Medicine Bow Town Hall Has Shortened Operating Hours Of Town Hall

October 23, 2023 |

Photo – Medicine Bow town logo – Bigfoot99 file photo

The hours at Medicine Bow town hall were shortened recently without any apparent approval from the Town Council.

At the September 11^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, the council proposed shortening town hall hours. The council voted to allow town hall staff to bar residents from entering the building on Fridays. The town is very far behind on clerical work and the idea of giving staff a day without public interaction was proposed as a remedy.

Also, on the agenda for the September 11^th meeting was transitioning the town hall to winter hours. Typically, Medicine Bow town hall is open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Winter hours would see the town hall opening an hour later, at 9:00 am, and closing two hours earlier, at 3:00 pm.

During the September 11^th town council meeting, Medicine Bow Museum Director Sharon Biamon asked Councilwoman Sharon Kahl, who is doubling as the Town Clerk, why town hall staff should work fewer hours if the town is so far behind on office work.

Councilwoman Kahl said the shortened hours would prevent employees from commuting in the cold. Biamon said the councilwoman’s reasoning is illogical.

The council voted to table the discussion until the next meeting.

During the October 9^th Medicine Bow town council meeting, the council voted to revisit the topic of winter hours. Councilman Justin George said the hours were changed without the council’s approval, a violation of the rules. Councilman George also said residents do not support shortening the hours at town hall.

Councilwoman Kahl was not present at the October 9^th meeting.

Councilman George said the town hall hours have remained the same for a long time. The councilman said he doesn’t see a reason to change the hours with the town so far behind on clerical work.

Councilman George said shortening town hall hours may also prevent employees from working the required 40 hours a week to be eligible for medical benefits.

Councilman George motioned to keep the Medicine Bow town hall hours at eight to five, with an hour lunch. Councilman Trevor Strauch seconded and the motion passed.

While the hours will remain the same, the Medicine Bow town hall will still be closed to the public on Fridays until staff catch up on their backlog of office work.