Dexter adjusts town office hours

DEXTER — Starting next month the Dexter Town Office will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Friday, a switch from the current 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. hours five days a week. The finalized change was approved by the Dexter Town Council during a Nov. 9 meeting.

“This is going to start (Monday) Dec. 4,” Town Manager Trampas King said. Town office employees will be working from 7 to 5 p.m. the four days with the building open for the public to come in from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Councilor Levi Ladd said since the adjustment to 40 hours a week across four days instead of five was discussed during last month’s meeting he has talked with some residents and did not hear any comments in opposition. He said one citizen suggested the town office be open a bit later, such as 6 or 6:30 p.m., one day a week.

In October King said some work, such as online registrations, can be done from home rather than by residents coming in and he said having the office closed on Mondays would give employees an extra day off.

Council Chairperson Andrew Bermudez mentioned last month this 3-day weekend could ideally lead to less sick time being used by office employees. He said having the office open four days a week would allow for extended business hours without the need for extended employee compensation, and he sees it as a way to serve the public better.

With Christmas Eve falling on a Sunday in 2023, the council voted to have an observance on the holiday for Friday, Dec. 22. That day the town office will close at noon with employees having four hours of holiday pay for the afternoon.

In other business, King welcomed new councilors Daniel Hutchins and Elijah Ames. Earlier in the week they both were elected to 3-year terms. The two will start in January.

He said councilors Chuck Ellms and Peter Haskell would both be departing. Dexter’s town charter limits councilors to serving only two consecutive terms.

“Thank you for your dedication and time, it’s easier to say home than to do this,” the town manager said.

Ellms was presented with a commemorative clock by King — Haskell was not present on Nov. 9 — as councilors shared thankful remarks with him. 

“It’s been a privilege to serve with each and every one of you these last seven years,” Ellms said.