Clear Pond season ends with budget shortfall; commission debates swim-instructor bonus

The Town of Lakeville Parks Commission on Aug. 28 reviewed year-to-date finances for Clear Pond Park after the season closed and discussed whether swim instructors should receive an extra pay adjustment. The meeting included a review of attendance, season-pass sales and swim-lesson revenue and a conversation about a temporary payroll adjustment that staff applied during the season.

Parks staff reported that revenue for the season exceeded budgeted expectations overall but payroll line items ran over in several categories. The commission heard that Lakeville resident season passes totaled 108 this year versus 116 last year (a loss of eight resident passes), while nonresident season passes increased by six. Swim lessons brought in $1,175 in revenue for the season; staff estimated lifeguard pay for instructors during the six-week lesson period totaled about $1,500, producing a roughly $600 shortfall for swim lessons relative to direct lesson revenue.

Commissioners described several pay and staffing issues that affected the seasonal budget. The director told the commission that a previously discussed 50¢-per-hour bonus for instructors who hold a Water Safety Instructor (WSI) credential had not been applied this season because none of the lifeguards had the WSI credential and the town is no longer requiring that certification as a hiring condition. In lieu of the 50¢-per-hour bonus, staff granted affected instructors an extra hour per day during a…