Field Station land transfer leads to mixed feelings among involved parties

The decision to transfer control of Field Station, site of Waltham Fields Community Farm (WFCF), to the City of Waltham’s Recreation Department has left stakeholders with some optimism but also some uncertainty in the near future.

The City Council’s Committee of the Whole voted 9-2 in favor of the land transfer on Monday, March 17, leaving care, custody and control of the property at 240 Beaver St. in the hands of the Recreation Department.

The change was made to give a city department oversight of ongoing needs and improvements for the property, particularly while abatement of hazardous environmental material and restoration of the property occurs, and to help determine future use for the buildings on the property.

WFCF’s license on the property is currently up and awaiting renewal. WFCF was informed in writing on March 13 that its 2025 license will be processed once the abatement is complete, according to Stacey Daley, executive director of WFCF.

Daley said WCFC is eager to meet with city officials to learn more about the city’s plans for the property and has sent “multiple written communications” requesting a meeting.

“WFCF is optimistic this may be an opportunity to expand our current program partnerships with the city’s Recreation Department and increase access for city residents to enjoy WFCF’s educational and nourishing programs,” she said. 

WFCF has concerns regarding the timeline for the abatement and any future construction. The city has not shared a timeline with tenants or what modifications to future licenses may look like.

“That has our team feeling vulnerable,” Daley said. WFCF is hoping to reach a multiyear agreement with the new license to secure the farm’s future on the property, Daley added.

The city, however, must undergo a fair legal process when making the property available.

Once the Recreation Department takes control of the administration building on the property, for example, any space within the building that it is not planning to use will be declared surplus, and then there will be an open process for licensees to bid on that space.

“I’m not able to legally advocate for any third party about any potential rights that they might wish [for] in the building … as soon as this is closed out, the licenses will be executed with some modifications,” Mayor Jeanette A. McCarthy said on March 17.

Sean T. Durkee, city councilor for Ward 6, the ward where Field Station is located, told The Waltham Times that the land transfer is a positive change and he is glad to hear that McCarthy plans to renew the farm’s license.

Neither McCarthy nor Kim Hebert, the city’s director of recreation, responded to requests for comment prior to deadline.