QUINCY – It’s been a tough summer for Massachusetts residents as beaches across the state have been closed down due to high bacteria levels.

Around 50 water sources closed for high bacteria

“It’s very frustrating,” Patty Sarro of Quincy said. 

Over the past few months, the Mass Department of Public Health, working with the Department of Recreation and Conservation, has deemed dozens of water locations throughout the state closed due to high bacteria levels. 

“You have to pick and choose your spots, and obviously, you’d hope that the beaches will be open,” Scott Simon of Somerville said. 

DCR reported that 50 locations were closed this weekend for unsafe bacteria levels. At Savin Hill, the signs are posted, and people are heeding the warning. Wollaston Beach in Quincy is open, but most beachgoers are staying out of the water. 

Terri Perrotta comes to the beach almost every day. She owns a dance studio in Hyde Park, so summers are slow. 

“It’s frustrating, but people who come to this beach know. If you want to go to Nantasket, you’ll have a better water day. But I think this beach, that’s why there are so many adults here. There’s not a lot of kids here, and there’s nobody in the water,” Perrotta said.

Last summer weekend before Labor Day

This weekend also marks the last major summer excursion before Labor Day Weekend, and kids return to school. 

Scott Simon of Somerville was at the beach with his wife and daughter. “School starts for us on Wednesday, so we’re just doing what you sort of would do on Labor Day weekend and hang out,” Simon said.

DCR conducts weekly water quality tests to count bacterial levels. The Department of Public Health says that if a beach is closed, people are warned not to swim or enter the water at that location to avoid the risk of illness.

“Some days it’s busy, but mostly at night. Not during the day, but I hardly see anybody in the water, and I don’t blame them,” Sarro said. 

Still, high bacteria levels are not stopping folks like Terri from enjoying the beach and this incredible weather, knowing colder days are not too far away. “I will be on this beach if it’s nice until October,” Perrotta said.

Polling locations in Massachusetts opened Saturday for early voting ahead of the state’s primary election.

All eligible Massachusetts voters can begin casting a ballot in the primary election, which is slated to be held on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Saturday also marks the deadline to register to vote in person or online. The state requires that early voting begins 10 days before state primary elections.

“With early voting, all eligible voters can make their voices heard in this year’s state primary election,” Common Cause Massachusetts Executive Director Geoff Foster said in a statement. “With early voting and vote by mail, we have more options for how we choose to cast a ballot and pick our state leaders. Common Cause Massachusetts encourages everyone to get out and vote before the long weekend.”

Key election dates:

• Aug. 24: Deadline to register to vote for the Sept. 3 primary election

• Aug. 24-30: Early voting period

• Aug. 26 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to request a mail ballot

• Sept. 3: Election Day polls are open 7 a.m.- 8 p.m.; last day to vote in-person or return mail ballot to a drop box or local election official

In Boston, early voting will take place at sites throughout the city starting August 24 through August 30.

The voter registration deadline for the State Primary is August 24 and registration forms must be postmarked by that date. Similarly, Boston residents can register in person at the Boston Election Department, located in City Hall. To register online, you can click here.

In-person early voting begins Saturday, August 24, and runs through Friday, August 30. City Hall is Boston’s primary early voting site, with voting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday.

If you choose to vote by mail, applications to request a ballot must be received by Monday, August 26 at 5 p.m. A list of drop boxes to turn in your mail-in ballots can be found here. The deadline to apply for an accessible electronic voting ballot is also August 26 at 5 p.m. Applications for those can be found here.

To find your polling location in Boston, click here.

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