Yard Sale Saturday
There will be a yard sale, Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 95 Bellingham St., Chelsea.
Veterans Food Distribution to Continue at Chelsea Senior Center
The City of Chelsea will host in-person food pantries for veterans at the Chelsea Senior Center beginning on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
The food pantries at the Senior Center will replace the food deliveries to veterans that occurred over the last seven months. Deliveries will no longer occur. Veterans will still be able to access food distribution through the pantry offered at the Senior Center, which will occur on the first Wednesday of every month from 10:00 am-12:00 pm beginning in October. Please check the schedule at https://www.chelseama.gov/home/news/veterans-food-distribution-continue-chelsea-senior-center.
Attendees are reminded to bring their reusable grocery bags. To enroll in the food distribution program, please call 617-466-4250 or email Director of Veterans’ Services Francisco Toro at email [email protected].
Construction Projects
The City of Chelsea began paving construction work in several streets in the Downtown area. This project will bring improvements to the City’s commercial district and its residents. The construction schedule on each impacted street includes milling of existing roadways, adjusting of water gates, utility holes, and catch basins, and then final paving.
Overnight construction work will occur from 7 pm-3 am in specific areas. During this time, on-street parking is prohibited from 7 pm to 3 am due to construction. Do not park in these areas overnight or risk being towed.
Please check the city social media accounts for the weekly updates on the streets that construction work will occur. For questions or concerns, please get in touch with Capital Improvement Manager Bertram Taverna at 617-466-4200.
The City of Chelsea will begin a variety of projects this fall that will include the rehabilitation of sidewalks and roadways, pedestrian safety improvements and other initiatives in areas of the City.
The specific projects set to begin this fall include:
• The rehabilitation of the sidewalks and roadway on Cherry Street, from 4th Street to Williams Street. Work is set to begin in October.
• Improvements to Chelsea Square at 2nd Street will begin in October. This project will raise the roadway to the same level as the adjacent sidewalks, improving accessibility for pedestrians as well as the functionality for Chelsea Square during events. This project is expected to be completed in December of 2021.
• Pedestrian safety improvements will be conducted on Addison Street and Orange Street this fall, and are set for completion in December of 2021.
• Creative crosswalks will be implemented on Division Street beginning this October. The project will be completed in November of 2021.
• Urban heat mitigation construction will occur at the Chelsea Boys & Girls Club as well as along Willow Street and Maverick Street. The improvements will include new tree pits, lighter concrete sidewalks, paved roadway treatments, and white roofs.
New municipal lots underneath the Tobin Bridge offer the City of Chelsea and its residents expanded parking options
The two new lots have been open for the past month, and are located from Williams to Second Street as well as from Second Street to Everett Avenue. They created nearly 150 new parking spaces that are available for the community.
The lots are free to park in from 6:00pm-Midnight, and are resident sticker only overnight (Midnight-8:00am). From 8:00am-6:00pm, the spots are available to residents and the public for a $0.25 per half-hour fee.
Additional overnight parking is now available!
The parking lot on the right-hand side of Fifth Street as you approach the Williams School Complex has reopened. This lot offers free overnight parking to those with a City of Chelsea resident sticker. Metered parking starts at 8AM.
The last Call for Applications
The Chelsea Preservation Committee is in its Fall application cycle. Projects within the sectors of Affordable Housing, Open Space and Outdoor Recreation, and Historic Preservation are eligible, with preference given to projects requesting less than $200,000. Those interested in applying must go to the City website and complete an eligibility form as soon as possible. Final applications will be due on October 15, 2021. The next cycle will begin in February 2022, please check the City website for continued updates.
Chelsea Seeks New Members for the Youth Commission
The City of Chelsea is accepting applications for its Youth Commission. Members will advise and assist the City Council, the School Committee, and the City Manager in the development of policies, programs, and delivery of services for the health and welfare of Chelsea’s youth and their families. The Youth Commission is comprised of 7 members each being appointed to the position for a one-year term beginning in late October 2021. Interested applicants must be Chelsea residents between the ages of 13 and 20 and currently enrolled in high school. Members will be appointed by the City Manager with the approval of the City Council.
Ideal members of the Youth Commission have a solution-focused attitude and are passionate about making an impact on their community. Members meet the 1st & 3rd Tuesdays of each month and attend additional meetings as needed. Youth interested in being considered for the Commission need to fully commit to making a difference in our community. Applications are available online at https://www.chelseama.gov/youth-commission. For more information call 617-466-5114 or email [email protected].
50+ Fitness Walking Program
Improve your health through walking. Led by a registered nurse who is also a certified fitness and personal trainer, walk at your own pace to build stamina and endurance. Participants meet at the tennis courts located at Mary O’Malley State Park, Commandants Way. Tues & Thurs 9-10am Oct 5-Nov 18 Free – Registration is encouraged! https://recreation.chelseama.gov/
Fridays Family Flicks
Movie Nights return during October in Chelsea! Friday Family Flicks will be Outdoors in the Amphitheater of the Clark Avenue School at 8 Clark Avenue; movies will begin at 6 pm. Free for all residents. Bring a blanket or chair. October 8: Cruella (PG-13) Popcorn will be provided! https://recreation.chelseama.gov/
Guitar Classes for Youth & Adults
The Chelsea Recreation and Cultural Affairs is offering in-person music classes at very affordable prices. Choose between Ukulele or Guitar classes. Thursday evenings, October 7 to November 18. at the Williams Building, 180 Walnut Street. https://recreation.chelseama.gov/
Dance for Children
Mini Movers Studio returns to Chelsea to offer in-person Saturday dance classes Ballet for Preschoolers: ages 3-5 I 9-9:45am; Ballet Lyrical: ages 6-9 I 9:45-10:30am;
Jazz-Hop: ages 4-6 I 10:30-11:15am & ages 7-10 I 11:15-12pm. Classes will be held on Saturday mornings from October 2 to November 20 at the Williams Building, 180 Walnut Street. https://recreation.chelseama.gov/
Yoga for Beginners
The Chelsea Recreation is offering Yoga Beginner classes for ages 18+. The program will focus on alignment while entering, holding, and leaving the posture. Learn breathing and meditation techniques. Bring your own mat. Instructor, Flor Amaya. Classes begin on Thursday, September 30 from 6 to 7 pm at the Williams Building, 180 Walnut Street . https://recreation.chelseama.gov/
New Census Data Reveals Growth in Chelsea
The United States Census Bureau released the first detailed dataset from the 2020 Census in August, which revealed significant growth for the City of Chelsea in a variety of areas.
This initial data report highlighted a variety of areas including trends in population totals, population change, population by race and ethnicity, and housing unit information at the city and town levels. The data range for these trends were from 2010-2020.
In regards to population change, Chelsea enjoyed a near 16 percent increase in population from 2010 to 2020. The 2020 U.S. Census reported that Chelsea had 40,787 residents compared to 35,177 residents in 2010. The past decade was a period of significant growth as the previous census reported just a 0.3 percent population increase from 2000 to 2010.
Over 26,000 residents (26,826) identified as Hispanic or Latino (Any Race), representing 65.8 percent of the City’s population. Nearly 80 percent of Chelsea’s population identified as People of Color, the second largest percentage of any city or town in Massachusetts.
Another area of growth for the city was found in the housing information. The Census reported a 15.3 percent increase in total housing units, growing from 12,621 units to 14,554 over the 10-year period. This represented the largest increase in available housing units in Chelsea since at least 1970. The City’s occupancy rate (94.8 percent) was the highest in Suffolk County while the vacancy rate (5.2 percent) was the lowest in the County.
Chelsea’s total population of 40,787 residents ranks it as the 40th largest city/town in Massachusetts. The City enjoyed the 15th largest numeric population increase in the state with a reported growth of 5,610 residents compared to 2010. Additionally, 31,033 residents in Chelsea reported as being 18 years or older, representing 76.1 percent of the total population.
All of this information and more is available via the UMass Donahue Institute at this link: https://donahue.umass.edu/business-groups/economic-public-policy-research/massachusetts-population-estimates-program/census-2020-data-for-massachusetts
Chelsea Cultural Council FY 22 Grants to Support Art & Cultural Projects
Chelsea Cultural Council has received $33,700 from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) a state agency, to assist public projects that promote access, education, diversity and excellence in the arts, humanities and sciences.
Organizations, schools, individuals are encouraged to apply for grant funds that can be used to support a variety of artistic and cultural projects that benefit citizens in Chelsea – including field trips, exhibits, festivals, short-term arts residencies or performances in schools as well as cultural workshops and lectures. Projects awarded must be implemented between January, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The deadline for completed Online Application must be received by October 15, 2021.
Two Information sessions will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021. Chelsea Cultural Council Representatives will be present from 3:00-5:00pm at the Williams School Building, 180 Walnut Street to answer any questions and a Virtual session will be held that evening from 7:00-8:00pm. Those interested in attending the Virtual session must RSVP at [email protected] to receive a Zoom link.
The Chelsea Cultural Council is participating in a MCC initiative that allows those who are awarded a LCC Standard Grant to be given direct grant funds upfront and in full (a one-time payment) to ease financial challenges grant recipients may encounter, however, grant recipients must follow certain requirements outlined in the Chelsea Cultural Council FY22 Guidelines.
Online Application is available at www.mass-culture.org/chelsea. Guidelines can be picked up at Chelsea City Hall, Recreation & Cultural Affairs Room 104 or find them at www.chelseama.gov/ccc. For additional information call (617) 466-4070 or email [email protected].
FoMR Photo Contest
The revitalization of the Malden River is well underway. All one needs to do is come to the shores of the Malden River at Rivers Edge Park in Medford, River Green Park in Everett or stand on the Medford Street Bridge in Malden! The restoration of the Malden River from an industrial wasteland back to its long ago natural beauty and grandeur is well underway. Considerable public and private investments at River’s Edge, the River Green Park and the proposed new public park at Malden’s DPW have resulted in renewed interest and appreciation this long forgotten jewel.
The Friends of the Malden River (FoMR) invite community members and the general public to document these positive changes by participating in a Photo Contest which showcase the Malden River in three categories: views of the Malden River; people enjoying the environs of the Malden River; and, wildlife around and in the Malden River. A first and second place winner will be announced in each category with the first place winner receiving $20 and the second place winner receiving $15. The contest begins on October 1st and ends November 15th. All entries must be submitted to the FoMR at their email address [email protected]. Detailed contest information can be found on the FoMR website, https://maldenriver.wordpress.com/. Winners will be announced there in early December.
So grab your camera or cell phone and spend an hour or two (or all day) exploring the banks and waters of the Malden River. There are many vantage and access places along the River. Check out the views from the Medford Street bridge in Malden; visit the vistas and walking paths at River’s Edge Park in Medford or stroll through the amazing newly created River Green Park in Everett. You can easily walk to any of these locations or bike along the Northern Trail to come into close proximity to the trails and walkways lining the Malden River. So, discover the Malden River again! Document your discoveries and you may even win a prize!
The Friends of the Malden River is a community group working to promote awareness and interest in the Malden River, improve its water quality, and increase access for public enjoyment. Founded in 2012, the group operates in Everett, Malden, and Medford, the three communities that border the river.