After a hearing on whether Bob LaPietra’s really a Cobleskill village trustee stalled in Schoharie County Supreme Court, Mr. LaPietra was sworn in for the job just after noon Monday.
He’s expected to be back in court Monday, however, when Judge John Eagan Jr. considers the village’s request for a “declaratory judgment” over whether Mr. LaPietra was a resident of the village when he was elected in November.
Residency for election is required by public officers’ law; election law, however, requires residency only to serve.
Concerned any decisions made with Mr. LaPietra as trustee could be overturned if he’s not legal, the village asked the court to rule on it.
The first hearing on November 24 was adjourned after Justice Eugene Devine recused himself because his daughter is a law clerk in attorney James Long’s office, which is representing Mr. LaPietra.
On the 24th, Schoharie County Board of Elections Commissioners Lewis Wilson and Cliff Hay certified the November 4 election results, letting Mr. LaPietra keep the seat—for now.
The village is being represented by attorney Meredith Savitt.
Her contract with the village, which is up for renewal, was expected to be discussed at last night’s village board meeting—Mr. LaPietra’s first as trustee.