Residents raise access concerns after West Swanzey moves to appointment-based town-hall visits

At a public meeting in West Swanzey, residents questioned recent changes to town-hall access that move routine walk-in services to an appointment-based system and keep the front door locked.

Supporters of the measure and town staff said the change is meant to protect personnel and will not create new staffing costs. "It is not an added cost," a staff member said during the meeting.

Residents pressed for specifics about when the change started and whether there was any immediate threat that prompted it. A meeting speaker asked about how the new process will work, saying, "So what we're moving towards is by appointment. What is your official business here in our small town of Swansea?" The description of that intake approach and who will staff it was a recurring subject of public comment.

Speakers at the meeting said the front-door policy will be managed by existing staff assigned as an entrance attendant rather than hiring additional personnel. Residents said they want clearer follow-up and written communication about the change and its limits; one attendee asked for an email follow-up to a prior private conversation about a related personnel matter.

The matter was raised during public comment rather than as a formal agenda item; the meeting record shows only discussion and requests for clarification, not a formal policy vote or ordinance adopting the appointment policy.

Town staff and residents agreed on the need to balance public access with staff safety, but several residents asked for written clarification about which services will remain walk-in and which will require appointments.