More to Come on Town Hall

Liaison to Town Administrative Offices Norm Russell reported last night that he has talked with the Town Hall employees and former liaison Ted Murray.

Russell said he didn’t foresee anyone not being reappointed, but hoped to reorganize job descriptions and hours so as to keep Town Hall open at least one additional day per week.

“My goal is that, hopefully, this time next year, people will come in and say they really feel welcome and comfortable coming into Town Hall and things are working for them.”

Russell had some doubts about the utility of keeping the Hall open one evening a week. He said he spoke to Town Collector Laura Blakesley about a time some years ago when Town Hall did have evening hours. He said she remembered the one resident who used the Town Hall in the evening. He did point out that, on the other hand, the town drop box is seeing a lot of use. Board Chair Dave DeHerdt suggested that evening hours might not be necessary now that residents can conduct some business through the town’s web site.

Russell said that employees also liked the idea of a weekly staff meeting with the Select Board liaison, a practice begun by Murray. “The town administrator had not reacted very positively to it,” he said, but other staff members found it helpful.

DeHerdt agreed to put a more detailed examination of Town Hall reorganization on the agenda for next week’s meeting.

David King