A standing-room-only crowd turned out at Village Hall Wednesday night, and the message was unmistakable: hands off the Croton Justice Court. In a 5-0 vote, the Board of Trustees rejected Resolution #57-2026, which would have hired CGR of Rochester for a $19,750 study of the court's operations — a step many residents feared was a prelude to consolidating the court with the Town of Cortlandt. Fourteen residents spoke against the proposal, including Village Justice Sam Watkins, who has served on the bench for twenty years. "We would lose all revenue from fines," Watkins told the Board. "I do not believe moving the Court to the Town of Cortlandt will save any money, and I do not believe that the Town of Cortlandt Justice Court will have the same compassion as our local Village Court does." Village Prosecutor Casey Raskob noted that the court accounts for two percent or less of the Village's overall budget and actually returns money through fines. "No consultant will be able to change this fashion to get a different result," he said. "Our Village Court runs well and has an excellent reputation in the legal community." Residents echoed those concerns, with several calling the study a "slippery slope" toward losing local services. Donald Blum questioned the $40,000-plus price tag and urged the Board to explore alternatives. Paul Doyle asked that any future proposal be subject to a permissive referendum. Trustee Brian Simon, who introduced the failed resolution, said the Board's intent was simply periodic review, comparing it to a past study of the Engineering Department. But his colleagues joined the public in pulling back. Trustee Leni Nicholson said she remains "strongly committed to good governance" but supports not moving forward. Trustee Katharine Nachtaler said she was "never in favor of court consolidation." Mayor Pugh, who first explored consolidation during the pandemic's fiscal crunch, said flatly: "I do not foresee proposing any study in the future." On other matters, the Board unanimously approved a $1,789,929 purchase of a Seagrave Marauder pumper to replace the 20-year-old Engine 119. Trustee Nicholson called the doubling of apparatus costs over five years "not sustainable," and residents should note the new truck won't arrive for roughly four years. The Board also approved a $48,260.35 budget amendment to cover snow removal overruns from the Blizzard of 2026, offset by higher-than-expected revenues. The Village is working with Westchester County on a potential federal disaster declaration for reimbursement. Residents should mark their calendars for the March 25 public hearing on the 2026-2027 tentative budget, also at 7 p.m. at Village Hall. Water bills will be mailed March 15, and the Village now accepts VISA and American Express for utility payments. The Annual Tax Lien Sale is set for March 17 at 11 a.m. Con Edison gas main work is expected on Brook Street and Old Post Road North, and the Quaker Bridge project has been delayed beyond its June 30 deadline due to Army Corps of Engineers permit issues.