Stigmatines To Waltham: No Surveyors On Our Property

Patch
'Waltham is under the impression and acting as if they have made a valid taking of the Stigmatine property,' wrote the Stigmatine lawyer.

WALTHAM, MA — This week the Fathers of the Stigmatines reiterated that plan to fight the taking of their land for the building of a new high school through their attorney, insinuating the eminent domain action might not be valid and calling for cease and desist.

“Waltham is under the impression and acting as if they have made a valid taking of the Stigmatine property...our clients do not want and will not permit any activity on the Stigmatine property. This shall include any activity involving agents, contractors, surveyors, engineers, or consultants on behalf of the City of Waltham of any kind for a minimum of (one hundred and twenty) 120 days commencing from July 23, 2018,” Peter Flynn wrote in a letter submitted to City Solicitor John Cervone.

Still, it's difficult to fight eminent domain if a government can show it exhausted other options.

The Waltham School Committee and Superintendent's office have long argued that 544 Lexington is the only appropriate property available in the city that will work with their educational plan, which has already gotten approval from the State.

Although City Council originally refused to take the property by eminent domain the Waltham School Committee persisted, requesting the mayor to get permission from the council to proceed with the study of the property back on May 2. On June 25 the council changed course and voted to take the property by eminent domain and then the funds were approved.

Hundreds cheered the decision as the state body figuratively tapped its watch asking Waltham to agree on something and move forward on the school or risk losing funding.

But not everyone was happy about the move to take the 46-acre property where the Stigmatine religious order have occupied the property for nearly a century.

"I hope they fight it," Melissa Rossi was one of dozens of people who took to the Patch Facebook page at the time.

Former City Councilor Sally Collura asked folks to call their city councilors to weigh in.

"What don’t they understand that it’s not for sale. Why the hell do they have to STEAL the Stigmatine," wrote Jackie Pilla.

Recent Timeline, courtesy the Superintendent's office:

May 2, 2018: the Waltham School Committee requested of the Mayor to request of the Waltham City Council permission to conduct a full feasibility study at 554 Lexington Street.

May 9, 2018: the Mayor submitted to the Waltham City Council a request for approval to conduct a full feasibility study on the parcel and recommended that the Council appropriate $269,079 to fund the study.

On June 26, 2018: Waltham City Council Votes To Take Stigmatine By Eminent Domain and the Waltham City Council approved the appropriation in the amount of $269,079 from the unreserved fund balance to conduct a full feasibility study at 554 Lexington Street.

During the August 7, 2018: special meeting the Waltham School Committee approved the start of the feasibility study at 554 Lexington Street and authorized the architects to walk the property.

On August 13, 2018, the Waltham School Building Committee approved the budget for the feasibility study at 554 Lexington Street and for the designer to release the sub-contractors to commence work on the property.

Check out some of the comments pro and con to taking the Stigmatine property, there are more than 70 on the Patch Facebook Page about it:

Previously on Patch:

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

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