate, and through this pledge, commits itself to putting climate considerations as a priority in urban decision-making conversations. The City is committed to creating a thriving and equitable community for all its residents.
Pledging to Cities Race to Zero is another example of the City’s commitment to climate change. Recently, residents have been encouraged to provide feedback regarding air quality in Chelsea. The City has also partnered with various entities to support energy-saving programs. Urban heat island mitigation projects have also been ongoing throughout the City this year.
CAPIC Fuel Assistance Program
CAPIC Fuel Assistance serves residents in Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop. Any household within the income guidelines may be eligible. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) services homeowners and renters (including renters whose heating costs are included in their rent). Eligibility is determined on the combined gross income of all family members over 18.
Services CAPIC provides include:
• Aid with paying utility bills.
• Free electrical assessments.
• The opportunity to enact energy conservation measures in your home and more.
• This year, with ARPA funding from the State, those who qualified under LIHEAP will also be eligible for assistance with their water bills. More information is available at https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/lihwap
Any interested resident may apply by calling 617-884-6130 or online at http://www.capicinc.org/Eng/E_FuelAssistance.html.
Infrastructure Updates
Cherry Street and Second Street @ Chelsea Square
The City of Chelsea will be reconstructing sidewalks, roadways, and making pedestrian improvements along Cherry Street, from Williams Street to Fourth Street, and at Second Street at Chelsea Square. Construction will begin this October and wrap up in the Spring of 2022.
Beacham & Williams Reconstruction Efforts
The City of Chelsea continues construction along Beacham & Williams Street from Spruce Street to the Everett City Line. Underground utility work is wrapping up this Fall. This Winter and Spring, new sidewalks and a freshly paved roadway will be implemented, with lighting and landscaping features to come after.
Mace Tot Lot Improvements
The City of Chelsea received a grant from the State to lead a community design process and subsequent renovations at Mace Tot Lot, off of Crescent Avenue. Construction will begin this Winter of 2022 and wrap up during the Early Summer of 2022.
Renovations at Quigley Park
The City of Chelsea received a grant from the State to begin a community design process for the renovation of Quigley Park. Public meetings and community surveys will provide forums for feedback. The park will then be renovated during the Spring of 2023.
Any questions about these projects can be directed to Project Manager, Ben Cares at [email protected], 781.300.3016.
The Chelsea Public Library Community Cookbook
The Chelsea Public Library is excited to announce the Chelsea Community Cookbook project to celebrate the City of Chelsea’s diversity and provide a way to connect across the distance through food! We encourage all families to submit a recipe by October 20th, 2021.
How to Submit:
Pick up and return a Recipe Form to the Chelsea Public Library
Or e-mail recipe attachment to: [email protected]
(Anticipated book print & online availability date: November 22nd, 2021)
Apply to Become a Youth Commission Member!
The Chelsea Youth Commission is currently accepting applications! Any Chelsea resident ages 13-20 who are enrolled in high school are eligible to apply. Members of the Youth Commission advise City of Chelsea governing bodies including City Council, School Committee and the City Manager on how to best accommodate the needs of youth in Chelsea.
Greenroots News
This Thursday, October 14, will be the monthly meeting at 6 p.m. We hope you will join us (via zoom). We have two exciting topics: energy democracy and EJ calculator.
• Energy democracy: we will be sharing the progress we have made on our community led microgrid (and talk about what a microgrid even is!) & the importance of energy democracy in our community.
• EJ Calculator: we will have our colleagues from Northeastern University join us, who will facilitate a workshop on the role Chelsea plays for the entire region. We will help advise the research and the debt calculator (a tool that will highlight the benefits other communities enjoy without knowing communities like Chelsea and East Boston bear the environmental burden). Those who participate in the workshop will receive a $20 gift card and a bag of PPE. If you would like to join us, please [email protected] requesting the zoom link!
This Saturday, October 16, let’s imagine a park on Mill Creek
Come out, paint pumpkins, see some goats (for real!) and imagine a new waterfront park!
This Saturday, 11AM-1PM
Location: behind the Beth Israel Clinic (1000 Broadway)
Chelsea Walking Tours
Chelsea is a city rich in culture and history. Through these walking tours guide takes up different themes to share the stories of our community.
• October 17 at 2 pm starting at Voke Park, Prattville Tour with Lee Farrington.
• October 23 at 2 pm starting city hall, Public Art Tour with Max Pro.
• November 7 at 11 am starting City Hall plaza, Jewish Chelsea will Ellen Rovner.
• November 14 at 2 pm at Winnisimmet and Williams, Waterfront tour with Pepper Fee.
Read more at https://www.chelseaprospers.org/walkingtoursmaps