The Village of Cobleskill will close down its court December 31—unless those opposed to the move collect enough names to put it on the November ballot.
Following a three-month hearing on closing the court, Mayor Mark Galasso and trustees voted last Tuesday to go ahead with the change; Trustee Linda Holmes was the only one to vote against it.
“Is the board willing to put it on the ballot?” asked resident Nancy VanDeusen.
Mayor Galasso answered that they could, but he wouldn’t vote in favor of it.
Village court isn’t required by law; town court is and so the Town of Cobleskill will be taking over all cases and arraignments with the change.
Court will continue to be held at village and town offices on Mineral Springs Road; the biggest change most people will likely see is a longer court day—and less parking.
Opponents to the move have until August 1 to collect enough names to put it on the ballot, where voters could then decide the issue.
It’s not expected to save money and, argued Justice Nancy Hisert, may end up costing more.
Both District Attorney Jim Sacket and Town Councilman Ken Hotopp were among those who said the justices and court support staff are underpaid; Ms. Hisert said if either she or Justice Dick Hamm retires, the town will have trouble finding anyone willing to work for their salaries.
“I wouldn’t do [the combined job] for less than $25,000,” Ms. Hisert said.
Mayor Galasso agreed the justices and staff may be being underpaid.
But, he said, that’s a different conversation than whether there should be one or two courts.
One court, he said, would simply be more efficient.
DA Sacket said one court would be more efficient for his office; attorneys would spend longer but fewer days in Cobleskill, he said.
With both a village and town court, three justices fill four part-time slots.
Because town law doesn’t allow for an acting justice, one court will mean just two people will be handling the same number of cases.
One downside to the change, DA Sacket said, is that with three justices, there’s more flexibility for late-night arraignments.
One court will mean more work for two justices, he said.
“I think you should pay them more,” he added. “And the court clerks too.”
With the closing of the village court, all of the court revenues will go to the Town of Cobleskill.
But Mayor Galasso pointed out that because village residents are also town residents that money’s really not going anywhere.