Residents Camp Out At Waltham City Hall For Latest On High School

WALTHAM, MA — After Waltham residents showed up in droves bringing signs and making themselves known to city officials before and during each Monday city council meeting for the past several weeks, tonight they were at it again, hoping to influence the outcome of the future of the placement of a new high school, and perhaps, even, to hear that outcome. But by 9:25 p.m., some three hours after councilors entered into a closed door session to discuss the high school and the possibility of eminent domain, there was no end in site.

UPDATE>> Waltham City Council Votes To Take Stigmatine Property

Parents and community members held signs filled Waltham City Hall's City Council Chamber so much so the mayor had trouble getting through. One person estimated there were close to 300 people. They overflowed into the hallway, some wearing "I love The Farm" stickers, in support of keeping the Waltham Community Fields Farm for farming and not an option for the placement of the new high school, some in support of taking the Stigmatine property to use.

But residents who filed back into the halls as the closed door session began, planning to stick around in the hope of hearing the council had voted and put an end to the contentious conversation about just where the high school would be situated, had to wait for it.

The last scheduled executive session scheduled before the summer break for City Council regarding the acquisition and/or use of real estate parcels in relation to Waltham High School project "and other projects" started just after 6 p.m. and was slated to end at 7:30 p.m. However, as of 9:10 p.m. councilors popping out of the council chambers told those lining the hallway that it would be a while.

A Former City Councilor told folks waiting that the last executive session for the year was always long.

"That said, this is beyond long," he said.

"The process for identifying a new site for Waltham High School will soon end. We hope a sound and smart decision is made for our children, our families and for our community," wrote Christina Montgomery on Facebook highlighting the reason many folks had turned up for Waltham Citizens for Education.

The folks at Waltham Field Farms also sent out an email telling supporters to come out, and that they did.

As did city council hopefuls and other residents.

Sharline Nabulime, who is running in August for a seat on the council said from the hallway of City Hall she trusted the process and whatever decision the elected officials came up with, although she said she wasn't keen on the idea of taking a property by Eminent Domain.

"Our education leaders, the mayor, Drew, the School Committee and sub committee all spent a lot of time and effort on selecting an education plan and site," said Celeste Woodside outside the City Council chambers Monday night. "Anything less is, frankly, sub par for the school."

The school committee made it clear their choice is the Stigmatine property. That's complicated by the fact that the Stigmatines, a religious order on the private land, have flat out told the city that they do not want to sell.

"Before what appears to be the most important decision to be made in the city for the next century, we are proud of what we have accomplished as a group of committed citizens who care deeply about our city, our community and the quality of education that all children in this city receive. Whatever decisions, if any, are made," wrote Christina Montgomery, a former candidate for council in Ward 8. "The Waltham Citizens for Education will leverage the support we have received from every corner of this city to remain strong and engaged in educational issues in this city. We will continue to monitor the decisions that are made and continue to support those individuals who commit to making smart and thoughtful decisions in the best interest of our city, our children, and our families."

Read this now>> Waltham City Council Votes To Take Stigmatine Property

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Watch as the room full of people cheer on the mayor ahead of the closed door session.

File photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch