Great news and advancement of House Bill. No. 4927! On Thursday, November 5th,  Representative John Lawn took to the podium at the State House in front of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and presented Bill No. 4927, a bill transferring the UMass Field Station land to the City of Waltham. The bill was enacted after a roll call vote was tallied (157 yea and 0 nay). 

On Tuesday November 17, the MA Senate also conducted a roll call vote and passed the legislation! And, on Monday 11/23, Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill into law, alowing UMass to sell the property to UMass. This legislation will ensure that the land will be preserved for agricultural, open space and recreational purposes. The purchase and sale process between the City of Waltham and UMass may now proceed and we await an update on the timeframe for site ownership to be officially transferred to the City of Waltham. This is indeed a long awaited moment, which we will ceremoniously acknowledge soon in a safe manner. 

Read Read media update

What are the next steps?
House Bill 4927 is now advancing to Governor Baker for approval, with the expectation of the Governor signing into law within 10 days. Afterwards, the purchase and sale will proceed between the City of Waltham and UMass. Tenants seek awareness of a timeline for that process so that we may prepare for continued tenancies.

What does this mean for the tenants at 240 Beaver St. and WFCF?
Non-profit organizations operating from the UMass Field Station in Waltham are now one step closer to transitioning their tenancies to the City of Waltham. Tenants are gratified to learn of this advancement in the legislative process and thankful to have received the support of our State legislators over the past two and a half years since receiving notice of non-renewal of leases from UMass. Tenants remain hopeful for a supportive and collaborative relationship with the City, and are ready to engage in constructive communication. Persisting site concerns and future tenancy uncertainties call for the creation of an open pathway for conversation with the City. Stabilizing tenancies is paramount for the organizations currently operating from 240 Beaver Street. 

What should the wider community know? 
The original Massachusetts House bill was amended this summer by the Senate, with the support of the non-profit Field Station tenants, in an effort to clarify the intent of both the bill and of the underlying agreement between the University of Massachusetts and the City of Waltham. The revision was important as it ensures that the land will be limited to certain uses in perpetuity (agriculture, open space, and recreation). Field Station tenants seek assurances for their sustained tenancies from the City and in support of their missions and contributions to the City of Waltham, neighboring communities, and the environment. It is time to eliminate the insecurity long felt by tenant organizations and support a pathway for direct communication between the City, State, and tenant representatives, and initiate a stabilization period for tenants during and after the transition of ownership. Current tenant leases with UMass extend thru December 31, 2020.

Thank you to everyone who has followed this transition and advocated for the Field Station and its non-profit organizations. We're ALMOST there!

September 2020 Update:

A message to our farm community: PROGRESS on the sale of the Waltham Field Station from UMass to the City of Waltham. Closer, but not there yet!

On September 3, 2020 the MA Senate adopted and passed legislation (S 2906) which includes an mendment drafted by the Senate to the exisiting House bill, allowing UMass to convey the field station to the City of Waltham. WFCF is very grateful for the recent progress and communication between the Senate and House as well as the amended legislation which Senator Mike Barrett carried forth to the Senate floor, with full support from the exisiting Waltham Field Station tenants. The current ​legislation now evokes Article 97, ​the level of land protection sought by WFCF and tenants of the Field Station, which would require the City of Waltham, as future land owner, to receive a 2⁄3 roll call vote in the House and Senate for any future alternative site use other than for Recreation, Agriculture and Open Space.

Advancement of the bill now resides in the MA House of Representatives. We anticipate a vote in the House to "concur" soon, with the support of the House bill's original messenger, Representative John Lawn. Afterwards, roll call votes will be required to “enact” and then onward to Governor Baker. At this time, tenants are not anticipating significant opposition at either vote.

WFCF remains deeply greatful for the almost 2.5 years of community support and tenant advocacy during this process. Numerous elected officials and supporters of the organizations operating from the Field Station participated at public meetings held at Waltham City Hall and the Waltham's Government Building, and shared words of support during our postcard and letter-writing campaigns, phone calls and emails to elected officials, etc. WFCF is highly optimistic for a completion of this process this fall. With that said, WFCF recognizes it will require additonal positive communication and collaborative work with the City of Waltham to secure a stable, multi-year lease for the farm land, to actualize real security for our programs, operations and mission, as well as long term preservation of this vital open space.

We will be thriled to share a loud and enthusiastic WOO-HOO! when negotiations and authorizations are complete. Stay tuned and THANK YOU for your continued interest and support!