A plan to save money by closing Vermont’s district and family courts for a half day each week is starting today.
Officials expect the plan to save about $300,000 through the end of the current fiscal year next June.
About a third of the savings come is due to the reduced need for sheriff’s deputies who provide court security.
Robert Greemore of the Court Administrator’s Office says a larger portion of the savings comes from leaving vacant about seven positions in court clerks’ offices.
Clerks will be at work during the half-day closures, catching up on paperwork, filing and other tasks.
The different courts will be closed at different times.