FAQs

Excise tax is an annual tax on motor vehicles under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 60A. The tax is levied in lieu of a personal property tax by the municipality of principal garaging of the vehicle.  The tax is based on a calendar year and not a fiscal year.

All owners of vehicles with Massachusetts' license plates

The excise tax payment is due 30 days from the date of issue.

The Registry of Motor Vehicles supplies the data based on their records as of January 1 of the current calendar year.

Yes. The city mails the bills based on the data from the RMV. It is your responsibility to make sure your address is correct with RMV. You are always responsible for your bill even if the RMV does have the correct information and you did not receive one in the mail.

If your payment is late you will incur fees and interest which cannot be reversed. Do not ignore your excise bill. Your driver's license and vehicle registration will also be returned to the Registry of Motor Vehicles for non-renewal action.

The rate of $25 per thousand dollars of the vehicle valuation. The value of the vehicle is determined by the Registry of Motor Vehicles formula taking the applicable percentage for the year of the Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. The manufacturers list price rather than the actual purchase price is used to calculate motor vehicle excise tax. The calculation is the same for all municipalities in the Commonwealth.

In the year preceding the year of manufacture	50%
In the year of manufacture	90%
In the 2nd year of manufacture	60%
In the 3rd year	40%
In the 4th year	25%
In the 5th year and beyond	10

Members of the military who are domiciled in another state but stationed in Massachusetts are exempt from excise tax for vehicles registered in Massachusetts. To file an abatement, the servicemember must provide a copy of their orders signed by the Commanding Officer.

If an owner of a motor vehicle thinks that they are entitled to an adjustment of their excise bill, it is strongly recommended that they pay the bill. This will prevent the bill from incurring fees and interest.

You can print out a Motor Vehicle Abatement Form from this site. Follow the directions on the form and send it to the Assessor’s Office.

Items to consider:

• No abatement shall be granted for less than $5.00, and no amount shall be refunded below $5.00
• For questions about the valuation of your vehicle, contact the RMV at 857-368-8000.  All valuations are determined by the RMV
• Address changes and garage codes are processed through the RMV
• You are not entitled to an abatement if you cancel your registration and retain ownership of the vehicle or move to another Massachusetts city or town during the same calendar year.  You must notify the RMV within 30 days of any change of residence, mailing or garaging address.

Yes, they are prorated on a monthly basis. For example, if you paid your excise tax bill and then sell the car in June, you would receive have 50% of the original payment abated. If a vehicle is registered for any part of a month, however, the excise will be due for the entire month.

In order to determine the eligibility of abatement, we need two items from you:

• A copy of the plate return receipt from the Registry of Motor Vehicles
• Proof that you no longer own the vehicle

Just cancelling the license plates does not qualify for an abatement.

The vehicle was junked:  A copy of the receipt from the junkyard which describes the vehicle AND a copy of your plate cancellation receipt from the Massachusetts RMV.

The vehicle has been sold:  Supply the office with a signed Bill of Sale with the date of the transaction. Include the description of the vehicle, VIN (vehicle identification number), along with the buyer’s name. We also need a copy of your plate cancellation receipt or new car registration if you transferred the license plates to the new vehicle.

You moved out of Massachusetts:  You will need to send a copy of your car’s current registration from your new state AND a copy of your plate cancellation receipt from the Massachusetts RMV.

The vehicle was donated to charity: If you donated your vehicle, supply the office with a dated receipt from the charity which describes the vehicle donated AND a copy of your plate cancellation receipt from the Massachusetts RMV.

The vehicle was a Total Loss: Supply the office with a copy of the accident report which shows the date of the accident and describes the car that was totaled. You also need to provide a plate cancellation receipt from the RMV.

The vehicle was traded in for a new vehicle:  Provide a copy of your purchase agreement which will show the vehicle and VIN for the car you are trading in. We also need a copy of your plate cancellation receipt or new car registration if you transferred the license plates to the new vehicle.

The vehicle was stolen: If the vehicle was stolen and not recovered then the owner can apply for an abatement. The owner of the vehicle must submit to the Assessor’s Office a copy of the settlement letter from the insurance company, copy of the police report, AND a C-19 form from the RMV. The C-19 form is an Affidavit of Lost or Stolen license plate.

The Vehicle was returned under Lemon Law: Bring a letter from the dealer certifying that the vehicle was returned AND a plate return receipt or a new registration form if the plate was transferred to another vehicle.

The vehicle was repossessed: Supply a copy of the notice from the lienholder AND a plate return receipt or a new registration form if the plate was transferred to another vehicle.

The car that you lease is owned by the finance company and they paid the city for the excise tax. When your lease ends and you return the vehicle will not result in an abatement. The finance company must apply for an abatement and send proof that they have transferred ownership and that the registration was cancelled. The abatement will be issued to the finance company.

Follow up directly with the finance company to get a refund on what you paid.

El impuesto especial es un impuesto anual sobre los vehículos de motor en virtud del Capítulo 60A de las Leyes Generales de Massachusetts. El impuesto se aplica en lugar de un impuesto sobre bienes inmuebles por el municipio de garage principal del vehículo.  El impuesto se basa en un año del calendario y no en un año fiscal.

Todos los propietarios de vehículos con matrículas de Massachusetts.

El pago del impuesto especial debe realizarse 30 días a partir de la fecha de emisión.

El Registro de Vehículos Motorizados proporciona los datos basados en sus registros a partir del 1 de enero del año de calendario actual.

Sí. La ciudad envía por correo las facturas en función de los datos del Registro de Vehículos Motorizados (RMV). Es su responsabilidad asegurarse de que su dirección es correcta con RMV. Usted siempre es responsable de su factura, incluso si el RMV tiene la información correcta y no recibió una por correo.

Si su pago se retrasa, incurrirá en cargos e intereses que no se pueden revertir. No ignore su factura de impuestos especiales. Su licencia de conducir y el registro del vehículo también serán devueltos al Registro de Vehículos Motorizados para una acción de no renovación.

La tasa de $25 por mil dólares de la valoración del vehículo. El valor del vehículo es determinado por la fórmula del Registro de Vehículos Motorizados tomando el porcentaje aplicable para el año del Precio de Venta sugerido por el Fabricante. El precio de lista de los fabricantes en lugar del precio de compra real se utiliza para calcular el impuesto especial de vehículos de motor. El cálculo es el mismo para todos los municipios de la Mancomunidad.

En el año anterior al año de fabricación	50%
En el año de fabricación	90%
En el segundo año de fabricación	60%
En el tercer año	40%
En el cuarto año	25%
En el quinto año y más allá	10

Los miembros de las fuerzas armadas que están domiciliados en otro estado pero estacionados en Massachusetts están exentos del impuesto especial para los vehículos registrados en Massachusetts. Para presentar una reducción, el miembro del servicio debe proporcionar una copia de sus órdenes firmadas por el Oficial al mando.

Si el propietario de un vehículo de motor piensa que tiene derecho a un ajuste de su factura de impuestos especiales, se recomienda encarecidamente que pague la factura. Esto evitará que la factura incurra en cargos e intereses.

Puede imprimir un Formulario de Reducción de Vehículos Motorizados desde este sitio. Siga las instrucciones del formulario y envíelo a la Oficina del Asesor.

Artículos a considerar:

• No se concederá ninguna reducción por menos de $5.00, y no se reembolsará ninguna cantidad por debajo de $5.00
• Para preguntas sobre la valoración de su vehículo, comuníquese con el RMV al 857-368-8000.  Todas las valoraciones son determinadas por el RMV
• Los cambios de dirección y los códigos de garaje se procesan a través del RMV
• Usted no tiene derecho a una reducción si cancela su registro y conserva la propiedad del vehículo o se muda a otra ciudad o pueblo de Massachusetts durante el mismo año calendario.  Debe notificar al RMV dentro de los 30 días de cualquier cambio de residencia, correo o dirección de garage principal del vehículo.

Sí, se prorratea mensualmente. Por ejemplo, si pagó su factura de impuestos especiales y luego vendió el automóvil en junio, recibiría que el 50% del pago original se rebasó. Sin embargo, si un vehículo está matriculado durante cualquier parte de un mes, el impuesto especial se pagará durante todo el mes.

Para determinar la elegibilidad de la reducción, necesitamos dos artículos de usted:

• Una copia del recibo de devolución de la placa del Registro de Vehículos Motorizados
• Prueba de que ya no eres el propietario del vehículo

Sólo cancelar las matrículas no califica para una reducción.

El vehículo fue chatarra: Una copia del recibo de la chatarrería que describe el vehículo  Y una copia de su recibo de cancelación de placa del RMV de Massachusetts.

El vehículo ha sido vendido: Suministrar a la oficina una factura de venta firmada con la fecha de la transacción. Incluya la descripción del vehículo, VIN (número de identificación del vehículo), junto con el nombre del comprador. También necesitamos una copia de su recibo de cancelación de placa o registro de coche nuevo si transfirió las matrículas al vehículo nuevo.

Usted se mudó de Massachusetts: Tendrá que enviar una copia del registro actual de su automóvil desde su nuevo estado Y una copia de su recibo de cancelación de placa del RMV de Massachusetts.

El vehículo fue donado a la caridad: Si usted donó su vehículo, proporcione a la oficina un recibo fechado de la organización benéfica que describe el vehículo donado  Y una copia de su recibo de cancelación de placa del RMV de Massachusetts.

El vehículo fue una pérdida total: Suministre a la oficina una copia del informe del accidente que muestra la fecha del accidente y describe el coche que fue totalizado. También debe proporcionar un recibo de cancelación de placa del RMV.

El vehículo fue intercambiado por un vehículo nuevo: Proporcione una copia de su contrato de compra que mostrará el vehículo y VIN para el coche en el que está negociando. También necesitamos una copia de su recibo de cancelación de placa o registro de coche nuevo si transfirió las matrículas al vehículo nuevo.

El vehículo fue robado: Si el vehículo fue robado y no recuperado, entonces el propietario puede solicitar una reducción. El propietario del vehículo debe presentar a la Oficina del Evaluador una copia de la carta de liquidación de la compañía de seguros, copia del informe policial y un formulario C-19 del RMV. El formulario C-19 es una declaración jurada de matrícula perdida o robada.

El Vehículo fue devuelto bajo la Ley de Limón: Traiga una carta del distribuidor que certifique que el vehículo fue devuelto  y un recibo de devolución de la placa o un nuevo formulario de registro si la placa fue transferida a otro vehículo.

El vehículo fue embargado: Proporcione una copia del aviso del titular del acreedora Y un recibo de devolución de la placa o un nuevo formulario de registro si la placa fue transferida a otro vehículo.

El coche que usted alquila es propiedad de la compañía financiera y pagaron a la ciudad por el impuesto especial. Cuando su contrato de arrendamiento termina y usted devuelve el vehículo no resultará en una reducción. La empresa financiera debe solicitar una reducción y enviar una prueba de que ha transferido la propiedad y de que el registro fue cancelado. La reducción se emitirá a la empresa financiera.

Haga un seguimiento directamente con la compañía financiera para obtener un reembolso de lo que pagó.

You should file an abatement on your Real Estate or Personal Property with the Assessor’s Office. You can download the form online or pick one up in the Assessor's Office. Abatements only relate to values; not if your taxes are too high.

Fill out the Abatement Application completely and provide proof of your claim by providing comparable sales data for residential properties and financial data for commercial properties.

Real Estate and Personal Property Abatement Applications have a filing deadline mandated by Massachusetts State Law.  The Abatement Application must be received by the Assessors’ Office by the end of the business day on Tuesday February 1, 2022. If you choose to mail your application then it must be postmarked by the United States Post Office by Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Applications placed under the door or dropped in another office are considered late and no further action can be taken. The applications must be time and date stamped within the filing period, which is governed by state law.
The Assessor’s Office will contact you to do an interior inspection of your property. If your property is a 4+ unit apartment building, mixed use, commercial, or industrial; you will have to provide the Assessor’s Office with an Income and Expense statement. Not complying with the inspection or Income and Expense form is grounds for automatic denial.

Once the inspection has been completed, an analysis will be done and the findings will be presented to the Board of Assessor’s. The Board of Assessor’s will Grant or Deny the abatement. The Board of Assessors has 90 days to make a decision from the date your application was received.

If you are unhappy with the Board’s decision, you may request a hearing with the Appellate Tax Board. The ATB can be reached at 617-727-3100.

A person is eligible for a residential exemption if and only if the owner has occupied the property prior to January 1 of that year, (i.e. owned and lived in the property prior to 01/01/18 will be eligible for FY 2019 exemption. If owned and lived after 01/01/18 will be eligible for FY2020.) To apply for a Residential Exemption fill out the application within 3 months of the date of your 3rd quarter (January) tax bill and bring it to the assessor's office along with the necessary documentation for proof of residency. You can find the application and the documents required on our Taxpayer Application page.

Massachusetts state law establishes a number of programs which provide property tax relief (or exemptions) to qualifying persons. These typically apply to people who are over 65, disabled veterans, and/or blind. Contact the Assessing Department if you think you might qualify.

If you received the exemption in the previous tax year, you must reapply for the current tax year as well as subsequent tax years. We typically mail out the applications in July or August. If you are applying for an exemption for the first time, contact the Assessing Department for an application form. The deadline for filing is three months from the date the third quarter (January) tax bill is mailed.

Yes. Go to the homepage of the City's website, on the left, click on "Property Values", or click here. Chelsea no longer requires a username and password to access to online properties and their values. Simply click the blue box that says "Enter Online Database".

If you disagree with an abatement decision made by the Chelsea Board of Assessors, you can appeal that decision to the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board (ATB). Such an application must be filed within three months of the date your original application was denied. Application forms and instructions can be obtained at the ATB website.

For cars registered in Chelsea, contact the Assessor's Office at 617-466-4010 if you have not received your bill by mid-March. Excise bills are produced by the city or town where the registry of Motor Vehicle knows your car to be garaged/registered as of January 1st of that year. Keep in mind, even if you haven’t received your excise bill you are still liable for the charges, so don’t hesitate to call your city or town to see if a bill has been produced and mailed.

The Tobin Memorial Bridge offers a resident discount program to eligible Chelsea and Charlestown residents who qualify for the program. As a resident of Chelsea or Charlestown, you may apply for a resident discount account at the FAST LANE Service Center, 145 Havre St., East Boston, MA 02128 or you may download an application online and bring the application with the required qualifying documents to the FAST LANE office in East Boston. Click here for additional information.

The residential parking sticker has been extended until May 2022 in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. The current sticker expiring on February 28, 2021 will be valid until May 1, 2022. 

All other permits/stickers will expire on February 28, 2022.

Parking Sticker renewal period is now available online at https://www.chelseama.gov/parking-permit-online

For Parking Permit, Tickets, and Appeal, visit Parking & Online Services.

Mary O'Malley Park is managed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. You must contact the State Department of Conservation & Recreation, 251 Causeway St., Suite 600, Boston, MA (telephone: 617-626-1250).

You may do so online here. You are required to enter the ticket number. You may also do so by mail with a written request that includes your contact information and any supporting documentation to: City of Chelsea, Parking Violations, PO Box 505794, Chelsea, MA 02150. You may visit our office at 500 Broadway, Room 209, Chelsea, MA during regular business hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 8:00 am – 4:00 pm, Tuesday 8:00 am – 7:00 pm, and Friday 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. You cannot appeal the ticket verbally; it must be obtained through a written request either online, by mail or in person.

No.  The City will no longer provide the residential parking stickers by mail automatically. The City will now require the resident to apply annually to ensure eligibility for the permit. 

Street sweeping is done four times a month, from March 1st through December 31st, on a designated day of the week between the hours of 8-12pm. The odd-numbered side of the street is done on the 1st and 3rd designated day of the week. The even-numbered side of the street is done on the 2nd and 4th designated day of the week.

Visit the Department of Public Works to see the Street Sweeping Schedule.

Due to new United States Department of State regulations, the Chelsea City Clerk's Office will no longer process passport applications as of May 1, 2011. All parties intending to file passport applications after April 29, 2011, are directed to the United States Postal Office location at 320 Broadway, Chelsea. Additionally, you may visit the following website to obtain additional passport processing locations: www.travel.state.gov.

Debido a nuevas regulaciones del Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos, la Oficina de Administracion Municipal de la Ciudad de Chelsea no procesara solicitudes para pasaportes a partir de Mayo 1, del 2011. Todas las personas interesadas en solicitar dichas aplicaciones despues de Abril 29, del 2011 deben pasar por la oficina del Correo, localizada en 320 Broadway, en Chelsea. Ademas, puede visitar la pagina web para obtener informacion adicional sobre otros centros donde pueda aplicar para obtener su pasaporte. www.travel.state.gov

If you have any question, please contact the City Clerk's office at 617-466-4050.

If you are looking for information regarding your scheduled hearing for a moving citation, please contact the Courthouse in which you are scheduled to appear. If you are looking to speak to someone regarding the citation, please contact the Registry of Motor Vehicles at 617-351-4500.

You must contact the Appeals Department of the Suffolk Superior Court at:

Superior Court Administrative Office
Three Pemberton Square
Boston, MA 02108
Tel: 617-788-8130
Fax: 617-788-8137

You can obtain information online here, or contact the Chelsea Post Office at 320 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 (telephone: 617-884-3578).

You must contact the Chelsea Housing Authority at 54 Locke St., Chelsea, MA  02150 (telephone: 617-884-5617).

For vital events occuring in Chelsea, instructions for obtaining certificates are given on the City Clerk's webpage under "Vitals (Birth, Death, Marriage)", or click here. If birth, marriage or death did not occur in the City of Chelsea, generally those records are held by the community in which the event did occur, as well as possibly at the state level.

You are required to submit your claim for damages in writing to the City Clerk’s Office, 500 Broadway, Chelsea, MA  02150, within 30 days of an alleged incident. Your statement of claim should include a thorough description of the alleged incident, including the exact location of the defect and/or accident, the date and time of incident, a police report (if applicable), and any additional information you deem necessary.

The City has no direct programs for this issue; however, if you are the homeowner, you should contact Chelsea Restoration Corporation at 154 Pearl Street, 617-887-2277. 

If you are having a problem with the condition of the property, you should speak with the Inspectional Services Office, which is in Room 203. If it is a fair housing issue, you should contact the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, at One Ashburton Place, Room 601, 617-994-6000.

Unfortunately we have no programs for assistance here in City Hall; however, the Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership at 125 Lincoln Street in Boston, has some services that might be helpful. You can contact them at 617-425-6700. The MBHP also holds some hours at The Neighborhood Developers office at 4 Gerrish Street here in Chelsea, but their hours fluctuate, so you should call them at 617-889-1375 to see what their hours are.

The City does not maintain a list of properties for sale. When the City does have property for sale, it must follow State procurement regulations which generally require an open public process with the issuance of a notice in the paper and the submittal of bids.

• How many can I have?
• How big can they be?
• Can I put up temporary banners?

The answer is dependent on a number of factors, including where the building is located, how many signs already exist, and the design of the sign. The process begins with the filing of a sign permit request in the Inspectional Services Office, Room 203. For future reference, you can find the answer to some of these questions online.

While there is a general process for the issuance of zoning permits, the type of permits you may need are dependent on a number factors, including the type of work to be done, the location of the property, permits, if any, that may have already been issued, and so on.

Generally, the process begins with a visit to the Inspectional Services Department, in Room 203, where you apply for a building permit to do the work.  The building inspector will review the work to see if it is in compliance with the Zoning Ordinance. If it is, he will issue a permit; if not, he will provide you with a letter of denial indicating where the project fails to comply with the Ordinance, along with the zoning permit forms. Once you have completed the forms and attached all the material that goes with it, you file the application with the City Clerk, although we recommend that you check in with us first so that we can make sure the application is complete and to avoid delays in the filing. There are filing fees of $350 for each permit and $60 for publishing the legal notice in the paper. If major site plan review is required, an additional fee of $60 is required in order to publish the legal notice for that permit.  

When we receive the forms, we schedule the case for the next Zoning Board of Appeals and/or Planning Board meeting. The Zoning Board generally meets the second Tuesday of the month and the Planning Board generally meets the fourth Tuesday of the month. All meetings begin at 6:00 PM and are held in Room 101 of City Hall. You and/or your representative are provided an opportunity to state your case before the boards and to answer questions from the board. All such meetings are open to the public and all abutters are notified of the meeting.

After the hearing is closed, the board will vote on the matter. The vote is written up in a decision document, which is filed with the City Clerk, and which may or may not have conditions attached. A 20 day appeal period is observed. At the end of the appeal period, you may obtain a certified copy of the decision and record it with the Suffolk County Registry of Deeds.

For future reference, the process is online. We are always available to answer questions about the forms and the process.

The zoning map and ordinance are online here.

We have a file on some sites, but we do not receive information on all sites on which contamination is found. It is best to check with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, which has an online searchable database.

Each case is decided on its own merits and is decided by the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in a State-mandated open public process. All the Board’s files are open for public review doing normal City Hall hours. The public is free to come to the office to review the files to determine the likelihood of approval. The Planning staff is also available to answer questions about the approval process.

Yes, just go to ISD Online Permitting  and follow the Instruction. Also you are able to complete and submit forms online from your home or office computer, or from a computer at our service counter here in City Hall.

Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is primarily responsible for the permitting, inspection, and citation of private properties within the city. Issues on which ISD would be involved include permits, such as building permits and occupancy permits;  inspections, such as for habitability, code compliance and property use or upkeep;  and citations for private properties, such as unlawful use, property upkeep, grafitti, vermin, etc.

Building permits are described and mandated by the State Building Code. The Massachusetts Code states that "it shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair or demolish a structure without first obtaining a building permit."

No. Plumbing, Gas and Electrical codes prohibit anyone but a licensed individual from performing this type of work.

Yes. All of the City's ordinances are available on the City's website. From the home page, look to the left under "Online City Services" and scroll down to "City Ordinances". Or you can click here and scroll down to the zoning ordinances in Chapter 34.

The timeframe for permitting depends upon the size and the scope of the project. A hotel may take more than a month whereas many permits are issued within just a couple of days. Some permits can be issued immediately.

Generally, no. To conduct a thorough zoning review a certified plot plan is required.

All rental units, regardless of who the owner of the property is, are governed by Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code. Chelsea Inspectional Services is charged with enforcing this code and therefore must conduct its own inspection prior to occupancy

An inspection can be scheduled by phone, e-mail or in person at in our offices at City Hall. We complete all inspections within three (3) days of their request, but many can be completed on the same day as requested.

Five (5) sets of plans will expedite the plan review process, but three (3) sets are a required minimum. One set of plans will be marked "approved" and returned back to you to be kept onsite at the job's location.

We're sorry, but no. It is not ethical and, in fact, prohibited by law for us to make any such recommendations.

The Human Resource Department (also known as Personnel Department) is an internal customer service department for our employees past and present. The HR Department is responsible for the following areas:

• Hiring new employees
• Employment verifications
• Employee/Union relations
• Support for collective bargaining
• Wages and salaries administration
• Recruitment
• Monitoring workers' compensation
• Police/fire medical administration
• Benefits administration for City and School employees and retirees
• Overseeing unemployment benefits
• Managing personnel records
• Employee separations
• Policy Development, Implementation & Administration
• Employee Training and Development

We would be pleased to learn of your interest in working for the City of Chelsea. Chelsea residents are especially encouraged to apply.

Vacant positions are posted for internal bidding for eligible, current, active City employees. During the posting period we may also accept outside applications and conduct additional recruitment programs as appropriate. You may apply directly on line at our website go to Human Resource department and select the link job applications and print all three forms, or attach them to our email.

If you send it to our email, it goes directly to the Human Resource Department. We keep applications on file for a one-year period and review them once a position becomes open.

Cover letters and resumes are recommended to properly represent your qualifications and to provide additional information about you, but a cover letter and resume is not required. Also, a cover letter and resume cannot serve as a substitute for an application.

No, the City of Chelsea requires all applicants to fill out one application with the job or jobs of your interest.

The minimum age to work for the City of Chelsea is 16 years of age.

To obtain a workers' permit, contact the School Administration Department in Chelsea City Hall, or click here to consult their FAQs

State and municipal employees may be hired and promoted under the civil service merit system in accordance with Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 31 and the Personnel Administration Rules. Civil service appointments are generally made by appointing authorities who select qualified applicants who have taken a competitive examination or completed a registration process. The Civil Service Unit within the Human Resources Division is responsible for overseeing the administration of the Massachusetts civil service merit system. Visit the website of the Human Resources Division. The City of Chelsea Fire Department and City of Chelsea Police Department follow Massachusetts Civil Service Guidelines when hiring personnel. Please visit the Human Resources Division of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts website for information on Civil Service and for current exam information.

Employers in Massachusetts with six or more employees are prohibited from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, sexual orientation, handicap (disability), or gender identity. In addition, employers have an affirmative responsibility to provide maternity leave to biological and adoptive parents.

To qualify you must meet veteran status and income requirements as well as residency guidelines. For specific information call Veteran Services at 617-466-4250. Applications may be obtained at the Veteran Services office, City Hall, Room 100, Human Resources office, Room 301 or download from City of Chelsea Web site www.chelseama.gov.

The program begins on February 1, 2021 and runs through October 31, 2021. You may accumulate up to 111.11hours worked between February and October, which will be credited towards your January 2022 tax bill. You must reapply every year and meet the requirements each time you apply. Working less than 111.11 hours will be pro-rated accordingly.

• Must be a veteran or the spouse of a veteran where the veteran is deceased or has a service-connected disability
• Must be owner occupied (or spouse of owner)
•  Must be trustee of the trust on deed of said property
• Qualified veterans will receive a record of their credit against their property tax bill. The rate will be credited at the State minimum wage per hour worked ($13.50 per hour effective 1/1/21). (MGL ch.59 Section 5N)
• All hours worked must be completed by the participant. No other person can work on the applicant’s behalf to fulfill hours.

Money earned through the Tax Work-Off Program is reportable income for federal taxes only. Participants will receive a W-2 form for the amount of money earned through the program.

Yes, you will be given a W-4 Form, in which federal taxes, FICA, and Medicare will be deducted. You will also receive a W-2 Form that reflects the hours worked, which will need to be reported to the IRS as income.

Yes, you will need to reapply every year and you must meet the guidelines including income every year. This year, the application deadline will be February 28, 2021.

Yes, just go to ISD Online Permitting  and follow the Instruction. Also you are able to complete and submit forms online from your home or office computer, or from a computer at our service counter here in City Hall.

Inspectional Services Department (ISD) is primarily responsible for the permitting, inspection, and citation of private properties within the city. Issues on which ISD would be involved include permits, such as building permits and occupancy permits;  inspections, such as for habitability, code compliance and property use or upkeep;  and citations for private properties, such as unlawful use, property upkeep, grafitti, vermin, etc.

Building permits are described and mandated by the State Building Code. The Massachusetts Code states that "it shall be unlawful to construct, reconstruct, alter, repair or demolish a structure without first obtaining a building permit."

No. Plumbing, Gas and Electrical codes prohibit anyone but a licensed individual from performing this type of work.

Yes. All of the City's ordinances are available on the City's website. From the home page, look to the left under "Online City Services" and scroll down to "City Ordinances". Or you can click here and scroll down to the zoning ordinances in Chapter 34.

The timeframe for permitting depends upon the size and the scope of the project. A hotel may take more than a month whereas many permits are issued within just a couple of days. Some permits can be issued immediately.

Generally, no. To conduct a thorough zoning review a certified plot plan is required.

All rental units, regardless of who the owner of the property is, are governed by Chapter II of the State Sanitary Code. Chelsea Inspectional Services is charged with enforcing this code and therefore must conduct its own inspection prior to occupancy.

An inspection can be scheduled by phone, e-mail or in person at in our offices at City Hall. We complete all inspections within three (3) days of their request, but many can be completed on the same day as requested.

Five (5) sets of plans will expedite the plan review process, but three (3) sets are a required minimum. One set of plans will be marked "approved" and returned back to you to be kept onsite at the job's location.

We're sorry, but no. It is not ethical and, in fact, prohibited by law for us to make any such recommendations.

Any claim against the City or Chelsea Public Schools must be put in writing to the City Clerk. Include your name, your address, contact information, the reason for the claim, date of the incident, location of the incident, pictures to support your claim, and estimates and/or repair receipts. You can file a claim using our online form.

File an online appeal with the MHO for 40 U violations, within twenty-one  days (21) of said violation.

A database of City Ordinances can be found online on the City's website. From the homepage, click the gray "Online Services" button in the lefthand menu.  From there, scroll down to Online City Ordinances and click the "Municode" link.  Likewise, you can click this link.  This is also where the City Charter can be found.  Each section of the Charter and the City Ordinances can be saved as a link, printed, imported into a Word document, emailed, and/or highlighted and copied using the blue incons on the upper right of each section.

The main number is 617-466-9200.

The Law Department does not handle private matters for residents. You should retain your own legal counsel, or you may call Suffolk Legal Services at 617-884-7568.

Bring any evidence that supports your appeal, such as pictures of how you had put out your trash and anything else that you feel is relevant to your case.

No, you must go to the Suffolk County Probate & Family Court at 24 New Chardon Street, Boston, MA 02114. Phone: 617-788-8300.

A complaint against a City employee can be lodged either in writing, or in person, to the City Solicitor, 500 Broadway, Room 307, Chelsea, MA 02150

State agencies are listed on the official site of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Chelsea School Department, Room 110, City Hall.

For adults, a valid photo ID (e.g., license, State ID or passport) and proof of your current address (current license/utility bill/piece of mail). For children and teens, a school ID, report card or class schedule, or an application signed by a parent, guardian or teacher.

Yes, and vice-versa. Chelsea Public Library is part of the Metro Boston Library Network (MBLN) which consists of all of the Boston Public Library branch locations, the Malden Public Library, Fisher College Library, Roxbury Community College Library, the Boston Public Schools and the State Transportation Library. Borrowing privileges may vary by location so please check the catalog for borrowing information.

We have several staff members who are bilingual and try to have them working most of the hours that we are open.

Yes. We have the Boston Children’s Museum, Zoo New England, the Museum of Science, the Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, the Boston Harbor Island passes (seasonal only), a DCR Parks Parking pass, the U.S.S. Constitution Museum and the Sports Museum at TD Garden. These passes provide for discounted or free admission to the above locations. With your Chelsea Library card, you can also access passes to other museums that are held by other libraries within the MBLN network.

Click here to reserve museum passes online.

Click here to see what passes are available in other network member libraries.

Our policy is that every patron must have his or her physical library card when checking out items or using the public computers to ensure consistency and fairness. Registering for a library card means that you have accepted responsibility for the card. It is for the protection of your account to have you carry the card.

The Children’s computers have special filtering software installed to comply with CIPA regulations. Adults who are not accompanying children are discouraged from being in the Children’s Department.

We purchase new computers and software licenses as our allotted budget allows.

All materials must be returned on or before the specified due date and fines are assessed for late items.

We are not part of the Revere library network; they belong to NOBLE. We are part of Boston, the MBLN network.

No, we do not.

Yes. we do. We have editions in both bound and microfilm formats dating back to 1939. We also have the Chelsea Gazette dating back to 1886 on microfilm. You can also access a variety of other newspapers and periodicals online through the Boston Public Library website, using your Chelsea Public Library card.

DVDs can be circulated only on an Adult’s library card. There is a one time, $10 lifetime signup fee that is non-refundable. Three DVDs can be checked out at one time for three days.

It is 10 cents per page to print in black & white. We do not have color printing capabilities.

The City Council's homepage lists each councilor by name, with his/her address and phone number. By clicking on a councilor's name, you will arrive at the councilor's webpage with phone and email information. You can also contact the City Council by sending an email to : citycouncil@chelseama.gov

Council Member Email Addresses

1. Roy Avellaneda, Council At-Large, President,  royavellaneda@chelseama.gov
2. Calvin T. Brown, District 8 Councilor, Vice President, calvintbrown@chelseama.gov
3. Leo Robinson, Councilor At-Large, lrobinson@chelseama.gov
4. Damali Vidot, Councilor At-Large, damalividot@chelseama.gov
5. Todd Taylor, District 1 Councilor, toddtaylor@chelseama.gov
6. Melinda Vega Maldonado, District 2 Councilor, melindavegamaldonado@chelseama.gov
7. Norieliz DeJesus, District 3 Councilor, norielizdejesus@chelseama.gov
8. Enio Lopez, District 4 Councilor, eniolopez@chelseama.gov
9. Judith Garcia, District 5 Councilor, judithgarcia@chelseama.gov
10. Giovanni A. Recupero, District 6 Councilor, giovannirecupero@chelseama.gov
11. Tanairi Garcia, District 7 Councilor, tanairigarcia@chelseama.gov

Generally, the City Council convenes twice per month on Monday evenings. The meeting dates and agendas are posted in advance on the  Calendar's tab (click here) on the homepage of the City website. 

Review the minutes of meetings posted on the City Council's webpage.

Generally, two years. Elections for seats on the City Council are held in odd numbered years. However, the President and Vice-President are elected within the Council annually.

You can call the City Council Office at 617-466-4060, or click on the Voting District Maps tab to the left to view the eight voting districts.

Not necessarily. Any resident can speak for up to four minutes at a Council meeting. Councilors will listen, but are prohibited from giving response. Those wishing to make a longer presentation should contact the City Council President.

Yes. City Council meetings are broadcast live on Comcast Channel 22.

Yes. Minutes are posted on the City Council's webpage under "Meeting Minutes", or click here.

First you must be a legally domiciled resident in the district for which you intend to run, unless running for an At-Large seat. Second, you must submit nomination papers in the form of a petition of signatures from 50 registered voters from within your district. This paperwork is available at the City Clerk's office. Once your residency and the 50 signatures are certified by the City Clerk, your name will appear on a ballot. Alternatively, you might engage in a "sticker campaign". Consult the City Clerk's office for information about this type of candidacy.

The City Council's priorities, and the procedure by which they are decided, are published once each term. This document can be found on the City Council's webpage in English and Spanish, or click here. Alternatively, printed copies in each language are available at City Hall.

Bulky trash items such as kitchen chairs and tables, dressers, couches, mattresses including box springs are acceptable trash. To dispose of white goods (appliances) and CRTs (televisions & computer monitors) you must purchase a sticker at the Treasurer’s office.

See our fees schedule for disposal sticker.

The Yard Waste Collection schedule can be found on the Public Works webpage on the city’s website at the Rubbish and Recycle link. Alternatively, yard waste can be brought to the City Yard at 380 Beacham Street any Monday through Friday from 7AM to 3:00PM.

DPW Office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:00am to 4:00pm, Tuesday 8:00am to 7:00pm and Friday 8:00am to Noon. The hours of the City Yard are Monday through Friday 7:00am to 3:30pm. Emergencies outside of the normal working hours can be reported to the Emergency Operations Center at 617-466-4662.

For missed trash or recycling please call the DPW office at 617-466-4200.

Recycle bins are available for pick up in the Public Works office, located in room 310 at City Hall.

Cardboard boxes are recyclable and should be broken down, made flat and put out for pick up on your regular trash day.

Water leaks, low water pressure and sewer issues should be reported to either Public Works at 617-466-4200, or directly to Chelsea Water & Sewer at 617-466-3210. Any emergency water issues between the hours of 4PM and 7AM, and on weekends should be reported to the Emergency Operations Center at 617-466-4662.

To report a pot-hole call Public Works office at 617-466-4200, or report it electronically via SeeClickFix. You can access SeeClickFix in several ways: City's homepage; using the free SeeClickFix app available for your Android or iPhone; or at the SeeClickFix website.

SeeClickFix:
"Better Communication, Stronger Community"
                       

Report an issue
Download the app
For more information

Excavation permit forms can be obtained on the Public Works forms webpage here, or in person at the DPW Office in room 310 at City Hall.

A trench permit is required if you will be digging to a minimum of 3 feet deep. Trench permit applications are the same as excavation permits (above).

To report a street light out, or a damaged traffic signal, call the Public Works office at 617-466-4200, or report the issue electronically via one of the SeeClickFix options listed.

Trash cans must not exceed 35 gallons.

To report a dead animal on a public way please call Public Works office at 617-466-4200.

Applications for curb-cuts are available in the Public Works Office at City Hall, room 310, or click here. If approved, you will need to contract with a City Certified Contractor to construct the driveway. Additionally, the Contractor is required to obtain a street opening permit from the DPW.

Permit applications for city-owned facilities can be obtained at the City Clerks Office in room 209 in City Hall, or at the City Clerk’s webpage.

The City plants approximately 40 trees a year in various locations in the City. Requests for trees should be made through the DPW. The City Tree Warden will look at the appropriateness and practicability of planting a tree at any given location.

A mayor is elected; a city manager is appointed. In Chelsea, the city manager is appointed by the City Council, which must approve the appointment by a supermajority (7 of 11 votes). With no mayor in Chelsea, the city manager assumes the day-to-day responsibilities as chief executive officer of the City, and also fulfills many ceremonial functions of the office.

Frustrated by lack of progress on many fronts, a citizens committee wrote the new City Charter that was ultimately approved by the voters of the city with a margin of 60%-40%. The committee and the Charter sought to remove “politics” from the governing of the municipality. In addition, the charter committee sought to professionalize the chief executive officer’s role by hiring someone based upon experience rather than seeing someone elected based upon popularity. Furthermore, although some communities have a ceremonial mayor, the charter writers were concerned that a ceremonial mayor would create a conflict in the harmonious administration of municipal government by seeking to “run” government. Thus, the idea of having anyone titled mayor was abandoned.

City council hires and, potentially, fires the city manager, both by supermajority vote. The city manager works for the city council and is evaluated by the city council on that work. However, the city charter provides certain independence to the city manager by listing out the powers of the city manager, which cannot be abridged by the city council. In general, the city charter has led to a cooperative and, hopefully, productive framework for the relationship, which is then dictated by how the parties work with each other.

The city council extends a contract of up to five years to the city manager. The contract contains expectations, methods for removal of the city manager for cause, and deadlines for notices on reappointment.

The city manager should strive to serve all of the city’s residents. To the extent that a resident is dissatisfied with that service, expressing that dissatisfaction to the city manager and then, if unresolved, to the city council, is the best way of raising an issue. The city council performs an annual review of the city manager’s service, providing further input into the work of the city manager. Ultimately, the city manager can be fired by the city council, and city councillors can be voted out of office by residents, so the elective process can provide an avenue to hold the appointed city manager accountable. In general, the city manager should be accessible and seek the input of residents. That is presently accomplished through a variety of methods, including public meetings and social media.

The city charter spells out the authority granted to the city manager in seventeen various areas. In general, the city manager is responsible for day-to-day matters, as well as for carrying out city council policy.

The best way to contact the city manager is via email. Other forms of communication are also acceptable. The city manager maintains an open door policy, based upon general availability.

The charter commission believed that qualifications, rather than physical address, were the most important considerations for selecting a person to lead an increasingly complicated government operation. Ideally, the two would combine and the city manager would also be a local resident. However, the charter provides for a waiver from the residency requirement, which the city council has provided to the current city manager.

No day is typical. In general, the city manager meets with city staff to discuss areas of work; with the city council to discuss policy, performance and issues/observations in the community; with other stakeholders, including residents, community based organizations and businesses, to communicate their needs or impacts from city government. The city manager also may be involved in organizations or efforts outside of city government, generally, though, to advance causes that are ultimately important to Chelsea and its stakeholders. The city manager serves as the point person for communications to and with outside sources, including the media and state and federal officials.

Through agreement between the city manager and the city council, the city manager is not to engage in political activity by endorsing candidates for any level of office. Among other restrictions, state law prohibits the city manager from doing political fundraising.

Treasury & Collections takes payment for parking tickets, but does not deal with issuing or appealing them. Visit the City Clerk's Office in Room #209, or consult their FAQs.

Treasury & Collections takes payment for tax bills, but does not assess a property's value. Questions on assessed valuations can be directed to the Assessor’s office, room 211, or consult their FAQs.

Application for homeowner’s exemption to real estate taxes are made at the Assessor’s office, room 211. You can find more information at in their FAQs.

Property owners who reside in their homes and receive the homeowner’s tax emption may request the trash exemption of their monthly water bill by contacting the Central Billing & Research office at 617-466-4240 or by visiting Room #217.

Vacancy trash affidavits must be filed each month with the Central Billing & Research office. The form can be found here.

Meters are rarely broken. Please complete an inquiry form with our staff and we will tell you whether your meter is transmitting readings to our computer. If so, you may have a leak within your property. A test can be conducted. If the meter is found to be working properly, you will be charged $25 for the test.

State law dictates that failure to receive notice of a charge does not affect the validity of the charge.

Online charges are assessed by credit card companies and transaction processing services. The city does not add charges to on-line payments. Charges can sometimes be avoided by paying city bills using internet banking through your personal bank, rather than via credit card or a transaction processing service.

We administer state veterans' benefits to those veterans who qualify according to state guidelines.

No – the "VA" is an acronym for the federal Department of Veterans Affairs. It administers federal veterans benefits while the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Veterans' Services administers state veterans benefits.

Yes – this office is open to all veterans, but state and federal guidelines vary. Therefore, in order to begin the application process, please bring a copy of your DD214 (discharge papers) to this office.

Spouse and dependents are eligible to apply for services and then a determination is made.

Yes, please contact this office and we can assist you in retrieving a copy of your discharge.

The commonwealth of Massachusetts does provide a bonus for veterans who have returned from active duty and this office can help you with the application.

In some case we can assist you, but in others you need your own legal representation. In those cases, we cannot recommend a specific person or agency, but we can provide a list of persons/agencies who can help.

We can assist with connecting you to the appropriate agencies who can help.

We recommend that all veterans in Chelsea visit our office with a copy of their discharge papers for future records and to discuss services. However, the Chelsea Soldiers Home is a different department of the state and it has its own guidelines. Please call them for more information by calling 617-884-5660.

This department works closely with regional veterans employment representatives, the Department of Unemployment Assistance and CareerOneStop so that we can assist you better in finding a job. Please call us for an appointment.

The Retirement Board is working on updating our website soon so that you can access many materials online. You can also visit the PERAC and State Retirement Board websites for some very useful information and guidelines. You can also always stop by the retirement office for assistance. *The Law mandates that anyone who became a member on or after 01/01/1979 must pay an additional 2% on their earnings over $30,000. Please also visit the PERAC website at www.mass.gov/PERAC for downloadable forms and other helpful links regarding your employment with a MA public retirement system.

To best answer these questions, you should contact the Social Security Administration directly. Your pension will not be affected by your eligibility for a benefit from Social Security, but your Social Security benefit may be affected by your pension. Below, is a helpful link from the SSA website regarding information for government employees. http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/gpo-wep.htm

As you approach your retirement, you should contact the Office if you have any questions about how your benefit will be calculated and the different retirement options. You should also contact your health insurance administrator and the Social Security Office. You should also be aware that once you retire, there are certain restrictions about going back to work in the public sector. Please contact the Board if this applies to you.

Please refer to M.G.L. c. 32 §1, which is further defined by PERAC regulation 807 CMR 15.03.

Unfortunately, this is not a simple answer. There are many factors that may go into the calculation of your retirement benefit. The calculation also depends on what group classification you are in as well as what type of retirement you file for. The most common retirement calculation is the superannuation retirement. The formula for this calculation is based on your age factor, years of service, and salary average. For the most accurate calculation, please contact the Retirement Office.

In the Chelsea Retirement Board’s supplemental regulations and under M.G.L. ch. 32, the Board has established certain types of buybacks/service purchases that members can apply for. Please contact our office if you think you may be eligible to purchase service.

A retirement contribution is deducted from each of your paychecks based on your contribution rate. This money is deposited into your annuity savings account, which consists of your contributions and interest. You are NOT allowed to borrow money from your account. You may only take a refund of your account once you become inactive in our system. It is important to note that by taking a refund, you are severing your membership with our Board

Pursuant to Pension Reform III, effective November 16, 2011, two membership tiers were created. Tier I is for all members who established membership prior to April 2, 2012 and Tier II members are for members who established membership after this date. The main changes for Tier II members are: the minimum retirement age was increased from 55 to 60, the final salary average will consist of the highest, consecutive, 5 years of salary instead of 3 years, and a reduction in the age factors used to calculate retirement benefits.

Pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 32, all public employees, who meet certain eligibility requirements, must contribute to a retirement system/board in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The retirement system/board you contribute to is based on your position and place of employment. Most public employees in Chelsea will contribute to the Chelsea Retirement Board; however, some may contribute to other systems/boards, such as the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement Board or the MWRA Employees’ Retirement Board. Your retirement percentage is based on your enrollment date with the Board. Please see the chart below to determine your contribution percentage. If you believe you are contributing at the wrong rate, please contact your payroll office.

*The Law mandates that anyone who became a member on or after 01/01/1979 must pay an additional 2% on their earnings over $30,000.

Start Date with System	Contribution Rate %
Prior to 01/01/1975	5%
01/01/1975 – 12/31/1978	7%
01/01/1979 – 12/31/1983	7% + 2%*
01/01/1984 – 06/30/1996	8% + 2%*
07/01/1996 – present	9% + 2%*

The Chelsea Retirement Board and Staff are responsible for managing member accounts and providing pre and post retirement counseling for certain public employees of the City of Chelsea. Currently, we are serving 662 active member and 409 inactive members. In addition to the above, the Retirement Board is also responsible for overseeing investment activity, financial transactions, and government reporting for our members. The Chelsea Retirement Board is governed by Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 32 and the Board operates as a defined benefit plan under Section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Retirement Board is administered by a five member board, which consists of both elected and appointed members. The day to day functions are run by the Executive Director and Assistant Executive Director. The regulatory authority over the Retirement Board is the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission (PERAC). The Retirement Board’s pension fund is managed by both the Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (PRIM) and the Pension Reserve Investment Trust (PRIT).

frequently_asked_questions_for_the_retirement_department.pdf

Membership is free and most programs are free!

The Chelsea Senior Center offers programs to those who are disabled and/or are over the age of 55.

Of course! Our Senior Advocate Fabiola Alvarez is a certified SHINE Counselor.

The Chelsea Senior Center is a social and recreational center.  It’s like a Boys and Girls Club but for older adults.

We have excellent programs!  We offer exercise classes, arts & crafts, monthly dance parties, day trips and more… please check out our newsletter for more information

We are located at 10 Riley Way (in back of the Central Fire Station, across from city hall)

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Chelsea Police Department collects crime tips through various methods. The simplest way to relay a tip is by calling the Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline at (617) 466-4880 and leaving a message. Crime Tips can also be sent through the Smart Phone application “MyPD” available through the App Store or the Android Market. Tipsters are reminded that the Crime Stoppers Tip Hotline and the MyPD app should never be used for crime in progress. Citizens should always use 9-1-1 to report emergencies, and crimes in progress.

The dissemination of police reports is governed by the Massachusetts Public Records Law. Requests for copies of police reports can be made in person or by mail and should be addressed to the department’s Records Bureau. The easiest and quickest way to obtain a police report is in person at the police station. For most reports and logs, the cost is $.50 cents per page and delivery is immediate. In the event that an accident report needs to be mailed then the cost will be $5.00 for the first six pages of the report and $.50 cents for each page thereafter. For all other reports other than accident reports, the cost to mail the report is $1.00 per page. Police Accident reports can also be obtained online here for $10.50.

In the event that your vehicle is towed by a Chelsea Police officer, the registered owner or other authorized person will need to respond to the police station in person for a release. The release of vehicles towed by the Chelsea Police Department shall be made, absent extenuating circumstances, to the registered owner of the motor vehicle. The releasing officer will investigate the circumstances surrounding the tow, and upon determining that the release of the vehicle is proper will issue a written release for the vehicle. If the vehicle is unregistered and/or uninsured, or the person requesting the release is unlicensed, but otherwise is proper, the vehicle may be released with a notation on the tow release form stating “TOW ONLY.”

The Chelsea Police Department is a Civil Service agency. Candidate selections for the position of police officer are obtained from the Massachusetts Human Resource Division after an applicant applies for and successfully passes the Civil Service Police Officer Examination.

To become a police officer in Massachusetts an Applicant must:

• Be a U.S. citizen (birth or naturalized).
• Be a resident of Massachusetts.
• Be at least 21 years of age.
• Possess a High School Diploma or have a G.E.D. Certificate or served at least 3 years in the United States Armed Forces with an honorable discharge or release.
• Possess a valid Massachusetts motor vehicle operator's license.

Preference is given to applicants applying to work at the Chelsea Police Department for the following reasons:

• Veterans
• Residents of Chelsea
• Children or siblings of fallen officers
• Applicants of certain racial/ethnic backgrounds (as required by federal consent decree)

Other Requirements:

• Take a written Examination given by the Commonwealth Of Massachusetts’ Human Resource’s Division
• Pass a comprehensive background investigation
• Pass an interview board
• Pass a Medical Screening
• Pass a Drug Screening
• Pass a Psychological Screening
• Pass a Physical Agility Test
• Complete a 22—30 week police academy

The civil service exam is given every two years. The next exam will be administered on April 30th, 2013. For more information please contact the Massachusetts Human Resources Division at 617 727 3777.

No. The Chelsea Police Department does not currently employ Reserve Police Officers.

The best way to commend the actions of a Chelsea Police employee is to write a brief letter describing the incident and the actions you think were exceptional. Information such as date, time, and location will help identify the employee if you do not know his or her name. Officers can also be commended through the use of the Smart Phone Application “MyPD”. If you choose not to write, or use the phone application, you may ask to speak with the individual's supervisor and make a verbal recommendation.

Commendations received by the Chief are forwarded to the employee with a copy placed in his or her personnel file. Although our employees do not expect to be thanked for everything they do, recognition of exceptional service is always appreciated. This kind of feedback helps us to know if we are doing a good job.

An inquiry or complaint can be made by letter, telephone, or in person. Any police department employee whose duties involve public contact may accept an initial inquiry or complaint against personnel, procedures, or policies. If the inquiry or complaint is about personnel, you should contact the employee's shift or unit commander. If the employee's commander is not available, you may contact the on-duty supervisor. The supervisor will ensure that your inquiry or complaint is directed to the proper authority.

If your inquiry or complaint appears to be based on a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge of acceptable or desired conduct, procedures, or practices, the police department employee may offer an explanation. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you may insist on speaking with the employee's supervisor. Please be prepared to provide the date, time, and location of the event; the names of the police department employees involved (if known); and the name, address, and telephone number of any possible witnesses. All complaints of misconduct are reviewed by the department’s Internal Affairs Officer.

Residents wishing to apply for either a License to Carry (LTC) or a Firearms Identification Card (FID) should download the Chelsea Police Department’s Firearms License Application and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Firearms Application from the Chelsea Police Department’s website. Applicants should then submit both completed applications as well as a copy of their Massachusetts’ Approved Basic Firearms Safety Certificate to the police department. Applications can be delivered in person or sent by mail to: Chelsea Police Department, ATTN: Firearms Licensing, 19 Park Street, Chelsea, MA 02150. LTC and FID applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted by telephone for an appointment.

The Chelsea Police Department recognizes that social and physical disorder promotes criminal activity, whereas, social cohesion and neighborhood order foster more crime-resistant communities. They recognize the importance of engaging residents as partners in preventing crime and reintegrating police officers into the fabric of the community to help improve overall community-police relations. To this end, the Chelsea Police Department has established four Community Action Teams for the purpose of formulating the priorities for the Chelsea Police Department. The Community Action Teams meet on a monthly basis at the following locations:

Sector 1        Shore Collaborative School                      1st Tuesday of every month
Sector 2        Green Apartments (113 Spencer Ave)       1st Thursday of every month
Sector 3        St. Luke’s Church (201 Washington Ave)     2nd Tuesday of every month
Sector 4        Chelsea Police Community Room                2nd Thursday of every month

All meetings are held at 6:00 PM. Residents interested in participating in any of the Community Action Teams should visit the Chelsea Police Department’s website for more information.

Any question can be directed to the School Department as follows:

Phone: Superintendent of Schools, 617-466-4477
Email: vdyer-medina@chelseaschools.com
Website: https://www.chelseama.gov

You can find a list of School Committee members at the Chelsea Schools website and follow the links to School Committee and Members. The members are listed by voting district. If you need to find out what voting district you live in, contact the Office of the City Clerk at 617-466-4050 or visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Each School Committee member has provided contact information at the Chelsea Schools website. You may also contact the School Committee Clerk at 617-466-4473 or the School Superintendent’s office at 617-466-4477 and leave a message for the School Committee member you wish to contact.

At the beginning of each school year, each student is given a Student/Parent handbook to take home. The handbook lists the name of the School Principal and the school phone number. Phone numbers for each school can also be found on the Chelsea Schools website under the Chelsea Schools link.

You should contact the principal of the school directly. If your issue involves the school principal, you can contact the Superintendent of Schools at 617-466-4477

School registration for all grades is handled at the Parent Information Center, 99 Hawthorne Street, and 617-466-5500. The office is in the same building as the John Silber Early Learning Center and the entrance is located on the Shurtleff Street side of the building.

All children under the age of 18 are required by State law to have a work permit. Your daughter should go to the Chelsea Public Schools’ Business Office at Chelsea City Hall, Room 110, between 2:45 pm and 4:00 pm to obtain a Work Permit Application. The application is also available online on the Chelsea Schools' website under "High School" and then "Guidance". This application must be signed by a parent and given to your child's prospective employer to complete. When this has been done, bring the application back to the Business Office with a current utility bill, your child's birth certificate, and a current report card or current progress report from his or her school. If your child is age 14 or 15, a copy of his or her latest physical must be brought to the Business Office, or your child's doctor will also required to sign the work permit application. If the student is age 16 or over, the doctor’s signature or physical is not required.

Transportation requests and bus assignments are handled at the Parent Information Center, 617-466-5500.

If the student is currently enrolled in a Chelsea Public School, records can be requested directly from his or her school. A request for student records for any other reason should be directed to the Office of the Superintendent of Schools. Chelsea High School graduates may request this information directly from Chelsea High School at the Guidance Office at Chelsea High School, 299 Everett Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150. The telephone number is 617-466-5017. If your child is age 18 or over, he or she must request the records on his or her own behalf.

Former students of Chelsea High School can obtain a copy of their transcript directly from Chelsea High School at the Guidance Office at Chelsea High School, 299 Everett Avenue, Chelsea, MA 02150. The telephone number is 617-466-5017. A copy of the Transcript Request Form can be found on the Chelsea Schools' website. Follow the links to "Schools", then "High School", then "Guidance."

Prospective applicants are encouraged to visit our website for a list of openings and job applications. Follow the links to "Contact Us" and "Job Opportunities". A listing of current job openings is also posted at the School Department’s Personnel Office at Chelsea City Hall, Room 221.