City Council Denies Eminent Domain Taking of Stigmatine, Affirms Need For Open Space

WALTHAM, MA – A proposal to take the Stigmatine Fathers & Brothers property by eminent domain is officially dead, as the full Waltham City Council voted to reject it at a meeting Monday night. According to Waltham Newswatch, the vote was 10-4, with one councilor absent.

The council passed two resolutions to affirm the need to preserve the land for open space and to attempt to prevent development.

A Waltham City Council committee voted 12-3 last week to reject the eminent domain taking of the land. Months of failed negotiations between the city and the Stigmatines culminated in the mayor's eminent domain request.

The City of Waltham has sought to acquire the property for open space for several years, and it has been eyed as the preferred site for a new Waltham High School. Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has said the Stigmatines have not met with the city after multiple requests to negotiate the sale of the property, while the congregation has maintained the city did not come up with a proposal suitable for the ministry's needs and the property is not open for bidding.

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