Saving energy, money in Cairo
The Daily Mail
Jan. 1, 2009

Cairo town offices could close one day a week later this year in an effort to reduce the town’s heating bills.

Town officials discussed the four-day work week at their board meeting in December, but did not reach a decision.

Certain offices, such as the bookkeeper’s and the supervisor’s, could close Fridays, for example, but could extend their hours to accommodate residents who come for help when they get out of work.

Other offices, including the assessor and the building department would remain open, officials said.

The state mandates that the library stay open for 35 hours a week. Councilwoman Janet Schwarzenegger pointed out that the library needs to be open on Saturday to accommodate students. The Acra Community Center is also utilized on weekends.

Town Supervisor John Coyne said that officials were looking into various plans to save money.

“I would love to see this happen, but I don’t think it will happen this heat season,” he said.

Hours for the tax collector and assessor have already been publicized on department forms and could not be changed, he said.

Cairo officials did not respond to several attempts to learn how much the town spends on heating the building and how much money would be saved by switching to a four-day work week.