Negotiations move forward with Council Authorization on 4/8/19

We’re thrilled to announce that the Waltham City Council voted in favor, on April 8, to authorize Mayor McCarthy to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with UMass, thus advancing current negotiations.

After several Councillors stood to voice their support for the negotiations and for continued use of the parcels for farmland and the building as home base of our tenancy, the vote was:
12 in favor
1 opposed (S. Nabulime)
1 recused (R. LeBlanc is an abutter to the property)

We’re grateful as well for the wonderful support of everyone who emailed, called and came out to be present during the Council meeting. Your presence truly makes a difference. Special thanks, of course, to Mayor McCarthy and also to Councillor McLaughlin who noted the community’s presence, and the need to act quickly, and successfully moved to vote on the matter last evening.

As negotiations move forward, we will ask the Council to commit to:

  • defining the language within the MOA which expresses the City’s interest in acquiring the property for “certain municipal purposes”
  • publicly advocate for the permanent preservation of agriculture at the Waltham Field Station
  • protect the current tenancy of the vital and sustainable non-profit organizations housed at 240 Beaver Street in the hope of strengthening services offered to Waltham residents and those in our neighboring communities
  • continue to amplify and enhance future initiatives to strengthen the City of Waltham as a sustainable community and partner in food security, environmental stewardship, and urban agriculture.

As the tenants of the Waltham Field Station, we’re grateful and enthusiastic for the potential to collaborate with the City with our collective envision and plans for continued vibrant programming!