PORTSMOUTH — In an attempt to make it easier for local residents to do business with the town, Town Hall is changing its hours of operation starting the first week in July.

Under the agreement between the Town Council and its Town Hall union, Portsmouth Municipal Employees Association/NEARI, the new hours, which will be standard for most offices, will be as follows: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Wednesday; 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday; and 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

Currently, the town clerk’s office is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, although some Town Hall offices keep slightly different hours.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer said keeping Town Hall open a little later one night per week is an attempt to assist duel-income families.

“I’ve received a lot of comments from people that it’s difficult to get to Town Hall during the day to do town business, such as getting a dog license or paying their taxes, before we close at 4 or 4:30,” said Mr. Rainer. “By staying open one night a week, it will be a little easier for people to get to Town Hall. If we find it tapers off, then maybe we’ll re-address it.”

The earlier closing on Friday is necessary to keep Town Hall workers’ hours at 40 per week, he said.

“I left it up to the union on whether it would be Monday or Friday,” Mr. Rainer said.