NORTH ATTLEBOROUGH, MA (WBZ-AM) -- A day after a 16-year-old drowned at Whitings Pond, the ninth drowning in the state this summer, a new life guard went on duty -- but not because of the tragedy, but because these jobs are getting harder to fill.
North Attlebororough Town Administrator Michael Gallagher tells WBZ NewsRadio1030's Karyn Regal that the town started advertising for lifeguards during the middle of May for its two town beaches and town pool.
But the issue is finding qualified people who will work a high stress position for low pay.
"You have to have to outlay the money upfront to get your certification. We're paying...the Town of North Attleborough is paying $11.65 an hour for our lifeguards. So, if you consider if you're putting out $400-dollars upfront, then it's a long time to recoup that," he said.
Gallagher is very clear in saying the positions are a priority; he wants to fill them as all their facilities are all town-owned.
In contrast, the State run Department Conservation and Recreation pays lifeguards $15-dollars per hour.
WBZ NewsRadio1030's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports