Blackstone selectmen keep four‑day town‑hall schedule; cash‑handling policy sent back for review

The Town of Blackstone Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on Oct. 8 to maintain a four‑day town‑hall schedule implemented as a summer trial. Town Administrator Chad Lovett told the board the pilot — opening a half hour earlier, shortening lunch and eliminating Friday hours — was well received by employees and provides a staff recruitment and retention advantage.

Selectmen discussed community access concerns and clarified that the schedule change does not mean staff are working remotely; rather, in‑house hours remain the same but are compressed. After a brief exchange and noting employee benefits, a motion to maintain the modified hours was made and carried by unanimous voice vote.

The board also reviewed a revised cash‑handling and turnover policy drafted by administration and reviewed by legal. Several members said they had not had time to fully read the revised draft distributed that day and expressed concern that the policy’s initial language could be read as limiting cash handling authorization to "employees" rather than including appointed board, committee and commission members. Town legal counsel advised the language applies to board and committee members as well. The board agreed to take additional time to review the document and to send comments to the town administrator prior to the next meeting.

Quote: "I'm in agreement with leaving it the way it is for the time being," one selectman said, referring to the town‑hall hours trial.

Next steps: The town will retain the four‑day schedule; the cash‑handling policy will be reviewed by selectmen offline and discussed at the next meeting.