The Southold town board is eyeing the Peconic School as a possible new location for justice court.
Security at justice court has been a hot button issue since a former town court officer wrote a letter to the board detailing what he considered dangerous conditions in the current location and Justice William Price spoke to SoutholdLOCAL about the pressing concerns.
Since then, Town Councilwoman Jill Doherty and Councilman Jim Dinizio have spearheaded efforts for both short term and long term fixes, as well as the purchase of a metal detector.
Last month, Dinizio first pitched the idea of the Peconic School, located on Peconic Lane, as a temporary solution to justice court woes. The building he said, remains largely empty. “It’s underutilized,” he said. Arraignments could be held in smaller rooms, he added.
Russell said the school was purchased with an eye toward growing the town’s recreation programs and generating income.
At this week’s work session, Dinizio questioned Ken Reeves, director of the town’s recreation department, asking for a spreadsheet detailing how much money was taken in for various programs, as well as cost of materials.
He then said after receiving the letter from former court officer Donato Cappabianca, who resigned, the goal is to keep Town Hall “separated” from any inherent dangers posed in Justice Court. “We’re trying to work it out,” he said.
Dinizio asked Reeves what times the programs held at the Peconic School took place and said he’d like to keep Fridays and Mondays clear so that potentially, justice court could be moved to the Peconic Lane facility on those days.
Some trailers would be needed, Dinizio, said.
Dinizio also asked about the cost of heating an entire building when only a few classes or clubs met there; Reeves said each room has its own controls. The councilman also asked if someone was always in the building; Reeves said no, just the group that meets is present.
Looking ahead, Dinizio said the future of justice court will unfold in two parts, over the next three months, and then, over the next three years.
“I don’t think we want to spend $3 to $4 million on a new justice court, a single use facility that’s only being used a few days a week,” he said. “We need other options.”
Dinizio suggested a small group be assembled to put together a feasibility study regarding utilizing part of the Peconic School for justice court.
“Is it a viable option and what will it take to make it one?” Councilman Bill Ruland asked.
“We don’t know that yet,” Dinizio said.
Ruland said he would support the study.
Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell said the town needs to know what’s practical in terms of addressing the short-term issue and agreed a study is practical, with issues such as safety of justices to be considered.
