City weighs safety measures for lake

Key players in the ongoing debate regarding Bonnifield Lake are coming together to make recommendations to improve safety at the beach despite differing perspectives.

Chair of the Public Safety and Transportation Committee Susan Silvers reported to the council Monday night on a meeting she held last week with emergency personnel and the Fairfield Park and Recreation Board.

She said the discussion focused on how to keep the beach open responsibly, not on closing the lake, despite the park and rec board and emergency departments? apprehensions.

Silvers admitted there was some tension because of opposing viewpoints, a common thread since the July 12 drowning of 31-year-old Jesse Harl at the lake. But she said everyone aimed to work together.

?I think the spirit of it was good,? said Silvers. ?There was definitely some emotion and strong opinions, but my hope is that everybody left with the idea that we just have to agree or disagree respectfully.?

Silvers said she?s received overwhelming feedback in favor of using the beach through emails, phone calls and conversations at public meetings.

?It?s very clear from the community that they want the beach open,? said Silvers.

City attorney John Morrissey, who has studied liability issues at the lake, agreed the beach will most likely stay open.

?The majority of the council feel they want to keep it open regardless of how the park and rec board feels,? said Morrissey. ?They [the council] seem inclined to let the public use the area subject to rules.?

Silvers said those at the meeting were in favor of installing a safety stand by the beach, which would include bright colored pictures and safety instructions.

They discussed increasing education by creating a pamphlet to send home with students at the end of the school year promoting safe behaviors and swimming lessons.

They recommended investing in safety equipment, such as life jackets, throw rings and telescoping poles, and demonstrating how to use the devices once or twice a month at the beach during swimming season.

Morrissey said the equipment would be ?safety oriented without being break-your-back expensive.?

That is, unless it is vandalized.

?The biggest talking point at the meeting was that everyone?s afraid that we?ll spend the money to put safety measures in place and then someone will come and destroy it,? said Silvers.

But she said they decided to move forward and ?hope people are respectful.?

Fairfield Police Chief Julie Harvey shared recommendations for establishing ordinances against vandalism, which could be enforced by both the police and possibly park and rec personnel.

The beach volunteers committee has already begun making the beach safer since it re-opened, according to committee head Bob Klauber. In a letter to the editor dated Aug. 16, Klauber announced volunteers added four additional long yellow floats for swimmers to rest on while crossing, and have moved ropes on the beach so water is five feet deep instead of eight.

Morrissey and Silvers said funding for new equipment and signage would come from the park and rec board and beach volunteers committee.

Both groups will be meeting to finalize recommendations to bring to the council.

?I?m very encouraged that by next season we?ll have all these details buttoned up,? said Silvers.