With Cherry & Webb Beach set to open in just under a month and a half, Westport has a problem: Too few lifeguards, and limited means to attract them to Westport.

Beach committee chairman Sean Leach told the select board last week that while he would like to have eight or nine guards for the season, he is well short. With the state offering much more than Westport — $28 per hour plus a $1,200 signing bonus, versus $21 with no signing bonus — "it's tough to compete with that," he said. "They've scooped up everybody who we might have gotten."

Leach and fellow committee member Perry Long have been casting a wide net in search of applicants, but have had limited success so far. Apart from the financial incentives for guards to sign on at Horseneck rather than Westport, he said the town's age requirement is also an issue that if solved, could make more guards available. The state's minimum age for certified guards is 16 years old, while Westport requires them to be 18.

"We have people who are interested in doing it who are under 18," he said, suggesting that the town could consider lowering the age requirement.

As for salaries, it is too late to adjust rates following Tuesday's Town Meeting, at which rates are set. But town administrator James Hartnett suggested that Leach speak to the personnel board: "They do have a provision in there where if (an expense) is unanticipated, they can increase it until (next year's) town meeting. They may have the ability to increase the pay.

If the town can't come up with solutions, Leach suggested that all options are on the table, including beach details and even signs warning residents that there is no lifeguard on duty.

If the town's presence at the beach is decreased, though, Leach said there could be problems:

"If we don't have them there, I have a strong feeling there will be some misbehaving," he said. "Dogs on the beach is a big concern (and) when rip tides start in August, it becomes a tough beach."

Interested in applying?

Councilor Steve Ouellette suggested the town let residents know the town is hiring, and information to that effect is on the town's website.