BITTERSWEET DEPARTURE
On Nov. 11, City Manager Jay Ash announced his departure from his position after 14 years to accept a cabinet role in Gov.-elect Charlie Baker’s administration. As the new secretary of the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Ash revealed that while other administrations had extended offers previously, he had consistently turned them down because he felt his work in Chelsea—his hometown—remained incomplete. “wp-caption alignright”
According to Ash, a pivotal turning point came when the Wyndham Hotel agreed to locate on Everett Avenue. He noted that he never anticipated such achievements would materialize in Chelsea, though he had consistently planned for them.
ALL-AMERICAN CITY PART 2
After months of preparation, Chelsea emerged victorious in June, securing its second All-American City award in Colorado. The event drew numerous Chelsea residents spanning all ages and ethnicities. The City’s approach differed markedly from previous efforts, featuring presentations from non-government sources, including a memorable musical performance by Chelsea High student Amber Rodriguez. This recognition represented a significant achievement for the City, which had previously won the award in 1998. Attendees described the moment Chelsea was announced as the winner as extraordinary. The award’s momentum and collaborative spirit among local delegates continued to generate positive effects throughout the remainder of the year, with many crediting connections forged in Denver with spurring additional improvements in the city.
MARKET BASKET MANIA
On June 24, more than 1,000 employees, customers and store managers assembled in the parking lot of the Chelsea Market Basket as ownership disputes within the Demoulas Company escalated. The gathering followed the Board of Directors and Arthur S. Demoulas’s removal of CEO Arthur T. Demoulas and several key executives. This ownership crisis triggered numerous rallies throughout the region and dominated summer headlines. The Everett Avenue location became largely deserted, with minimal staffing and customer traffic. Shelves sat nearly bare with little produce available. Local officials and patrons engaged in an informal boycott. Chelsea employees faced financial hardship during the dispute, prompting a community school supply drive to assist their children. A late August late-night meeting produced a settlement, and Arthur T. resumed control of the company. Normalcy returned, and Arthur T. visited the Chelsea store on Labor Day, drawing substantial crowds.
FED CHAIR COMES TO CHELSEA
In October, Janet Yellen, chair of the Federal Reserve Bank, toured the Chelsea CONNECT Center at The Neighborhood Developers (TND) on Gerrish Avenue. Yellen participated in a roundtable discussion with City Manager Jay Ash, TND Director Ann Houston and other community leaders. She subsequently engaged with CONNECT clients and Chelsea residents who described their employment and job training challenges. “fblikebutton_button” National media attention highlighted the event’s departure from typically formal Fed proceedings. Chelsea’s January victory in the Boston Federal Reserve’s Working Cities Challenge had drawn Yellen to the city, with CONNECT and community partners playing instrumental roles in securing that grant.
WYNN IS IN
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) awarded the Greater Boston casino license to Wynn Resorts in Everett, disappointing the Revere-based Mohegan Sun proposal. Chelsea occupied a central position in both proposals but had strongly supported Mohegan Sun, primarily due to an attractive Surrounding Community Agreement. The MGC’s selection of Wynn cost Chelsea a $2.5 million annual mitigation payment from Mohegan Sun. Wynn’s agreement with Chelsea proved substantially smaller at $600,000, achieved only through intensive arbitration with the MGC. City Manager Jay Ash expressed shock at the decision, noting his preference for the Mohegan proposal based on their greater cooperation regarding casino impacts on Chelsea. Though Wynn had been less cooperative during negotiations, Ash committed to moving forward collaboratively with the company.
SURGE OF ILLEGAL MINORS CHALLENGE SCHOOLS, SERVICES
The City, its schools and support services grappled with hundreds of undocumented immigrants and unaccompanied minors arriving from Central America. Enrollment surged dramatically, particularly in middle and high schools. On July 10, City officials, the Chelsea Collaborative and the Chelsea Public Schools convened a well-attended Summit to address the situation and hear from two recent arrivals from El Salvador. “wp-caption alignright” The crisis paralleled the situation at the Texas-Mexico border, with many Chelsea students having traveled through that route.
CLARK AVE SCHOOL GETS OK
In November, the City Council voted to proceed with construction of a new Clark Avenue Middle School. The project had been under development for years but encountered unexpected expenses when the state disclosed costs not covered by the grant. While the state finances most of the project, Chelsea taxpayers will contribute approximately $18 million. Given rising enrollments, the new facility will address a critical need in the public school system.
EXECUTIVE ORDER GIVES RELIEF TO MANY
President Barack Obama’s November executive order deferring deportation for millions of undocumented immigrants provided profound relief to thousands of Chelsea residents. However, the order’s limitations left many others in uncertain circumstances. Some families experienced divided outcomes, with certain members covered while others remained unprotected. The order generated both celebration and distress. Nationally, opponents have threatened legal challenges to block the controversial directive.
PUTTING OUT FIRES
Chelsea firefighters experienced an exceptionally active year. The CFD responded to dozens of working house fires, including a 5-alarm fire on Arlington Avenue during Labor Day. Fire crews also delivered four babies, rescued a man who had jumped from the Tobin Bridge and assisted with the year-long Washington Avenue bridge closure. During a County Road fire last summer, Lt. Arthur Caissie rescued a woman’s life, earning him one of the state Firefighter of the Year Awards in October for his heroic actions.
OVER THE BRIDGE
State Reps. Gene O’Flaherty and Kathi-Anne Reinstein resigned their seats one week apart in January, triggering a special election in February and a regular election in November. Candidates campaigned through the harsh Polar Vortex winter before resuming efforts for the more temperate November election. Charlestown’s Dan Ryan defeated Chelsea’s Roy Avellaneda in both contests, marking the first time in decades that a non-Chelsea resident held the seat. Revere’s RoseLee Vincent assumed Reinstein’s position.
POSITIVE MOVES FORWARD, FBI BREAKS GROUND
Development and positive momentum accelerated throughout the City. The One North development opened its initial phase in April, welcoming residents, while the award-winning PORT Park officially opened in July on Marginal Street. Construction commenced on two hotels, and job fairs for construction and permanent positions attracted hundreds to City Hall. Future plans include at least one additional hotel near the Revere line and park projects at Voke Park and Highland Street. The Box District broke ground and constructed multiple market-rate housing units at 22 and 44 Gerrish Ave., completing the full buildout of the acclaimed mixed-income housing redevelopment. Most significantly, the FBI finally broke ground in the fall, commencing site and construction work at its future Everett Avenue location.
ACTION!
Film production returned to Chelsea during summer months. ‘Black Mass,’ starring Johnny Depp, filmed extensively in Chelsea, including a notable three-day shoot near Quigley Park. ‘Ted 2’ also returned to Chelsea, filming several days in Bellingham Square, particularly at Compare Supermarket. In September, ‘The Equalizer,’ filmed throughout Chelsea in 2013, premiered nationwide. The production had converted Chelsea Floor Coverings on Everett Avenue into a dingy coffee shop. Additional film projects are anticipated in coming years.
A TEMPORARY NEW YEAR
Chelsea concluded 2014 under interim leadership as Assistant City Manager Ned Keefe assumed the interim city manager role on Dec. 19. Keefe will serve for six months into 2015 while the City Council and the new search committee—the Collins Center—conducts a search for a permanent city manager.
MCLAUGHLIN TROUBLE CONTINUES
Michael McLaughlin, former Chelsea Housing Authority (CHA) director, pleaded guilty to an additional federal crime involving fixed housing inspections during his tenure, receiving an extra year of incarceration through a plea agreement. Days later, he pleaded guilty to state charges of unlawfully soliciting campaign contributions for former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray. The Chelsea Retirement Board faced considerable controversy regarding McLaughlin’s pension, with CHA attorneys requesting pension payments as restitution. Following extensive deliberation, the Board determined the CHA held no claim to the pension. The matter remains unresolved before the Board, with resolution unlikely until McLaughlin’s release and personal appearance.