By Jodi Hausen,Staff Writer

FARMINGTON – The Town Office will be open an extra half-hour each day once a new employee-schedule takes effect.

Selectmen voted Tuesday to allow the front desk office workers to have a flexible schedule, working a four-day week in 10-hour days rather than five days. Each will have a different weekday off.

Diana Young, town treasurer and supervisor of the employees, cited several benefits to the program, which Gov. John Baldacci has suggested employers consider adopting. It will save gas money for people who drive long distances, reduce emissions pollution, reduce road congestion, decrease tardiness and absenteeism, and improve employee morale and loyalty, she said.

Selectmen were skeptical of the new policy’s benefits, but agreed to a 60-day trial period allowing Young to schedule front desk employees on the compressed week schedule. Because workers will be in the office longer each day, selectmen also voted to open the office a half-hour longer, either at the beginning of the workday or at the end. They left details of when the policy would take effect to Town Manager Richard Davis.

“It softens the blow,” Chair Mary Wright said of the extra half-hour per day. She was the only dissenting vote, saying she wasn’t convinced the arrangement would better serve the public.

Stone wall dispute

In other business, a land survey of Gerard Williams’ property at the corner of Front Street and Broadway indicated a precariously leaning stone wall there belongs entirely to Williams.

Davis said the town has fulfilled its legal obligation to help Williams and that the town cannot legally assist him with costs to repair it. The town cannot use public funds to work on private property, according to statute. It is unclear whether a vote at town meeting could supersede that law.

“I hate to appear harsh,” Davis said, “but I think the town has no further obligation.”

Remaining silent throughout selectmen’s discussion, Williams, when asked, said he disputed the town attorney’s position that the town has no liability.

In an 1884 deed, landowners gave the town a right of way for a road and sidewalk on Broadway and Front Street “on condition that the grantee shall arrange the bank-wall and stone stair on the line of the street in as good condition and as convenient for use as the same now are.”

Frank Underkuffler, town attorney, previously advised selectmen it was uncertain if the stone wall existed at the time the deed was signed and therefore unclear whether the town is responsible for any of the $18,000 to $25,000 estimated repair cost. Selectmen had asked Davis to seek further legal advice on the matter.