Court may be back in session in North Perth.
The municipality is weighing whether or not to extend a previously terminated agreement with the Ontario court system to lease the municipal office for use as a courtroom.
CAO Kris Snell says council is considering extending the lease for a short period.
"Council did reconsider that decision, and is looking at having some discussions with the province to look at having a one-year lease agreement with the courts, to have possibly court here for one year, to allow them time to find an alternate spot in North Perth to hold criminal court," says Snell.
The previous agreement, which started in 2013, was terminated officially after North Perth gave six months notice last May, ending the agreement officially on December 31. Snell says there are issues with having criminal court at the municipal office.
"There is some conflict between municipal services and court services," says Snell. "Also, there was some damage done here when court was held here, and there's no provisions for that in the current lease. As well, with increased security that would solve some of those problems, that does take front line policing away from other areas."
Snell also says people don't like coming to the office when court is there because it can be hectic, and taking police away from other areas of the community can be an issue.
