SMITHVILLE FLATS – Smithville’s town leaders intend to cut one of the town’s two justice positions prior to the November election.

According to Town Supervisor Allan I. Johnson, he and the town board have been considering eliminating one of the two justice positions for some time, but the matter was brought to the forefront when Judges Bill Lenga and Bruce Braman both resigned in December.

Lenga, who served on the local bench for 15 years, tendered his resignation in October. Dec. 15 was his last day. Braman was elected to the position in November of 2009 and served one year, from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31.

According to Lenga, he and Braman each decided separately to step down from their elected positions. In his case, he said, the decision was based on the increasing demands of the role, for which he received a $3,000 stipend each year.

Typically, another town resident would be appointed to fill each of the positions until the next election, but according to Johnson, that hasn’t been possible.

“We have been unable to locate anyone in the Town of Smithville willing to take an appointment right now,” he explained.

Faced with a vacant bench, the town turned to Judge Howie Sullivan, who serves as the supervising judge for town and village courts within the Sixth Judicial District. Based on Sullivan’s recommendation, Johnson said they appointed Preston Judge Thomas Hosford to serve as Smithville’s acting town justice as of Jan. 1.