FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: August 4, 2025
CONTACT: cpearce@ellsworthmaine.gov
Ellsworth City Hall Expands Hours
Moves to Four-Day Schedule Starting August 11th
New Ellsworth City Hall Operating Hours (Effective on Monday, August 11th)
Monday – Thursday: 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday: Closed
Previous City Hall Operating Hours (Effective until Friday, August 8th)
Monday – Wednesday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
ELLSWORTH, ME — Beginning Monday, August 11, Ellsworth City Hall will transition to a new operating schedule that expands total weekly public access while simplifying and streamlining hours. Under the new model, City Hall will be open Monday through Thursday, from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., offering 44 hours of service per week from the prior 42 hour per week model.
This new schedule is the outcome of recent contract negotiations with the Clerk’s Union, led by City Councilor Steve O’Halloran with staff support from City Manager Charlie Pearce, City Clerk Sue McLean, HR Director Kerri Taylor, and Clerk’s Union representative Jim Killam. The updated schedule improves service availability, adds consistency to hours of operation, and is anticipated to generate modest cost savings due to reduced building operation needs on Fridays – all without increasing staffing costs.
Importantly, the revised hours respond directly to one of the most common pieces of feedback the City has heard over the past year and a half: residents and businesses want predictability and flexibility when accessing City services. The new hours provide two hours before and one hour after the typical 9-to-5 workday, allowing residents and businesses to come in before work, after school drop-off, or after their own workday ends – without needing to take time off.
City Councilor Steve O’Halloran noted, “City Hall needs to be open seven to six, but it also needs to be accommodating behind the scenes for the people. Eventually I think this schedule will benefit everyone – especially those who rely on our services but can’t get here during a traditional workday.”
“These hours are a direct response to what we’ve been hearing in the community,” said City Manager Charlie Pearce. “Whether it’s paying taxes, registering a dog or vehicle, renewing a business license, or handling a utility issue, working families in Ellsworth will now have earlier, later, and more consistent access to City Hall services.”
HR Director Kerri Taylor noted that this new schedule positions the City well for not just the public but employee wellness. “We looked at over 90 municipalities across Maine and more have made the shift to four-day weeks than haven’t. One of the most consistent findings was that these schedules are good for employee morale and retention – but they also work well for the public.”
Staff in the Clerk’s and Tax Offices have embraced the change. “From the Clerk’s perspective, we are very excited to work a four-day work week,” said Deputy Tax Collector Jim Killam.
This expansion is part of a larger service modernization effort across City Hall. In recent months, the City redesigned its front office and customer service counters using in-house staff rather than contractors to reduce expenses. The changes improved queuing, added space for the City Utilities Coordinator – previously based nearly a mile away at the Wastewater Treatment Plant – and helped create a more welcoming and efficient service area. The City has also implemented cross-training between Clerk’s Office and Tax staff to ensure better coverage during high-traffic times.
“Our goal is to make things as simple and hassle-free as possible for residents,” said City Clerk Sue McLean. “Whether someone comes in once a year or every week, we want them to feel like we are here for them. That’s why we’re cross-training our staff, updating our service areas, and taking a close look at how and when people connect with us.”
These operational improvements go hand-in-hand with expanded digital services which can be accessed at ellsworthmaine.gov/online-services/. Residents can also now report issues 24/7 via the City’s new Fix-It ticket call-in system by calling (207) 669-6640, option 1 – part of the City’s push to make services more accessible outside normal business hours.
It’s important to note that this change in operating hours applies only to City Hall operations only. Public Safety (Police, Fire, Dispatch), Library, Highway Department, Water and Wastewater Utilities, and Solid Waste Collection will continue operating on their current schedules with no changes at this time.
