BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County will have a second Family Court justice following elections in 2024 after Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation to add 21 justices throughout various courts across the state.

The move to add another justice is one the county has long explored, according to County Attorney Steve Button.

"When assessing the number of cases St. Lawrence currently has and after conversations with the Office of Court Administration it became apparent that St. Lawrence County has twice as many cases as the next closest court within the judicial district," Button said.

That backlog has caused a number of problems in recent years with multiple parties arguing that the process to be heard in court is taking far too long.

County officials were joined by state representatives in recent years to request the addition of a second justice but it was just last week that the Governor signed legislation to add the position.

Button said adding a second justice to Family Court will provide relief and will hopefully speed up many cases but that relief is still some ways off.

"This will alleviate the significant delays in these sensitive matters and we are pleased to see this come to fruition," Button said.

Button said the position is expected to be on the ballot in 2024 with the elected justice slated to take the seat in 2025.

Among other issues that need to be addressed, Button said a new court room will need to be addressed as there is not currently enough space to accommodate the two justices.

In addition, staff will also need to be hired, office spaces will need to be added and various administrative duties will need to be addressed.

"Obviously these are good problems to have and we are happy this is finally coming to fruition for the county. This will be a big step forward for the Family Court System," Button said.

The issue of office space for the courts is not a new one, with legislators recently forward with a project to update the county Public Safety Complex.

The county awarded multiple contracts valued at nearly $5 million at a special meeting on Dec. 18.

The project includes a Public Safety Answering Point (911 Center) for the County with expanded workstations and upgraded technology, a new Emergency Services Suite, a District Attorney's Office and Grand Jury Suite, a new location for the Civil Office of the Sheriff's Office, and a new suite for the Detectives of the Sheriff's Office.

Local contractors were the recipients of the county contracts.

Northern Tier Contracting, Gouverneur, has been named the general contractor for the project on a contract not to exceed $2,072,200.

Plumbing services will be handled by ENI Mechanical out of Gouverneur with a contract not to exceed $899,500.

The mechanical contractor will be Northern Mechanical, Inc., Norfolk, on a contract not to exceed $1,269,000.

Electrical services will be handled by Colton's S&L Electric, Inc. with a contract not to exceed $676,000.

Legislators say the decision came after "a comprehensive planning and competitive RFP process" and a "thorough bid process" that included 14 bidders.

More than 75% of bidders were from St. Lawrence County, officials say.

County Administrator Ruth Doyle said the project calls for $7.5 million in total investment, though the four primary contractors announced account for "the lion's share of the work."

Remaining contracts that still have to be put out to bid include commissioning, front entry work, generator rental, asbestos abatement, HVAC and furniture procurement, Doyle said.

The complex is currently occupied by the Sheriff’s Office road patrol and civil enforcement divisions, Emergency Services (PSAP), Planning and Conflict Defender, along with New York State Police, who lease space on the first floor.