By Adam Swift
At last week’s city council meeting, City Manager Fidel Maltez responded to a council request for an update on Community Preservation Act funding.
Between November 2024 and November 2025, the Community Preservation Committee reviewed and recommended a total of 17 projects for CPA funding, representing an overall investment of $2,220,053 in the City of Chelsea, Maltez said.
“These recommendations support a broad range of community priorities, including affordable housing initiatives, historic preservation efforts, and open space and recreational improvements across the city,” Maltez stated. “The recommended projects reflect the City Council’s commitment to preserving Chelsea’s historic and cultural assets, expanding housing stability, and enhancing public spaces for residents. Collectively, these investments will have a lasting and meaningful impact on the quality of life in our community.”
On behalf of the administration, Maltez thanked the council for its continued leadership and support for affordable housing initiatives, historic preservation efforts, and open space efforts.
“Your dedication to strengthening Chelsea’s neighborhoods and investing in our residents is deeply appreciated,” Maltez stated.
Chelsea voters approved the CPA in 2016. The CPA imposes a 1.5-percent surcharge on residential and commercial properties, with exemptions for low- and moderate-income homeowners. The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) recommends using those funds for grant projects for housing, open space, or historical preservation.
The city council can affirm, reject, or lower the grant amounts recommended by the CPC.
Among the projects listed by Maltez that have been approved over the last year and change include:
Skate Park at Mystic River Overlook Park for $70,000
Sunflower Garden Project for $72,620 CP25-03 Chelsea Black Heritage Walking Tour and Trail for $70,000
Governor Bellingham Cary House Envelope Preservation Project for $215,000
Preservation Restriction Research for Temple Emmanuel for $20,000
Lewis H. Latimer Archive and the Preservation of the Lewis Latimer Society Holdings for $75,000
41-43 Orange St, Chelsea for $200,000 CP25-08 375 Broadway for $200,000
La Colaborativa Emergency Housing Voucher Program for $100,000
Polonia Park for $200,000
The Quinn Residences for $200,000
The Neighborhood Developers Top Off Rental Assistance for $100,000
Walnut Street Synagogue for $197,433
Stitching Against the Heat for $50,000
Creekside Commons Park Rehab and Renovation for $200,000
Fitzpatrick Prattville Predevelopment for $200,000
TND Top Off Rental Assistance for $50,000
At a meeting last December, District 6 Councilor Giovanni Recupero said he was concerned that the same organizations in the city tend to benefit from the CPA funding.