Brookhaven Town lifeguards to watch over Ho-Hum Beach in Bellport

Brookhaven Town lifeguards will watch over Bellport swimmers next summer after the village board of trustees voted to permanently use the replacement employees.

Brookhaven lifeguards will earn between $14 and $24 per hour, according to the village resolution which was unanimously adopted Monday night.

Bellport officials closed Ho-Hum Beach on Fire Island on July 17 after all six village lifeguards quit in protest over what the lifeguards described as a dispute over policy issues and working conditions.

Some village lifeguards brought their children to the beach during working hours, a violation of village rules.

Board members later declined to rescind the lifeguards’ resignations and instead hired Brookhaven lifeguards to replace them for the rest of the summer.

The village will use three Brookhaven lifeguards during the week and four on the weekends, village officials said.

On Monday night, Bellport Mayor Ray Fell said the former village lifeguards can apply for jobs through Brookhaven.

Brookhaven Town last summer hired 123 seasonal lifeguards to work at seven town beaches, three town pools, Ho-Hum Beach and other parks.

Brookhaven said 24 town lifeguards were certified to work in rougher ocean conditions such as those at Ho-Hum Beach.