Stigmatine Official: 'Our Property Is Not For Sale'

WALTHAM, MA – A top official from the Stigmatine Fathers & Brothers religious retreat spoke Thursday to clear up what he called a "campaign of rumor and innuendo" behind Monday's city council committee vote. In a letter, Rev. Robert White commended the committee for its decision to reject the mayor's request to seize the Lexington Street property by eminent domain and slammed comments about a "secret deal" the congregation has in place as false.

"It is misleading and manipulative. Frankly it is insulting," he wrote. "It questions my integrity and that of my confreres. Those of you making such statements and fear mongering please stop."

The City of Waltham has sought to acquire the land for open space for several years, and it has been eyed as the preferred site for a new Waltham High School. Mayor Jeannette McCarthy has said the Stigmatines have not met with the city after multiple requests to negotiate the sale of the property, while the congregation has maintained the city did not come up with a proposal suitable for the ministry's needs and the property is not open for bidding.

SEE ALSO: Mayor McCarthy: Why I Didn't Speak At The Stigmatine Meeting

Waltham City Council Committee Rejects Eminent Domain Taking of Stigmatines

White reiterated that stance in his letter Thursday, writing, "I don’t know how to say this more plainly or more clearly than that. Our property is not for sale, in whole or in part. We are not marketing it privately or publicly."

White was addressing an argument many supporters of taking the land by eminent domain have made: if the property is not used for a new school, it will be used for commercial or residential developments.

"It is incorrect and unfair for anyone to characterize the action of the Committee as 'choosing condos or apartments over children,'" White wrote. "As I firmly stated above, there are no plans for development of the land, the land is not for sale, and if that should change, we will let the City know first."

The committee voted 12-3 Monday night to reject the mayor's request to take the land by eminent domain. The matter will now go before the full city council for a final vote on May 22.