Most meetings are being held in person, but some are still remote or virtual. Go to eastham-ma.gov/calendar-by-event-type/16 and click on the meeting you are interested in to learn about meeting locations and any remote options that may be offered.
Thursday, Sept. 2
- Board of Assessors, 11 a.m.
- Finance Committee, 5 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
- Zoning Bylaw Task Force, 4:30 p.m.
Conversation Starters
Cyanobacteria Closes Moll’s Pond
The board of health announced on Thursday, Aug. 26 that Moll’s Pond had been closed because an algal bloom there had run rampant.
Direct abutters of the pond first alerted the health dept. to the issue, and, after conducting an observation, officials determined the bloom was producing cyanobacteria, which can be hazardous to pets and children. Cyanobacteria toxins can irritate the eyes and skin and, even when ingested in small amounts, can trigger gastrointestinal problems, according to a pamphlet from the Mass. Dept. of Public Health. Asthma-like symptoms can arise when algae-infused water spray is inhaled.
Uphill of Moll’s Pond is a landfill from which nutrients — namely, phosphorus and sulfur — trickle down, seeping into the pond and supplying the algae with an ongoing stream of nutrients. The recent warm weather and low water table may be additional factors that nourished the bloom, members of the health board said.
Algal blooms can take on an array of appearances. Colors range from brown to red to blue-green. Pond water may thicken to a consistency resembling pea soup or paint, according to the DPH.
Also on the Eastham Health Dept.’s radar: Herring Pond. While an abundance of algae has been detected there this year, the levels haven’t yet reached a threshold that would trigger a closure. The health department plans to consult with pond experts in September to reassess the situation. —Jasmine Lu
