CANTON – A study of the possibility of consolidating the Edwards, Hermon and Russell town courts will be subject of discussion by the county Operations Committee Tuesday, Feb. 18, right after the 5:30 p.m. County Services Committee meeting, in the St. Lawrence County Legislative Chambers at 48 Court St.

The discussion will provide an overview of the Local Justice Court Consolidation Feasibility Study and address questions and comments.

Funded by a Local Government Efficiency (LGE) Grant from the New York State Department of State, this study reviews existing justice courts in the towns of Edwards, Hermon and Russell and identifies options for sharing services, including consolidation.

While the details of the document are specific to these three towns, it is also designed to provide a framework for other communities interested in considering such options, according to Heidi Ames of the county Planning Office and coordinator of the study. To that end, it includes a Countywide Justice Court Profile and schedule.

All county residents are welcome at the meeting; stakeholders in local justice courts and people who live in Hermon, Edwards and Russell are particularly encouraged to attend.

It will also be taken up by the county Board of Legislators at 7 p.m. Monday, March 3, also in the St. Lawrence County Legislative Chambers at 48 Court St.