Margaretville without constable

By Patricia Breakey
Delhi News Bureau

July 23, 2008 04:00 am

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The village of Margaretville is temporarily without a constable while officials consider forming a part-time police department, Mayor William Stanton said Tuesday.

Stanton said the village was told by the state Criminal Justice System that the Attorney General's office is reviewing the constable's duties in Margaretville. He said similar reviews are being done statewide.

Stanton said he received a detailed outline of the duties that can be assigned to village constables, town constables and peace officers. He said each level carries different duties.

Harold Fox, appointed to replace former constable Gilbert Sanchez, was driving an old police car that still had police' printed on it, which is not allowed, Stanton said.

"About the only thing a village constable can do is foot patrol and issue parking tickets," Stanton said. "We are exploring whether we should keep a constable or establish a police force."

Stanton said it was necessary to place Fox on leave until the state reviews the paperwork Margaretville submitted about the constable's responsibilities.

Stanton said the village has had a constable since 1985, but after Sanchez left, moving out of state, it took a year to replace him.

Stanton said he formed a search committee of three retired police officers to choose the best candidate. He said Fox is a retired New York City police officer.

Margaretville officials are talking with Middletown town officials to decide whether a town-wide police force, to provide coverage in Margaretville, Fleischmanns and the outlying areas, would be feasible.

Delaware County Undersheriff Douglas Vredenburgh said the sheriff's department is also working with Margaretville to come up with alternative ways to help patrol the village.

Vredenburgh said that according to state civil service law, New York City police officers can't be laterally hired by the sheriff's department, so it isn't possible for Fox to be deputized and then assigned to Margaretville in exchange for compensation from the village.

Vredenburgh added that the sheriff's department does not have enough road patrol deputies to assign someone to Margaretville.