LIVERMORE FALLS – The Livermore Falls District Court would close if the Legislature approves a state plan to cut costs.

The consolidation would impact people in Leeds, Livermore, Livermore Falls and Turner. Cases would be handled in 8th District Court in Lewiston, or if a state law governing district courts is changed, the majority could go to Lewiston and the rest to 12th District Court in Farmington.

The move would also influence police budgets.

The Livermore Falls court is in the 11th District, northern Androscoggin Division.

The Judicial Department has listed Livermore Falls and Madawaska district courts for closure to reduce the department’s budget. Madawaska’s caseload would be added to Fort Kent and possibly Caribou courts.

Gov. John Baldacci asked all state departments to reduce spending in an attempt to balance the budget after Maine learned it was facing a deficit, said Maine Court Administrator Ted Glessner.

Because the judiciary already runs on a bare-bones budget, Glessner said, one of the things that could be done to make the drastic cuts the governor wants is to consolidate court services in Livermore Falls and Madawaska.

Glessner said the Judicial Department is also leaving vacant positions unfilled and has eliminated overtime.

He said the consolidations are not what the judicial department wants to do but what it has to do to reduce its operating budget, which is more than $50 million.

“We’re very concerned about public having access to the court,” Glessner said. “Anytime we have fewer resources, it makes it difficult.”

Legislators are expected to look at the impact of the court closings on people in the area and on law enforcement.

It’s not the first time Livermore Falls court has been on the chopping block.

Back in the state budget crunch in 1992, there was a similar proposal. But the last time, the Legislature didn’t approve it and the town offered the court, which is in the Livermore Falls Municipal Building, rent for a $1 a year.

Now the state pays Livermore Falls about $27,000 a year for rent but the town is responsible for upkeep, utilities and other necessities that cost about $9,000 a year, Town Manager Alan Gove said.

“We’re hoping to keep a court here, whether it’s in our building or not,” Gove said.

If the court does close, the town will either look for another tenant or use the space to help alleviate a space crunch in the police department.

Town police and the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department oppose closing the court.

Livermore Falls police Chief Ernest Steward Jr. said it would “substantially cost us a lot of money” if they don’t decide to consolidate some northern Androscoggin cases with Farmington. The latter wouldn’t affect the department as much, he said.

The court is located above the police station and has advantages for his officers, including not having to hang around to wait to speak to a state prosecutor, wait for a case to be heard or to attend a trial.

Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Capt. Ray Lafrance said it would cost his department more money if his deputies had to travel to Farmington for court cases.

Lafrance said his department opposed the move the last time it was proposed. If cases were sent to Lewiston, it wouldn’t be too bad, he added.

“I would hope the Legislature considers the impact the proposed consolidation of the Livermore Falls District Court would have on the public’s access to the court system,” Livermore Falls court Clerk Susan Copeland said.

dperry@sunjournal.com

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