By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

CANAJOHARIE — During Tuesday’s Canajoharie Village Board meeting, John McGlone, representing a council put together by the Palatine Town Board to research cost saving measures in lieu of constructing a new town hall, approached the board regarding a request by the town to utilize the village of Canajoharie’s meeting room as their court.

While Canajoharie Mayor Francis Avery stated, “I understand and fully support the need for regionalism,” he and the Village Board had numerous questions. The first was whether Town of Palatine Judge Ronald Dygert could operate outside his jurisdiction.

McGlone said that Palatine Supervisor Brian Sweet has been in contact with the Office of Court Administration, seeking clarification on the issue. McGlone has contacted the state Local Government Efficiency Group, and although neither organization has provided an official answer, it’s been suggested that a “home rule bill” may possibly require sponsorship to allow Judge Dygert to practice in Canajoharie. There are many “home rule bill” precedents that have been set in the state of New York, said McGlone.

Trustee Ronald Dievendorf asked what night, or nights, the meeting room would be required for Town of Palatine Court usage. Currently, town court is held each Thursday evening. Although McGlone was unsure if the meeting room would be required every Thursday, Dievendorf noted that to allow the town of Palatine frequent use could significantly cut into the time village groups have to use the space.

“I don’t know how this would work, because this is not a dedicated space just for court,” said Dievendorf, continuing, “There are different groups, and we ourselves sometimes use this space,” for budget meetings, for example.

“I think it would probably limit the village of Canajoharie’s options to use this space,” he stated.

Currently, the Village Board, Planning Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals hold meetings there, and court is held in the meeting room every Monday. With Monday not an option, and Friday off the table, as Dievendorf noted that it’s rare for all board members to be available on a Friday, it leaves only three nights a week (less on the week the village board meets) to negotiate.

Avery also questioned where arraignments would take place.

McGlone said that he would take the questions into consideration, speak with Supervisor Sweet, and would do an analysis, mapping out scheduled meeting and court nights in the village space, and would return to the Village Board with answers.