Referendum likely June 21; trustees want to consolidate with town
By Russ Tarby
Contributing Writer
At its April 14 meeting, the Liverpool Village Board of Trustees voted 3-1 to abolish the office of Liverpool justice and dissolved the Village Court, effective when Judge Anthony LaValle’s current term ends on July 4.
The board’s newest trustee, Christina Fadden Fitch, voted against the resolution, which was moved by Trustee Dennis Hebert and seconded by Trustee Nick Kochan. Fitch objected to the resolution on the grounds that it’s being pushed through without enough time to be properly studied or approved by village residents.
“Everything I’ve read says this process needs to be done carefully,” Fitch said. “And the people have to be brought into the process. This is coming up very quickly and we have limited information.”
Mayor Gary White said village officials have been considering the possibility of eliminating the village court for “three years now.” At a rare joint town-village board meeting last Sept. 28, Salina Town Comptroller Greg Maxwell urged the consolidation of village and town courts in order to save money.
“It’s a mistake not to look at this from a business standpoint,” the mayor said. “Village Court has been costing more and more money. All our accountants and auditors have told us we’ve got to do something.”
LaValle strongly disagreed with the contention that his court is losing money. “We’re not losing money,” he insisted. “In fact, we’re the most efficient department in the village…I’m extremely disappointed with the trustees’ half-truths and false statements being made in order to abolish the village court.”
The board’s decision to consolidate with Salina Town Court is expected to become the subject of a permissive referendum that could appear on the ballot at the upcoming June 21 village election.
Petitions, which can be signed by registered voters who live in the village, are available at the village clerk’s office. The number of legitimate signatures needed to force the referendum is 229 out of a total village electorate of 1,143. The signed petitions must be submitted by May 15.
Meanwhile, the mayor appointed a fact-finding committee to study the pros and cons of possible court consolidation, with a special emphasis on projected financial figures.
The fact-finding committee will include LaValle, Kochan, Maxwell, village resident Matthew Devendorf, First Ward Town Councilor Colleen Gunnip, Village Clerk Mary Ellen Sims and former Salina Town Supervisor Richard “Ace” Ward.
Following a brief public hearing on the proposed 2016-17 village budget at the April 14 meeting, the trustees unanimously approved a $2,362,406 spending plan. The village tax rate will remain flat, at $12.45 per $1,000 of a property’s assessed value. The annual sewer-fund assessment will remain $130.
