LEWISTON — City administration is recommending that Lewiston make its current four-day workweek permanent after assessing staff and customer feedback.

The City Council will be asked to support the move Tuesday after City Hall conducted a three-month trial of the new schedule, which closed City Hall on Fridays.

City staff says the four-day workweek has seen essentially unanimous support from employees and limited concerns from the public, and that they are seeing residents utilize the earlier hours. City Hall was previously open 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday. The condensed workweek opens doors at 7:45 a.m. Monday-Thursday, with extended hours until 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays.

According to Human Resources Director Heather Theriault, the city is also continuing to make more services available online, including more permits that residents can pay for through the website.

The proposal was initially brought forward in August by city administration and Human Resources staff as part of an effort to attract and retain employees, and a pilot program began Sept. 12.

According to a memo to the council from Theriault, the city has experienced the loss of longtime employees who have gone to other municipalities either for pay or benefits.

A list of municipalities that have gone to a four-day week includes South Portland, Cumberland, Gray, Lisbon, Waterville, Farmington and at least a dozen more.

In recent weeks, Theriault conducted an internal survey of city staff. Of the 53 responses, no one had major issues or concerns, she said. Many said it was providing a better work-life balance.

“This schedule change has been life changing for me,” one staffer responded. “The work-life balance is perfect. I find I’m more productive while here because I don’t feel burnt out. I even appreciate the long day as it gives me more time to get things done or tackle larger projects. Please keep the 4-day work week.”

Other respondents said they believe the new hours are also working for customers.

One staff member said there is “always a steady stream of customers” from 7:45 a.m.-8:30 a.m. for the Treasury and Clerks’ offices, which is the period of time added under the schedule change.

Theriault said the Code Enforcement, Planning and Economic and Community Development departments have also reported customers coming in at opening and utilizing early hours as well as coming in during the late hours on Tuesday.

The shift hasn’t been without a few complaints, however. One person said the Friday closure is “not very helpful to the citizens trying to conduct required business with the city,” while another said City Hall should be open on Saturdays.

Acting City Administrator Brian O’Malley said Thursday that there are already many tasks residents can complete on the website, but that several more will likely be added in the coming days. According to the council memo, those include commercial and residential building permits, and permits for fences, swimming pools and garage sales.

O’Malley said even though he works in the building, he still does a lot of things online, including a recent pet license.

When reached Thursday, Mayor Carl Sheline said he “wholly supports” the new City Hall schedule.

“This change, along with our new remote work policy, will make recruitment easier and increase staff retention,” he said.

Sheline also added that offering more services online “will make city business more convenient for our residents and easier for our staff.”

“It’s 2024 and much has changed since the pilgrims landed,” he said. “Residents expect to be able to conduct city business efficiently on their phone, and I’m glad we’re working to offer more services online.”