Breathing new life into the county courthouse
Kevin Kessler, foreground, and Donald Adams unpack boxes destined for the chambers of Judge John DiSalle and offices of his staff members.
Aimee Schaffer pushes a cartload of files through a courthouse hallway. She was part of a group performing tasks through the court’s community service program.
One of the first directives issued by new President Judge Katherine B. Emery in early January 2015 was to restore the number 1 to the stately red courtroom on the second floor of the courthouse, its designation for 100 years. Jason Lesnock is shown making the change.
Judge John F. DiSalle stands before one of two fireplaces in his new chambers. DiSalle took over former President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca’s chambers and courtroom after she retired from the bench in January.
Unpacked boxes sit neatly stacked on a desk inside Washington County Judge John F. DiSalle’s new office. Framed pictures, maps and animal mounts are hung throughout the chambers. A bear skin, which has yet to find a permanent home, is strewn across an empty desk that blocks a majestic fireplace.
A lot has changed over the past few weeks for the judge and his staff. As of the end of March, DiSalle now officially works in Courtroom 2 and its adjoining chambers.
The move has been several months in the making. Former President Judge Debbie O’Dell Seneca occupied the courtroom and chambers until her retirement in early January. DiSalle made the decision to move shortly after O’Dell Seneca left, and plans were made to renovate and the paint the four rooms, two bathrooms and a small, private entryway into the courtroom that comprise his new chambers.
“I’m very pleased,” DiSalle said as he surveyed the changes.
Gone are the mauve and light green paint colors that were thickly caked on the walls. DiSalle replaced them with two shades of light green that complement the dark woodwork that lines the windows, doors and walls. The colors also compliment the original hardwood floor in DiSalle’s office.
Additional renovations include new carpet and electrical wiring.
The judge credited his staff and those assigned to perform community service for making the move go so smoothly.
“They moved in a day,” he said.
Patrick Grimm, court administrator, said the community service workers and building and grounds staff were instrumental as they simultaneously moved DiSalle and the senior judges’ chambers. Since January, DiSalle has been using courtroom 2, formerly O’Dell Seneca’s courtroom, and the senior judges have been using DiSalle’s former courtroom, Courtroom 3. While the renovations were ongoing, DiSalle remained in his former chambers and the law library on the second floor was converted into a temporary office for the senior judges.
Currently, there are six visiting judges from surrounding counties that are assisting the five sitting Washington County judges. Grimm said senior judges can work up to 10 days per month in their visiting county or counties. Each has a different assignment and some come more sporadically than others.
“All the different judges together roughly cover 20, 22 days a month,” Grimm said. “They’ve been a great help.”
Grimm said additional renovations are expected for the courthouse, including new carpet in Courtroom 2 and the reorganization of the second-floor law library. Grimm said additional moves are also expected, but that there are no immediate plans in place. Judge Valarie Costanzo is expected to move into DiSalle’s old chambers and courtroom, Judge Michael Lucas is expected to move into Costanzo’s old chambers and courtroom and the senior judges are expected to take over Lucas’ former chambers and courtroom.
“Anytime there is a change in judiciary for the bench, there is normally shuffling that occurs,” Grimm said. “It is a seniority basis, choosing where a courtroom is.”
Grimm said the courthouse underwent a number of renovations at the start of this century, but there’s a lot more that needs to be done. Plans depend on available funds and time.
“There is some refreshing that needs to be done. We have to make good choices with the resources available,” Grimm said. “But Judge DiSalle’s chambers look nice. It looks fresh. It breathes new life into the building.”