08/04/2026
📣 City Council Update – August 3, 2026
The City Council returned for its summer session, and it was a long but productive night. We began at 7:00 p.m. and wrapped up just after 1:00 a.m., completing a significant amount of city business.
🏗️ Bay Colony Mixed-Use Zoning Override
The biggest item of the evening was the Council's vote to override the Mayor's veto of the new mixed-use zoning overlay for Bay Colony, along with the previously approved zoning changes for Jones Road and 1265 Main Street.
I voted to override the veto because I believe these projects are the right long-term investment for Waltham. The vote to override was 12-1 and 13-0 and the council overrode the mayor’s veto. Commercial property values have declined significantly since the pandemic, and vacant office buildings don't generate the tax revenue needed to fund schools, public safety, and city services.
These projects will help transform underutilized commercial properties into vibrant mixed-use neighborhoods while bringing:
- Over $100 million in infrastructure funding and improvements
- The Green Street Connector to reduce neighborhood traffic
- A new fire station near Route 128
- A multimodal transportation center
- New housing, including affordable units
- Retail, jobs, and millions in building permit revenue
Just as importantly, nothing can be built without returning to the City Council for the special permit process, where there will be additional public hearings, negotiations, and opportunities to address neighborhood concerns.
Thank you to everyone who reached out to share your thoughts and to those who stayed late into the night at City Hall.
🏛️ Other Highlights
• Three public hearings were held, including updates on the proposed hotel at 220 Moody Street, the proposed CAVA restaurant at Market Basket, and a street opening at 20 Gale Street.
• The Council unanimously approved the purchase and sale agreement for 600 Main Street, moving the city closer to consolidating municipal offices and adding much-needed downtown parking.
• We approved funding for several important projects, including:
- $3.7 million for water and sewer improvements, including Graymore Road in Ward 3.
- $1.7 million to modernize Waltham's 911 dispatch and emergency radio system.
- Funding for recently negotiated union and non-union compensation agreements.
• We corrected an error in the June 9, 2025, meeting minutes that incorrectly referenced the Ward 3 Carousel School property. To be clear, no special permit was approved in executive session, and no development is currently planned for the Carousel School property.
• The Committee of the Whole approved appointments to the Council on Aging and Board of Cemetery Commissioners and approved easements to signalize the Beaver/Warren/Pelham intersection.
• Ordinances & Rules continued work on the proposed CAVA restaurant and 220 Moody Street hotel project. The committee also approved the withdrawal of the zoning request for 181-185 Felton Street and voted not to include 1432 Main Street in the new mixed-use zoning district.
📅 Next Meeting: Monday, September 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who continues to stay engaged in local government. Your emails, calls, and conversations help make better decisions for our city.
Enjoy the rest of your summer, and as always...
Go Hawks! (First day of school is Sept 2)
