Selectmen direct planning office to staff town‑hall hours starting May 1

The Board of Selectmen directed the town planning office to staff the town‑hall hours beginning May 1, 2025, and formalized supervision of the assistant town planner by the town planner, saying the change is intended to ensure daily in‑person coverage for residents.

At the meeting, a selectman read the directive to the board: “Starting 05/01/2025 the planning office, town planner, and assistant town planner will be in the office Monday through Friday during town hall hours,” the selectman said, adding that the only exceptions are employees who had a remote‑work agreement at hire and that “there will be no exceptions or negotiations going forward.” The directive also said the assistant town planner would “report to and be supervised by the town planner.”

Board members discussed practical coverage concerns and a transition to an appointment‑based system once a security door is installed. One selectman said the office reorganization and a staffed reception window should ensure someone is available most of the time, but acknowledged there could be moments when staff are out for field inspections. The board also discussed mailbox logistics for department heads and making meeting packets available by appointment.

The transcript shows a motion was made to adopt the directive, but the record did not include a completed vote tally in the minutes included in the meeting transcript. The board asked staff to proceed with door‑security and appointment arrangements and to circulate an acknowledgment form the employees would sign to confirm the new expectations.