For immediate release
June 23, 2009
for more information:  Betty Foley, 781 741-1400

Selectmen consider four-day work week

The Hingham Board of Selectmen is looking for cost savings, and at the top of the list is the possibility of a four-day work week at Town Hall.  Town Hall would be open the same number of hours and employees’ total time at work would not change, but the work would be consolidated into four days, resulting in utilities savings.

“This has been implemented very successfully in other towns,” said Town Administrator Kevin Paicos.  “Not only are there considerable savings in heat and air conditioning, but the increased number of evening hours has proved popular with citizens in towns which have adopted this practice.”

Selectman Bruce Rabuffo said, “Our goal would be to maintain current service levels or improve them with this plan.”

Selectmen asked Town employees for cost-saving ideas, and several employees made the suggestion to rearrange work hours into a four-day week. Utility savings would result from turning down heat or air conditioning from Thursday evening through Monday morning. 

Laura Burns, chair of the Board of Selectmen, said the board is looking for comments on the idea from citizens and employees.  “We think this may be a triple-win situation.  Citizens will have increased evening access to Town Hall plus savings on costs, and employees might enjoy having a three-day weekend.  We would like to get some reactions from the community.”

Currently, Town Hall is open on Tuesdays until 7 p.m., and closes at 1:00 p.m. on Fridays.  Several schemes for redistributing the work hours are being considered, including beginning the workday a half-hour earlier, shortening the current lunch break, and expanding evening hours.

To respond to the board’s request for comments, email selectmen@hingham-ma.com, or call the Selectmen’s office at 781-741-1400.