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Daily brief · Chelsea, MA

City Offers Chestnut Lot Free for Affordable Housing

September 19, 2026

Top story

City releases draft RFP offering Chestnut Street lot for $0 to encourage affordable housing

The city released a draft request for proposals on Sept. 18 offering the parking lot at 208-212 Chestnut Street to developers for $0, with the goal of spurring affordable housing and homeownership units. The draft RFP calls the property underutilized and a magnet for encampments, and sets a nominal price of zero in exchange for affordable development.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Mary O'Malley pier plan faces push for resilience and public access

On September 18, 2026, a City Council resolution sought renewed public engagement on the state pier project, including consideration of sea-level-rise protections, a boat ramp, floating dock and future water-taxi access.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Charter review proposes five-year manager term and appointment checks

The Sept. 22 Charter Review Committee packet, released Sept. 18, proposes a five-year city-manager term, council confirmation of appointments, and a public removal hearing.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Records request seeks city's emergency-light policy for non-police vehicles

A public-records request filed Sept. 19 seeks the city's policy on which non-police and non-fire employees and vehicles may use emergency lights and sirens.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Community-center study finds four sites costing $45M to $63M

A Sept. 17 feasibility study identified four potential community-center sites with total project costs between $45.3 million and $63.0 million, and no funding plan yet.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Draft zoning would allow up to 15-story buildings near Revere line

A Sept. 17 report details draft smart-growth zoning for Fitzpatrick-Prattville that could allow buildings up to 160 feet (about 15 stories) near the Revere boundary, part of a plan to replace 198 public-housing units.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Saturday homebuyer workshop full; no new applications accepted

Chelsea Restoration Corporation's English first-time-homebuyers workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today, Sept. 19. The two-session class is full and not accepting additional applications.

Chelsea Restoration Corporation

New fire station estimate tops $6 million

City documents released Sept. 17 show a preliminary $6.08 million construction estimate for a fire station near Commandants Way and Captain's Row. The site may be on land tied to Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, but acquisition terms are undisclosed.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Monday council agenda includes rat-abatement discussion and World Cup funds

The City Council's Sept. 21 agenda includes $40,438 in remaining World Cup funds, a rat-abatement discussion, appointments, and financial orders.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

Kevin G. Murphy, longtime court official, dies at 83

Kevin G. Murphy, a Chelsea High graduate who spent 65 years in the Suffolk County court system and retired as Clerk Magistrate, died Sept. 14 at age 83, according to a Sept. 19 obituary.

Chelsea Massachusetts | 02150 News

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