The week ahead: City asked to defend timeline on Fernald golf course

The Conservation Commission will revisit a proposal this Thursday to build a golf course on the former Fernald State School site.

The golf course is part of Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy’s plans for recreational facilities on the site. The city originally planned to put in a driving range, but a project architect recently informed the commission it was pivoting instead to a smaller “pitch and putt” course that would have fewer environmental effects.

The commission’s last meeting ended in a standstill when commissioners questioned why Waltham had yet to file a document outlining conservation protections on the Fernald property, which it was required to create when the city bought the property in 2014. 

The commission approved the golf course plan under the condition that city officials provide a legal justification by this week’s meeting for why the project is proceeding without the required conservation document.

Below is a chronological rundown of other city meetings scheduled this week, July 10 through 14.

Historical Commission

The Waltham Historical Commission is a seven-member board charged with preserving and overseeing Waltham’s historic buildings and properties. 

At its meeting tonight, Aug. 10, the commission will discuss proposed federal changes to historic preservation rules. The changes would affect Section 106, the review process federal agencies use to assess whether projects could harm historic properties and to consult with interested parties before moving forward. The commission will decide whether to submit a formal comment during the upcoming public input period for the changes.

It will meet at 7 p.m. over Zoom. The Zoom link will be posted on the city website, under the Media tab, on its agenda page. The Zoom meeting passcode is on the commission’s August agenda.

Housing Authority

The Waltham Housing Authority works to provide affordable housing options for Waltham residents who face barriers to housing. 

The authority will hear an update on the state-owned property at 35-45 Marguerite Ave., along with a review of modernization efforts, contract logs and change orders. The board’s maintenance director will also present a vacancy report and work order report.

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:30 p.m over Zoom. The meeting ID is 880 6971 4882. The passcode is 659243.

School Committee

The Waltham School Committee, an elected six-member committee chaired by the mayor, makes policy and oversight decisions for the Waltham Public Schools.

This week, the committee will have its last summer session before the school year begins. The agenda promises a relatively routine meeting, as the committee reviews highlights from the 2025-26 school year and addresses mostly ongoing unfinished business. 

Superintendent Marisa Mendonsa indicated in June that a presentation on antiracism, diversity, equity and inclusion in Waltham’s schools would be given at this week’s meeting after months of preparation.

The committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the James J. Cannon Lecture Hall at 617 Lexington St.

Conservation Commission

The Conservation Commission is a volunteer board charged with overseeing environmental planning in Waltham. The commission reviews certain types of construction on or around wetlands to ensure they comply with the Wetlands Protection Act and the Department of Environmental Protection stormwater standards.

It will hold its meeting over Zoom at 7 p.m. on Thursday. An agenda and link for the meeting will be provided on the commission’s page on the city website at least 48 hours in advance.