Beginning on Tuesday, Aug. 15, the Town Council will be meeting for its regular sessions the first and third Tuesday of each month. This is the first official change to the council meeting day and time in more than two decades.

The council also agreed to shift the meeting time from 6:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

In reporting to the council on the issue, Town Manager Grady Miller said that since Thursday is the last day of the work week for staff at Town Hall it is not the most efficient scheduling to work with.

“Staff is unable to officially follow up on council agenda items of citizen requests until the following Monday,” Miller said. “This…causes a delay of almost four days after each council meeting for staff to complete critical items or follow through.”

Miller added that in order to maximize the effectiveness of the change, he would be rescheduling his staff meetings to the Wednesday following the council meetings.

“The council actions taken the night before will be discussed at the staff meeting and the (Miller) will give direction to implement council policies and other action items,” Miller said.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh said the 5:30 start time was proposed to keep meetings from stretching too far into the evening, something she said will be appreciated by council members, staff and citizens.

On occasions when a closed executive session is necessary it would be held following the regular session.

Councilman Dennis Brown suggested that with the council change that the meeting day for the Planning and Zoning Commission be scheduled for the Wednesday following the council meetings. He said this would improve the efficiency in working between the town groups.

Miller said to make the changes official they will need to vote to make changes to the Council Rules and Procedures. He said that will come back at the August meeting for consideration.

Miller also addressed a concern raised by The Times in his comments to the council. It was brought up by Councilman Henry Leger. Miller said staff would make accommodation to get the newspaper a preliminary agenda in time for publication the week prior to the scheduled council meeting. He said the town would also be posting the agenda and entire packet in advance of the meeting as it does now.