Abita Springs may go to four-day workweek

Abita Springs Mayor Louis Fitzmorris wants to know what residents think about closing Town Hall on Fridays.

He thinks adjusting schedules for town employees so they work four 10-hour days instead of five eight-hour days will reduce overtime and save the town money.

However, it is only an option he wants to consider if it will also help the town’s residents.

The four-day workweek idea is nothing new, and many private companies have even adopted the idea as a way to reduce absenteeism and reduce office-operating costs.

If approved as proposed the Town Hall staff would work Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the maintenance personnel would also adjust their schedules and rotate Fridays off, with two workers on duty every Friday.

Fitzmorris said this may help residents by having the office open earlier and later. However, if residents say they want the office to remain open on Fridays, he would consider leaving the schedule as is or to leave one office worker there on Fridays.

He is asking residents with an opinion on the matter to come to next month’s Board of Aldermen meeting.

He said he always wants to hear from residents, and at Tuesday evening’s meeting he proved that by reducing the recently raised fees for renting Town Hall from $600 to $425.

The board recently raised the fees from the previously charged $300 at Fitzmorris’ request, but after he received numerous complaints he decided the new fee was too steep and recommended the $425 amount.

The board also set up a $125 per hour charge to rent the second floor of the pavilion for weddings or other parties.

In other town business:

• The board reminds residents that recycling has started in the town. Board members said they are disappointed in participation so far but hope it will increase as word spreads about the service. Check utility bills for pick-up days.

• Santa Claus will make his annual trip through town on a fire truck Dec. 20.

• The board approved naming the public works facility after the late Charles Fredrick. He was a lifelong resident and served as a town alderman, member of the St. Tammany Parish Hospital Board and master plumber for the town.