Barnstable Lifeguard Requirement Extended to End of Year

HYANNIS – After considering a number of options, Barnstable Board of Health members decided to continue the town’s lifeguard regulations that had been extended until April 30.

The board agreed to extend the regulations to December 31, which allows for facilities with less than 75 units, including motels, hotels, apartment and condos and time-share resorts, to operate without lifeguards on duty.

Board member Dr. Donald Guadagnoli wanted to make a motion to not require lifeguards at any pools in town.

“It’s not doing anything other than facilitating some bad parental behavior and that it’s very expensive, not just for our business owners, but also it’s difficult for them to even find the people to take the jobs,” said Guadagnoli.

Barnstable Public Health Director Tom McKean was previously in favor of going back to the town’s previous regulation which stood for five years and called for facilities with less than 50 units were exempt from having lifeguards.

Board Chair Dr. Paul Canniff originally proposed the same regulation before changing back to the “75 units or less” rule.

Despite local businesses wanting to eliminate the lifeguard requirement because of economic concerns, Canniff believes that it’s a necessity.

“I think somebody’s life far outweighs any burden to having to pay for a lifeguard or a qualified swimmer,” said Canniff.

By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter

About CapeCod.com NewsCenter

The award-winning CapeCod.com NewsCenter provides the Cape Cod community with a constant, credible source for local news. We are on the job seven days a week.



CapeCod.com
737 West Main Street
Hyannis, MA 02601
Contact Us | Advertise Terms of Use 
Employment and EEO | Privacy