Selectmen to seek input on revised Town Hall hours

With overwhelming support from town employees and department heads, the Board of Selectmen on Tuesday agreed to extend the new summer hours at Town Hall until November 1 while seeking more feedback from residents.

As part of the agreement, the town will post a survey on its website asking for public input and selectmen will review the responses before deciding how best to proceed. Essentially, the new hours, which took effect in mid July, consist of an earlier opening time (8 a.m. for most departments), continuation of extended hours on Tuesdays (until 7 p.m.), and an earlier closing time on Fridays (1 p.m.).

The decision to continue the trial period for another eight weeks was approved on Tuesday by a 4-1 vote, with Selectman John Connolly opposed. Connolly had also voted in opposition to the initial pilot period, noting the town’s obligation to serve the public.

Human Resource Director Jody Middleton said she has personally interviewed 37 Town Hall employees and found only three who were opposed to the new hours. She also found substantial support among department heads, who noted that Town Hall is actually open more hours per week with the 8 a.m. opening.

Town Accountant Kathy Butters reported that more people, including commuters, are conducting Town Hall business between the hours of 8 and 9 a.m. Middleton added that Town Hall custodians favored the idea, since it allowed them to begin cleaning a vacant building on Friday afternoon without increasing overtime.

Selectman Mark Porter noted that there have been no negative comments to date posted on social media, although Middleton said the change in hours still may not be widely known as it was implemented over the summer, when many residents are away on vacations …

See this week’s Canton Citizen for more highlights from the August 27 selectmen’s meeting. Not a subscriber? Click here to order your subscription today (also available in digital form).

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Posted by Mike Berger on Aug 30 2019. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.