Residents praise new Red Cross swim instructors; highway department gives paving and cleanup update

During general public comment, Sandy updated the board on recreation training: the town hosted its first swim instructor course at Freedom Lake and certified five new Red Cross swim instructors after an intensive 30-hour course that required staff coverage and coordination.

"We have added 5 new certified Red Cross swim instructors to our lifeguarding staff, and that is huge for us," Sandy said, noting the training was completed mid-summer and that the new instructors are already in use.

A highway department representative also addressed the public, describing paving plans (Birch Hill, Lakeview, McGee and May Court), line painting, and brush chipping completed after the July 4 storm. Staff warned residents to avoid cones and said tree trimming will begin on several streets before school starts.

Why it matters: the training increases swim-safety capacity at municipal facilities and the highway schedule directly affects road users and residents near work zones.