Red Hook will seek funds for Town Court work

RED HOOK — The Town Board has approved an application to seek up to $30,000 for work in the town Justice Court including undisclosed security improvements.

Funding through the state Justice Court Assistance program was discussed during a Town Board meeting last week.

Officials said the funding would pay for window blind replacements and painting the courtroom, which is also used for Town Board, planning, and zoning meetings. Painting would also be done on the hallways adjoining the court.

“There’s a third item that we’re asking for, which are security enhancements,” Town Justice Jonah Triebwasser said. “If there’s to be any questions or concerns about what the security enhancement is we should probably do that in executive session because if we talk about it in public, especially in front of the PANDA cameras ... it’s no longer secure.”

Triebwasser said the projects are estimated to cost $9,500, but additional funding is being sought based on guidelines from state officials.

“There’s a certain litany that Albany prefers and they prefer that we allow a certain margin in case they’ve got other suppliers,” he said. “So we always say up to $30,000 because that’s the limit that they impose.”

The resolution also authorized Triebwasser and Town Justice Jeffrey Martin to “pursue any and all grant applications” from any “other agencies, state organizations, private organizations” through the end of the year.