WEST PARIS – Selectmen approved a change in summer hours at the transfer station on Pioneer Street on a 3- to 4-week trial basis.

According to Town Manager Don Woodbury, who submitted the proposal, the change only pertains to Wednesday hours. Saturday and Sunday hours remain the same, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to noon Sundays.

The Wednesday change will see the station open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. with the two attendants working semi-separate hours so there will be no change in the labor costs.

Woodbury said David Billings will operate the station from 8 to 4 while Wayne Theofrastou will work from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Billings indicated he preferred working from 8 to 4, while Theofrastou liked the 11 to 7 hours.

“This will mean there will be a few hours that each attendant will be running the station on his own but that shouldn’t be that much of a problem,” he said.

In 2003, summer hours Wednesdays were from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. and seemed to work well. However, some residents were unhappy with the lack of earlier morning hours.

“This way,” said Woodbury, “the station will be open for hours that satisfy everyone and go along with David’s and Wayne’s preferences. I think this will work but if not, we can change back. So I propose we try it on a trial basis for 3 to 4 weeks and revisit the issue after the trial period.”

The hours will go into effect next Wednesday, June 2.

Selectmen also voted to share the costs of liability insurance for the Moose Pond Animal Shelter run by Animal Control Officer Dannie Paine.

The town will share the amount of $500 per year with Albany Township, Sumner and Woodstock with its share set at $125. The towns agreed to help Paine keep the shelter open because without it, using shelters in Rumford and Fryeburg would be more expensive.

Without the money Paine would have to dismantle the shelter to continue to have insurance coverage on his attached home.

Chairman Wade Rainey said grinding, reshaping, and paving of Pioneer Street is scheduled for July.