No Lifeguards At Bourne Beaches This Summer
BOURNE (CBS) - The first day of summer was a perfect beach day on Cape Cod. But in Bourne, people enjoying Monument beach or Gray Gables, did so without lifeguards.
"I would really like to see at least one here," said one mom as she watched her toddler near the water.
The town is dealing with a budget that is three percent less than last year's.
So in order to keep essential services up to par, they laid-off 18 lifeguards, saving the town thousands of dollars.
"It wasn't an easy decision for the selectmen, but it was what we had to do," said Bourne Town Manager Tom Guerino.
WBZ-TV's Jim Armstrong reports
In Falmouth, they're keeping all 55 lifeguards, but they'll be starting a week to ten days late, saving the town $30,000.
"The town realizes how important the beaches are, and they are revenue-producers," said Assistant Beach Superintendent Bruce Mogardo. "But we had to stand in line and take cuts like all the other departments."
WBZ-TV's Bill Shields reports
Still, beachgoers are a bit uncomfortable with no one in a red shirt sitting in the lifeguard chair.
"Yea, I wish they were here," said one man as he got into his car at Old Silver Beach, "I'm here with my grandchildren, but I hear they'll be on the beach next weekend."
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports
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He's right.
But in Bourne, it'll be swim at your own risk all summer long.
