News Briefs

SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

The Chelsea Chamber of Commerce and its participating members will participate in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 24.

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is the important shopping day that supports our local, independent businesses and impacts the financial health of our city:  Small Business Saturday. Please #ShopSmall on November 24 to support local restaurants and stores.

 

CITY MANAGER SUPPORTS CHELSEA HOUSING PLAN

Though he does have concerns, City Manager Tom Ambrosino said he will fully support the proposed redevelopment project of the Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) Innes Development on Central Avenue.

A first public meeting on the development took place on Tuesday, Nov 20, after Record deadlines.

Ambrosino said this week he feels the positives outweigh the negatives.

“I’m a full supporter,” he said. “It’s the only way we’re going to be able to renovate these 96 units of public housing. It’s definitely a dense development…but the positives of creating a life-altering change for 96 Housing Authority families with this development outweigh the negatives. I will support it.”

He said he does agree that the parking is not enough, but again, he said it wasn’t enough to tip the scales.

“There isn’t enough parking,” he said. “That’s a negative you have to weigh and the benefits to affordable housing here outweigh the negatives of parking.”

He also said he will support the Tax Incremental Financing (TIF) agreement, and that the City has agreed to waive all building permit fees.

 

NEW CHESTNUT STREET DIRECTION CONSIDERED

The temporary new direction of Chestnut Street – instituted this fall with the closure of the Beacon Street off-ramp – is now being considered as a permanent option as some resident and public safety official prefer the configuration.

The new direction allows Chestnut Street to be a one way from City Hall all the way to Everett Avenue. Previously, at the Fourth Street off-ramp, Chestnut divided and didn’t allow any turns. Now, one can come off the Bridge and turn right onto Chestnut. Likewise, the Fire Department said they can use the road as an alternate to Broadway all the way to Everett Avenue.

“From the Fire Department perspective, the current direction (one way to Everett Avenue) gives us a direct route to Everett Ave, and points south, without having to zig-zag through Fifth, Arlington by the Williams School,” said Fire Chief Leonard Albanese. “It also gives us an option if there is an ongoing incident on Broadway.”

City Manager Tom Ambrosino said the idea of keeping the configuration has been presented to the Traffic Commission and they are reviewing the idea. It will not be changed back until a decision is made.

“There are some neighbors who love it and some who do not like it at all,” he said.

One of the groups that does not like it is the St. Stanislaus Church members, who said it has increased traffic in front of their church.

Albanese said the entire time that the one way has been south, the Beacon Street ramp was closed, so there was a much higher traffic volume on the Fourth Street ramp.

“I think now that the Beacon Street ramp is open, we can get a good look at the impact of the one-way in the current direction,” he said.

 

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA

The Chelsea Chamber of Commerce and the City of Chelsea will celebrate the 14th annual Breakfast with Santa event on Saturday, Dec. 1.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Williams School, 180 Walnut St. It will include free breakfast and free picture with Santa for children 12 and under.

 

NEW SENIOR TRANSPORTATION

With financial support from the City Council, the Senior Center is launching a pilot program for the transportation of senior citizens in the City. The new program will allow for seniors to be transported back and forth from the Senior Center from six different elderly/disabled sites throughout the community. The pilot program is scheduled to begin at the end of October and will be operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. More information is available by contacting the Senior Center at 617-466-4370.

 

CHAMBER 2018 ANNUAL MEETING

Please join the Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday, December 5, at noon for the Chelsea Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting Luncheon. The Chamber get into the spirit of the season with a great holiday meal at the DoubleTree Hotel, spend a few minutes electing new board members, and hear from leaders at the Commonwealth Corporation, MassDevelopment, and the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation about grants, training programs, and other ways to boost your business in 2019.

The luncheon goes from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 201 Everett Ave. Cost is $25 per person.

 

FALL PROGRAMS AT THE LIBRARY

The Chelsea Public Library has released its fall programming, with the following events coming up.

  • Tuesday, Nov. 27, at 3:30 p.m. Holiday Card Decorating.
  • Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. Chelsea Lego Club.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 12, at 3:30 p.m. Make fluffy slime.
  • Thursday, Dec. 20, at 6 p.m. Pajama Storytime.
  • Dec. 27 and Dec. 28, at 2 p.m. Winter Crafts.

 

CHELSEA HILLS WALKS

The Chelsea Hill Community has updated its schedule and has new meeting times.

Chelsea Hills will now be meeting every first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Starbucks at the Mystic Mall. Next meeting is on Dec. 4.

As for their walks, they will have them every second Saturday at 10 a.m. and every fourth Wednesday at 6 p.m. Locations vary, so please check the Chelsea Hills Facebook page or subscribe to email list.

 

CHELSEA ENHANCEMENT TEAM: CLEANING UP PROGRESSIVELY

Join the Community Enhancement Team (CET), every third Wednesday of the month. The CET is a team of resident leaders committed to working together to solve community problems and improve the quality of life, the cleanliness and safety in Chelsea.

Next meeting is Weds., Nov. 21, from 6-8 p.m. in the High Terrace Community Room next to 61-63 Gerrish Ave.

 

CHELSEA STREET BRIDGE APP

For those seeking real time information about the Chelsea St. Bridge closures, Massport is operating a Twitter account which alerts drivers whenever the bridge is opening for shipping and closed to traffic. The Twitter account is @LoganToChelsea. This real time information supplements the new vehicular warnings systems now currently active on Broadway and Williams St.

 

CITIZENSHIP CLASSES

With support from the City, the Chelsea Collaborative will again be offering citizenship classes to Chelsea residents eligible to become a U.S. citizen. Classes include a free citizenship preparation course and application assistance. To learn more about the requirements for these classes and how to apply, please call the Chelsea Collaborative at 617-889-6080 —Monday- Thursday 10 a.m.—5 p.m. Classes will be at the Chelsea Collaborative located at 318 Broadway.

 

MASSPORT NOISE COMPLAINT LINE

Residents who are being disturbed by airplane noise are encouraged to call the MassPort Noise Hotline 24 hours a day. The phone number is (617) 561-3333.

 

SENIOR WATER AND SEWER DISCOUNT

Chelsea senior citizens are reminded to sign up for the new Senior Discount for water and sewer charges. Any senior 65 or older who owns and occupies his/her own home may apply.  The discount is 10% off the monthly bill.

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