Chelsea, Massachusetts

Chelsea is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, directly across the Mystic River from the city of Boston. As of the 2010 census, Chelsea had a population of 35,177.[3] It is also the second most densely populated city in Massachusetts behind Somerville. With a total area of just 2.21 square miles,[4] Chelsea is the smallest city in Massachusetts in terms of total area.[5]

Chelsea, Massachusetts
City
The Tobin Bridge, linking Chelsea and Boston
Seal
Location in Suffolk County and the state of Massachusetts
Chelsea, Massachusetts
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 42°23′30″N 71°02′00″W
CountryUnited States
StateMassachusetts
CountySuffolk
Settled1624
Incorporated1739
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager government
 • City ManagerThomas G. Ambrosino
 • Deputy City ManagerNed Keefe
Area
 • Total2.46 sq mi (6.38 km2)
 • Land2.21 sq mi (5.74 km2)
 • Water0.25 sq mi (0.64 km2)
Elevation
10 ft (3 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total35,177
 • Estimate 
(2019)[2]
39,690
 • Density17,918.74/sq mi (6,917.36/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern)
ZIP Code
02150
Area code(s)617/857
FIPS code25-13205
GNIS feature ID0612723
Websitewww.chelseama.gov

Chelsea is a diverse, working-class community that contains a high level of industrial activity. It is one of only three Massachusetts cities in which the majority of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino, alongside Lawrence and Holyoke. After flirting with bankruptcy in the 1990s, the once-struggling industrial city has reversed a prolonged decline and in recent years has enjoyed sustained economic growth. Thanks to its relative affordability and proximity to Boston, Chelsea has added more than 1,200 homes since 2005, mostly loft-style apartments and condominiums suitable for small families or young professionals. There has also been significant office, retail and restaurant development throughout the city.[6]

History
Old Pratt House in 1908
The Fitz Public Library in 1905

Early settlement

The area of Chelsea was first called Winnisimmet (meaning "good spring nearby") by the Massachusett tribe, which once lived there. It was settled in 1624 by Samuel Maverick, whose palisaded trading post is considered the first permanent settlement by Boston Harbor. In 1635, Maverick sold all of Winnisimmet, except for his house and farm, to Richard Bellingham. The community remained part of Boston until it was set off and incorporated in 1739, when it was named after Chelsea, a neighborhood in London, England.

Role in the Revolutionary War

In 1775, the Battle of Chelsea Creek was fought in the area, the second battle of the Revolution, at which American forces made one of their first captures of a British ship. Part of George Washington's army was stationed in Chelsea during the Siege of Boston.

On February 22, 1841, part of Chelsea was annexed by Saugus, Massachusetts. On March 19, 1846, North Chelsea, which consists of present-day Revere and Winthrop, was established as a separate town.[7] Reincorporated as a city in 1857, Chelsea developed as an industrial center and by mid-century had become a powerhouse in wooden sailing ship construction. As the century wore on, steam power began to overtake the age of the sail and industry in the town began to shift toward manufacturing. Factories making rubber and elastic goods, boots and shoes, stoves, and adhesives began to appear along the banks of Boston Harbor. It became home to the Chelsea Naval Hospital designed by Alexander Parris and home for soldiers.[8]

A changing population

According to local historical records, Nathan Morse, the first Jewish resident of Chelsea, arrived in 1864, and by 1890 there were only 82 Jews living in the city. However, Chelsea was a major destination for the "great wave" of Russian and Eastern European immigrants, especially Russian Jews, who came to the United States after 1890. By 1910 the number of Jews had grown to 11,225, nearly one third of the entire population of the city. In the 1930s there were about 20,000 Jewish residents in Chelsea out of a total population of almost 46,000. Given the area of the city, Chelsea may well have had the most Jewish residents per square mile of any city outside of New York City.[9]

Chelsea Square after the Great Fire of 1908

On April 12, 1908, nearly half the city was destroyed in the first of two great fires that would devastate Chelsea in the 20th century. The fire left 18,000 people, 56 percent of the population, homeless. Despite the magnitude of the destruction, it would only take the city about two and a half years to rebuild and five years to surpass the extent of 1908's infrastructure. The city was also laid out differently after the fire, with wider streets and more access for emergency vehicles. Many of the city's residents left and never returned, which opened the door for many immigrants living in Boston to "move up" to Chelsea. To immigrants living in crowded tenements in Boston's West End, East and South Ends, Chelsea was the next stop on their path of economic upward mobility.[10]

By 1919 Chelsea's population had reached the record level of 52,662, with foreign-born residents comprising 46 percent of the population. Fully transitioned from a suburb to an industrial city, the waterfront flourished, with shipbuilding, lumberyards, metalworks and paint companies lined Marginal Street.[8]

During the 1930s the first exodus of Jews from Chelsea to the suburbs began. As the community prospered and grew, many wanted to seek new opportunities in the more affluent communities of Newton and Brookline. By the 1950s the Jewish population had decreased to about 8,000 and more people began to establish roots in the seaside towns of Swampscott and Marblehead, Massachusetts.[11]

After World War II, Chelsea began a long, slow decline; between 1940 and 1980, the population declined by 38 percent. Chelsea, however, lost more population than other urban areas after the 1950s because of the elevated expressway built to connect the North Shore to Boston, via the Mystic River Bridge (later renamed for Boston Mayor Maurice J. Tobin). Hundreds of homes were lost to make way for the expressway as it cut the city in half. The resulting out-migration took with it many small, local businesses. Historic homes were abandoned, along with industrial buildings, brownfields, salt piles and gas storage tanks dotting the cityscape.

Chelsea Fire 1973
Chelsea Fire 1973 - Rag Shop District
Chelsea, MA

In 1973, disaster struck again when the Second Great Chelsea Fire burned 18 city blocks, leaving nearly a fifth of the city in ashes. Both fires originated in Chelsea's "rag shop district," cluttered streets filled with junk shops hawking scraps, metal, and combustible items. Wood-frame buildings and three- to six-family houses were built tightly together, and quickly caught fire.[12]

A major shift took place in the early 1970s as Chelsea became a center for Latino immigration. Racial conflict and tension became a regular part of life in Chelsea. Although the Hispanic population continued to grow, the city did not hire its first Spanish-speaking police officer until 1992. By the early 1990s, Chelsea was both the poorest and most dangerous city in Massachusetts.

By 1990, Chelsea had collapsed economically and socially. Crime was rampant, not least among the police and local government officials. The population drain made way for more immigrants, but depleted the city's tax base. The cost of running the city and maintaining its infrastructure did not decrease correspondingly so, in 1991, the city suffered fiscal collapse.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts enacted special legislation to place Chelsea into receivership. For the first time since the Great Depression, a Massachusetts city surrendered home rule and allowed a state-appointed receiver to control all aspects of city government. Governor William Weld named James Carlin as the first receiver followed by Lewis "Harry" Spence. City Hall was eviscerated, the police and fire departments reorganized, management of the public schools given to Boston University, and indictments handed down. Mayor John "Butchie" Brennan and two former mayors were found guilty of federal crimes.

Fortunately, Chelsea had no long-term debt publicly held; thus, a solution to its problems could be explored in isolation of creditors.[13]

Contemporary revitalization

By the summer of 1995, when the state returned City Hall to the people of Chelsea, a new government had been born, brought to life by a panel of citizens charged with drafting a new city charter. The new charter eliminated the position of mayor, converting management of the city from a mayor to a council–manager government system, where a city manager is selected by City Council members. As such, municipal government focused on improving the quality of services provided to residents and businesses, while establishing financial policies that have significantly improved the city's financial condition. With their leaders more accountable and efficient, Chelsea reversed its long decline and entered a period of population growth and economic development.

In 1998, the City Council's focused efforts earned Chelsea the distinction of being named one of 10 All-America City Award winners by the National Civic League in recognition of its grass-roots approach to solving problems. Since earning that honor, Chelsea has claimed other victories. The city weathered a recession in the early 2000s and emerged with its finances intact, prompting Chelsea's bond rating to improve.

Chelsea's skyline has been transformed by the construction of the Wyndham Chelsea, built on a lot where junk cars once sat abandoned in the wake of the fire of 1973. Opened in 2001, the hotel chain was the first company to make a substantial investment in Chelsea after receivership. The city's two main shopping centers, the Mystic Mall and Chelsea Commons, have recently undergone major renovations as well.[14]

On July 28, 2014, a tornado touched down in northern Chelsea and made its way to neighboring Revere. While there was relatively little damage in Chelsea, it caused major damage in Revere.[15]

Geography
Downtown Chelsea
City Hall in Bellingham Square

Located on a small peninsula in Boston Harbor covering a mere 2.21 square miles (6 km2), Chelsea is the smallest city by area in Massachusetts. Chelsea is bordered on three sides by water. The Mystic River borders Chelsea to the southwest, the Chelsea Creek and Mill Creek and the Island End River border it to the west.

The topography of Chelsea consists primarily of coastal lowlands, punctuated by four drumlins formed during the last Ice Age. These drumlins are located in the southwest (Admirals Hill), southeast (Mount Bellingham), northeast (Powderhorn Hill) and northwest (Mount Washington). A smaller drumlin (Mill Hill) is located on the east side of Chelsea, adjacent to Mill Creek. This sloped and hilly landscape helps to divide the city into discernible neighborhoods, each with its own character, thereby giving the city a manageable sense of scale and orientation.

Neighborhoods and districts

Despite its small size, there are several distinct neighborhoods in Chelsea:

Admirals Hill: Admirals Hill sits atop a point of land between the Mystic River and Island End River. Containing the Naval Hospital Historic District, the area is mostly residential development enjoying expansive views. On the south slope of the hill is the site of the historic Chelsea Naval Hospital, with several brick and granite structures that have been converted to other uses. Between the Naval Hospital and the shoreline is the Mary O'Malley Park, the largest public park in Chelsea.

Addison-Orange: Adjacent to the north side of downtown, the Addison-Orange neighborhood is residential, flat and densely populated. Washington Avenue runs through this neighborhood.

Bellingham Square: This historic district became the center of commerce and government after the 1908 fire. The cohesiveness of design is the result of community planning after the Great Fire of 1908. The district includes City Hall, modeled after Old Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Public Library and Phoenix Charter Academy's campus.

Box District: Just over a block from City Hall, this once blighted neighborhood gets its name from various box manufacturing companies that operated in the area as early as 1903, when the Russell Box Company began operations at the foot of Gerrish Avenue. Abandoned in the 1960s, the area fell into disrepair until it was rezoned for residential use in the 2000s. It is now the fastest-growing part of Chelsea and has enjoyed a building boom since 2005, with town homes and multifamily housing complexes proliferating in the area.[16]

Carter Park—Wyndham Area: The neighborhood around Carter Park is a small enclave of mostly single-family Queen Anne style homes surrounded by heavy commercial and highly trafficked areas. Route 1 looms above the southeastern edge of this tree-lined neighborhood, and Revere Beach Parkway winds along the northern edge. The Chelsea High School, Floramos, Wyndham Hotel, Boston's FBI regional field office, MGH Healthcare Center, and Mystic Mall (Market Basket, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Five Guys) are located in this area. The historic Chelsea Clock Company used to be located in this area until 2015.

Chelsea Square: This historic district located in the downtown area contains the finest and most intact grouping of mid 19th and early 20th century commercial architecture in the city. Area includes a waterfront district (South Broadway neighborhood) with brick row houses dating to the mid to late 19th century. Third Street is also in the area, becoming the industrial Everett Avenue. The Chelsea Police Department is located here.

Chelsea Commons: Formerly known as Parkway Plaza, Chelsea Commons sits on a low flat area near the end of Mill Creek, part of which was on a former landfill and clay pit. The plaza consists of big-box retail, fast-food restaurants, and two large apartment buildings. It is bordered by a strip of wetlands on both sides. Webster Ave, Mill Creek Riverwalk, Creekside Common, and Beth Israel Deaconess HealthCare.

Mill Hill: This largely residential area consists mostly of two- and three-story wood frame detached buildings. Covering the smallest of the city's drumlins, the Mill Hill neighborhood sits on a small neck of land bounded by Chelsea Creek and Mill Creek. This neighborhood is on the Revere line. Eastern Avenue goes through his neighborhood.

Prattville: Is the northwestern section of the city. It also borders Revere and Everett to the west. Pizza Lovers, Washington Park, Voke Park, and The Newbridge Cafe are located in this area. Metro Credit Union and McDonald's have a large presence there as well. Next to these chains is another, smaller Chelsea Firefighter station. Garfield and Washington Avenues are in Prattville. Route 1 is on the east side of Prattville, and Route 16 is on the south side.

Soldiers Home: The Soldiers Home neighborhood covers the steep slopes and the peak of Powderhorn Hill. This residential area contains some examples of Queen Anne style architecture. Soldiers Home is one of the least dense neighborhoods in the city. At the peak sits the Soldiers Home, a large structure that dominates much of this area. However, there are some smaller associated brick structures in the area as well as Malone Park.

Waterfront District: For the first time, Chelsea is breaking through the heavy industry piled up along the Chelsea Creek, and reconnecting with its waterfront. Established to promote water-oriented industrial uses at Forbes Industrial Park and the lower Chelsea Creek waterfront, its use remains primarily industrial. Most of the waterfront from the Tobin Bridge to the mouth of Mill Creek is a Designated Port Area (DPA), and Chelsea has in the last decade embraced it. The city is encouraging industry to move in, but only if they help finance a new park on the waterfront.[17]

Demographics

Statistics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1790472—
180084979.9%
1810594−30.0%
18206428.1%
183077120.1%
18402,390210.0%
18506,701180.4%
186013,39599.9%
187018,54738.5%
188021,78217.4%
189027,90928.1%
190034,07222.1%
191032,452−4.8%
192043,18433.1%
193045,8166.1%
194041,259−9.9%
195038,912−5.7%
196033,749−13.3%
197030,625−9.3%
198025,431−17.0%
199028,71012.9%
200035,08022.2%
201035,1770.3%
2019 (est.)39,690[2]12.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[18]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[19] there were 35,177 people, 11,888 households, and 7,614 families residing in the city. The population density was 16,036.8 people per square mile (6,184.7/km2), placing it among the highest in population density among U.S. cities.[20] There were 12,337 housing units at an average density of 5,639.9 per square mile (2,175.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 47.8% White,[21] 8.5% Black or African American, 3.1% Asian, 1.1% Native American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 33.6% from other races, and 5.9% were multiracial. In addition, 62.1% of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino (of any race), which includes 18.2% Salvadoran, 12.7% Puerto Rican, 8.4% Honduran, 7.3% Guatemalan, 2.8% Mexican, 2.2% Dominican, 0.5% Cuban, 0.5% Costa Rican, 0.4% Nicaraguan, 0.4% Panamanian, 1.4% other Central American countries, 2.5% other South American countries, 5.3% other Hispanic/Latino.[22]

There were 11,888 households, out of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 20.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36% were non-families. Of all households 28.8% were made up of individuals, and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.87 and the average family size was 3.5.

The population was spread out, with 27.3 under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 16.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,161, and the median income for a family was $32,130. Males had a median income of $27,280 versus $26,010 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,628. About 20.6% of families and 23.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.8% of those under age 18 and 20.9% of those age 65 or over.

Foreign-born population

In 2010, 38% of Chelsea residents had been born outside of the United States. This is the highest percentage of foreign-born residents in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.[23]

Within recent years, the city has made a sustained effort to work with both immigrant communities and persons of minority faiths. Its "Interfaith Alliance" brings members of the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim communities together to promote inclusiveness, diversity, and tolerance. And its continued loyalty to its 2007 Sanctuary City Resolution aims to support all foreign born residents regardless of their country of origin or immigration status.[24]

Government
See also: Massachusetts Senate's Middlesex and Suffolk district, Massachusetts House of Representatives' 2nd Suffolk district, and Massachusetts House of Representatives' 16th Suffolk district

Local
Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of February 1, 2017
PartyNumber of VotersPercentage
Democratic8,37052.24%
Republican8485.29%
Libertarian190.12%
Unenrolled6,59741.18%
Total No. Registered Voters16,021100%
2020-2021 Council Members
NameTitle
Leo RobinsonCouncilor At-Large
Roy AvellanedaCouncilor At-Large, President
Damali VidotCouncilor At-Large
Todd TaylorDistrict 1 Councilor
Melinda VegaDistrict 2 Councilor
Naomi ZabotDistrict 3 Councilor
Enio LopezDistrict 4 Councilor
Judith GarciaDistrict 5 Councilor, Vice President
Giovanni A. RecuperoDistrict 6 Councilor
Yamir RodriguezDistrict 7 Councilor
Calvin T. BrownDistrict 8 Councilor

Economy

Top employers

According to Chelsea's 2012 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[25] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 City of Chelsea 1,254
2 Massachusetts Information Technology Center 1,150
3 Market Basket 900
4 Massachusetts Water Resources Authority 568
5 Kayem Foods 328
6 Massachusetts General Hospital 246
7 Paul Revere Transportation 220
8 Signature Breads 202
9 Metropolitan Credit Union 178
10 Stop & Shop 120

Economic development

Under City Manager Ambrosino, Chelsea has implemented several innovative data analysis and tracking programs. Many of these programs are led and administered in conjunction with fellows from the Harvard Kennedy School's Innovation Field Lab. According to Chelsea's 2017 "State of the City" report, "this partnership allows the city to benefit from the questions and suggestions of [domestic and] international graduate students."

These data analysis programs have played a particularly helpful role in the city's efforts to "revitalize" the downtown area around Bellingham Square via the "Re-Imagining Broadway" initiative. In 2016, the City Council approved a $5.2 million grant for infrastructure improvements in the district. The project has been supported by a newly hired Downtown Coordinator and aims to engage residents and local businesses in a collective effort to advance the economic prosperity and quality of life in the district.

Since the beginning of 2017 City officials kicked off Reimagining Broadway as a way to improve the downtown streets for motorists, pedestrians, and public transit.[26] On July 23, 2019 the Baker-Polito Administration announced the expansion of the Transformative Development Initiative (TDI), a MassDevelopment program for Gateway Cities designed to accelerate economic growth within focused districts. Lt. Governor Karyn Polito made the announcement with MassDevelopment President and CEO Lauren Liss, New Bedford Mayor Jon Mitchell, and members of the New Bedford legislative delegation at the WHALE Co-Creative Center in New Bedford. "Our administration is pleased to further expand this program, which represents an innovative, block-by-block approach to revitalizing local economies." said Governor Charlie Baker.[27]

Chelsea has been engaging businesses and residents in the Broadway Central Business District encouraging them to participate in economic development programs such as "Re-Imagining Broadway" and "Chelsea Centro".[28] The project includes design and parking studies of the corridor from Chelsea Square through Bellingham Square to Fay Square. Over the next several years the corridor will be reconstructed to enhance public safety, enable businesses to thrive, and make downtown Chelsea a place where more people want to be.

There are other similar projects like "Commonwealth Places" a collaborative initiative from MassDevelopment and the civic crowdfunding platform Patronicity, and "The Chelsea Business Foundation" are in progress and scheduled for spring/summer 2020.[29][30]

Capital Improvement Plan

As summarized by the "State of the City" report, Chelsea's Capital Improvement Plan will invest in "park development, building improvements, water and sewer upgrades, and neighborhood street/sidewalks improvements. Other specific investments in new graffiti removal and snow removal equipment will enhance the quality of life for residents." The expenditures for Fiscal Year 2018 and Fiscal Year 2018–2022 can be found to the right. Total expenditures are divided between utility enhancement, equipment acquisition, parks and open space, public buildings and facilities, public safety, and surface enhancement. For Fiscal Year 2018, almost 64% of the budget will be dedicated to surface enhancements, which includes citywide sidewalks, marginal street pre-engineering, Shurtleff Street roadway and sidewalks, casino mitigation/transportation, citywide traffic calming, Congress Avenue road and sidewalks, Downtown Broadway engineering and construction, and Highland Street Greenway Phase II.[31][32]

Residential development

Housing Composition: According to the 2011–2015 Community Survey, there are a total of 12,940 households in Chelsea, 27.9% of which are owner-occupied and 72.1% of which are renter-occupied. Although Chelsea has been known as the "City of Renters", there has been a push for home ownership. This has been pushed in particular by the Chelsea Restoration Corporation, which offers educational housing workshops and works in partnership with other state, municipal, and private partners to "rehabilitate properties and increase the stock of affordable housing."

Heating: Over half (55.4%) of the housing units in Chelsea use utility gas, 29.8% use electricity, 12.7% use fuel oil, kerosene, etc. and smaller portion (2.1%) of housing units use bottled, tank, or LP gas, as well as other fuel or no fuel at all. With these statistics in mind, Chelsea has started several initiatives towards renewable energy and sustainability. One includes a partnership with SolSmart, a team of individuals dedicated to implementation of Solar energy, by making solar panels accessible through zoning laws, offering affordable solar options and providing education and resources for those who are interested in these efforts.[33][34]

Reimagine Broadway

Reimagine Broadway was a six-month long planning effort that began in 2017 to transform downtown Chelsea, with the guidance of the Chelsea City Council, City Manager Ambrosino, Planning and Developing Downtown Coordinator Mimi Graney and several others. This effort ranges from supporting small business owners to re-designing the streetscape. The goals of this project were to "Enhance how public space is used and accessed downtown, support existing businesses and encourage new growth, beautify the area and create a consistent, vibrant look, improve overall safety for all users, establish a circulation pattern that works for cars, buses, pedestrians, transit riders, and bicyclists."[35][36]

Transportation

Roads

The Route 1 North Expressway is a limited access highway that cuts City of Chelsea in half. The Tobin Bridge, a major regional transportation artery, carries Route 1 from Chelsea across the Mystic River to Charlestown.[37]

Train

Chelsea is served by the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority's Commuter Rail. The Commuter Rail provides service from Boston's North Station with the Chelsea station on its Newburyport/Rockport Line. Chelsea does not have a link to the MBTA subway or light rail systems.

Bus

Chelsea is served by many MBTA bus routes providing local service to East Boston, Revere, Everett, and other nearby cities as well as bus rapid transit connections to Logan Airport and downtown Boston via the MBTA's Silver Line.

Main article: Silver Line (MBTA) § Extension to Chelsea
Map of the planned Silver Line Gateway route to Mystic Mall in Chelsea

The Silver Line's SL3 route to Chelsea has been in operation since 2018.[38] The new SL3 route begins at South Station and runs through the Waterfront Tunnel, along with the SL1 and SL2 routes, to Silver Line Way, continuing with the SL1 through the Ted Williams Tunnel. The new route diverges to meet the Blue Line at Airport Station, and follows the Coughlin Bypass Road (a half-mile commercial-use-only road which opened in 2012)[39] to the Chelsea Street Bridge. The Silver Line stops at the four stations in Chelsea: Eastern Avenue, Box District, Downtown Chelsea, and Mystic Mall. A new $20 million Chelsea commuter rail station and "transit hub" was constructed at the Mystic Mall terminus of the new Silver Line route, so that trains no longer block Sixth Street.[40][41] The new Silver Line and commuter rail stations are fully handicapped accessible.[42]

Additionally, a multi-use 0.75-mile (1.21 km) shared path 0.75-mile (1.21 km) linear park runs parallel to the Silver Line bus rapid transit busway utilizing the Boston & Albany Railroad's Grand Junction Branch right-of-way. Located within the Box District neighborhood, the path connects Downtown Chelsea and Eastern Avenue stations.[43]

Education

Chelsea Public Schools has four elementary schools, three middle schools, and one high school, Chelsea High School. The Chelsea school system has historically been towards the bottom of the state's test score rankings. It is plagued by high turnover among students. A very high percentage of students move in or out over the course of the year, and the dropout rate is high. In 1988, the school board made the unprecedented move of delegating its authority for control of the school district to Boston University. In June 2008, a partnership with BU ended, and the schools returned to full local control.

Chelsea has no private schools remaining with St. Rose closing in June 2020. In addition, there are two public charter schools, the Excel Academy and Phoenix Charter Academy. Bunker Hill Community College and the for-profit Everest Institute have satellite locations of their schools in Chelsea.

Elementary, middle, and high schools in Chelsea include:

  • William A. Berkowitz Elementary School
  • Edgar F. Hooks Elementary School
  • George F. Kelly Elementary School
  • Frank M. Sokolowski Elementary School
  • Joseph A. Browne School
  • Clark Avenue School
  • Eugene Wright Science and Technology Academy
  • Excel Academy-Chelsea
  • Phoenix Charter Academy- Chelsea
  • Chelsea High School

There are also two post-secondary campuses:

  • Bunker Hill Community College - Chelsea Campus
  • Everest Institute - Chelsea Campus

School committee

The Chelsea School Committee is composed of nine elected members, eight of whom represent a district within Chelsea and one of whom serves the committee At-Large. The 2016-2017 School Committee members include Shawn O'Reagan (Delegate to the Chelsea City Council), Rosemarie Carlisle (Vice-chairman), Jeanette Velez (Chairperson), Richard Maronski, Diana Maldonado, Robert J. Pereira (Delegate to the Shore Collaborative), Ana Hernandez, Kelly Garcia, and Yessenia Alfaro-Alvarez.[44]

As stated by the "Rules and Regulations of the Chelsea School Committee", the responsibilities of these elected officials include: hiring a Superintendent, developing policy that will then be used as a guide by the Superintendent of Schools, assessing the effectiveness of these policies, determining a budget to support policy implementation, and encouraging community engagement to keep the local community informed about the state of schools, as well as a manner of identifying the needs of the public.[45]

Community development
ROCA

Chelsea houses several non-profit organizations. Among them are ROCA, which provides services to disadvantaged youth and immigrant families, respectively. ROCA's goal is to reduce incarceration rates and transform the lives of young individuals in and around Chelsea.

Chelsea Collaborative

Similarly, according to the Chelsea Collaborative's website, it is committed to the "social, environmental and economic health of the community and its people." These non-profit organizations continue to positively impact and engage the community within Chelsea.

CAPIC

The Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc. (CAPIC) is a non-profit organization, which serves the cities of Revere, Winthrop and Chelsea. CAPIC's goals are to identify the "needs, problems, and concerns of those in poverty" and enable them to be self-sufficient. CAPIC is an umbrella organization which houses many programs that range from early childhood education to Head Start to day-to-day resources through their tax preparation program.

MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center

After the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment Report and Implementation Plan, the Mass General Hospital's (MGH) Center for Community Health Improvement (CCHI) determined a need to address factors that lead to adolescent substance use and mental health within Chelsea and surrounding cities

TND - Chelsea Thrives

The Neighborhood Developers' (TND) mission is to promote healthy homes, financial mobility and engage neighbors through offering affordable home options, access to a Financial Opportunity Center and coordinated community events, such as neighborhood walks. With the collaboration of 25 different private and public sector institutions, TND has been a partner in the goal of reducing crime over a ten-year span.

Hub

As stated on the Chelsea Police Department's website, the Hub is a collaborative initiative between the Police department and several community organizations to help remove risks, such as, but not limited to drug addiction, domestic violence, or human trafficking from individuals and families. Their goal is to create a safe and healthy environment, where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.

Healthy Chelsea

In 2009, after identifying the needs for "obesity prevention and promotion of healthy living," a coalition of 75 individuals that serve the local government, state government, community healthcare providers and businesses dedicated themselves to addressing Chelsea's high obesity rate.

The coalition works closely with Chelsea Public Schools to implement healthier eating habits and advocate for a dedicated time spent on physical activity. The coalition also formed a collaboration with Chelsea's Planning and Development Department to improve infrastructure through park renovations and installations, traffic calming measures, and road and sidewalk redesigns. Healthy Chelsea works alongside the Board of Health to integrate a regulation for artificial trans-fat free for prepared foods served in businesses within Chelsea.

GreenRoots

GreenRoots is a community-based organization in Chelsea, MA whose mission is to achieve environmental justice and a greater quality of life for Chelsea residents. Beginning in 1994, GreenRoots was originally known as the Chelsea Green Space Committee and was part of Chelsea Collaborative Inc., a larger umbrella organization supporting social, environmental, and economic health of people in Chelsea. In April of 2016, members of the Chelsea Green Space Committee decided to launch an independent organization, creating GreenRoots to focus more closely on specific issues of environmental justice.[46]

Chelsea has a total area of 1.8 square miles with almost 45,000 residents, making it one of the most densely populated cities in the state. 70% of Chelsea residents are minorities, and 24% live below the poverty line.[47] Due to Chelsea’s strategic location between the Mystic River, the Island End River, Chelsea Creek, and Mill Creek, it has been home to many industries associated with negative environmental and public health impacts. Nearby to Logan International Airport, the Chelsea Creek waterfront stores 100% of the airport’s jet fuel in massive tanks along the water's edge. The city is also home to many manufacturing, airport-related, and commercial buildings that contribute to decreased air quality and environmental injustice in this predominantly minority and low-income community. Five affordable housing buildings are located along the Chelsea Creek waterfront, and are thus exposed to poor air quality from airplanes and industrial pollution.[48]

GreenRoots activists employ community organization strategies that emphasize collective unity, education, and youth leadership. With a board and staff made up almost entirely of Chelsea residents, GreenRoots has always included the voices of the people of Chelsea in their decision-making processes.

Funded by Southwest Airlines and the National Recreation and Parks Association’s Great Urban Park Campaign, GreenRoots’ projects have spanned a variety of parts of the urban system: from transportation to increasing urban green spaces.[49] Notable projects include: the restoration of more than two acres of urban salt marsh in Mill Creek, the creation of new parks in Mill Creek including waterfront walkways, educational signage, and a natural playground, preventing the siting and construction of a diesel power plant across from the elementary school, and a 9-year youth-led campaign to lower MBTA fares for students.[50]

Fire department
Chelsea Fire Department (CFD)
Operational area
CountryUnited States
State Massachusetts
CityChelsea
Agency overview
Annual calls~11,000
Employees95
Fire chiefRobert Better
EMS levelBLS First Responder
Facilities and equipment
Battalions1
Stations3
Engines3
Trucks2
Squads1
Rescues1
Tenders1
USAR1
Chelsea Fire Headquarters

The city of Chelsea is protected by the career professional firefighters of the City of Chelsea Fire Department, operating from three fire stations across the city, each shift commanded by a Deputy Chief. Chelsea Fire operates an apparatus fleet of four engines, two ladders, two special operations units, a maintenance unit, a foam-tender unit, and several other special, support, and reserve units. Chelsea Fire responds to ~11,000 emergency calls annually.[51] As of April 2019, the Chief of Department was Leonard A. Albanese, who accepted the job in 2016, after serving as Fire Chief of the North Providence Fire Department.[52][53] He succeeded Acting Chief Robert Houghton,[54] who had taken on that role while former Chief of Department Robert Better was on medical leave; Better retired in January 2015.[55]

Chelsea Engine 2 responded to over 4,000 emergency calls annually, with 4,269 in 2011, placing it among the busiest engine companies in the United States, and at 120% of the maximum acceptable threshold for engine company call volume, as set by the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.[56]

Fire station locations and apparatus
Engine Company Ladder Company Special Unit Command Unit Address Neighborhood
Engine 1Rescue 1, Engine 4 (Spare)32 Sagamore Ave.Prattville
Engine 2Tower 1Squad 5, Foam Tender Unit (Class B), Maintenance Unit, Special Operations Unit 1, Special Operations Unit 2, Fire Prevention & Arson FleetChief 1(Chief of Department), Chief 2(Deputy Chief of Operations), K1(Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention), H1 (Deputy Chief Training and Safety), H2 (Hazmat Officer)307 Chestnut St.Downtown
Engine 3Ladder 2885 BroadwayMill Hill

Sites of interest

Historic places

Chelsea has eight places on the National Register of Historic Places.

Chelsea Clock Company

Founded in 1897, the Chelsea Clock Company is one of the oldest, largest, and few remaining American clock manufacturing companies in existence. For over a century, Chelsea's clockmakers have been designing and handcrafting distinguished, high quality clocks for customers in the corporate, consumer, government and marine markets. In 2015, the Chelsea Clock Company moved to a smaller building a few blocks away from the original location.[57] Today, the company continues to build and repair clocks from its new headquarters. The old building is slated for demolition to make way for a new apartment building.

Open space
  • Kayem Park
  • Dever Park
  • Anita's Garden
  • Kaboom Park
  • Eden Street Park
  • Bellingham Park
  • Port Park
  • Ciepela Memorial Park
  • O'Neil Park
  • Mystic River Overlook Park & Dog Park
  • Carter Park
  • Voke Park

Notable people

See also
  • List of mayors of Chelsea, Massachusetts

References
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Further reading
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