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Council discusses staffing Bethlehem Municipal Court; Alex Ward named as possible judge
Summary
Council heard a presentation that Bethlehem’s charter already provides the legal framework for a municipal court but the town must staff it (judge, clerk, prosecutor or intergovernmental agreement); the council identified Alex Ward as a potential judge candidate.
A presenter advising the council told members that the town’s charter already establishes the legal structure for a municipal court but the municipality lacks personnel to operate one. "Technically, in a municipal court, the law enforcement or code enforcement officers can be the prosecutors," the presenter said, describing how small towns often staff or contract court functions.
The presenter outlined minimal staffing needs — a judge and a qualified clerk — and noted some small cities pay a prosecutor by appearance; the council discussed the option of contracting with the county magistrate court under an intergovernmental agreement if local staffing proves impractical. Chair said the council had spoken with Alex Ward about serving as a municipal judge.
Council members asked about training, certification for clerks and whether the court would meet regularly; the presenter suggested a schedule of hearings "once every two months" or quarterly is common for small municipalities and emphasized that certain fines and fee schedules are governed by state law.
