An emergency appropriation of nearly $2,000 to replace a water pump at Posypanko Park and the hiring of four new lifeguards means the parks and recreation department can hit the ground running this summer season.
According to Parks and Recreation Department Director Debbie Gatto, Posypanko Park is primarily used for Cal Ripkin /Babe Ruth Baseball, which attracts hundreds of residents on a nightly basis during the summer months.
The pump on the property feeds water to the concession stand that is equipped with a kitchen, water fountains and public lavatories.
Gatto noted issues at the park over the last year and a half, saying that water at the facility would work intermittently.
“One minute the faucets wouldn’t work at all, and the next minute they’d be fine,” she said.
Gatto added that the attempts had been made to repair the pump by contractor Eastern Water Co., which was able to maintain temporary service, but eventually the pump had to be replaced.
“Finally the pump pooped out,” she said.
The board of selectman unanimously approved the emergency appropriation for the pump totaling $1994.99 to be taken from the town’s contingency fund at a June 2 meeting.
The appropriation’s next step is to go before the Board of Finance for its approval.
Gatto said the pump has already been installed.
“When you have public water you have to do something,” she said.
Gatto said the new lifeguards, also approved by the board of selectmen June 2, would be paid $9.50 an hour.
The funding for the employees is itemized the town’s parks and recreation budget.
Lifeguard’s duties would include monitoring the swimmers, activities and swimming lessons at Jackson Cove Beach, and the swimming pools at Colonial and Oxford High School as part of the town’s summer camp program.
Gatto added current staffing at Jackson Cove Beach has been limited to weekends but will ramp up to daily coverage following the close of school for summer vacation June 22.
“Starting this week there will be someone from my staff there everyday,” she said.
The Summer Camp program operates daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting July 6 and continues through August 14. The camp is only open to Oxford residents.
Gatto does not anticipate hiring anyone else for the summer season.
