AVALON – Council approved a resolution Sept. 14 authorizing bonus payments for eligible members of the lifeguards and beach tag inspectors.
As part of the discussion of that resolution, Assistant Business Administrator James Waldron told council that the borough would probably have to reevaluate its pay scale for beach patrol positions before next year.
“The environment has become very competitive,” Waldron said.
Across Cape May County, municipalities have been increasing the salary scales for beach patrol personnel to help fill positions.
As each municipality adjusts its pay scale, the pressure for other towns to act increases. Waldron described a negotiation process where potential lifeguards want to know upfront not just the base salary, but also the bonus structure and how it’s calculated.
Councilman John McCorristin added complexity to the discussion when he raised the issue of housing availability for lifeguards.
“We don’t have places for these young people to live that they can afford,” he said.
McCorristin said the borough will have to address this problem if Avalon is to remain competitive in recruitment and retention of beach patrol personnel.
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