Politics & Government

Report: Gov. Says Melrose, Other DCR Pools Should Re-Open For Fourth of July Weekend

All DCR deepwater pools are currently closed due to an investigation into a woman's body being found in a Fall River pool on Tuesday, but Gov. Deval Patrick said in a radio interview "I think we will be able to get" the pools open for the holiday weekend.

Gov. Deval Patrick said in a radio interview today that he thinks the state will be able to re-open all 30 of the state Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) deepwater pools—including the Lloyd Memorial Pool on Tremont Street in Melrose—in time for the Fourth of July weekend, the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reports.

Yesterday, until further notice, after a woman's body was found floating in a Fall River DCR pool on Tuesday night.

The Globe reported that authorities said Marie Joseph, 36, was found floating in the Veteran’s Memorial Swimming Pool at Lafayette Park, and that DCR Commissioner Edward M. Lambert Jr. said in a statement that the agency’s deepwater pools will be closed while a review of safety and operations procedures is undertaken over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Today, the Telegram and Gazette reported that Patrick has ordered a review of DCR processes and procedures and a check of all state pool equipment and staff certifications to make sure everyone is up to date on safety protocols, and that the governor said, "I think we will be able to get that done before the Fourth of July weekend.”

Melrose Patch could not immediately reach a DCR spokesperson for comment on Thursday afternoon.

Find out what's happening in Melrosewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The DCR's Lloyd Memorial Pool at 49 Tremont St. in Melrose—sometimes referred to as the "MDC Pool" harkening back to the days of the state Metropolitan District Commission—is normally open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer season, which this year runs from June 25 to Aug. 21.

Other DCR pools near Melrose that are closed due to the review are the Holland Memorial Pool in Malden; the Hall Memorial Swimming Pool in Stoneham; and the Latta Brothers Memorial Pool in Somerville.

The wading pool in Stoneham is unaffected and will remain open.


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