The Port Alice Village Office, Community Centre, and Public Works staff will be spending more time with their families this holiday season.
A report from Chief Administrative Officer Ronald Campbell requesting closure of municipal operations between Christmas and New Year’s was on the Port Alice council agenda at their regular meeting Nov. 9.
Campbell’s report stated that “there are usually three business days between Christmas and New Year’s each year (28-30). During that time very few if any residents come to the Village Office for Municipal services. Closing facilities during this time would require staff to use either vacation or bank time to cover the time off therefore resulting in no cost to the Municipality. If Public Works staff are needed the call out procedure will be used. In the event of an emergency there is currently a procedure in place.”
Campbell added there are “numerous other jurisdictions (that) close their Municipal operations during this time and there has been no negative public reaction. The proposed closure also gives staff an opportunity to spend quality time with their families at this important time of the year.”
“We have found in previous years people don’t come in during that time,” said Mayor Jan Allen in an interview, adding that council “unanimously approved the request.”