Weymouth Opens Cooling Centers, Bans Outdoor Water Use Amid Extreme Heat
With a dangerous heat wave bearing down on the South Shore, the town of Weymouth is opening cooling centers through the Independence Day weekend and reminding residents that a Level 2 drought ban on nonessential outdoor water use is already in effect.
TOWN HALL
Mayor Robert Molisse has urged residents to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity, and check on elderly neighbors ahead of what the town is calling extreme heat conditions. In response, the town is opening cooling centers at Tufts Library, 46 Broad Street, on two separate windows: Wednesday, July 1, and Thursday, July 2, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and then again on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also in effect as of this week: a Level 2 Significant Drought designation, issued in coordination with the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Under this designation, all nonessential outdoor water use is banned for Weymouth residents and businesses effective immediately.
On the holiday logistics front, the Department of Public Works says the Fourth of July falling on a Saturday means no changes to the regular trash collection schedule. Hollis Street will be closed on July 3 but open Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Town Hall will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day, and the regularly scheduled Food Truck Friday event that day is also canceled.
The town is also partnering with the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to survey gaps in walking and biking infrastructure across the region, and is inviting residents to weigh in.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Weymouth Farmers Market returns to its regular Wednesday slot on July 1. No other library or cultural events were posted in this cycle.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
Weymouth Patch's morning digest flagged a significant local legal development: "🌱 Patch AM: Behavioral health group with Weymouth clinic settles $1.4 million fraud case." A behavioral health organization with a clinic in Weymouth has reached a $1.4 million settlement in a fraud case, per Weymouth Patch. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth)
Patch also highlighted a community food-access story from the previous day: "🌱 Patch AM: How Weymouth's pantry garden just grew to feed more neighbors." A local pantry garden program appears to have expanded its capacity to serve more residents in need, according to Weymouth Patch. (Read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth)
COMING UP
- Wednesday, July 1: Weymouth Farmers Market; Cooling Center open at Tufts Library, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. - Thursday, July 2: Cooling Center open at Tufts Library, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. - Friday, July 3: Cooling Center open at Tufts Library, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Town Hall closed (Independence Day observed); No Food Truck Friday - Saturday, July 4: Cooling Center open at Tufts Library, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Hollis Street transfer station open 9 a.m.–1 p.m. - Friday, July 18: Designer Purse Bingo supporting Dana Farber Cancer Institute (via Weymouth Patch calendar)