The Parks and Recreation Commission met outside the Bromfield cafeteria Monday, June 20, a warm, summer solstice evening, devoting most of its deliberations to town beach business, including the use of flotation devices and the status of new playground equipment.
The discussion of flotation devices was prompted by a letter to Chairwoman Wyona Lynch-McWhite written by the mother of two young children, asking about the ban on the use of flotation devices at the pond. At a recent visit to the beach, the mother wrote, a lifeguard had told her that floaties were not allowed. The mother wondered if Christian’s Law applied, a state mandate that requires swimmers in municipal or camp programs who cannot pass a swimming test to use a Coast Guard-approved personal flotation device in the water.
In response, Lynch-McWhite said that because Christian’s Law specifically refers to municipal and summer camp programs, but not to everyday beach use, it is not applicable to the situation described by the letter writer. Beach Director Alexandra Luck and Harbormaster Bob O’Shea further explained that the decision to disallow flotation devices was a safety precaution. They said that kids are more likely to “swim over their heads” when they are protected by a floatie, and that it is far too easy for preservers to unbuckle or slip off accidentally.
Regarding the installation of new playground equipment, the commission’s beach liaison, Steve Victorson, reported that the commission was about four weeks away from being able to order it. He proposed the new play equipment be set up during a July weekend so kids can enjoy it through August. Parks and Rec committee members will help with its assembly, and also plan to invite community volunteers who would like to assist.
Other business
In other business, now that the beach is officially open, Lynch-McWhite and Luck said they had decided to stop selling town beach parking stickers through the Parks and Rec website. Residents still wishing to buy a parking sticker must do so at the pond.
O’Shea and Luck also discussed the beach staff’s legal liability when guarding the pond, which came mainly as a response to the reckless and dangerous activity of jumping off the Rock Island cliffs. Luck clarified that she and her staff would save anyone in danger, but she and O’Shea questioned where her duties as beach director geographically end. The question was left unresolved.
As far as Luck’s lifeguard staff is concerned, all staff paperwork has been completed except for one, and recertifications for lifeguards are planned for the week of June 27.
Along with the other members of the commission, Luck expressed concerns about overtime payment for her beach staff for the Bare Hill Triathlon on Sunday, June 26, and Fourth of July festivities the following weekend. The back-to-back events may mess up her payroll, she said. Discussion ensued, but no concrete action was taken.
