The City has acquired the former UMass Field Station and Farm at 240 Beaver Street! See a letter from Mayor McCarthy:
"Ward 6 Councillor Sean Durkee and I are pleased to announce that the City has acquired the former UMASS Field Station and Farm at 240 Beaver Street today.
I would like to thank the City’s bargaining team, Attorney Luke Stanton and Ward 4 Councillor and City Council designee, John McLaughlin who worked with me on this. I would like to thank Ward 6 Councillor Sean Durkee, and the entire City Council, both past and present for approving the funding from the Waltham Community Preservation Committee for the purchase. I would like to thank the City Auditor’s, City Treasurer’s, and City Clerk’s Offices for their assistance.
I would like to thank State Representative John Lawn whose State House District the farm is located for his tireless efforts in bringing this to fruition. I would like to thank Michael Barrett, the State Senator who represents the district of the farm, Representative Thomas Stanley and the entire State Legislature, House and Senate, for voting for the legislation permitting the sale to the City. I would like to thank Lieutenant Governor Karen Polito, Governor Charlie Baker and their staffs who facilitated this through the Executive Branch and signed the legislation enabling the sale to the City of Waltham.
Special thanks to UMASS General Counsel Gerry Leone and Executive Director Chris Dunn, representing UMASS and the UMASS Trustees and Officials who worked diligently through this process.
Lastly and most importantly, I would like to thank the taxpayers and the farmers who worked to make sure sustainable agriculture remains in the City of Waltham for generations to come, for all to enjoy and be healthy."
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Backstory: Back in December of 2019, the Field Station (formerly owned by the University of Massachusetts) publicly announced a plan to close the facility. The Field Station houses eight different non-profits all working to advance local food systems and sustainability. Collectively these organizations have an irreplaceable & regional impact. Closing would put all of the non-profits housed in the building at risk of eviction. In September 2019, Mayor McCarthy submitted an application to secure CPC funds for purchase of the site. As of yesterday afternoon, the acquisition of the 28-acre farm is finalized. You can learn more about the Field Station and the important work they do on their website: https://walthamfieldstation.org/ . We're excited to see their work continue for years to come!
