Chelsea has reached a contract settlement with its 911 dispatchers as the city moves toward a regional emergency communications system.

The agreement covers employees represented by the New England Police Benevolent Association, Local 192, from January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027.

It comes during preparations for Chelsea to join the Metro North Regional Emergency Communications Center, which will serve Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop.

The settlement addresses pay and certain employment arrangements connected to that transition.

The agreement has been negotiated, but its financial provisions still require City Council approval.

What is included in the contract?

City Manager Fidel Maltez presented the agreement to councillors on October 19.

The proposed financial terms include a 1% pay increase for fiscal year 2026 and a 1.5% increase for fiscal year 2027.

The agreement also describes a one-time retention payment in fiscal year 2028 associated with the transition to regional dispatching.

According to the administration, the contract's total cost is approximately $166,000.

Maltez requested approval of the financial provisions and an initial transfer of approximately $8,800 from the salary reserve account.

The City Council sent the request to its Ways and Means Committee.

That review is necessary before the city can complete the funding portion of the agreement.

What happens to current dispatchers?

One of the most important questions surrounding the regional transition is what will happen to the employees who currently handle emergency calls for Chelsea.

The negotiated agreement includes provisions for existing union members to move to the regional communications center.

As outlined in the Chelsea Record's coverage of the settlement, employees must meet specified conditions.

Those include remaining employed through Chelsea's final day of dispatch operations, keeping required certifications current and completing training provided by the regional center.

The agreement also gives qualifying employees first consideration for other available City of Chelsea positions.

These provisions create a path for employees during the transition. They do not guarantee a particular position regardless of training, qualifications or other requirements.

A shared emergency communications center

In 2025, Chelsea voted to join Revere and Winthrop in the Metro North Regional Emergency Communications Center.

The communities are developing a shared dispatch operation at the former McKinley Elementary School site in Revere.

The project has been discussed with an anticipated 2027 opening, although the exact date when Chelsea's emergency calls will transfer has not been confirmed.

A regional communications center brings dispatch functions together so participating communities can coordinate emergency call-taking and dispatch operations through a shared organization.

For Chelsea residents, the key concern is maintaining dependable access to police, fire and emergency medical assistance throughout the transition.

The Chelsea Record's earlier report on the regional agreement explains the city's decision to participate.

What changes for residents now?

Nothing about the negotiated contract changes the emergency number residents should use.

People experiencing an emergency should continue calling 911.

The city must still complete its review of the contract costs, while the communities involved continue preparing the regional facility and its operations.

Those are separate steps. Approving a dispatchers' contract does not mean the new communications center is ready to open.

For employees, the settlement provides more clarity about compensation and the conditions governing a possible move. For residents, the next measures of success will be a well-managed transition and continued reliable emergency service.

Additional details are available in the October 19 City Council transcript.