The Trial Court's Court Relocation Committee formed to identify court locations for potential consolidation has announced its schedule of public meetings to seek comment on its preliminary recommendations. The Committee's efforts are one component of major cost reduction efforts underway within the Trial Court to reduce the number of layoffs required by a shortfall in the FY11 budget. Relocations also are required to manage court operations given the loss of more than 700 employees, which has left many local courts severely understaffed.

           The public meetings will be held as follows from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.:

           The Committee's preliminary recommendations were based on its review of all 103 courthouse facilities. The recommendations represent the beginning of a process that will involve further analysis and review using the public input gained from these sessions.

           The Trial Court's FY11 budget stands at $534.8 million, which compares with an FY10 budget of $559.5 million and FY09 initial appropriation of $605.1 million. Other cost saving measures underway include the announcement of a five-day furlough for judges, clerks, and court managers, announcement of incentives for retirement, voluntary layoffs, and work hour reductions, as well as the extension of an absolute hiring freeze in place since 2008. As with prior relocations, the proposed court relocations or consolidations will not cause employee layoffs at those locations. Any layoffs required by budget cuts will be determined by a separate process.

           The criteria established by the Committee to identify potential sites for relocation and consolidation include lease terms and expenses, personnel impact and staffing levels, the condition of facilities, building functions, caseload, geography and transportation issues, as well as access to justice. The Trial Court will make decisions on the temporary relocation of court operations. The permanent closure of courthouses requires action by the Legislature.

           The Court Relocation Committee, co-chaired by District Court Chief Justice Lynda M. Connolly and Housing Court Chief Justice Steven D. Pierce, was convened by Chief Justice Mulligan in February and includes the following members:

Anthony M. Doniger, Esq., Sugarman, Rogers, Barshak & Cohen / Boston (Access to Justice Commission Member)
Douglas Martin, Esq., Law Offices of Douglas Martin / Malden (Mass. Bar Association Representative)
Elizabeth Pattullo, Beacon Health Strategies (Court Management Advisory Board Member)
John J. Regan, Esq., WilmerHale / Boston (President, Boston Bar Association)
Edward P. Ryan, Jr., O'Connor and Ryan / Fitchburg (Former President, Mass. Bar Association)