Other councillors said they are concerned about Harvard's presence overwhelming the character of Watertown.

"The only open space we have is the Arsenal, and we've been waiting two-hundred years to develop it," said Councillor Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney.

Devaney said she was worried that Harvard would contribute to overdevelopment and rising prices in Watertown.

"When I first heard Harvard, my heart sank. My first feeling was 'oh no.' It's not a judgment about the institution, just the way things are changing around here," Devaney said. "It's getting very difficult for people to own their homes and pay their taxes. This is going to devastate us, it really is."

Grogan said Harvard is fully aware of the concerns of the community.

"As we get into discussions with the town, we expect be able to allay those fears," he said.

Although some Watertown officials have said that Harvard would need town approval to purchase the Arsenal, Grogan said otherwise.

"We're not going to grant the town a veto over whether Harvard purchases