Procedure. Lifeguards and other public safety personnel,
including dispatchers and the Police Department, shall notify the
Fire Chief of any perceived threat to the safety of members of the
public or lifeguards at Town beaches. A threat could arise from the
presence of water contamination or sharks in the vicinity of the beach,
storm conditions or other events. The Fire Chief shall verify the
presence and the scope of the threat to the best of his/her ability
and evaluate possible responses. The Fire Chief may consult with department
heads and/or other experts to formulate a recommendation as to an
appropriate response. The Fire Chief shall recommend a course of action
to the Town Manager, who shall decide what action to take. The Town
Manager is authorized to close the beaches, or a specified section
of the beach, to the public and/or to issue and post warnings of a
threat to the public health or safety which does not justify a beach
closure. The Town Manager shall inform the Board of Selectmen of the
situation and may consult with them prior to making a decision, which
shall be communicated to the Board of Selectmen, Town staff and the
public as expeditiously as possible. The Town Manager shall reopen
the beaches or remove the warnings as conditions warrant.