Town posts no-swimming signs after bacteria found at two beaches
Elevated bacteria levels prompted the town to post "no swimming" signs at Wood Neck River and Surf Drive East, adding to a run of water-quality restrictions this week that also includes a rainfall-driven shellfishing closure and a Level 2 drought designation still in effect.
TOWN HALL
The town's most pressing update Thursday concerned water safety: the July 8 sample results from Wood Neck River and Surf Dr. E. showed elevated bacteria levels, and "no swimming" signs went up within an hour of the town receiving the results, according to the official News Flash. Further test results are pending before the advisory can be lifted.
That advisory follows a shellfishing closure announced earlier in the week. Per the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, all South Coast Falmouth waters were closed to recreational and commercial shellfishing effective July 7 due to excessive rainfall, with no reopening date yet set.
Meanwhile, sewer project construction continues to disrupt traffic patterns. As of Thursday, July 9, Brick Kiln Road is closed between Sandwich Road and Oxbow Road, and Maravista Avenue Extension is closed between Teaticket Highway and Mattapan Street, both from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. The town's Level 2 Significant Drought declaration, issued in mid-June, also remains in place.
The Select Board meets Monday, July 13, and the Conservation Commission holds a hearing Wednesday, July 15.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Falmouth Public Library's East and North branches have a full slate of hands-on programming over the coming week. East Falmouth hosts a Scavenger Hunt and "It's Game Time!" on Saturday, July 11, both at 9 a.m., followed by Maker Mondays: Popsicle Stick Catapults on July 13 at 10 a.m. and Paper Quilling for Beginners at 3 p.m. that same day.
North Falmouth's library lineup includes a Scavenger Hunt on Friday, July 10, at 2 p.m., Family Music Fun with Tom Sieling at 3 p.m. that day, and Games on the Library Lawn on July 13 at 3 p.m. The Main library hosted "Road to Revolution: The Boston Tea Party," an all-day program, along with Mah Jongg open play and a STEM Challenge on Thursday.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"60+ MA Beaches Closed Following Torrential Rain, Merrimack River Sewage Overflow" — statewide beach closures tied to heavy rain and sewage overflow are affecting swimming access across Massachusetts this weekend, according to Patch, a trend consistent with the water-quality issues the town's own News Flash also covered today (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/falmouth).
"Make It An Active Summer In Falmouth: 10 Ways To Get Moving" — Falmouth Patch highlights local trails, beaches, and recreation programs as options for staying active this summer, per Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/falmouth).
"Cape Cod Marine Veteran Memorializes His Best Friend With Documentary" — a Falmouth-area veteran, Andrew Coville, is the subject of a new documentary project, according to a CBS Boston report carried by Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/falmouth).
COMING UP
The Select Board meets Monday, July 13. The Conservation Commission holds a hearing Wednesday, July 15. East Falmouth Library offers Maker Mondays: Popsicle Stick Catapults and Paper Quilling for Beginners on July 13, Stories, Songs and Instruments on July 14, and Stay & Make: Drop-In Craft on July 15. North Falmouth Library hosts Games on the Library Lawn on July 13, Stay & Make: Drop-In Craft on July 14, and T-Rex Storytime and Tea Party on July 15.