MEETING MINUTES
February 2, 2015
Attendance
Present were: Judge Dudley Anderson, Judge Richard Gray, Judge Marc Lovecchio, Judge Joy McCoy, Jennifer Ayers, Brian Bluth, Richard Callahan, Charles F. Greevy, Ill, Bradley Hillman, John E. Person, III, Clifford Rieders, Thomas Waffenschmidt, Kevin Way, J. Michael Wiley.
In the absence of Chairman Mitchell, Skip Greevy conducted the meeting.
Old Business
Day Reporting Center
Day Reporting Center also known as the Re-Entry Program has about 70 persons who have been assigned to them through one of the Judges. This program is court driven, with Commissioners backing. Judge Lovecchio was not certain of the drop-out rate.
Adult Probation
Ed McCoy new Chief has made some good changes in the office and process.
Criminal Bar
They will begin to have quarterly meetings, as there have been with the Family court attorneys.
Courthouse/Courtroom entry
Started January 1, 2015, no cell phones by the general public, has caused some problems with people continuing to bring them in. Suggestion was made that someone ought to sponsor and put in some lock boxes for stray cell phones. Approximately 150 attorneys, and about 150 others, including real estate abstractors and other persons and caseworkers have received ID cards. The entry of attorneys seems to be going well and local attorneys have not been stopped at the security area. Kevin Way reported that the Sheriff's office had counted 11,995 persons who entered the courthouse during January; not sure whether this included employees.
New Business
Judge McCoy noted that a brochure regarding PFAs and Domestic Relations had been recently put together by her office and copies are available for attorney's office, if so desired. Also noted that there had been a resource brochure made up for Lycoming County, which is available on the website.
Prothonotary's Office:
There are now fees for various hearings, which have been placed and imposed by the Prothonotary since the beginning of January. For example, custody matters may now involve the cost of $800 for the various proceedings. Fee for settling cases is now set at $14.
It was emphasized that upon settlement or discontinuance, a notice should be sent to the Judges office and to the other parties. The Judges are also aware of the Prothonotary costs.
Court Opinions
It was suggested and recommended that the attorneys' names involved in the matter also be placed on the opinions which are on the website.
Inns of Court
Discussion encouraged that more members of the Bar should join the loeal American Inns of Court group, as the programs have been good and the meals covered under the dues structure.
No further business, meeting was adjourned at 12:44 p.m.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will be May 4, 2015 at noon in the Law Association Conference Room.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Greevy, III, Acting Facilitator And Secretary on behalf of C. Edward Mitchell