Freeville officials look to potentially abolish village justice position

Freeville officials could soon be dissolving a local government position that’s been part of the village for over 60 years.

At their meeting earlier this month, the Freeville Board of Trustees unanimously voted to abolish the village justice position, which by law is subject to a permissive referendum. Freeville Mayor Miles McCarty said that a public hearing on the matter could be held in the near future, and that it could go to a public vote in the 2024 village spring election on March 19.

The position has existed in the village since the 1960s, and current judge Arthur Marchese has held it for about 30 years. Once Marchese ends his current justice term on May 31, 2026, village officials will weigh options for the future.

McCarty said that “it appears” that Marchese will not run for another term, as the longtime judge contemplates retirement.

“It may happen before then if his secretary decides to retire,“ McCarty said. “Basically, we had to bring it to a vote, so we’ll probably just abolish the office in Freeville.”

Marchese declined to comment on his future or the future of the village justice position.

“It’s up to the village board on what they want to do with that,” Marchese said.

McCarty said that if the justice position is officially dissolved in the future, he is unsure how arrests or cases in the village will be handled. He added that a further resolution could be up for a vote by the board.

In terms of crime in Freeville, McCarty said it is “not high at all.”

“It’s such a small community, and it’s mostly families and elderly people,” McCarty said.

McCarty noted that “details still need to be worked out.”

“We’re just looking at it in terms of ‘Does it make sense to do it in our village?’ and maybe not even have it done, say, by the town of Dryden,” McCarty said.

Dryden Dispatch appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com.

In brief:

Village of Freeville provides information on spring elections

With the spring election in a few months, the village of Freeville recently announced that the following offices and terms are designated to be filled:

• Trustees: two-year terms for two seats apiece
• Mayor: two-year term

The village spring election is scheduled for March 19. Independent nominating forms are available at freevilleny.org and at the village hall at 5 Factory St. during regular business hours.

The first day for individuals to sign independent nominating petitions is Jan. 2, 2024. Completed petitions must be submitted to the village clerk between Feb. 6 and Feb. 13. The number of signatures collected must be at least 5% (16 signatures) of registered voters. 

For more information, go to freevilleny.org or contact the village at 607-844-8301.

Book club to meet Jan. 18

Books & Brew, a genre-based book club, is scheduled to meet Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Hopshire Farm & Brewery in the village of Freeville.

The theme for the month of January is frosty books. The club encourages members to choose a book in a wintry or snowy place. For suggestions, books will be on display at Southworth Library in the village of Dryden.

For more information, contact the library at 607-844-4782.

Southworth Library offers preschool storytime

Preschool storytime will take place Friday, Dec. 22, at 10 a.m. at Southworth Library in the village.

The preschool storytime theme on Friday is holiday story fun, with assorted holiday titles.

Enjoy stories, crafts and songs for toddlers, preschoolers and their families with Library Director Diane Pamel and staff. Each family will receive a free book.

Yoga for Life held every Wednesday in Freeville

Village of Freeville resident Michelle Dardia is hosting a Yoga for Life session every Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Freeville United Methodist Church at 37 Main St.

The drop-in fee for the session is $10. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Some experience is helpful but not required, as the sessions are committed to being accessible.

Variations and modifications are offered, and extra mats and blocks will be available at each session. 

For information or questions, contact Dardia at dollysdaughter@hotmail.com or 607-279-4785.

Registration open for Shooting Stars program

The Town of Dryden Recreation Department has opened registration for the Shooting Stars program.

Shooting Stars is a co-ed, in-house basketball program that aims to teach kids about basketball basics through games and skill-building activities. Program participants will learn to dribble, shoot, pass and play basketball.

The program is for children in kindergarten through second grade. It will run on Saturdays between Jan. 6 and Feb. 10 from 9 to 10 a.m. at Dryden High School.

The cost for the program is $20. To register, go to drydenrec.recdesk.com.