Weymouth Bans All Nonessential Outdoor Watering as Level 2 Drought Takes Effect
With a dangerous heat wave bearing down on the South Shore and the town already in a significant drought, Weymouth residents are facing back-to-back environmental pressures heading into the Fourth of July weekend.
**TOWN HALL**
Mayor Robert Molisse is urging residents to take the heat seriously: stay hydrated, scale back strenuous outdoor activity, and check on elderly neighbors in the coming days. The warning arrives as forecasters expect temperatures to climb sharply through the week.
At the same time, the town is under a Level 2 Significant Drought designation from the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Effective immediately, all nonessential outdoor water use is banned for both residents and businesses — a step above voluntary conservation. Residents should review the EEA guidelines for a full list of restricted activities.
On the trash front, the Department of Public Works wants residents to know that the July 4 holiday falls on a Saturday this year, so the regular weekly collection schedule remains unchanged for the week of June 29. Hollis Street will be closed on July 3 but will reopen Saturday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Finally, the town is partnering with the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization to gather public input on gaps in regional walking and biking infrastructure. Residents are encouraged to share their feedback to help shape future pedestrian and cycling improvements across the area.
**SCHOOLS**
Schools are out for the summer, but Weymouth Public Schools has posted grade-level summer reading lists — with learning assignments and suggested books for students in grades Pre-K through 12 — on the district website. The district is also operating on reduced summer office hours; families needing to reach staff should check the district's summer contact guidance posted June 24.
**COMMUNITY & ARTS**
No new library program announcements or community event openings were posted in this cycle.
**ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS**
Weymouth Patch's morning digest leads with a local food-access story: "🌱 Patch AM: How Weymouth's pantry garden just grew to feed more neighbors" — the item spotlights recent expansion of a community pantry garden serving residents in need, per Weymouth Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth).
Patch also flags the regional weather threat in a statewide report: "'Extreme' Heat Will Feel Like 110+ Degrees, Bring Severe Storm Risk To MA: See Latest Forecast" — temperatures combined with high humidity are expected to push the heat index to dangerous levels Wednesday through Friday, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/massachusetts).
**COMING UP**
- **Tuesday, June 30** — Conservation Commission Meeting, Weymouth Town Hall - **Friday, July 4** — Hollis Street open 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (otherwise closed July 3) - **Friday, July 18** — Designer Purse Bingo supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (Weymouth Patch calendar listing) - **Wednesday, August 20** — Weymouth School Committee Meeting, 6–8 p.m., Town Hall, 75 Middle Street - **Tuesday, September 2** — No School/Staff Development Day - **Wednesday, September 3** — First Day of School, Grades 1–6 and 9 (early release)