Weymouth Bans Nonessential Outdoor Water Use Under Level 2 Drought

The town's annual Fourth of July fireworks spectacular is moving to July 5 this year, and a Level 2 Significant Drought declaration is now in effect — two developments that will directly shape how Weymouth residents spend the holiday week.

TOWN HALL

Weymouth has officially entered Level 2 Significant Drought status, and effective immediately all nonessential outdoor water use is banned for residents and businesses alike. The restriction follows guidelines set by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. Lawn watering, car washing, and other discretionary outdoor uses are off the table until the drought status is lifted.

Also from Town Hall: the annual fireworks display will take place on July 5 rather than July 4. The town cited circumstances beyond its control, including the national 250th anniversary celebration and the unusually large-scale event planned in Boston, as the reason for the date change. Residents planning to watch fireworks on the Fourth itself will need to look elsewhere that evening.

Separately, the Department of Municipal Licenses and Inspections (Building) has issued a notice that public records request responses are currently delayed. No timeline for resolution was provided.

SCHOOLS

Weymouth Public Schools reminded families this week that district offices have shifted to summer hours. A post published June 24 outlines how to reach staff over the summer break. The district's summer reading lists — covering grade-level assignments and suggested titles for grades Pre-K through 12 — were published June 15 and remain available on the district website.

Looking ahead, the first day for staff is September 1, with students in grades 1–6 and grade 9 returning September 3 on an early-release schedule. Kindergarteners, middle schoolers, and grades 10–12 begin September 4.

ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS

Weymouth Patch's morning digest flagged a local arrest tied to World Cup celebrations in Brockton. The item references a Weymouth resident taken into custody following the festivities, per Weymouth Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth)

Patch also covered the fireworks rescheduling in an earlier edition — "🌱 Patch AM: Why Weymouth's big fireworks show is moving to July 5" — which aligns with the town's own News Flash announcement. That's a story the town's News Flash also covered today. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth)

Earlier this week, Patch highlighted the town's newly adopted budget and a park bridge project in "🌱 Patch AM: How will Weymouth's new $227.4M budget and park bridge affect you?" — a story worth tracking for residents watching municipal finances, per Weymouth Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/weymouth)

COMING UP

- **June 29:** Weymouth Housing Authority meeting - **June 30:** Conservation Commission meeting - **July 5:** Town fireworks spectacular (rescheduled from July 4) - **July 18:** Designer Purse Bingo supporting Dana Farber Cancer Institute (see Weymouth Patch calendar for details) - **Aug. 20:** Weymouth School Committee meeting, 6–8 p.m., Weymouth Town Hall, 75 Middle Street - **Sept. 3:** First day of school for grades 1–6 and grade 9 (early release)