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Sandy Beach Commission outlines staffing plan, schedules interviews and files $42,400 grant request
Summary
Commission personnel committee recommended 12 lifeguards, 3 gatekeepers and 3 snack-shack employees for 2026, scheduled applicant interviews April 21–22, and submitted a $42,400 grant application to Seherr-Thoss Foundations for equipment and storage; payroll help from the Town of Morris was declined.
The Sandy Beach Commission used its April 16, 2026 meeting at the Bantam Annex to advance preparations for the 2026 season, endorsing a staffing plan, scheduling interviews and reporting a grant application to buy equipment.
Commission Treasurer Kathy VanOrmer said the Personnel Committee (Kathy VanOrmer, Corinne Houle and Lauren Wheeler) met twice in March and April and recommended hiring 12 lifeguards, 3 gatekeepers and 3 snack-shack employees—staffing levels consistent with prior years. The committee distributed hiring flyers, reported receiving several applications and scheduled interviews for April 21 and April 22. The commission set a special meeting for April 30 at 6 p.m. at the Bantam Annex to review applicants.
Kathy told members she submitted a grant application on April 3 to the Seherr-Thoss Foundations requesting $42,400 to purchase a tractor with loader, mower and rake attachments and a garage to store the equipment; the foundation will review the request on April 24, 2026. The commission said the equipment would support beach maintenance but did not adopt any capital expenditure without the grant decision.
The commission also raised administrative matters: Kathy reported that the commission's savings account at Union Savings Bank had been closed and the funds transferred to the operating account, leaving an operating balance of $2,733 as of April 15, 2026. The commission asked the Town of Morris whether it could handle payroll processing to reduce PayChex costs; Tom Weik replied the town lacked capacity to take on that task. Corinne said she had arranged for Litchfield.bz (John McKenna) to post the job openings at no charge and had submitted postings to the Connecticut Park and Recreation Association to broaden recruitment.
On facilities, the commission noted a donation of new, easy-to-maintain cottage furniture and a video of storm damage to the changing-room roof; Ed Ryle said he will contact White Memorial to file an insurance claim. Ed also said the Ski Show agreement with the Bantam Lake Ski Club needs revision to add a disclaimer about Sandy Beach staff availability during the event.
Jennifer Parsons agreed to handle responses to the Sandy Beach email account going forward; Kathy VanOrmer will obtain the Instagram login and work with a former commissioner to obtain Facebook login credentials. The commission adjourned at 7:04 p.m. and said its next regular meeting will be May 21, 2026 at 6 p.m. at Sandy Beach.
