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Selectmen direct planning staff to maintain in‑office coverage during town hall hours starting May 1, 2025
Summary
The board issued a directive that the town planner, assistant town planner and planning office staff will be present at town hall during town-hall hours starting May 1, 2025; the assistant town planner will report to the town planner and an appointment-based system tied to a security door will be implemented.
The Board of Selectmen issued a directive requiring the planning office, town planner and assistant town planner to be present in the office Monday through Friday during town hall hours beginning May 1, 2025. The change was presented by a board official as a step to improve coverage for residents who come to the reception window.
The directive text read in part: "starting 05/01/2025 that the planning office, town planner, and assistant town planner will be in the office Monday through Friday during town hall hours. The only exception ... is where there was an agreement at the time of hire that an employee could work remotely." The speaker added that the assistant town planner will report to and be supervised by the town planner and that employees will sign an acknowledgment of the change.
Staff described an accompanying operational change: once a security door is installed the office will move to an appointment-based system and the reception window will screen walk-ins and coordinate meetings. The selectmen said department heads' mailboxes will move to the tax collector's office to streamline staff access.
Ending: Board members acknowledged that the change may create initial hiccups but said the measure should improve predictable public access and help protect staff from unannounced visitors.
