WEST PARIS – The Board of Selectmen approved a new policy this week to streamline its meetings.

Town Manager Donald Woodbury proposed that items for the agenda be submitted no later than noon Wednesday before meetings on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. That would give the manager and/or selectmen time to review the issue, look at necessary materials and determine if it should be discussed in open session.

Woodbury said the idea is not to censor public concerns, but to take care of those that don’t require meeting time.

“There are some issues that could be taken care of other than during a regular meeting,” he said. “My proposal is meant to bring a semblance of organization to the meetings so the sessions are productive.”

The policy allows for meetings to adjourn after the agenda business if finished, not the mandatory 7 p.m.

“At a recent meeting we were done with regular business by quarter to six and we sat around and talked for the rest of the time at $10 an hour,” Selectman Jim Johnston said. “That shouldn’t be necessary. It just costs the town money for nothing.”

The policy includes time for public comment and discussion, however, the selectmen reserve the right to table an issue if further study and review is deemed necessary.

Selectmen’s meetings start at 5 p.m. If there is an issue of major importance that can not be covered by 7 p.m. the board can vote to extend the meeting.

It was announced that the office will be closed March 31 and April 12 for the town manager and office staff to train in the new Trio accounting and motor vehicle programs at the town office.