Peabody Marks 50 Years of Brooksby Farm City Ownership With Ceremony
PEABODY — Peabody is preparing to celebrate 50 years of city ownership at Brooksby Farm, while volunteer Deborah Eskenazi has been recognized as a 2026 Commonwealth Heroine — two moments that capture the city's deep streak of civic pride heading into the Fourth of July week.
TOWN HALL
The state has declared a Level 3 Critical Drought, and Peabody residents are reminded that Phase II Mandatory Water Restrictions remain in effect citywide. The city's posted advisory urges households and businesses to reduce outdoor water use immediately; the drought declaration escalates pressure on communities across Massachusetts to conserve.
Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. continues his push to return more than $320,000 in unclaimed cash to Peabody residents. The city has published an unclaimed property list and a claim form on its website; residents can check whether their name appears and file directly online.
A Central Street Project Traffic Advisory also remains active, and the city's three-week look-ahead schedule updated June 18 gives drivers a rolling window of expected disruptions downtown.
SCHOOLS
The Peabody Public Schools website is highlighting a Zoom link for a School Committee meeting scheduled for June 24, giving community members a remote option to attend and weigh in on district business. The district's calendar shows the first day of school for grades 1–12 is set for September 2, with new-teacher orientation on August 26 and a professional development/no-school day on August 31.
COMMUNITY & ARTS
The Peabody Institute Library is alerting patrons to an upcoming hours change: effective July 6, both the South Branch (78 Lynn Street) and the West Branch (603 Lowell Street) will shift to reduced schedules — Monday and Tuesday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m.–1 p.m., Thursday 1–9 p.m., Friday closed, and Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Sunday hours are eliminated entirely at the branches. The Main Library at 82 Main Street retains its current hours. The library's 2026 Summer Reading program is underway, and teens in grades 9–12 can participate in the "100 Books Before Graduation" challenge via Beanstack.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS
"Peabody To Mark 50 Years Of City Ownership At Brooksby Farm Ceremony" — A ceremony at the beloved farm will honor the committee credited with preserving the property for public use half a century ago, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"Peabody Volunteer Deborah Eskenazi Honored As 2026 Commonwealth Heroine" — State Rep. Thomas Walsh nominated Eskenazi for her wide-ranging volunteer contributions to schools, local history, and nonprofits across Peabody, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"2026 July 4 Fireworks Guide For Peabody Area" — Patch has published a roundup of fireworks shows, parades, and America's 250th anniversary celebrations in and around the city this coming weekend, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"Jason's Legacy Golf Tournament In Memory Of Late Peabody Student" — An August 24 tournament at Trull Brook Golf Course will raise money for youth mental health and anti-bullying programs, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"Peabody To Host Free Summer Eats Lunch Program Starting July 6" — The Main Library will provide free lunch for children and teens 18 and younger, running Monday through Thursday through August 16, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"Peabody Institute Library To Slash Hours Amid Budget Crunch" — The South and West Branch libraries will cut back their open hours beginning July 6, a story that aligns with the hours-change notice posted directly on the library's own website, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
"Peabody Youth Football Players Win National Championships" — Local youth football players competed at the New England Youth Tackle Football National Championships at Brown University in Rhode Island, per Peabody Patch. (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/peabody)
COMING UP
- **June 25:** Super 70's Rock Show with Super Trans Am (see Patch events listing for venue details) - **June 26:** Summer Luau with Music by Mulholland Drive; Blues Brothers – The Next Generation; Changes in Latitudes – America's Premier Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show - **June 27:** "All That Glitters" band at Capone's, 9 p.m.; The Fools; Foo! A Foo Fighters Tribute Band - **July 1:** Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers - **July 6:** Free Summer Eats lunch program launches at Peabody Main Library (ages 18 and under, Mon–Thu through Aug. 16); South and West Branch Library reduced hours take effect - **August 24:** Jason's Legacy Golf Tournament, Trull Brook Golf Course (youth mental health/anti-bullying fundraiser) - **School Committee Meeting:** June 24 via Zoom (link posted at peabody.k12.ma.us)