By Seth Daniel
The Chelsea City Council convened on Tuesday night, May 30, for a second attempt at resolving a contentious two-hour parking proposal for Cary Square. The measure had been voted down on May 22, but without the required number of votes to legally deny it under the City Charter.
This time, the outcome mirrored the previous result, though with a decisive margin. The proposal—backed by Pan Y Cafe owner Councillor Roy Avellaneda and several other business leaders operating in the Square—fell to a 7-2 defeat.
Supporting the measure were Councillor Matt Frank and Dan Cortell. Councillor Avellaneda recused himself owing to his financial stake in the matter, while Councillor Recupero was absent once again.
Voting to strike down the Traffic Commission’s two-hour parking plan covering eight spots in the Square were Councillors Damali Vidot, Luis Tejada, Enio Lopez, Judith Garcia, Leo Robinson, Yamir Rodriguez and Paul Murphy.
The issue appeared settled following the May 22 session, a contentious gathering drawing numerous residents that concluded with a 5-2 vote. The following day, however, officials recognized that overturning a Traffic Commission decision required a Council majority—at least six votes. Councillor Rodriguez promptly filed for reconsideration, prompting Council President Robinson to schedule this Special Emergency Meeting within the required 30-day window.
After procedural rules were laid out and Frank and Cortell raised questions about appropriateness, the Council proceeded with the final vote following clarification of all logistics. The meeting concluded in approximately 10 minutes.
Tuesday’s session represented the continuation of previous heated discussions on this matter, building on earlier contentious Traffic Commission meetings throughout the year.
The May 22 meeting drew numerous residents and business owners to the Council Chambers, with attendees divided between those opposing the eight new two-hour parking restrictions and those supporting them. Avellaneda had initially proposed the concept to the Traffic Commission earlier in the year, advocating for an extensive meter program. His argument centered on commuters occupying all available parking in the Square to access the 111 bus route, thereby denying parking to his customers and those of other businesses.
The Commission responded with a compromise, establishing eight two-hour spots on a trial basis through August.
The decision provoked strong opposition from many businesses and Cary Square Club members, who urged the Council to exercise its rarely-used oversight authority to reject the parking program.
Approval of the Commission’s report came two weeks prior, though the Cary Square matter was removed from that report and deferred until Monday night.
“There was not an issue there and never has been an issue,” stated Karen Moschella of Off Broadway Dance. “No one is parking in Cary Square and taking the bus in. Maybe further up on Washington Avenue, ok, but not here.”
Zaida Ismatul-Oliva from Spruce Street expressed her and her mother’s opposition to the change.
“I find it problematic that we’re now trying to change two-hour parking for one or two businesses in the area when its always been parking for residents,” she remarked.
Dan Morales, operating the Blue Frog Sports Bar in Cary Square, voiced his support for the initiative.
“I’m in favor of the parking restrictions because I think it will help businesses,” he explained. “I have personally seen people park and take the bus and take up spots for five or six hours. That limits the amount of business you can do.”
Michael Albano of Willard Street contended that the time had come to revitalize the business district.
“It seems to me the Parking Commission got it right,” he stated. “I would like to make Cary Square a place people want to go and make vibrant and a place that businesses can flourish.”
Most councillors disagreed with this perspective.
Councillor Rodriguez argued the timing was inappropriate given the Clark Avenue School construction project, which was consuming numerous parking spaces temporarily.
Councillor Tejada, representing a nearby district, concurred, noting that approximately 15 or more spaces were occupied by the Clark Avenue project, forcing residents to seek parking in the Square.
“I’m not in favor of this because it’s just not the right timing,” Rodriguez stated. “We have a lot of projects going on right now and it’s pushing the parking issue to other places. We need to wait until that is finished and we should solve the parking issue another way. Two hour parking is not the solution.”
Councillor Cortell took a different stance, supporting the proposal. Residing on Admiral’s Hill, he seldom visits Cary Square due to access and parking difficulties.
“I think the Parking and Traffic Commission got it right,” he noted. “They did compromise. It was on a trial basis until August…The Traffic Commission meetings were well attended…They chose a compromise. I’m in favor of the compromise.”
Ultimately, the Council successfully rescinded the two-hour parking measure, with no apparent efforts toward appeal or alternative proposals emerging.