Bukia “Kia” Chalvire, a longtime community volunteer and public servant, has been appointed to the Board of Registrars following a unanimous vote by the City Council last week.
Chalvire, who moved to Peabody with her family in 2012, has been a familiar presence in the city’s civic life for over a decade. She first became involved through local activities shortly after relocating, inspired by a desire to give back to the city she quickly grew to love.
“I found my dream home here,” Chalvire said. “As soon as I moved to Peabody, I started getting involved in the community. It’s been a blessing.”
Chalvire ran for public office three times, first seeking the Ward 4 council seat in 2017 and later running at-large in both 2021 and 2023. While not successful at the ballot box, her campaigns helped build strong community connections and a reputation for grassroots advocacy focused on residents’ needs.
After the 2023 election, Chalvire continued her civic engagement through volunteer work at Rest-Stop-Ranch, a local nonprofit offering accessible garden spaces and respite programs for caregivers, including families affected by memory loss. In addition to her volunteer service, Chalvire now works as the fiscal coordinator for the Massachusetts Office for Refugees and Immigrants, helping support communities across the state.
Earlier this spring, Mayor Ted Bettencourt reached out to Chalvire to offer her the opportunity to serve on the Board of Registrars following the retirement of longtime member Joel Brenner. Chalvire will represent the Republican Party on the three-member board, which by law includes one Democrat, one Republican, and one independent. Currently, the independent seat remains vacant, and Mayor Bettencourt is expected to nominate a candidate to fill that position shortly.
As a Registrar, Chalvire’s responsibilities will include supervising elections, verifying candidate signatures, assisting with ballot order drawings, and helping oversee operations across Peabody’s voting precincts.
The new role feels like a natural extension of her lifelong passion for civic engagement. A naturalized U.S. citizen who immigrated from Haiti 27 years ago, Chalvire has long advocated for election integrity and citizen participation.
“I really care about election legitimacy,” she said. “It’s an honor to serve the city in this way, and to know that every citizen’s voice is protected.”
Chalvire also reflected on the broader significance of her appointment.
“I believe I may be the first person of color and naturalized immigrant to serve on the Board of Registrars in Peabody,” she said. “I’m proud that kids who look like me can see someone at the table. It’s a message that Peabody is their home too, and there are opportunities for everyone.”
Mayor Bettencourt praised Chalvire’s long record of dedication and service.
“Kia is a hardworking, dedicated, and compassionate member of our city,” Bettencourt said. “She and her wonderful family care deeply about Peabody and have been longtime city volunteers and supporters. I look forward to Kia bringing her many talents to the position, and I know she will be a great addition to the board.”
Chalvire is now awaiting her official swearing-in and looks forward to helping guide Peabody’s elections through the busy seasons ahead.
