Ask Us/General FAQ

For what kinds of issues is ISD responsible?
I received an excise bill and I no longer have this car?
My application for abatement of my property taxes was denied. What can I do next?
Sharps Disposal
What can I do if I feel that the assessed value of my property is too high?
What is a Statutory Exemption?
What is the difference between a city manager and mayor?
When and How do I qualify for a Residential Exemption?

Assessing

Can I look up property values online?
I received an excise bill and I no longer have this car?
My application for abatement of my property taxes was denied. What can I do next?
What can I do if I feel that the assessed value of my property is too high?
What do I do if I haven’t received my automobile excise bill?
What is a Statutory Exemption?
When and How do I qualify for a Residential Exemption?
When do I apply for a Statutory Exemption?

City Clerk

2024 Residential Parking Program Renewal FAQ
Can I apply for a Passport at City Hall?
Dog Licenses
How can I be considered for public housing in Chelsea?
How do I appeal a Chelsea parking ticket?
How do I apply for a business certificate
How do I file a claim for damages against the City of Chelsea?
How do I file a claim for damages against the City of Chelsea?
How do I get a Single Status Affadavit?
How do I obtain a copy of a birth, marriage or death certificate?
How do I obtain a permit for the use of Mary O'Malley Park at Admirals Hill?
How does street sweeping work?
Tobin Bridge Parking Lot INFO
Where do I go for a Fast Lane pass and Chelsea resident discount?
Where do I go for information regarding a moving violation?

City Council

Are City Council meetings broadcast on cable TV?
Are there any special arrangements necessary if I want to speak at a City Council meeting?
How can I find out how my City Councilor voted on an issue?
How do I contact my City Councilor?
How do I find out when City Council meetings take place?
How do I find out who my City Councilor is?
How long is a City Councilor's term?
I missed previous Council meetings. Are the minutes of past meetings available?
I want to run for City Council. What is the process to get on the ballot?

City Manager

How do residents influence the hiring of the city manager and the process of the city manager governing?
Under what authority does the city manager make decisions?
What are some of the restrictions placed on the city manager by the city council?
What is the best way to make contact with the city manager?
What is the difference between a city manager and mayor?
What is the relationship between the city manager and the city council?
What is the term in office for the city manager?
Why doesn’t the city manager need to be a resident of the city?

Elder Affairs

Do you help people with Medicare/Medicaid/Masshealth Insurance?
Does it cost money to join?
How old do you have to be to join the Senior Center?
What are your hours of operation?
What is a senior center and what programs do you provide?
Where are you located?

Emergency Management

Are you part of the police or fire department?
Do the State Police then call to report the emergency?
How many people work in emergency management?
I see so many antennas on the roof of the EOCC building. Who do you talk to on the radios?
If there is a power failure, do the systems and technology for reporting and responding to emergencies still work?
What do you do during storms?
What is Emergency Management?
What is in that building (The EO & CC)?
When I call 911 on a cell phone, does the call go to Chelsea?
Why does it go to Essex Regional Wireless Center when I’m calling from Chelsea from a cellphone?

Human Resources

Do I have to fill out a new application for each job I am interested in?
Do I have to submit a cover letter and resume?
How do I apply for a city job?
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.
What does the Human Resources Department do?
What does the law require of Massachusetts employers with respect to discrimination?
What is civil service?
What is the minimum age to work for the City of Chelsea?
Where do I obtain a workers' permit?

ISD (Inspectional Services)

Are zoning ordinances for the City of Chelsea available online?
Can I access, download or complete ISD applications and forms online?
Can I do my own electrical or plumbing work in my home or business?
Can you recommend a contractor that is honest?
For what kinds of issues is ISD responsible?
How do I schedule an inspection? How much notice is required?
How long does it take to get a permit?
How many sets of plans should I submit with my application?
Is the Assessor's plan adequate to apply for a building permit?
Plastic Bag Ban
Request for a Jacket on Property
The Chelsea Housing Authority has already conducted an apartment inspection; why is a Certificate of Habitability required before I can move in?
What should I use instead of plastic bags?
When is a building permit required? For example, do I need a permit for a shed?

Law

Can I get a divorce at City Hall?
How can I get copies of City Ordinances and the Charter?
How do I contact a State Agency?
How do I file a claim against the City?
How do I file a complaint against a City employee?
How do I file a Trash Violation Appeal?
I need legal advice regarding a matter involving my landlord.
What is the number for Chelsea District Court?
What should I bring to my Trash Violation Appeal Hearing?
Where do I apply for a work permit for a minor?

Library

Are you part of Revere/Boston?
Can I get a library card? What do I need to do so?
Can I use my Boston Public Library card in Chelsea?
Do you have a public fax machine?
Do you have museum passes?
Do you have old Chelsea Record newspapers?
How can I check out DVDs?
How much is it to print?
Is anyone on staff bilingual?
Why aren’t there more computers?
Why can’t adults use the kids' computers?
Why do I have to have my library card on me to ______?
Why do I owe money?

Planning and Development

Can I get a list of City-owned land or property for sale?
Can you help me because: I am being foreclosed?
Can you help me because: I am having trouble with my landlord?
Can you help me because: I can’t afford my rent?
Can you tell me what zoning district this lot is in?
How do I get a zoning permit?
I am doing a 21E investigation on this site. Do you have any information on the site?
I am doing a 21E investigation on this site. Do you have any information on the site?
I have questions about signs:
I want to construct something and I need a special permit. I don’t want to put the effort into the permit unless I know for certain whether it will be issued. Will the Board give me the Special Permit for this?

Public Schools

How can I find out if my child is eligible for yellow bus transportation?
How do I contact my child’s School Principal?
How do I contact my School Committee representative?
How do I find out who is my Representative on the School Committee?
I have a school-related question that is not listed here, but I am not sure to whom I should direct my question. Who could I contact first to get started?
I need a copy of my high school transcript. Who should I contact?
If I have an issue at my child’s school, and I don’t feel it is being addressed, who can I call?
My child is applying for a part time job and was told that he or she needs a work permit. What is this and where does he or she get one?
My child needs school records to establish his or her immigration status. Where do I request these records?
Where do I go to find out if there are any job openings at the School Department?
Where do I go to register my child for school?

Public Works

Do I need a permit to dig on private property?
How can I get a driveway curb-cut?
How can I get a permit to excavate a city road or sidewalk?
How can I get a tree planted in front of my property?
How can I get permission to use a city-owned facility?
How do I dispose of unwanted furniture, appliances or bulk trash items?
How do I get a City Tree trimmed or removed?
How do I report a pot-hole?
How do I report a water leak or sewer problem?
How Do I Reserve A Parking Spot for A Pod?
How will I know if a “Snow Emergency” has been declared?
I have a question about my water billing.
Plastic Bag Ban
What are the hours of operation for the Department of Public Works?
What do I do if my trash or recycling is not collected on my scheduled trash day?
What do I do with cardboard boxes?
What should I use instead of plastic bags?
What size trash can I can use?
When is Yard Waste Collected?
Where can I purchase the orange trash bags?
Where I can get a recycle bin?
Who do I call to report a dead animal?
Why are plastic shopping bags a problem?

Street Occupancy Permit

How To Apply For A Street Occupancy Permit

Treasurer/Collector

How can I avoid paying charges when making online payments?
How do I appeal a parking ticket?
How do I get the resident trash exemption on my monthly water bill?
I didn’t receive my real estate tax/excise tax/water bill? Why do I have to pay late fees or interest charges?
I received an excise bill and I no longer have this car?
My tax bill is too high. How do I appeal my tax bill?
My unit is vacant. How can I request an exemption from the monthly trash fee?
My water bill is too high so I think my meter is broken. Can you replace my meter?

Veteran's Services

Are you the V. A.?
Can you help me with VA applications for services?
Do I qualify is my spouse is deceased?
I am a veteran. Can you help me determine what assistance I might be eligible for?
I am looking for work. Can you help me find a job?
I have a parent who is home bound and/or is in need of assistance in the home can you help me?
I need a copy of my discharge so that I can apply for public housing, can you help me?
I want to live at the Chelsea Soldiers Home. Can I come to your office to apply?
I’ve heard there is a bonus for veterans, can you tell me more?
What does the department of veterans services do?

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