Use it or lose it.
That's what the New York State Office of Court Administration is telling the Town of Cobleskill Court.
Judge Richard Hamm told Supervisor Tom Murray and councilmen Monday that they've had a metal detector for the court sitting in the Town Garage for years.
Cobleskill received the metal detector as part of a grant when Mike Montario was supervisor and Bill Gilmore was mayor, Judge Hamm said, but then a new village administration was elected "and they decided it was too costly to operate."
If Cobleskill isn't going to use the metal detector, he said, the state wants it back.
Judge Hamm said the metal detector is ready to use; the sticking point is training someone to use it.
Without it?
"We don't know what will walk into that court room," he said. "For the safety of everyone, I'd like it in use...There's a lot of traffic [in court]. If someone comes in with a knife or a gun..."
Judge Hamm said when there was a village court, Cobleskill Police Department officers were usually there as a matter of course.
But now that the town has taken over the court, that's no longer necessarily the case.
Police Chief Larry Travis said he understands Judge Hamm's concerns.
Five or six officers would have to be trained to use the machine, he said, and then there's the question of manpower-which would likely have to be on an overtime basis.
Mr. Murray estimated the cost of operating the detector at $14,000-$15,000 a year-something he said needs to be discussed with the village.
Also Monday:
• The town designated Doc Reilly Park "smoke free" near the sandboxes and ball fields after a request from Reality Check.
Compliance will be voluntary.
• The town accepted a "bid" from Howe Caverns to mow the park for free.
• Work continues on setting up the new water and sewer districts.
Maps for the new districts are expected by the town's May 14 meeting; the Route 7 corridor project is still on track for June construction bids.
While the town has secured the funding to build the new lines and is handling construction, supply, maintenance and billing will be the village's responsibility.