At Monday night’s City Council meeting, the primary focus was on the new five-year Capital Improvement Program, which outlines plans for maintaining and upgrading roadways, water and sewer systems, sidewalks, transportation infrastructure, public buildings, parks, public safety initiatives, and general equipment. However, Councilor Robert Bishop did not sign the resolution that would have brought the proposal before the councilors, as he had several concerns about certain aspects of the proposed work detailed in the document. As a result, the matter was deferred to unfinished business.
The Council still has until the end of the month to approve the recommendations and is expected to revisit the issue at its next meeting.
With the main agenda item temporarily set aside, councilors turned their attention to other topics, including the proposed new tax rate, which could lead to a 5 percent budget increase, and efforts to increase the availability of affordable housing in the city.
Although these two issues may appear unrelated, the councilors ultimately shared a common concern: ensuring that Chelsea families can continue to afford to live in the city.
Bishop raised concerns about the proposed fiscal 2019 tax rate, which will take effect on July 1. “I would like to see a zero tax rate increase,” he said, highlighting that the new tax rate could increase by as much as 5 percent. He noted that many Chelsea homeowners are currently struggling to keep up with their real estate taxes.
In a similar effort, Councilor at-Large Leo Robinson proposed a motion to schedule a meeting with the Planning Board and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to explore the possibility of acquiring foreclosed homes and preserving them as affordable rental units for residents.
Council President Damali Vidot relinquished the chair to speak in support of her motion to amend the existing Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance. “We need to look out for the community,” she said. “Developers have the discretion on whom to provide affordable housing units since we are put into the Boston average median income,” she added.
Vidot also highlighted the impact of the declining availability of affordable housing on Chelsea’s most vulnerable residents, particularly young people. She pointed out that many students in local schools are aware of the financial strain their parents face in remaining in Chelsea or are even homeless, which is affecting their academic performance. “We must be mindful of renters,” she reminded her colleagues.
In another initiative, Vidot is pushing to establish an attendance record for all members appointed to city boards and commissions. “I have received complaints from residents about people not showing up to meetings. We appoint these people, we should know if they are there,” she said. Vidot also mentioned that implementing an attendance record for councilors would be appropriate.
Councilor Joe Perlatonda introduced a proposal to install temporary speed bumps on Clinton Street, one at the intersection with Washburn Ave. and the other at Lisa Lane off Clinton Street. He noted that as summer approaches and neighborhood children spend more time outdoors, these speed bumps would help reduce speeding by drivers.