West Jefferson Mayor Scott Hockenbery continues to implement changes as part of his Quality Public Services plan to address challenges in modern and financially feasible ways.
“I am in the process of reviewing every undertaking performed by village offices to determine whether it adds value to living or doing business in West Jefferson, and to ensure every job is done in the most efficient and cost-effective way possible,” Hockenbery explained.
“Under my administration, dealing with the village will take less time, be less complicated and less stressful, and be more of a partnership to use our scarce resources in the best way possible.”
As part of the initiative, Hockenbery recently extended the hours of the tax, water and finance departments on Mondays. All offices close at 6 p.m. on Mondays, rather than 4:30, as they did in the past.
Though additional days may be extended in the future, the hours for Tuesday through Thursday remain the same. The offices open at 8 a.m. and close at 4:30 p.m. All are closed from noon to 12:30 p.m. for lunch and do not open on Fridays.
The hours were extended to accommodate more residents in the village.
“There have been some complaints from residents about not being able to come in and talk with someone about an issue, simply because they could not make it during the previous hours of operation,” Hockenbery said.
Also as part of the Quality Public Services plan, the mayor has made changes in the street department to hold employees more accountable for their work and equipment, and to help them deliver the best possible service.
Even more noteworthy are the financial changes the plan has inspired. By switching to one company to provide telephone, Internet, and data services to Town Hall, the village will save thousands of tax dollars.
“The finance director and I are working hard to ensure that residents’ hard-earned tax money is being used in the best ways possible,” Hockenbery said.
Projects in progress include establishment of an information hotline as a central way for residents to request information and services and to report problems.
“There are many other areas where changes will occur,” promised Hockenbery. “Residents will soon see many of these changes taking place.”
