The towns of Harmony and North Harmony are looking at the benefits of consolidating its courts.

Harmony town Supervisor John Brown approached North Harmony officials earlier this year about taking over Harmony’s court.

Robert Yates, North Harmony town supervisor, said a consolidation would save Harmony money and help North Harmony increase revenues. He said the court clerks and North Harmony Judge Howard Peacock agree a move wouldn’t result in more than three hours of additional work per week.

Yates said North Harmony Town Court handles about 150 cases per week while Harmony Town Court handles only about 150 a year. He said he likes that the towns are coming together on this idea.

Brown also noted the benefits of towns sharing services and working together.

Yates said last week the plan to take over Harmony’s court is still ongoing, but is going “very slow.” He said attorneys for both towns are working on Home Rule Legislation that will be presented to the state Legislature to approve; if that occurs, it would need Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approval.

“When a town abolishes its court, an act of legislation is needed,” Yates said. “Both town attorneys are working on it.”

Yates said North Harmony’s new town hall allows for this type of merger. He said the new building might also allow North Harmony to take control of some other nearby municipal courts.

“We are moving forward and it’s good to see the plan come together,” he said. “John Brown was the first to come forward with a solid proposal and it’s a really good proposal. Once we do it, we might see other municipalities that might want to do this.”

Consolidation efforts aren’t new to Chautauqua County. The towns of Sherman, Clymer, French Creek and Mina currently share a single justice. The towns entered into an inter-municipal agreement allowing each to jointly operate from a single justice court facility with one duly elected justice serving all four towns and to have the court located in the Mina municipal building.