Recreation director proposes pay incentive for staff who get lifeguard certification

Sandown Recreation Director Becky proposed on May 6 offering returning staff a 50¢ hourly raise and an additional 25¢ raise for staff who obtain lifeguard certification through the town program, a plan she said would increase safety coverage at the town beach and provide staffing flexibility for summer camp. "The possibility of giving everybody, if they got Lifeguard certified with us, another 25¢ raise," Becky said when describing the idea.

Becky told commissioners the recreation department currently has three lifeguard‑certified staff and that she ideally wants five to ensure no lifeguard works alone. She estimated that securing certification locally through a private instructor had in the past cost the department a low per‑person fee (a line in the transcript referenced "$2.50 per person," which may be a transcription error and should be confirmed), and that sending people to Concord for certification would be far more expensive (she cited roughly $500 per person for outside classes). Becky proposed the town pay certification costs for staff who pass and recoup funds if a candidate fails the class.

Commissioners asked practical questions about overtime, scheduling and whether the 25¢ incentive would be sufficient. One member said they were not opposed to the quarter if it worked within the budget. Becky said she would survey staff interest and, if enough employees volunteered for certification, return to the commission with a recommendation.

The commission did not take a formal vote; staff will follow up with a survey of candidates, cost estimates for local certification options, and an implementation plan for any approved pay adjustments.