Waltham City Council Authorizes $375 Million For New High School

WALTHAM, MA — City council voted to authorize the funding of the new high school project. But it didn't come quickly Monday night.

After a lengthy discussion about what the project could mean for traffic on Lexington Street - down the street from the current high school - 12 councilors voted in favor of the $375 million authorization. Diane LeBlanc abstained, and Daniel Romard voted against.

At the last City Council Meeting in August, LeBlanc requested more information on potential traffic repercussions of the school before approving the funds. The traffic engineer told the council Monday he estimated more than 1,000 more cars would be on the road because of the project. Then, when asked for his opinion said if it were only about traffic he'd recommend building the school next to the current high school, as people erupted on both sides of the issue from the audience at city hall.

"If you only looked at traffic and no other factor that would be the clear solution bu there are a thousand other factors," Michael Garvin said. "But I'm not making a recommendation."

The last minute focus on traffic appeared to upset some councilors.

Councilor George Darcy called it a "Red Herring," to slow down the project. He pointed to hundreds of other units popping up across the city in new developments during his time on council, saying no one seemed concerned when those were in front of them about more cars on the road then.

The mayor told the council she asked the police and fire chiefs to take another look and make recommendations based on what they might want in an ideal world should there be a terrorist attack on the school.

They came back noting they'd like to see more emergency roadways to and from the school, Friday.

The change came as a surprise to Councilor Bill Fowler, who originally said he felt uncomfortable voting to pass the budget without knowing more.

"Once we approve this loan, authorize the loan, we're out of the picture," he said.

Read more about the latest court case here: Waltham High School Project Before City Council Again

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).