A Tale of Two Rec Resignations

The Saratoga Recreation Department faced multiple resignations at the June 18 meeting of the Saratoga Town Council.

Councilwoman Kathy Beck resigned from being town council liaison to the Saratoga Recreation Department Board.

She read a letter to the community members, talking about her history with the board and her passion for recreation.

In her letter, Beck listed health and wellness, physical activity, community engagement, economic impact and quality of life as reasons why recreation is important.

“Unfortunately I cannot be an effective advocate for a department and program if this council does not respect my opinion or appreciate my effort,” Beck said.

Mayor Chuck Davis thanked her for her time as liaison to the rec department.

Councilmember Bub Barkhurst was appointed as the new council liaison to the board.

Later, in a memorandum to the town council, Jane Carey, lifeguard and water aerobics instructor, raised concerns about the safety of the pool.

“We currently have a staff of six. We have three teenage lifeguards under the age of 18, two cashiers under the age of 18 and me. I will be 77 years old on August 21, 2024. We don’t have a pool manager or any other person who is nominally in charge of the pool,” she wrote. “Because of this, we lack a clear written plan for an emergency incident. The forms and necessary emergency supplies are not fully stocked. Since we are short staffed, we have gaps in the schedule and no one in charge of all the testing requirements to make sure the pool is safe for swimming.”

Carey said if any accident were to happen at the pool she felt it would “fall on her shoulders” as she was the only employee over the age of 18.

“I am not willing to accept that responsibility. I am sad to say that without a pool manager, I will be forced to resign for my own peace of mind,” Carey wrote.

To finish her letter, she recommended the rehiring of Whisper Bunch as pool manager. Bunch was the pool manager in the summer of 2023 before resigning from her position.

In the June 4 Saratoga Town Council meeting, the application of Bunch was discussed shortly.

In that meeting, Beck asked why the council was not hiring Bunch as pool manager. In response, Councilmember Jerry Fluty said they would discuss it in executive session.

Carey said she would resign within the week if a pool manager was not hired. If no pool manager was hired, she said she would remain at the pool if she could “sign something that absolves me from liability beyond my duties as a lifeguard.”

“I respect your positions and know this is not an easy job, but this is not viable right now. The pool should not be open under these circumstances,” Carey said.

Davis responded to her concerns, saying they had two applications for pool manager and would hold interviews for that position.

“It’s hard to hire somebody, it really is,” Davis said. “As far as signing something, I’d have to talk to the town attorney.”

In the section of the meeting dedicated to the recreation department, Davis reiterated there were two applications for pool manager. No action was taken.

Community member Joshua Wood asked the council if the pool would close if Carey were to resign.

“It’s a possibility,” Davis said.

Wood then asked what liability the Town of Saratoga is responsible for if an accident were to happen at the pool when there was no pool manager.

Davis said he would have to consult with the town attorney to answer that question.

On June 26, the council will have held a special meeting regarding the pool manager position.

The next regular meeting of the Saratoga Town Council will be on July 2 at the Saratoga Town Hall.