KINGSTON – The proposed move of Ulster County Family Court from
the City of Kingston to the county-owned Business Resource Center over
the city line in the Town of Ulster has the support of county Social Services
Commissioner Michael Iapoce.
The current facilities are “woefully inadequate and siting the court
adjacent to the Department of Social Services would provide practical
and long term benefits to the children and families who actually appear
in the court since many of the services mandated by Family Court are provided
at DSS offices,” he said.
Iapoce noted that many of the services at his office located at the Business
Resource Center are designed to help those in need and to locate the court
at the same facility “represents tremendous opportunities for increased
efficiency and productivity due to decreased waiting and travel times
for staff,” the commissioner said.
The State Office of Court Administration has previously stated the Business
Resource Center is “uniquely suited to be developed into a first-rate
Family Court facility that complies with the Chief Judge’s facility
guidelines, achieves compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act,
is technologically up-to-date, and most importantly, will provide the
people of Ulster County with a courthouse that is appropriate for the
important work of this court.”
Opponents of the move, led by among others, County Legislator Donald Davidson,
who represents Kingston, say the facilities should stay within the county
seat and to move Family Court would set a dangerous precedent for other
offices to relocate, and that a move would inconvenience lawyers, staff
and those who must appear.
The Kingston Common Council and Mayor Steven Noble said they oppose a
move out of the city.
Voters will have the say in a referendum on the general election ballot
next Tuesday as to if they want the court to move from the City of Kingston
to the Business Resource Center.
