Peabody Enacts Mandatory Water Restrictions Amid Statewide Drought
PEABODY — The state's critical drought declaration has triggered mandatory outdoor water use restrictions in Peabody, even as the city grapples with the announced closure of a beloved downtown coffee shop that has employed people with disabilities for nine years.
TOWN HALL
Mayor Ted Bettencourt's office confirmed that the state's critical drought declaration has triggered mandatory outdoor water use restrictions for Peabody residents, according to a notice posted to the city's website. The mayor also issued a heat warning as part of the city's ongoing public safety messaging this summer.
City Hall also announced a ceremony honoring three Peabody students who won the America 250 Student Essay Contest, held in conjunction with the display of a historic reproduction of the Declaration of Independence at City Hall. Separately, the city continues to flag ongoing Central Street construction, with traffic detours and travel impacts expected to continue affecting downtown drivers.
SCHOOLS
Peabody Public Schools sent families a year-end message thanking the community for a "productive and rewarding" 2025-2026 school year as summer vacation begins. The district's website also confirms that kindergarten registration for the 2026-2027 school year remains open, and the School Committee calendar lists a retreat and a regular meeting later next month.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Peabody Institute Library's South and West branches have new hours in effect as of July 6, with the South Branch open Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday 1-9 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; the West Branch follows the same schedule. The library continues to promote its Teen "100 Books Before Graduation" challenge, encouraging students in grades nine through 12 to log reading on Beanstack for prizes, and its 2026 Summer Reading program remains underway across all three branches.
The city's 2026 Summer Concert Series continues at Leather City Common with free parking, building toward a finale and fireworks show scheduled for August 16.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"North Shore Coffee Shop With Inspired Mission To Close After 9 Years" — Breaking Grounds Cafe, a downtown Peabody coffee shop that trained and employed people with autism and other disabilities, is shutting its doors, according to Patch. CBS News also covered the closure, per a Google Alert item, describing it as "not an easy choice" for those involved (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/north-shore-coffee-shop-inspired-mission-close-after-9-years).
"Multi-Restaurant-Style Eatery To Open On North Shore With Ribbon Cutting" — A new Wonder location in Peabody plans a July 23 grand opening featuring live music, giveaways and free samples, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/multi-restaurant-style-eatery-open-north-shore-giveaways).
"Peabody Honors 3 Students In America 250 Essay Contest At City Hall" — Mayor Bettencourt recognized three Peabody students for their essay contest work during a viewing of a rare Declaration of Independence reproduction, a story the town's News Flash also covered today, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody/peabody-honors-3-students-america-250-essay-contest-city-hall).
"Peabody Farm Owner Renews Plea Against Rooster Dumping" — For a second consecutive year, Wood Farm has become an unwilling destination for abandoned roosters, according to Patch (read it at https://patch.com).
COMING UP
The Wonder restaurant location in Peabody holds its grand-opening ribbon cutting on July 23, featuring live music and free samples, per Patch. The Peabody Institute Library's new South and West branch hours took effect July 6 and remain in place through the summer. The Peabody Summer Concert Series continues at Leather City Common ahead of its finale and fireworks show on August 16.