CORONAVIRUS

Central Mass. beaches a cool option, but with restrictions

Kim Ring
kim.ring@telegram.com
Sterling residents enjoy the nice weather at Sterling Town Beach last week.

As summer gets into full swing, Central Massachusetts communities are weighing just how to allow families to gather at local swimming holes while still preventing the spread of COVID-19.

The pandemic has forced officials to review past practices, study orders from Gov. Charlie Baker and evaluate whether sunbathers and swimmers can stay far enough away from one another to be safe.

In Webster, Memorial Beach on Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg is open for business, Town Administrator Douglas Willardston said, but sunbathers will notice some changes.

The beach opens from sunrise to sunset. There are lifeguards on duty and a supervisor as well. In the past, during busy weekends and holidays, a Webster Police officer has been assigned to patrol the beach, Willardston explained.

“This year, we do have a police detail there (every weekend),” he said.

Willardston said reports are that the beach has been busier than usual, in part, he believes, “Because there isn’t a whole lot of other stuff to do.”

And as opposed to the other options, sitting on a beach or swimming seems to be relatively safe, he said.

Police will help with the enforcement of a rule that allows no more than ten people to congregate, Williardston said, and the cost of those officers is worked into the town’s budget.

In Westboro, financial concerns over managing staffing and cleaning of facilities at Lake Chauncy played into the decision to close the public beach this year. Fewer beach passes would be sold because the number of folks allowed at the lake would be limited by social distancing requirements.

Along with costs, added responsibilities, including policing for social distancing, mask-wearing and turning away visitors when the beach was full, would be thrust onto young lifeguards.

“We would lose almost $38,000 if we were to open the beach,” officials wrote on the town’s website. “It would be fiscally irresponsible to open Lake Chauncy and operate at a loss like that in these times.”

Officials in Westboro wrote that they’re already thinking about summer of 2021.

In Sterling, beachgoers will be asked to socially distance and refrain from gathering in groups of more than 10. The town’s website indicates that beach towels must be 12 feet apart and the raft (dock) won’t be available for use. Play on the volleyball and basketball courts may also be curbed and picnic tables.

Sterling officials also want anyone approaching a lifeguard or other beach staff to be masked or maintain a 6-foot distance. Staff will also clean restrooms more frequently, the site states.

Beachgoers across the state should be prepared to encounter changes in rules from previous years including the possibility of being turned away if a facility is full. Police in some towns said they are more strictly enforcing residents-only policies and checking for beach stickers where they are required.

Nicholas, left, and Benjamin Robus swim at Sterling Town Beach.