News

Parents upset after Weymouth sailing club is shut down without warning

WEYMOUTH, Mass. — A local youth sailing club in Weymouth was recently shut down by the Department of Health without any warning to parents.

The mayor’s office told Boston 25 News one parent filed a complaint against the Wessagusset Yacht Club and, after investigating, officials learned the club does not have a license.

Some parents are upset that three health officials barged into the yacht club Tuesday and shut it down, startling many of the children.

“All the kids got nervous. I started crying. My friend started crying, we just got scared,” 12-year-old Sophia Scalisi said.

“I wish they would have kept it a little bit quieter from the kids rather than kind of in all in busting kind of thing,” Sophia's mother Mia Scalisis-Greenwood said.

Mayor Robert Hedlund defended his health department and told Boston 25 News: "Our health department did their job and I applaud their quick action in the name of child safety.  I do wish, however, that we had the opportunity to work out the issues without the abrupt action we were obligated to take."

Program Director Jim Bennett said he understands the urgency.

“They’re doing their job, it’s understandable. I mean it’s a high-risk deal, believe me it’s a high-risk sport," he said.

Bennett said the issues have been resolved, and the 65-year-old club is set to open again on Wednesday.