Design plans for the new Southold Town Justice Court are moving along.
Town engineer Jamie Richter said at a work session Tuesday that architects from L.K. McLean Associates recently sought feedback on their draft plans from Justice Court director Leanne Reilly and all town justices.
Earlier this month, Southold Town closed on the former Capital One building on the corner of Youngs Avenue for $3.1 million with plans to move Justice Court operations to a better location, but recent recommendations had the Town talking about what to do with the newly acquired building yet again. READ
The Southold Town Board unanimously adopted a bond resolution last Wednesday for the purpose of acquiring the Southold Town Annex building, which until recently also housed a Capital One bank branch, to create a new justice court. READ
For years, Southold and Riverhead towns have both been trying to upgrade their antiquated justice court facilities, which present similar safety and space problems.
But could the towns create a shared justice court space?
Solutions for storage and safety concerns at the Southold Town Justice Court are likely to come piecemeal, Councilman James Dinizio suggested at Tuesday’s work session. READ
Southold Town officials are looking into the feasibility of relocating the justice court to the community center on Peconic Lane.
The Town Board has had to turn its attention to the court in recent months to acknowledge safety concerns and a lawsuit that alleges Southold Town — along with several other East End municipalities — lacks adequate conference space where attorneys can meet privately with clients.
The Town Board is currently considering whether to build a new facility or reconfigure existing town buildings to create a safer, more efficient court.
• See related story: Town Board mulling new $3M courthouse building
During its work session on Tuesday, Town Board members discussed holding court on its regular days — Monday and Friday mornings — in the community center as a temporary solution.
Southold Town Recreation Department director Ken Reeves said the space is mostly used at night and he believes scheduling court on Monday and Friday mornings won’t be an issue.
Councilman Jim Dinizo is expected to chair a committee tasked with finding out if the community center is a viable spot for the courthouse.
A Bay Shore woman wanted on a Southold Justice Court warrant regarding a criminal contempt charge was picked up by Suffolk County Police Thursday evening and turned over to Southold authorities, according to police.
Police in Suffolk’s 3rd Precinct arrested Diana Sinatra-Hayden, 72, on misdemeanor charges of criminal contempt and harassment. Police said Ms. Sinatra-Hayden made harassing phone calls to a Cutchogue woman in violation of a court order of protection.
She was being held in Southold police lockup awaiting arraignment.
