Select Board leans toward a floating holiday for July 3 to limit budget impact

The Select Board discussed whether to close town offices on Friday, July 3, ahead of the July 4 federal holiday and how to compensate staff. At issue was equity between employees on four‑day and five‑day schedules.

Staff reviewed options used in other towns: either pay employees for the extra day or grant a floating holiday for employees who would otherwise have a weekday off. Board members noted the budgetary impact of paying an extra regular day and that many municipalities prefer offering a floating holiday to avoid unbudgeted payroll costs. One member summarized the apparent fairness issue: four‑day employees would effectively receive an extra paid day if the town paid the holiday, while five‑day employees would not.

The board directed the town administrator to inform staff at the upcoming staff meeting that the board endorses a floating holiday approach as the preferred policy for July 3, with details to be finalized administratively. No formal vote changing the personnel policy was taken at the meeting; staff will implement the approach consistent with the employee handbook and report back as needed.