North Adams Finalizes Agreement to Staff Windsor Lake With lifeguards

North Adams officials have finalized a contract with the Berkshire Family YMCA to provide three lifeguards to watch over swimmers at Windsor Lake during peak swim times this summer.

The Berkshire Eagle  reports lifeguards will be on duty from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and on Labor Day, according to Administrative Officer Michael Canales.

The other four days of the week, he noted, the lake is heavily used by summer camps, which provide their own lifeguards.

Mayor Thomas Bernard's administration had proposed cutting money to pay for lifeguards at the lake. But, during the final stage of the budget process, the City Council expressed alarm at the idea of going without lifeguards at the popular swimming spot and tried to find funding elsewhere. The mayor changed course and agreed to find funding in a reserve account.

None of the council members was openly supportive of the elimination of city lifeguards.