Chelsea City Council

About the Council

The City Council is the legislative branch of Chelsea’s government, drawing its powers from the City Charter and the laws and constitution of the Commonwealth. It has 11 members, three elected at-large and eight elected by district, each serving a two-year term. Councilors are elected in the odd-numbered years.

• Makes the laws. The Council adopts the ordinances that govern the city.
• Approves the budget. Reviews and adopts the City Manager’s proposed budget and appropriates city funds.
• Appoints the City Manager. Hires, evaluates, and if necessary removes the professional manager who runs city operations.
• Confirms appointments. Many key appointments require Council confirmation.
• Shapes land use. The Council amends the zoning ordinance and creates most municipal boards and commissions.
• Elects its leaders. Councilors choose a President to preside, currently At-Large Councilor Roberto Jimenez-Rivera, and a Vice President, currently District 3’s Norieliz DeJesus.

Council Members

Chelsea’s 11 councilors for the 2026-2027 term. At-large members can also be reached through the City Council Office at 617-466-4060.

President · Councilor-at-Large

Roberto Jimenez-Rivera

Phone: 603-260-9448

Vice President · District 3

Norieliz DeJesus

Phone: 857-364-9036

Councilor-at-Large

Leo Robinson

Phone: 617-791-6756

Councilor-at-Large

Kelly Garcia

Phone: 857-247-9504

District 1 Councilor

Todd Taylor

Phone: 617-872-3174

District 2 Councilor

Deron Hines

Phone: 617-915-2905

District 4 Councilor

Tanairi Garcia

Phone: 857-391-9523

District 5 Councilor

Lisa Anne Santagate

Phone: 339-226-1320

District 6 Councilor

Giovanni A. Recupero

Phone: 617-386-9603

District 7 Councilor

Manuel Teshe

Phone: 617-858-9105

District 8 Councilor

Calvin T. Brown

Phone: 617-466-1548

Full councilor contact list (chelseama.gov)

Meetings & How to Participate

• When: Two Mondays per month, September to June. In recess July and August.
• Where & time: City Council Chambers, Room 306, Chelsea City Hall, 500 Broadway. Committee meetings often held earlier the same evening.
• Watch: Broadcast live on Chelsea Community Cable (Comcast Ch. 22) and Facebook Live at facebook.com/CityOfChelsea.
• Agendas: posted on the city website before each meeting. Spanish interpretation available upon request.
• Speak up: Submit your name, address, and comment in writing by noon on the Wednesday before each meeting via chelseama.gov, or speak during public comment at the meeting.
• Your district councilor is your most direct line to City Hall on neighborhood issues; find your district on the city website.

What this seat decides

Your Town or City Council

A local ordinance, the city or town budget, or a problem in your own ward or district. The real testimony happens at committee hearings rather than at the full council meeting.