The Trial Court's Court Relocation Committee, which was formed to identify court locations for potential consolidation, and identified Wareham District Court as one of those locations, has set its schedule of public meetings to seek comment on its preliminary recommendations, State Representative Susan Williams Gifford (R-Wareham) announced.

The public meeting for Bristol, Norfolk, and Plymouth Counties will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, August 12th, at Covett Courthouse, 215 Main St., Brockton.

When the proposal of closing Wareham District Court was brought to Rep. Gifford's attention, she sponsored an amendment to the fiscal year 2011 House Budget which contained protective language. The language was successfully included in the Final Budget and will delay, but may not stop, the eventual relocation of Wareham cases to Plymouth.

The Committee's efforts are one component of major cost reduction efforts underway within the Trial Court to reduce the number of layoffs due to a shortfall in the fiscal yaer 2011 budget.

"It is of vital importance that we have great show of support for our Court at this hearing," said Rep. Gifford. "We need to reinforce the facts that if Wareham is closed, it will have a devastating effect on the employees, local businesses and those seeking justice and various court services not to mention the increase in cost to taxpayers."

At a State House hearing with Chief Justice Robert Mulligan, District Court Chief Justice Lynda Connolly and Housing Court Chief Justice Steven Pierce on Tuesday, Rep. Gifford reminded the Justices that closure should not be just about dollars. "Unlike New Bedford, Fall River or Taunton, we have no public transit between Wareham and Plymouth and that will create a real hardship for many people," she said. "I would also like to see consideration of the ratio of lease dollars to caseload given the fact that Wareham is the 28th busiest court in the Commonwealth."

Rep. Gifford is encouraging Wareham District Court employees, local business owners, elected and law enforcement officials to make every effort to attend the hearing along with family members and friends. Anyone needing additional information should call 617-722-2976 or e-mail SusanGifford@hou.state.ma.us.