WEYMOUTH - September 15 - Weymouth Town Council held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance amendment that would allow leashed dogs on George Lane Beach and Wessagusset Beach during the off-season, sparking a detailed discussion between advocates and health officials about water quality, public safety, and community needs.
The Full Story
Lisa Nollet, a North Weymouth resident at 28 Bradmere Way, presented extensive research supporting the amendment to Section 6-750K of the town's ordinance regarding dogs and cats. Nollet, who initiated the effort with nearly 100 signatures from residents within a mile of the affected beaches, argued that allowing leashed dogs during off-season months would align Weymouth with neighboring communities and provide safe exercise opportunities for pet owners.
"Today is September 15th, and Nantasket Beach is officially open for walking our pets on the beach, as are many other beaches on the state, typically from Labor Day till around mid-September," Nollet told the council. She cited Massachusetts beach monitoring data from 2024, noting that communities like Scituate, Marshfield, and Duxbury allow dogs on beaches during limited hours without experiencing water quality problems.
Nollet’s research included conversations with health departments in multiple South Shore communities, all reporting no health issues related to dogs on beaches. She emphasized that existing laws already address violations for off-leash dogs and failure to clean up waste, with animal control officers able to issue fines.
Director of Public Health Dan McCormack presented a contrasting perspective, citing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Environmental Protection Agency. "A single dog dropping can contain an astounding 3 million fecal bacteria, along with various parasites, viruses, as warned by the Center of Disease Control," McCormack stated. He noted that the EPA classifies dog waste as a biohazard and estimates that waste from just 100 dogs over a weekend could contain enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay to swimming and shellfishing.
McCormack explained that Weymouth's beaches are tested weekly during the permitted season (July 21st through September 7th) for enterococci bacteria, an indicator of human or animal waste contamination. While Weymouth's beaches have remained clean with only two closures since 2013, he expressed concern about additional testing costs and the challenge of monitoring other potential contaminants like parasites and roundworm that aren't covered by current state-mandated testing.
"Our beaches are a little bit different than some of our other south shore beaches, we don't really have true natural beaches like the beautiful beaches in Nantasket and Scituate," McCormack noted. "These two beaches are more man-made, if you will, a lot of that sand is trucked in and remains in place as it is a river environment."
Several residents spoke in favor of the proposal. Mark Hickey of 62 Beach Road highlighted safety concerns, noting that icy conditions on River Street during winter make beach access potentially safer for dog walking. Dede Mariano of 67 Regatta Road defended dog owners' responsibility, stating she would be "embarrassed" not to have bags to clean up after her dogs.
The discussion revealed broader questions about consistency in town policy. Resident Kathy pointed out that if health concerns about dog waste were paramount, the town should consider restrictions at Pond Meadow Park, where dogs are currently allowed near water sources that eventually reach the ocean.
Councilor Rick Coughlin questioned whether other town health departments had been consulted about their experiences with dogs on beaches. McCormack responded that while he hadn't directly contacted other departments, he noted all communities test only for the same enterococci bacteria mandated by state regulation, not the full range of potential contaminants in animal waste.
The technical aspects of beach testing became a focal point. McCormack explained that sampling costs have quadrupled from $15 to $58 per sample over three years, straining his department's budget. Additional testing for parasites and other contaminants would require further expense and present logistical challenges about where and how to collect samples from the primarily non-tidal beach environment.
In other business, the council unanimously approved Thomas J. Lacey as Director of Administrative and Community Services. Lacey, who served as District Two Town Councilor for over 18 years, brings both public and private sector experience, including eight years with the Commonwealth and 35 years at Comcast. Mayor Molisse, presiding as council president, praised the appointment and recused himself from the vote.
The council also approved a $59,063.04 budget transfer from property and liability insurance to fund the new director's salary, and referred a $163,125 Community Preservation Act funding request for a Smelt Brook fish ladder to the Budget Management Committee.
Why It Matters
The dogs on beach proposal represents a significant quality-of-life issue for North Weymouth residents, particularly those living near George Lane Beach and Wessagusset Beach. If approved, the ordinance would provide legal clarity for dog owners who currently navigate unclear regulations, while potentially creating new enforcement and public health monitoring challenges. The debate highlights the balance between community recreation needs and environmental protection, with implications for how the town approaches similar land use questions in the future.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Open public hearing on 25057, proposed ordinance amendment to section 6-750K, dogs and cats. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 7:59)
Motion: Close public hearing on 25057. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 42:17)
Motion: Refer 25089 CPA funding request Smelt Brook fish ladder to Budget Management Committee. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 44:22)
Motion: Approve appointment of Thomas J. Lacey as Director of Administrative and Community Services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Mayor recused). (Timestamp: 48:15)
Motion: Approve FY26 line item transfer of $59,063.04 for director salary. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous (Mayor recused). (Timestamp: 50:19)
Public Comment
Strong community turnout supported the dogs on beach proposal, with multiple residents speaking in favor and many others attending to show support. Health department concerns focused on water contamination risks and testing limitations. No opposition from residents was voiced during the hearing.
What's Next
The dogs on beach ordinance amendment will move to the council for a formal vote at a future meeting. Thomas J. Lacey will begin his role as Director of Administrative and Community Services. The Smelt Brook fish ladder funding request will be reviewed by the Budget Management Committee.