By JEANETTE WOLFBERG
HUDSON–The Columbia County Board of Supervisors at its October 11 meeting: authorized revising the county’s drug and alcohol testing policy for Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs); moved forward on the purchase of Hudson’s 11 Warren Street; authorized contributing to emergency repairs at Columbia-Greene Community College; and called on the state government to reject a bill requiring town and village judges in “high volume” courts to have law degrees.
The votes on 11 Warren Street and the judge bill were not unanimous.
In August, the supervisors authorized the county to buy 11 Warren Street from Galvan for $3,350,000. A press release from the county on August 11 said the estimated costs for the envisioned renovations plus the purchase price will total about $8.7 million. The county currently anticipates using 11 Warren for its new voting machines, now in the basement of 401 State Street, and some departmental offices now in 610 State Street. In addition, officials consider 11 Warren to be flexible enough to accommodate some evolving needs.
‘I don’t want the state to tell us how local courts should go.’
– Board of Supervisors Chairman Matt Murell
At their October meeting, the supervisors voted to authorize transferring money for the purchase from the county’s general fund to its capital fund. This will enable the county to close on the property as soon as remaining “building issues” are resolved, which could be at the end of November. A proposal to request delaying the closing until the Hudson Youth Clubhouse finds a new location was voted down. The Clubhouse must vacate 11 Warren by the end of November, though Bard College will be able to stay there until the end of May. At and since the meeting, county officials have reported working to find the Clubhouse new quarters.
The board also authorized spending up to $500,000 for “emergency repairs” at Columbia-Greene Community College. Greene County is expected to spend the same amount.
The State Senate has passed a bill requiring town and village judges in “high volume” courts to have law degrees. This has caused concern among local judges and communities. (See “State Senate wants judges to be lawyers,” in the October 5 issue.)
On October 11, the supervisors voted on a statement urging the state legislators and governor to reject the bill. Some local justices came to the meeting to encourage adopting the statement.
Some people said that all the local courts in Columbia County are probably too small to be affected by the legislation currently pending. But some assumed that the current bill, if passed, will open the door to laws requiring all local judges to have law degrees. And, a justice warned, a next step would be to require all lawmakers to be attorneys, and most of the current supervisors would not be eligible for their positions.
Some justices pointed out that the proposal had failed in state referendums, so those wanting it were trying to sneak it in through the “back door.”
Veterans Service Executive Director Gary Flaherty said that the county’s current local justices, many of whom have no law degrees, let him accompany his clients to their courts, at all hours of the day and night. “Without the personal touches our judges have,” he said, “I have veterans who would not get the treatment they need for PTSD” and other issues.
Supervisor David Helsley (Germantown) said that once “my people” voted for a non-attorney over an attorney for town justice. Chairman Matt Murell (Stockport) said, “I don’t want the state to tell us how local courts should go.”
On the other hand, Supervisor Michael Chameides (Hudson, 3rd Ward) said that the biggest courts in the state are different than the ones in Columbia County. And Supervisor Tistrya Houghtling (New Lebanon), the Minority Leader, stated, “I’ve been against resolutions that say, ‘New York State, you’re doing it wrong.’ I don’t think we should get involved in state legislation that does not affect us.” Mr. Chameides and Ms. Houghtling were among the supervisors who voted against the resolution.
Also at the meeting:
*The board appointed Michael O’Hara of Hudson to the Environmental Management Council for up to two years
*Chairman Murell appointed a committee to hire a new Solid Waste Division official, to replace one who is retiring. The committee has six members, including its chairman Supervisor Ron Knott (Stuyvesant)
*The board authorized the Highway Department to purchase a 2024 Super Cab pickup truck for up to $61,000 and an Everest Dump Body with all components for up to $75,000. At that department’s request, the supervisors also declared two pickup trucks and two dump trucks surplus to sell at auction. They also declared two Sheriff’s Department vehicles surplus to sell at auction.
*In all, the board adopted 30 resolutions.
