The Chelsea City Council appointed three residents to the Chelsea Human Rights Commission at its meeting on Feb. 3.
Current HRC Chairman Susan Morrel-Samuels was appointed for a term that ends Feb. 1, 2022, while two new faces will join the board.
Appointed to terms ending Feb. 1, 2023 were Rev. Eric Stricklin, the pastor at St. Paul United Church of Christ and Debbie Osborne, a 35-year resident of the city.
Five people applied for the three open seats on the commission and those not chosen were encouraged to apply for other positions and thanked for their interest in contributing to their city.
In other business, the elected officials approved the city Parks and Recreation Commission’s request to establish a 9-member community center task force “to present research findings and make recommendations to the City Council for further study or action.”
The objectives include:
- An assessment of the indoor recreation and community space needs in Chelsea and provide facility recommendations.
- Research, review and summarize the costs of construction, maintenance and operation of a City of Chelsea owned and operated community center.
- Research and identify methods for funding the construction, maintenance and operation of a community center.
- Review and recommend opportunities for cooperation with community partners such as Chelsea Community Schools, Chelsea Hospital, Chelsea Aquatic Club and other Health and Wellness facilities.
The task force is to be comprised of two City Council members, one member from Chelsea hospital or SRSLY, one member from the parks commission, one member from the business community, one member from the Chelsea Area Friends for Recreation (or other non-profit recreation organization in Chelsea) and two residents at-large.
The City Council also approved a lease agreement for Station 1 on Middle Street with the Chelsea Area Fire Authority, and Community Development Director Julia Upfal provided a report on the city’s progress in becoming a redevelopment ready community.
The city will hold its annual visioning session on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 5:30 p.m. at The Depot on Jackson Street. This is an open meeting and anyone interested is encouraged to attend.
