Council Passes 2016 Summer Hours For Borough Hall

For the third consecutive year, Borough Hall will be open for only 37½ hours instead of its regular 40 hours from June 6th through September 2nd. The measure was passed unanimously by the governing body through Resolution 107-16.

Members of the governing body have claimed in the past that it is to accommodate residents’ needs by having Borough Hall open one hour later from its regular 4:30 p.m. closing time and open till 7 in the evening once a week. Since a majority of residents work till 5 p.m., their travel time will get them to Borough Hall at or after 5:30 in the evening. The arrangement does give Borough Hall employees three-day weekends during the summer.

“I just wanted some clarification as to purposes of the summer hours,” asked Fifth Ward Councilman Thomas ‘Thos’ Shipley during a discussion regarding the resolution, “Is it saving us any money? Why are we doing this? How is it going to serve the public any better than we do at this point?”

Mayor Carl Hokanson responded, “[Usually], after 4:30 Borough Hall is closed . . . Basically it gives residents the opportunity to come down one night a week.”

“So why not do it all year round?”, asked Councilman Shipley.

Councilwoman-At-Large Charlene Storey added, “Frankly, I agree. I’d love to see that done all-year round because for many years I was in that same position.”

The mayor stated it could be something that could be discussed in future contract negotiations with the various Borough Hall employee unions.

“As you’ve seen, it’s been changed,” stated First Ward Councilman Eugene Meola, referring to the changed ‘late day’ from Monday in 2015 to Thursday this year. He continued, “Maybe next year it’ll be there permanently.”

Mayor Hokanson said it was something to think about for next year.

This year, the only week during the summer that will have Borough Hall offices return to their regular 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. schedule will be the week of July 4th. Offices will be closed on Monday, July 4th, and open Tuesday through Friday regular hours.

The scheduled summer hours are listed below: