After struggling to be able to open the pool due to lack of lifeguards last year, Greenville is facing the same problems again, even after upgrading the payscale and extensive advertising efforts.
Last year, the pool had only two returning lifeguards, one of whom broke their leg while painting the poolhouse bathroom prior to the season, leaving the town scrambling for a workforce.
Town Administrator and pool coordinator Kelley Collins advertised with local schools, with the American Red Cross, Municipal Association, online and in the newspaper, and even approached neighboring pools to ask their part-time guards if they were interested in additional hours, but only got a few more under-aged guards, who need the supervision of an over-18 year old to work. The pool was eventually able to open on a restricted three days per week schedule.
“I know there was a hue and cry about the town not doing enough to get it open, but I don’t know what else we could have done,” said Collins.
At the end of the season last year, Collins discussed the hiring shortage with the Select Board, who agreed to an increase in pay to $11.17 for over-18 guards this year, and to pay for half of a lifeguard certification for new guards, and to pay the remaining half of the fee for those that returned the subsequent season. But even with the increased pay incentive, the town has so far only secured three guards, only one of which is an adult – not enough to even open on a part-time basis.
“I need a good mix of junior and senior guards to open full-time. I don’t have naywhere near that,” said Collins. “I don’t have enough applications right now to run the pool seven days a week.”
Applications for lifeguard positions are available on the Greenville town website or by contacting the town office.