MEETING MINUTES

Monday, May 1, 2017

Attendance

Present were Judge Anderson, Judge Butts, Judge Gray, Judge MeCoy, Aaron BiichIe, Robert Cronin, Robert Elion, Joseph Rider, Jeffrey Rowe, Wesley Speary, Thomas Waffenschmidt, Adrianne Stahl, J. Michael Wiley, W, Jeffrey Yates, Meghan Young and Michele Frey, LLA Exec. In Ed Mitchell's excused absence, Skip Greevy presided.

Old Business

Judge Butts and Judge McCoy noted that it was Law Day and that the LLA program was scheduled for this coming Friday on May 5th in Courtroom # I and the school submissions are excellent

New Business

Orphans Court:

Judge Butts noted that the local rules are in effect. They are scheduled to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin on April 29, 2017, with an effective date of May 29, 2017.

 The question was also raised as to the scheduling of cases before the court, particularly in custody matters and with pro se parties.

Open House:

North Penn Legal Services will be holding an Open House at their new offices in Penu Tower on May 29, 2017. Everyone is invited,

Prothonotary Filing Fees:

There was discussion in regards to the fees now in effect in the Prothonotary's Office and noted that it may be going to additional software update expenses through the County. Particularly, there was a question in regards to having a higher initial fee paid for filing of civil actions and would alleviate the cost of settling and discontinuing matters upon closing a ease. There may be other changes, through their newly designated solicitor, Bill Carlucci.

Announcements:

Michele noted that the Wills for Heroes Program was held on Saturday, April 29, 2017 with 21 lawyer volunteers and 33 individual estate plans being prepared. Excellent reception and activity.

It was also noted that the annual picnic is to be set for June 29, 2017, It will be held at Herman & Luther's on Route 87. Details to be sent later.

Advisory Committee for Law Library:

An advisory committee is being formed to work with the James V, Brown Library for the county funded and designated location of Law Library and the reference room of the library. Limited new books being used at the courhouse. Advance sheets are available and there are a complete set of Purdons on the second floor,

Discontinuances:

These documents are filed at the Prothonotary's Office and a copy should be sent directly to the judge's attention, if the court has not entered an Order completing a certain matter.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Bench Bar committee is scheduled for Monday, August 7, 2017, at noon in the Law Association Executive Offices.

Respectfully submitted,

C.F. Greevy, III