Richmond Pond Boat Ramp Monitors Are On The Job

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RICHMOND, Mass. - Monday August 24th marked the first day that the town hired boat ramp monitors were on duty. Their presence is part of the Town’s efforts to thwart the spread of Zebra Mussels into Richmond Pond.

The funding for the monitors was made possible through a gift to the Town in the amount of $4500 from the Richmond Pond Association. The Board of Selectmen will act to formally accept the gift at its August 26th meeting.

“We certainly want to thank the Association for this generous gift. We all hope that the presence of monitors will be effective in keeping zebra mussels out of Richmond Pond,” stated Town Administrator Matthew Kerwood.

The monitors will be at the ramp everyday from 7AM to 6PM until the Pond’s annual drawdown in October. Town officials are asking that everyone who launches a boat cooperate by answering the monitor’s questions and completing the Mussel Free Self Certification forms they will provide. Failure to do so could result in a $100 fine per new state regulations issued by the Massachusetts Department of Fish & Game.
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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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