Bill Hanley, Ward 3 City Councillor

06/12/2026

Special day rescheduled!

SPECIAL DAY RESCHEDULED TO JULY 11

A Special Day in Waltham will now happen on Saturday, July 11 after it was canceled due to inclement weather.

Just a quick note on registrations from Joanne Raymond of Opportunities for Inclusion (OFI), one of the organizers: “Since registrations were at capacity for the original date, the committee decided to keep new athlete and volunteer registrations closed for now until we determine how many can attend on the new date. If spots open up, we will re-open registration.”

Info
aspecialdayinwaltham.org

06/10/2026

The Waltham Lions Club has been around since 1939 and I’m proud and humbled to carry on that legacy.

06/09/2026

📣 City Council Update – June 8, 2026

It was a late night at City Hall with three major public hearings, several resolutions, and numerous funding approvals. We are also entering the final stages of the FY2027 budget process, with department budget hearings taking place this week and next. Only two meetings remain before the summer break.

🏗️ Mixed-Use Development Proposals Advance

Representatives from BXP and 1265 Main presented the latest revisions to their proposed mixed-use zoning overlays. For months, the City Council, Ordinances & Rules Committee, and Law Department have worked to negotiate terms that protect neighborhoods and the city's financial interests.

The proposal includes approximately $30 million in infrastructure improvements, including the Green Street Extension and Route 117 bridge improvements. Following public comment and discussion, the Council approved the zoning amendments on a first reading.

🏢 Additional Development Requests

Two additional zoning requests were presented and referred to the Ordinances & Rules Committee for further review:

A proposal from Ferris Development to include 1432 Main Street in the mixed-use overlay district.
A request to add 181-185 Felton Street to the Riverfront Overlay District.

Both matters will also be reviewed by the Board of Survey and Planning.

🚔 Public Safety & French National Team

WPD Captain Rodley appeared before the Council regarding security planning for the French National Team's stay at Bentley University. Several grants were approved, but the city may need to fund up to $100,000 in police overtime if grant funding proves insufficient.

💰 Funding Approvals

The Council approved all matters advanced from committee, including:

✅ A $290,000 Complete Streets Grant
✅ Funding for a new inclusive playground at Northeast School (CPA funding)
✅ $1 million toward construction of a women's shelter (CPA funding)
✅ $1.75 million to acquire housing for veterans (CPA funding)

🏠 Ward 3 Update

The Council approved the street opening permit for the new home under construction at 108 Greer Street.

🐶 Pet Grooming Businesses Approved

After extensive work in committee, the Council gave final approval to zoning changes that will allow pet grooming businesses to operate in commercial districts without the costly special permit process previously required. This is a positive step for small business growth in Waltham.

🎉 Resolutions Approved

The Council also:

Congratulated Rose Marie Richard on her 100th birthday
Recognized the French National Team for selecting Waltham as its World Cup training home
Honored Jewish Family & Children's Services for its contributions to the community

A resolution to install a trash receptacle on Railroad Avenue was referred to the Public Works & Public Safety Committee for review.

📅 What's Next

The next meeting is Committee Night on June 15, followed by the final Council meeting before summer break on June 22.

As always, thank you for staying engaged and informed about the work happening at City Hall.

Go Hawks!

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06/06/2026

82 years ago today, the United States began the liberation of Europe.

06/05/2026

I’m still always surprised by the wildlife in Ward 3. The bear sightings dropped off, but now we got a bobcat.

06/02/2026

📣 City Council Committee Update – June 1, 2026

It was another busy committee night at City Hall as we approach our final meetings before the summer break. The Mayor also presented both the City and School Department FY27 budgets for Council review. Budget hearings with department heads will take place on June 9 and June 16. See the meeting recordings on WCAC for complete details.

Veterans Services Committee
The committee discussed the James Fahey Resolution and George Washington Passage Resolution and heard from former Councillor Sally Collura, who remains active in several veterans organizations.

🏗️ Long-Term Debt & Capital Planning
The committee approved seven Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding requests, including:

✅ $1.13 million for a new inclusive playground at Northeast School, which will be open to the public outside school hours. I was proud to make the motion for approval.

✅ $1 million to support construction of a women's shelter at 118 Prospect Street.

✅ $1.75 million to purchase 48 and 50 Mount Walley Road for affordable veterans housing.

✅ Funding to restore the American Revolution monument on the Common and preserve and digitize Waltham's original town record book, which will also be digitized for online viewing.

🚧 Public Works & Public Safety
Approved a street opening permit for construction of a new home at 108 Greer Street. The committee also received updates from City Engineer Robert Winn and DPW Director Michael Chiasson on paving, municipal and utility projects planned for 2026.

🍽️ Licenses & Franchises
Discussed grants of location for National Grid and outdoor dining permits, including a request from Peppino's Dosa.

🚲 Committee of the Whole
Approved meeting minutes and discussed potential locations for future bike-share racks throughout the city.

💰 FY27 Budget Presentation
The Mayor and City Auditor formally presented the FY27 budget to the City Council. Over the next two weeks, councillors will meet with department heads to review spending plans and priorities before final budget adoption.

🏨 Ordinances & Rules
The committee heard updates on:

- The proposed hotel, restaurant, and function space at 220 Moody Street. The mayor and the petitioner will continue to discuss an air-rights easement and parking plan.
- The proposed zoning change at 495 Lincoln Street to allow construction of several new homes. The Law Department will attend a future meeting to provide additional guidance on this proposal.

📊 Finance Committee
Reviewed several funding requests, including a $290,000 MassDOT grant and financing related to recently negotiated collective bargaining agreements.

📅 What's Next
The full City Council meets on Monday, June 8, when all matters approved by committees will come before the Council for final action.

Our final meetings before the summer break will be held on June 15 and June 22.

As always, thank you for staying informed and engaged in the work happening at City Hall.

Go Hawks!

05/29/2026

Another event rained out for tomorrow.

A SPECIAL DAY IN WALTHAM CANCELED

The third annual event has been canceled due to inclement weather.

UPDATE: The organizing committee is now considering a new date for the event. Stay tuned for more...

05/29/2026

FYI, lousy weather weekend coming tomorrow to ruin all our fun…

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17rh43ePLF/?mibextid=wwXIfr

FYI - Due to expected rain and high winds tomorrow, and for the safety of all event visitors and our recreation amenities, the Recreation Department's 'Springtacular' event has been CANCELLED.

*Save the date for our Waltham Common Block Party on August 29th & check out some of our other scheduled community events: https://www.city.waltham.ma.us/home/pages/2026-events

05/27/2026

📣 City Council Update – May 26, 2026

Over Memorial Day weekend, we gathered at several moving events across the city to honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Thank you to everyone who participated in these important remembrances.

Tuesday night brought a busy City Council meeting, with youth basketball recognitions, public hearings, and several approvals to move city business forward.

🏀 Celebrating Waltham Youth Basketball Success
We proudly recognized two outstanding youth basketball teams:

- The Waltham YBA Girls 6th Grade Travel Team for winning back-to-back championships
- The Waltham YBA Boys 4th Grade Travel Team for an undefeated season and league championship

Congratulations to all of the players, coaches, and families. You represented Waltham with competitiveness, teamwork, and determination. Go Hawks!

🚧 Greer Street Street Opening Request
Residents at 108 Greer Street appeared before the Council seeking approval for a sewer and water line street opening to construct a new home. Due to recent paving on Greer Street, the project will be subject to DPW oversight and must restore the roadway and sidewalk to original condition. This was referred to the Public Works & Public Safety Committee.

🔥 National Grid Main Street Project
National Grid answered questions regarding the major underground gas line replacement project on Main Street between McDonald’s and Banks Square. This important infrastructure work was referred to the Licenses & Franchises Committee.

🏨 220 Moody Street Proposal
Petitioners for the proposed hotel/restaurant/function hall at 220 Moody Street updated the Council on progress. Two remaining items — an easement from the city and licensed use of the Embassy Parking Garage — will continue to be worked through with the Mayor’s Office. The matter will return to the Council on August 3, 2026.

💰 Funding & Committee Referrals
Several funding requests, including collective bargaining agreements and a $290K Complete Streets grant, were referred to Finance. Additional license matters were referred to Licenses & Franchises.

New Resolutions:
I signed on to:

A resolution recognizing Waltham Pride Day
A resolution requesting updates on ongoing road and utility projects throughout the city

✅ Committee Approvals Finalized
The Council unanimously approved all matters from the May 18 committee meetings, including:

- Licenses for use of city farmland at 240 Beaver Street
- The $8.6M loan to purchase 600 Main Street (Buttrick Building)
- An extension for the hotel special permit at 1265 Main St/Market Basket
- $72K in funding for WCAC-TV
- Final approval of a $1.45M high-voltage substation to power the redevelopment of 200 Trapelo Road / Fernald

🏗 Major Development Hearings Coming
Three public hearings for the proposed mixed-use zoning overlays from BXP and 1265 Main Street are scheduled for June 8, 2026.

📅 Upcoming Council Schedule
We have four meetings remaining before the summer break:

June 1 & 15: Committee Nights
June 8: Full Council
June 22: Council → Committees → Council

Mayor McCarthy has also called a special meeting on June 1 for presentation of the FY27 budget.

Thank you, as always, for staying engaged and informed on what’s happening at City Hall. Go Hawks!

05/19/2026

📣 City Council Committee Update – May 19, 2026

It was a busy committee night at City Hall, with eight committees meeting and moving important city business forward. A major highlight: the Ordinances & Rules Committee worked past midnight on three significant development proposals that will shape Waltham’s future.

🏢 Buttrick Building Purchase Advances
The Long-Term Debt Committee approved an $8.6M loan to purchase the Buttrick Building at 600 Main Street, next to City Hall. Mayor McCarthy attended to answer questions about the proposal, which would help consolidate city departments, improve access to services, and add much-needed parking downtown.

If completed, BrightBridge Credit Union would remain in the building for three years as a tenant, helping offset loan costs.

🏅 Kevin M. Ritcey Public Service Award Nominations Open
The award committee officially opened nominations for the annual Kevin M. Ritcey Public Service Award, which honors individuals who have provided exemplary service to the City Council, City of Waltham, or the community.

📝 Nominations are due June 12, 2026, and the award will be presented June 15. A one-page nomination may be submitted to [email protected].

📺 Other Committee Activity

- The Cable Access Committee approved annual funding for WCAC
- Public Works & Public Safety approved meeting minutes
- Licenses & Franchises reviewed naming requests and outdoor dining permits for Moody Street restaurants
- Veterans Services discussed two resolutions

🌱 Committee of the Whole
The committee heard a presentation from the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and approved licenses for city land use at 240 Beaver Street for:

Waltham Fields Community Farm
Healthy Waltham
Green Rows of Waltham

We also briefly met in executive session with the Mayor regarding a city real estate matter.

🏗 Major Development Progress – Ordinances & Rules:
Representatives from BXP and 1265 Main joined the committee for final discussions on three proposed mixed-use zoning overlay districts, totaling approximately 1,500 residential units across the sites.

After extensive discussion with the City Solicitor and committee members, developers accepted nearly all requested changes — including ensuring no retail or commercial buildings will be located near the Lincoln Woods neighborhood. We are getting close to finalizing this process.

Also approved:
✅ An extension for the hotel project at 1265 Main Street / Market Basket
✅ The pet grooming ordinance, making it easier for these businesses to operate in Waltham
✅ Updates to inclusionary zoning, which now move to the full Council next week

📅 Next Meeting: Tuesday, May 26, 2026, due to the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

Thank you for staying engaged and following the work happening at City Hall. Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Go Hawks!