By Beth David, Editor
The Acushnet Selectboard voted to have town offices work a four-day workweek on a trial basis at its meeting on Tuesday, 5/22.
Members said they had mixed feelings about the move, so a trial period would be a good way to go. The change will start on June 5 and end on Sept. 1. Then the board will be able to re-visit the issue to decide if it should be permanent.
The reason for the change is to give residents an opportunity to conduct town hall business after they get out of work.
Selectboard member Roger Cabral, however, said that he would prefer for town hall to open an hour or so past 5 p.m. on more days and be open on Fridays for at least part of the day, instead of the one long evening.
Board member Mike Cioper agreed, saying he would like to see town hall open for a half day on Fridays.
Selectboard chairperson Kevin Gaspar said he could see ow the change is great for the employees, but he was not so sure how the change would benefit residents.
He said the trial period will give the town and board a chance to see how busy it gets on the Tuesday night.
“If it helps the community, I”m all for it,” said Mr. Gaspar. “If it doesn’t help the community, I”m not for it. If it doesn’t serve the people, I’m out.”
The new hours for Town Hall and other town offices will be Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed on Fridays. The schedule equals a 35-hour workweek for employees and has been approved by the union.
The board also gave their support to Town Administrator Brian Noble to switch the town from the current reverse 911 system to the “Code Red” notification system. The switch will allow the town to use the system for community events, not only emergencies. Residents will be able to choose what kind of information they want to receive by phone call or text.
The new website already has a place for residents to sign up for email alerts from all the boards and committees and emergency personnel. Residents can choose news and announcement updates, meeting agendas, or only urgent updates.
To sign up visit http://www.acushnet.ma.us/subscribe
Click here to download the entire 5/25/17 issue: 05-25-17 HerringFest
