MassVoter.com← ChelseaMunicipal votes · 2018–2019 Council
Chelsea City Council
How the Chelsea City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 11 councilors: 3 elected at large and one from each of the city’s 8 districts. Sworn in January 2, 2018. Council President: Damali Vidot (elected January 2, 2018, and again January 7, 2019). Vice President: Calvin Brown (2018), Luis Tejada (2019). Covers 44 meetings, January 2 to December 23, 2019.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The council hires the city manager, who runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Council sessions
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Chelsea’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Councilors
Vice PresidentCalvin BrownVice President (2018) · District 8 · at 41 of 44 meetings
Giovanni RecuperoCouncilor · District 6 · at 43 of 44 meetings
Leo RobinsonCouncilor · At-large · at 44 of 44 meetingsYamir RodriguezCouncilor · District 7 · at 41 of 44 meetingsLuis TejadaVice President (2019) · District 2 · at 38 of 44 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Loaded: every full City Council meeting with minutes on the city’s website from January 2, 2018 through September 21, 2026 (179 meetings: regular, special and two joint meetings with the School Committee), from the City Council agendas and minutes page (2021 on) and the City Council archive (2015 to 2020). Sub-committee meetings (Conference, Ways and Means and others), the Charter Review Committee and the School Committee are not loaded. Most minutes from 2018 to May 2024, January and February 2025 and January to April 2026 are scanned paper copies; MassVoter read them with text recognition and checked the vote lines by hand where the scan was hard to read. Not here: minutes the city has not posted, including October 19 and November 2, 2020; September 20, 2021; January 24, June 27, September 12 and December 5, 2022; September 9, October 21, November 4, November 18, December 2 and December 16, 2024; February 24, March 10, March 24, April 7, May 5 and June 2, 2025; November 10 and December 1, 2025 (regular and special meetings); and April 6, 2026. The “Minutes” links for January 11, 2021, March 4, 2024 and March 9, 2026 open the minutes of a different meeting, so those three meetings are missing too, and the October 4, 2021 link opens the October 18, 2021 minutes. MassVoter is asking the City Council Clerk for the missing minutes. Chelsea’s minutes record most actions as passed “under suspension”, “by voice vote” or “with no objections”, with no count; for those MassVoter shows the result only and never assumes the vote was unanimous. Communications accepted and filed, items referred to a committee and orders moved to a second reading are not counted as votes unless a roll call was taken. Roll calls are written as a four-part count (yes-no-absent-present, such as 8-2-1-0) with the names of the councilors voting each way. When the names add up to the councilors present, MassVoter shows each councilor’s vote; when the minutes name only the no voters, the yes voters are the other councilors present; when the count and names do not agree, a name is listed twice or cannot be read, or the minutes name a councilor who is not on the attendance line, MassVoter shows the count only and adds a note. Since 2022 two councilors named Garcia have served together; a roll call that says only “Garcia” shows the count only. Councilors who recused themselves are left out of that vote. Elections of the Council President, Vice President and Delegate to the School Committee are shown by name when only one councilor was nominated and the minutes name every vote, and as the result only, with a note, when councilors chose between candidates. We will ask the City Council Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Dec 23Adopt under suspension and itMotion: Councilor Brown moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted.…Passed · see note
December 23, 2019: Adopt under suspension and it
Councilor Brown moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted. , RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Charles F. Lanzillo Sr. a lifelong resident of Chelsea, was born on January 7,1920 and will be celebrating his 100" birthday in the month of January, 2020 at the Homewood Suites Hotel in Chelsea with family and friends; and WHEREAS, Charlie was the middle of seven children and he graduated from Chelsea High in 1939 , and later joined the United States Air Force from September 1942 to November 1945 during which ; he served as Crew Chief on B-29 bomber on the Island of Tinian from 1944-1945, receiving the Bronze Star while serving his duty during World War II; and WHEREAS, Charlie was married to Dorothy Beaulieu for 67 years and from this union came three children, Charles Jr. Susan and Joan, and is the grandfather of three and great grandfather of four; and WHEREAS, Charlie worked for the Chelsea Record Newspaper for over 30 years; and WHEREAS, Charlie continues to enjoy life, family and friends and to this day still resides in the City of Chelsea he has called home all his life; now therefore BE IT RESOLVED, that I, Councilor Calvin T. Brown and the entire City Council, given on this day, sincerely wish Charles F. Lanzillo a happy 100" birthday and thank him for his service to our country, The following Resolution was introduced by Councilor Vidot and all members of the City Council.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Councilor Brown moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted. , RESOLUTION WHEREAS, Charles F. Lanzillo Sr. a lifelong resident of Chelsea, was born on January 7,1920 and will be celebrating his 100" birthday in the month of January, 2020 at the Homewood Suites Hotel in Chelsea with family and friends; and WHEREAS, Charlie was the middle of seven children and he graduated from Chelsea High in 1939 , and later joined the United States Air Force from September 1942 to November 1945 during which ; he served as Crew Chief on B-29 bomber on the Island of Tinian from 1944-1945, receiving the Bronze Star while serving his duty during World War II; and WHEREAS, Charlie was married to Dorothy Beaulieu for 67 years and from this union came three children, Charles Jr. Susan and Joan, and is the grandfather of three and great grandfather of four; and WHEREAS, Charlie worked for the Chelsea Rec.” (Motion: Brown)
Dec 23Resolution: the Chelsea City Council formally recognizes the efforts…Motion: A motion from Councilor Garcia to adopt under suspension was adopted.Passed · see note
December 23, 2019: Resolution: the Chelsea City Council formally recognizes the efforts of the Commission on Disability for their work toward improving the lives of all people in Chelsea
A motion from Councilor Garcia to adopt under suspension was adopted.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Garcia to adopt under suspension was adopted..” (Motion: Judith Garcia)
Dec 23Order: The Chelsea City Council (a) hereby approves, in…Motion: A motion from Councilor Robinson to adopt by roll call passedPassed Unanimous, 9 present · see note
December 23, 2019: Order: The Chelsea City Council (a) hereby approves, in accordance with Chapter ) 23B; Chapter 40, Section 59; Chapter 40, Section 60, as amended; and 760 CMR 58.00, the Urban…
A motion from Councilor Robinson to adopt by roll call passed
The minutes give the count as 9-0-2-0 and name 2 of the councilors voting yes; the 9 yes votes are all the councilors present for the vote.
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Robinson to adopt by roll call passed 9-0-2-0. Voting yes were Councilors Garcia, Vidot, ) Avellaneda, Rodriguez, Brown, Perlatonda, Tejada, Robinson, and Bishop. Absent were Councilors Lopez and Recupero..” (Motion: Robinson) The minutes name who voted no but give no count; the count shown is from those names.
Dec 23Order: the Treasurer is authorized to file an application…Motion: A motion from Councilor Brown to adopt by roll call passedPassed 8–0 · Abstained: Brown
December 23, 2019: Order: the Treasurer is authorized to file an application with the appropriate officials of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (the "Commonwealth") to qualify under Chapter 44A of the General Laws...
A motion from Councilor Brown to adopt by roll call passed
Yes: Avellaneda, Bishop, Judith Garcia, Perlatonda, Robinson, Rodriguez, Tejada, VidotAbstained: Brown
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Brown to adopt by roll call passed 8-0-2-1, Voting yes were Councilors Garcia, Vidot, Avellaneda, Rodriguez, Perlatonda, Tejada, Robinson and Bishop. Absent were Councilors Lopez and Recupero, Councilor Brown voted present..” (Motion: Brown)
Dec 9Order: the City Manager instruct the Chief of Police…Motion: The following Order was introduced by Councilors Recupero, Vidot, Lopez, and…Passed · see note
December 9, 2019: Order: the City Manager instruct the Chief of Police to put more police visibility in Sector 4.
The following Order was introduced by Councilors Recupero, Vidot, Lopez, and Garcia.A motion from Councilor Recupero to adopt under suspension was adopted.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“The following Order was introduced by Councilors Recupero, Vidot, Lopez, and Garcia.A motion from Councilor Recupero to adopt under suspension was adopted..” (Motion: Recupero)
Dec 9Request that the City Manager provide an account of…Motion: A motion from Councilor Recupero to adopt under suspension was adopted.Passed · see note
December 9, 2019: Request that the City Manager provide an account of when he will put $300,000 aside from the Massport grant for soundproofing in the City of Chelsea.
A motion from Councilor Recupero to adopt under suspension was adopted.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Recupero to adopt under suspension was adopted..” (Motion: Recupero)
Dec 9Order: the City Manager explore the opportunity of Robert…Motion: A motion from Councilor Vidot to adopt under suspension was adopted.Passed · see note
December 9, 2019: Order: the City Manager explore the opportunity of Robert "Duke" Bradley Community Cable expanding their video coverage of meetings to include ZBA, Traffic and Parking, Licensing and any other...
A motion from Councilor Vidot to adopt under suspension was adopted.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Vidot to adopt under suspension was adopted..” (Motion: Vidot)
Nov 25Resolution: We, the Members of the Chelsea City Council,…Motion: Councilor Robinson moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted.Passed · see note
November 25, 2019: Resolution: We, the Members of the Chelsea City Council, on behalf of the citizens of Chelsea, wish to go on record to thank you, Maria Figueroa, for your dedicated work…
Councilor Robinson moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“Councilor Robinson moved to adopt under suspension and it was adopted..” (Motion: Robinson)
Nov 25Amendment: was adopted read as follows: Ordered, that the…Motion: Roll call on the amendment requested by Councilor Avellaneda was defeatedFailed 1–7 · No: Brown, Judith Garcia, Lopez, Recupero, Robinson, Rodriguez, Vidot
November 25, 2019: Amendment: was adopted read as follows: Ordered, that the Chelsea City Council adopt a 31% Residential Exemption for Fiscal Year 2020.
Roll call on the amendment requested by Councilor Avellaneda was defeated
Yes: AvellanedaNo: Brown, Judith Garcia, Lopez, Recupero, Robinson, Rodriguez, Vidot
From the minutes
“Roll call on the amendment requested by Councilor Avellaneda was defeated 1-7-3-0. Voting yes was Councilor Avellaneda, Voting no were Councilors Garcia, Vidot, Rodriguez, Lopez, Brown, Robinson, and Recupero. Absent were Councilors Perlatonda, Tejada, and Bishop..” (Motion: Avellaneda)
Nov 25Order: a Public Hearing be scheduled for December 23,…Motion: A motion from Councilor Robinson adopted the order under suspension.Passed · see note
November 25, 2019: Order: a Public Hearing be scheduled for December 23, 2019 regarding the TIF Agreement for the Innes Project
A motion from Councilor Robinson adopted the order under suspension.
The minutes give the result only, with no count, so MassVoter does not show how each councilor voted.
From the minutes
“A motion from Councilor Robinson adopted the order under suspension..” (Motion: Robinson)
From the Chelsea City Council’s official minutes, posted on the city’s City Council agendas and minutes page (2021 on) and its City Council archive (2015 to 2020). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Chelsea (chelseama.gov), from the official photos on the City Council page. Former councilors show initials.
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