Old Orchard Beach debates lifeguard costs

PORTLAND – Old Orchard Beach defines itself by its famous beach, but some members of the Town Council are considering forgoing lifeguards this summer as a cost-cutting measure.

In a work session last week, two councilors said they opposed allocating $111,000 toward the town’s lifeguard budget this year. Two other councilors supported the expense, and one councilor was absent from the meeting.

The council still has until June 30 to pass a town budget, but the discussion raised the issue of who should bear the expense of tourism-related costs.

Councilor Jim Long, who opposes the lifeguard allocation, said he believes residents are reluctant to fund costs associated with tourism. The state, he said, has a responsibility to shoulder some of the burden.

Others in Old Orchard Beach say the town’s beach should be a top funding priority regardless of who pays. Marc Bourassa, a motel owner, said the beach is why people come to the town.

“All it takes is for one person to drown when the waves are 5 to 6 feet high. It would be a terrible tragedy, for one thing, but it would also be a black eye on the town’s reputation,” he said.

The town typically has 15 to 17 lifeguards on duty every summer day to monitor swimmers, pick up trash, provide first aid and respond to lost-child calls.

Doing away with lifeguards could cost the town more if the police and fire departments had to take over those duties, said Councilor Roxanne Frenette.

“In the middle of the summer, it’s bumper-to-bumper people” on the beach, she said.

Town Manager Jim Thomas said the question comes down to affordability – especially with the school district requesting an 11 percent funding increase in next year’s budget.

“Do we take care of the tourists, or do we take care of the schoolchildren?” Thomas asked.