This Week in Clarkstown

By Matt Veronesi

As Superintendent of Parks & Recreation for the Town of Clarkstown, one of the many responsibilities under my purview is the operation of our three public swimming pools: Germonds Pool, Lake Nanuet Pool, and Congers Pool.

Before coming to Clarkstown, I spent 18 years working in Parks & Recreation and gained experience in nearly every aspect of the profession. However, the one area I had very little exposure to was aquatic facilities, as the town where I previously worked did not operate any pools. When I was hired in Clarkstown, I made it a priority to learn everything I could about pool operations. I even completed the Certified Pool Operator (CPO) course, an extensive certification program that required passing a challenging examination. Three summers later, after continuing my education and gaining hands-on experience, I feel I have developed a solid understanding of what it takes to safely operate our pools.

Each summer, approximately 100 lifeguards work for the Town of Clarkstown, and I can confidently say we have one of the most highly trained aquatics staffs anywhere. I have personally witnessed our lifeguards make multiple rescues of swimmers in distress, and I could not be prouder of the professionalism they demonstrate.

But being a lifeguard is about much more than making rescues. Our aquatics team is responsible for enforcing safety rules, monitoring water quality, maintaining proper chemical balances, cleaning the pools, performing routine maintenance, and participating in ongoing training throughout the season. There is an incredible amount of work that goes into operating our pools safely, and I have complete confidence in the dedicated team that serves our community every day.

Recently, there has been considerable discussion on social media regarding some of our pool rules and the way they are enforced. Let me be very clear: the Town of Clarkstown does not create these rules arbitrarily. We follow regulations and guidance established by the New York State and local health departments, the American Red Cross, which develops lifeguard training standards, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which oversees workplace safety. These regulations have existed for many years. They are not new rules that were suddenly created this summer.

I would like to explain the reasoning behind a few of the rules that have generated the most questions.

One concerns appropriate swim attire. All patrons are required to wear clean, recognizable swimwear specifically designed for use in swimming pools. Street clothes, cotton garments, and visible undergarments are not permitted. This policy is in place because everyday clothing can introduce contaminants into the water, while cotton fibers can break down, clog filtration systems, and interfere with proper chemical balance. Swimwear is manufactured specifically for aquatic environments and helps maintain water quality for everyone. While some patrons may not understand the reasoning behind this rule, our staff is simply enforcing established health and safety standards—not personal opinions.

Another rule that has received attention is the prohibition of full-face swim masks, diving masks, and nose clips. Again, these are not rules the Town created independently. They are based on nationally recognized safety standards and best practices.

There are several important reasons for these restrictions:

Airway safety: In an emergency, inexperienced swimmers often instinctively try to breathe through their nose. Devices that block normal breathing patterns can increase panic or create additional risks if water enters the mouth.

Glass breakage: Many snorkeling and diving masks contain tempered glass. If struck by another swimmer or the pool wall, the glass can shatter into countless tiny fragments, requiring the pool to be closed, drained, and thoroughly cleaned before reopening. With the size of these pools that would mean shutting them down for multiple days to be able to do that. Not something that would be ideal during the hot summer days.

Reduced visibility: Diving and snorkeling masks restrict peripheral vision, increasing the risk of underwater collisions with other swimmers.

Emergency response: Lifeguards are trained to recognize subtle facial expressions that indicate a swimmer may be in distress. Masks can make those signs more difficult to detect. They also delay emergency treatment, as lifeguards must remove the mask before providing CPR or other lifesaving care.

Standard swim goggles that seal only around the eyes remain permitted because they do not present the same safety concerns.

Our lifeguards are simply doing the job they have been trained to do. Unfortunately, in recent weeks many of them have been subjected to yelling, insults, and verbal abuse simply for enforcing established rules. Many of these young men and women are working their very first jobs. They deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect while carrying out their responsibilities.

As Superintendent of Parks & Recreation, I will always stand behind our staff when they are properly enforcing the rules designed to protect public safety. Individuals who interfere with our employees or create unsafe situations may have their pool privileges suspended or revoked.

The next time you visit one of our pools, I encourage you to take a moment to thank one of our lifeguards. They work long hours in the summer heat, train extensively, and remain constantly vigilant so that every family can enjoy a safe day at the pool.

For information about Clarkstown Parks & Recreation programs and events, please call our office at 845-639-6200.

Have an idea for a future column or a Clarkstown event you’d like to see highlighted? I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at m.veronesi@clarkstown.gov.

Have a great week!