(Worcester, MA) On Wednesday, August 4, 2010, the Trial Court Relocation Committee held its first public meeting to solicit comment on the committee’s proposed recommendations for Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties.  Testimony on the impact that these closings and relocations will have was received from sitting and retired judges, clerk magistrates, chief probation officers, lawyers, Selectmen, State Senators, State Representatives, Chiefs of Police and Congressman Jim McGovern.  Much of the testimony centered on the Massachusetts Constitution Art. #11 guaranteed “Public access to justice” mandate, and how relocating court houses would restrict access to people on the lower end of the socio-economic scale who would undoubtedly have transportation issues.  Elected officials spoke of the economic hardships that businesses located around these court houses would suffer, as well as the impact of making “long term” decisions for what may be a “temporary” problem, with hopes of the economy recovering.   Court personnel made impassioned points on how closing court houses would affect an already burdened staff that are operating with 800 fewer employees since the 2008 “absolute” hiring freeze.  Chief Probation Officer Steven P Santora, of the Westborough District Court spoke about the impact relocating his courthouse would have on his staff’s ability to supervise probation.  

NAGE did not offer oral testimony to the committee on behalf of their members.  Their silence was deafening.