The “no swimming’’ signs were down and young and old took their first legal swim in Willett Pond in two seasons last weekend as the new bathhouse was opened to the public for the first time and crowds began to take advantage of the bathing facilities The opening was I made possible by the cooperative planning and combined efforts of town officials and George F ’ Willett The new bathing house is being run under the direction of William Harding local manager of the Hood Company.
Originally scheduled to open at 11 am, Saturday the beach did not actually become available for bathers and swimmers until about noon because of dissatisfaction of the assigned lifeguards with their weekly wages of $30 for 48 hours of work.
Shortly before opening time the four lifeguards visited the office of General Manager Edward C. Monahan and presented their grievances and demands for an increase in their wages from $30 to $35 per week, inferring but not actually declaring that if their demands were not met they would be unwilling to continue their employ* ment in the Recreation Department of the town.
Such action would of course constitute a “walk-out and postpone indefinitely the opening of Willett Beach because of the lateness of the summer season and the difficulty of getting other qualified lifeguards on such short notice.
DEMANDS REFUSED
Although conceding that a request for shorter hours in the work week did not seem to be unreasonable. and promising immediate adjustment. General Manager Monahan refused point blank to accede to the lifeguards’ demands for a higher weekly wage on the grounds that only a month ago the lifeguards had entered into an agreement with the Town of Nor-wood to work for the stipulated rate of $30 per week for the season and that he would not be a party Io breaking such an agreement or the writing on such short notice of a new one al this late date in the summer season.
The General Manager urged them to stick by their agreement keep their Civil Service records inviolate, and continue in the satisfactory manner m which they have hereto foie carried out their duties as lifeguards. The men agreed to do so and hurried off to Willett Beach to officially open the swimming facility for the pleasure and comfort of Norwood residents.
Right now Willett Beach is in a rather unfinished condition and it was necessary to bulldoze the entire area in order to level anti-grade the soil which now presented a powder-dust aspect. The
beach house is relatively small but will serve the purpose this year Next year it may be necessary to expand and improve it considerably
PARKING PROBLEM
Parking is going to be a major problem this year but in another season parking facilities will undoubtedly be greatly improved Those who look for perfection are going to be a little disappointed this year But those who are primarily interested in bathing and swimming will be content.
The youngsters of Norwood should have a wonderful time at Willett Beach this summer, and alter all — they are the ones whom all of us are thinking of when we ‘ express our pleasure that the beach has been opened for bathing and swimming.
At a conference last week between Mr. Willett, Mr Smelstor, and General Manager Monahan, Mr. Willett agreed that he or his representative would take the complete responsibility for keeping conditions at the bathhouse and on the beach completely clean and sanitary at all times
Mr. Willett felt that all other matters on the beach should be the responsibility of the town.
Mr. Willett was informed by Manager Monahan that appropriate rules and regulations would be prepared immediately by the Man-1 ager’s office and put into effect at Willett Pond so that bathing and swimming could commence as planned.
Everyone is doing his share to make Willett Beach run in an efficient, safe manner.
The Fire Department, called on short notice, arranged for the taking of the lifeboat recently donated by Norwood Post 70 of the American Legion to Willett Pond on Saturday morning at 10:30 and brought it back at 8 p.m
Captain Harry Butler stated that unless something interferes with the temporary arrangement, the Fire Department will continue to deliver and retrieve the boat daily for the rest of the swimming season.
(All articles originally appeared in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)