Washington to pare down to one town justice

MILLBROOK —  A public hearing on Thursday, July 13, in the Town of Washington (TOW) concerned two items: a short-term rental discussion, and whether or not there is a need for two justices in the town.

Councilmen Mike Murphy and Robert Audia had brought this up at a Village meeting on Wednesday, June 14, as TOW Justice Court serves the Village of Millbrook. Murphy and Audia had pointed out that this might be the financially responsible thing to do

Longtime Justice Betsy Shequine will retire at the end of her term in December after 50 years of service. Judge Jeff Feigleman is tendering his resignation in August, and while a replacement will be appointed to finish out his term, the town board, at its July 20 meeting, voted to trim the Justice Department to one judge effective Jan. 1, 2024. This would mean an election for a justice in the November 2023 election, unless someone was appointed for the interim.

Shequine, who was present at the hearing, addressed the board; “I’m not in favor of having one judge,” she said. “It may become a position that nobody wants. If you only have one judge, it should be a lawyer. A judge doesn’t have to be a lawyer according to New York state law, but if you have to be available for arraignments 24 hours per day, the judge should be a lawyer.”

In addressing the board, she also said that having only one judge is rare. The court meets on the second and the fourth Tuesday evenings, and when needed.

Shequine, who was first appointed in 1978, also said that good rapport with other town justices in other municipalities is essential. If a justice is on vacation or cannot conduct a hearing, due to illness or by having recused oneself, a judge or justice from another town can be asked to step in.

She mentioned that that has been done from time to time; TOW has even borrowed a court clerk when necessary. The local courts meet on different days an at different hours, so helping each other out is quite possible.

Finishing by stating that while she doesn’t feel the work is overburdensome for a single justice, Shequine made clear that the position needs to be made attractive enough for people to want to run for the position, which would include a decent salary, a good clerk, and a guarantee of help from other justices when needed.

Councilmember Leslie Heaney mentioned that a group of eastern Dutchess County town supervisors put together a task force to look at this problem because many towns are exploring the possibility of cutting down to fewer judges and cutting the cost of running the court as well. She added, “I think this is the opportune time to be having this conversation and maybe we can work together with coverage,”

In looking at other towns and villages in this area, North East has two justices and plans to keep it that way. Amenia has two justices serving four-year terms, each with their own court clerk, and are feeling confident that their system will remain that way.

Pine Plains also has one justice with the court meeting on the first and third Wednesdays of the month or scheduled as needed. Stanford has two justices in place and will keep its system intact.

There were no comments from the public at the hearing; Shequine was thanked for her long years of service by Town Supervisor Gary Ciferri, with all those in attendance agreeing with him.