Following a tragic drowning in early July, city officials discussed strategies for bringing lifeguards to Plug Pond during a meeting Wednesday night.
City Councilors Devan M. Ferreira and Timothy J. Jordan, who is also council vice president, expressed doubts about the city’s approach to hiring. As WHAV reported, 18-year-old Marco Antonio Cajilema Quijosaca of Haverhill died early last month after wading beyond a designated swimming area. City officials appeared to avoid mentioning the incident until Jordan broke the silence.
“I’m obviously very frustrated. When it came up at budget time, that we would have ambassadors and not lifeguards. Those that were there recall that didn’t go over well with me. It goes over a lot less well in the light of everything’s that gone on. I do think this has to be a priority, to make sure that we have certainly all of next year, but as soon as possible, I thought we would have it the last few weekends.”
“I did, too,” Mayor Melinda E. Barrett interjected. She said it was her intent was to have lifeguards for the remaining weekends of the summer. She said they’ve reached out to local organizations in hopes of getting a total of four guards, which Recreation Director Ben Delaware deemed the necessary number.
Currently, the pond has “park ambassadors,” who keep the area clean and remind visitors of the rules. Human Services Director Vin Ouellette said there is a national shortage of lifeguards, pointing to other “swim-at-your-own-risk” bodies of water in the state.
Witnesses to the drowning said a language barrier may have added to confusion leading up to the man’s disappearance.
Barrett said, “During the course of the year, we added a bilingual adult to our ambassador group, so as to more effectively communicate with the patrons. The park has increased signage—English, Spanish. During this season, we added Portuguese signs.”
Ferreira critiqued how the city goes about hiring. “As we know, for lots of different positions, the HR listings are hard to find, so the summer application is a little hard to find. My son has not heard back in months. He applied for a summer job months ago—never heard anything back from anybody.” She continued, the recreation department could be more active on social media in order to attract lifeguards.
Jordan also questioned the city’s efforts. “I know it’s been said that you guys offered a class this year, you didn’t get any takers. I would just say, I didn’t even know that it was posted. I’m fairly involved in a lot of things, have plenty of connections with local swim teams, both Haverhill High School boys, Haverhill High School girls, plenty who would be willing to lifeguard.”
The two-and-a-half-hour meeting of the Natural Resources and Public Property Committee also covered changes to park ordinances—including allowing camping in the city—and parking near Plug Pond. On July 4, people gathering at Plug Pond filled Belvidere Road with their parked cars. Pond-goers who arrive by car have to pay to park in the lot.
In response, the city put up temporary no-parking signs. Some Belvidere Road residents said at the meeting the signs made it impossible for them to host guests. At the same time, they commended officials for working closely with them, in some cases quickly voiding tickets put on their own vehicles.