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Council adopts summer-hours pilot and hiring-review practice; approves routine financial actions
Summary
At its July 14 meeting the North Branford Town Council approved a month-long pilot shifting summer town‑hall hours, adopted a practice for department‑head hiring review, authorized town-manager banking signatory, and approved appropriation transfers and prior minutes.
The North Branford Town Council on July 14 approved several procedural and administrative measures, including a one‑month pilot that shifts summer town‑hall hours and a new practice for reviewing department‑head hires.
The council voted to pilot adjusted town‑hall hours from Aug. 3 through Sept. 4. Under the pilot, the town office schedule would remain 35 hours per week but shift two hours from Fridays (08:30–02:30) to Monday and Tuesday evenings (08:30–17:30). Town Manager (speaker listed in the meeting as the town manager) said department heads and union representatives were consulted and that early‑voting schedules would be maintained during the pilot. The motion to approve the pilot was made by a councilor and seconded; a voice vote was recorded and the motion carried.
Council also approved a motion to standardize the process for hiring department heads: before an offer is made, the town manager will present one or more top candidates to the council for review. Proponents said the practice restores a familiar step that allows elected members to ask questions and raise concerns before final confirmation. Opponents cautioned about charter limitations and urged the process not slow hiring. The motion passed by voice vote.
Other actions recorded in the meeting packet and adopted by voice vote included authorizing bank resolutions naming the town manager (Dr. Scott Nicholl) as a signatory on town documents and approving appropriation transfers recommended by the town manager and finance director. The council also approved the minutes of the June 16, 2026 meeting.
All recorded votes in open session were voice votes; the meeting minutes record unanimous ‘Aye’ for the carried motions. Where roll‑call tallies were not provided at the meeting, the minutes note voice‑vote approval.
What's next: The town manager said the summer‑hours pilot will be publicized before it begins on Aug. 3 and will be debriefed at the September council meeting. The department‑head hiring practice will be applied going forward and was entered into council procedure by motion.
