POUGHKEEPSIE – City Chamberlain Jasmin Davis, appointed to the position earlier this year, has changed the hours for the office that Mayor Rob Rolison considers the “gateway to city hall”. In announcing her appointment in March, Rolison said, in part “Most importantly for me, is how I know she will interface with the public – and that is the one place within city government that has continual contact with the public. Jasmin is a very friendly and accommodating person.”
Without much publication, the office changed the hours, effective June 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, to a new, limited schedule. The office will keep the previous hours on Mondays and Fridays, but the middle of the week hours have been reduced. The Chamberlain’s office is open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
First Ward Councilman Chris Petsas learned about the change on Friday evening, when a reporter from Mid Hudson News contacted him. “That office is fully budgeted to be operating full-time. At a time when governments across New York are re-opening as the pandemic wanes, I will be questioning why we are now reducing services to our residents.”
According to Davis, “The hours change became effective as of June 1, and is really part of the city’s reopening plan. I will be reviewing the matter further at the end of August as we continue to prioritize customer service. Please be aware we are continuing the use of the appointment scheduling system launched during the pandemic, which has been very effective and well-received by the public.”
The online appointment scheduling system can be found here.
