CANTON, CT — Local officials are mulling a proposal floated by town employees that would grant them a three-day weekend — permanently.
The proposal, discussed without any action being taken on July 10, calls for Canton Town Hall offices to be closed on Fridays, with full-time workers working on longer days Monday through Thursday.
According to local officials, staff members are in support of the proposal, with some departments like the library, public works, parks and recreation, and police not expected to be impacted by any changes.
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Canton Town Hall hours would be Monday to Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Staff members who do not deal with the public would be able to work on Fridays, according to the proposal.
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Canton First Selectman Kevin Witkos said the idea was broached because the small town is among the lowest-paying municipalities in the Farmington Valley area.
He said other towns have reported success with such a setup and it would provide a better “work/life balance” for employees.
According to Witkos, staff morale and productivity would improve and residents would have greater access to town hall via the new evening hours.
If approved, Canton would have to account for any Friday holidays, likely a “floating” holiday.
Selectman E. Corkum Winsor called the proposal a “progressive idea.”
“It provides a solution for stress issues and is a good response to the employee survey,” he said. “It must be implemented department by department and could be started as a pilot program.”
The idea is not supposed to impact any town services.
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Selectmen are expected to review the proposal further later in the summer, perhaps during the August Canton Board of Selectmen meeting.
For the minutes of the July 10 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.
To view the July 10 Canton Board of Selectmen meeting, click on this link.
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