NORTH ATTLEBORO - Selectmen said they are willing to dip into their own pockets to help ensure swimmers at Falls and Whiting's ponds are protected by lifeguards this summer.

After hearing the news that the conservation commission does not have enough money to fully staff the Falls Pond and Whiting's Pond beaches with lifeguards, selectmen said they wanted to help.

Selectman John Rhyno asked if the town could set up an account to accept donations that would go toward lifeguard salaries. He said he would be willing to make the first donation, while selectmen Chairman Paul Belham said he would be willing to make the second.

"I understand we don't have a lot of money but you're going to have kids who are going to swim there whether there are lifeguards or not," Rhyno said. "I don't want to see a kid drown because there aren't lifeguards."

Selectman Michael Thompson asked if a revolving fund could be set up so that gate fees collected at the beach parking areas could go directly toward the lifeguard salaries. Town Administrator Mark Fisher said he will research whether donations could also be added to the revolving fund. Conservation commission members voted Tuesday to raise the beach area parking fee from $3 to $5 per day and the season pass fee from $35 to $50.

However, the additional revenue will not help with staffing this year because the money goes into the town's general fund rather than a revolving fund.

At the time, conservation commission Chairman Clifford Bassett said budget cuts will result in reduced staffing at the two pond beaches. He said the conservation commission is still hoping to keep the Falls Pond beach staffed seven days a week -with reduced hours- but there is not enough money to staff Whiting's Pond at all.

The conservation commission plans to ask at June's town meeting for additional funding to fully staff the beaches. In addition, it plans to make appeals to community organizations to assistance with the costs.

Hours the beaches will be staffed with lifeguards will be announced once the department's budget figures are finalized.