Reps. Stanley and Lawn and Sen. Barrett support the Waltham High School Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report

In a letter to the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Reps. Stanley and Lawn and Sen. Barrett expressed full support and approval for the Waltham High School (WHS) Project’s Draft Environmental Impact Report. This project is critical for the community of Waltham as it will deliver the high quality, rigorous, 21st century education which will prepare our students for the continuously evolving world of work and future studies.

After receiving the Environmental Notification Form (ENF) Certificate from the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs on December 6, 2019, the City sought alternatives to address concerns raised by the Secretary to mitigate impacts on the environment, specifically the planned location of the playing field and underground parking facility. An additional 6-acre, city-owned parcel (Jericho Parcel ll) was identified as an alternative, one that could potentially address the Secretary’s concerns and keep the project’s timeline on schedule. As such, the Jericho II Parcel has been transferred by the City Council to the School Department. Not only will the Jericho Parcel II avoid any altering of the Bordering Vegetated Wetland (BVW) and relocating of the stream, it allows the School Department to accommodate the overall building program for approximately 1,830 high school students.

With a scope and budget of 374.6 million, the proposed WHS is one of the largest and most ambitious capital projects the City has ever embarked upon. The project is on track to receive significant funds from the MSB, helping to reduce the burden of local taxpayers to finance the entire costs associated with building the new facility. With the latest estimates putting the completion of the new WHS in September 2024, and as construction costs continue to soar, MEPA approval is needed so that this project can stay on-time and on-budget.