BELFAST, Maine — Staffing shortages have forced the Waldo County court system to shut down a half-day a month, beginning this week.
Except for April, District Court will be closed from 8 a.m. to noon the fourth Wednesday of each month. The court will be closed for a half-day on Wednesday, April 29.
Clerk of Courts Terri Curtis said Tuesday that her department has five full-time employees and one half-time employee to staff the District and Superior courts. She said one of those full-time employees has been on extended medical leave since December and that it was unknown when that person would return to work.
The loss of that staff person reduced the department’s capability by about 18 percent and forced the temporary reduction of court hours, she said. Curtis said that other than those specific Wednesday morning closings, the courts will continue to operate on their regular 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. schedule.