The Beach, the Beach, the Beach is Back: Swimming in the Neighborhood

Years ago, there were plenty of places to take a dip. Not so much anymore. But there are still some public places to jump in to cool off—right nearby.

  Gone are the days where kids run down to the "local swimming hole" to cool off, at least legally. There are fewer public beaches and pools in the area, and it's pretty easy to pick up a pool setup for your yard at any department store (heck, CVS even has decent sized blow-up pools for less than $50). Still, there are some public options in the area for those seeking out some water to jump into on a hot day. Framingham Where to jump in: Learned Pond, Lower Shawmut Terr. (off Prindiville Ave.); Saxonville Beach, Lake Road (off Old Conn Path; and Waushakum Lake, 54 Nipmuc Rd. (off Route 126 near the Ashland town line) Season: June 21 to Aug. 16 Cost: $40 beach pass per family, $15 per person for residents; $30 per person for nonresidents; $…

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By the Numbers

Summer Splashin' Protected by the Board of Health

Both Lake Chauncy and public swimming pools are checked for safety.

  According to the 2011 Annual Town Report, the Westborough Board of Health conducted 27 swimming pool inspections in 2011. There are 22 semi-public and special purpose pools licensed in Westborough. In addition, the town beach at Lake Chauncy is tested weekly by the board throughout the summer. In 2011, no tests exceeded state standards. The algae reported in September bloomed after the beach was closed for the summer. It died off in about a week.   Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date on the latest Westborough news, or simply hit the "like" button at the top of this page. If you'd like to receive the Westborough Patch newsletter with our top stories, click here.

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Police Notes

4 Arrested at Lake Chauncy on Drug Charges

Westborough teen among those charged.

  A search of a suspicious vehicle at Lake Chauncy led to the arrest of four people in Westborough Monday evening. Three adults and a juvenile will appear in court on drug related charges. According to a press release from the Westborough Police Department, Officer Greg McRae investigated a 1999 Honda parked at the boat ramp of the lake just after 6:30 p.m. There were three men and a woman inside the car. The operator of the car was Michael Bougoulas, 19, of 29 Hampsire St. in Sudbury. While McRae was speaking with Bougoulas, he reportedly noted a strong odor of burnt marijuana coming from inside the car. He also reported that the others in the car were attempting to conceal items. A search followed and revealed a large amount of marijuana…

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: April 21

The annual town-wide Earth Day cleanup takes place today. All are welcome to participate.

  Each morning, Westborough Patch presents “5 Things You Need to Know,” a collection of announcements, events, reminders and odd little ditties to help you organize your day. What will you be doing today?   1. Today is the Earth Day town-wide cleanup sponsored by the Westborough Community Land Trust. Anyone interested in helping out is asked to meet at one of two times. The early session will meet at 6:30 a.m. at West Meadow Plaza or Bellows Road. At 9:30 a.m., volunteers will meet in the parking lot of Lake Chauncy. 2. Tree pollen levels are very high today, according to the National Weather Service. In addition, grass pollen is at a moderate level. The high today is expected to be in the mid 70s. 3. The Westborough Open Space …

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Program Features History of Local Ice Harvesting

Ice from New England was once sold to the West Indies.

  Information courtesy of Kris Allen and the Westborough Historical Society.   On Monday, Jan. 30, Ken Ethier will describe the precise, and often dangerous, process of procuring ice in the 19th and early 20th centuries in his talk The Challenges of Ice Harvesting. The program will be held at 7 p.m. at the Westborough Historical Society’s Sibley House, 13 Parkman St. Ethier will display antique ice harvesting tools and describe the cultivation of the ice field, harvest scoring and cutting, and transport. Ice is taken for granted in homes now that refrigeration prevents our meat from spoiling, our milk from souring and our ice cream from melting. Keeping food cold in hot weather had been a major challenge until Frederic Tudor of …

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IMAGE GALLERY: Polar Plunge Makes Big Splash [Video]

Twenty-eight brave souls took the plunge for In Your Shoes, helping to raise over $10,000.

  From chopping ice to sunbathing -- what a difference a year makes. Unlike last year, the Dec. 3 Polar Plunge, run by the nonprofit organization, In Your Shoes (IYS), featured people shedding their layers, running around in short-sleeve shirts with barely a goose bump. Last year, volunteers were chopping ice at Chauncy Lake to make room for the plungers. The balmy day was a far cry from the ice-ridden day last year. As Judy DiOrio, Polar Plunge volunteer coordinator, put it, "Last year the ice and snow made for a very authentic Polar Plunge, which was really terrific, but this year it was hard to beat the warm air and water temperatures -- especially for us Polar Bears." Polar Plunge Chairperson Karen Ross, agreed that the ice last year …

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Health Advisory Lifted at Lake Chauncy

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced today that the water has normal levels of cyanobacteria.

The Westborough Board of Health (BOH) issued a statement today saying that the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) lifted a public health advisory for cyanobacteria (blue-green algae bloom) in Lake Chauncy. “Two consecutive weeks of water samples taken by the Department of Public Health showed cyanobacteria levels to be below state guideline levels,” the statement read. On Sept. 28, a public health advisory was issued about the algae bloom, warning that it produces toxins that can be dangerous to humans and pets. At that time, the BOH reported that the situation was temporary and would likely resolve itself. According to the Centers for Disease Control, cyanobacteria is also known as blue-green algae. They are usually too small…

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On Patch This Week

This Week on Patch: Bomb Scare, Harmful Bacteria

Also in the news, a resident goes before the Board of Selectmen to propose a new commuter rail station in downtown Westborough.

Here are five stories that had us talking this week.   1. The Westborough Historical Society and Westborough Historical Commission joined forces for the Civil War Encampment at Westborough High School on Sept. 24. All ages came out to learn about and enjoy the presentations. Westborough Patch shared the story and an image gallery from the event. 2. A bomb scare caused the evacuation of Westborough District Court on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Westborough Patch had the story just minutes later, with updates of the canine search and road closings. 3. Before the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday night, Summer Street resident Adrianna Baltimore presented a proposal for a new commuter rail station to be considered in downtown Westborough. She carefully …

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Harmful Bacteria Found in Lake Chauncy

Don't drink the water, health officials say.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a public health advisory for cyanobacteria in Lake Chauncy. “The algae bloom has the appearance of pea soup and is capable of producing toxins that can be dangerous to humans and pets,” read a statement from the Westborough Board of Health (BOH).  According to the Centers for Disease Control, cyanobacteria is also known as blue-green algae. They are usually too small to be seen, but can sometimes form visible colonies. When that happens, the water becomes cloudy, the algae usually floats to the surface and can be many inches thick. People and pets should avoid contact with the algae. Avoid swallowing the water. Rinse off after any contact. The BOH reported that the situation is …

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