The City of Chelsea began the next phase of its community microgrid project on Monday with the installation of a battery energy storage system in the City Hall parking lot. This work is expected to take place over the next three weeks. More details including expected, but temporary, inconveniences are detailed below.
Project Scope:
Pad Installation: Installation will begin at the pad installation area next to the Emergency Communications Center as shown in the map.
Trenching: Contractors will need to create a trench in the middle of the parking lot, from City Hall to the site of the pad installation.
This installation is a step forward in building a cleaner, more resilient energy system that will help keep the City’s essential services running during emergencies, according to city officials. The project is part of the city’s larger community microgrid project
Project Timeline and Impacts:
Project Timeline: The month of March, 2026.
Hours: Monday through Friday, 3 p.m.–11 p.m.
Expected Inconvenience: Parking and lot access
Parking: Four spots next to the EOC generator fence and three spots in front of the gas meter on the City Hall side will be closed. These spots will be traffic-coned off.
Lot Access: There will be periods when passage through the lot is blocked. The contractor will use plates over the trench when possible to maintain access. In the meantime, people who park on the Washington Avenue side of the lot will only be able to enter and exit on Washington Avenue. People who park on the City Hall Avenue side of the lot will only be able to enter and exit via City Hall Avenue.