Politics & Government
Plan To Put Waltham Police At Fernald Site Edges Forward
The mayor recently requested the City Council allow zoning for Police to be at Fernald.
WALTHAM, MA — A contentious plan to house the Waltham Police Station at the Fernald site appears to be edging forward after Waltham Mayor Jeannette McCarthy requested City Council to adjust zoning to allow the police station to move to the site at a recent council meeting.
"I have asked for temporary occupancy of Marquadt at Fernald for the police and I have asked for permanent occupancy for Veterans’ Housing," she said according to the docket.
A plan to renovate the police department on Lexington Street and move them temporarily to a new location during construction has been in the works for a while. The idea was to house the police temporarily at the Fernald property, but that has been met with opposition from the police union, because of the condition of the buildings on that site.
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Here's what was listed on Waltham City Council Docket:
The Mayor respectfully asks that the appropriation request for the Police Station and that the
City Council enact zoning to allow occupancy of the police at Fernald. The renovation of the
Police Headquarters is the Police Chief’s priority. On April 22, 2013, the City Council agreed to
$506,000.00 for the design of the Police Station Headquarters on Lexington Street (copy
enclosed). After designed, I sent it out to bid. The bid was awarded subject to appropriation. My
appropriation request has been tabled by the City Council. If CPW and Engineering move from the
first floor of the 911 Building, that space is potentially available for the Police Department.
Additionally, there is always room for expansion at the Muni Center site if the police/fire need it.
I have asked for temporary occupancy of Marquadt at Fernald for the police and I have asked for
permanent occupancy for Veterans’ Housing.
Read the full docket and agenda for the Nov. 27 City Council Meeting
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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch
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