Consolidated Probate Court Passes State Inspection

Seven months into the consolidation of the Probate Courts for Cheshire and Southington, the two-town district court has passed a state inspection of its operations.

Attorney Thomas E. Gaffey, Chief Counsel for the State, reviewed the operations of the newly created court under Judge Matthew J. Jalowiec. The inspection report contained positive findings, Jalowiec said in a statement Monday.

“I am particularly pleased with the State’s review of our hearing and notice procedures ensuring everyone receives proper notice of hearings and is afforded an opportunity to attend and be heard.”

The positive inspection comes less than a year after the former Southington Probate Judge Bryan Meccariello was censured by the state for the handling of a probate case. A week later, Meccariello dropped out of the 2010 race for Probate Judge for the consolidated district 

Jalowiec was a successful write-in candidate on the Republican ballot and went on to win the primary against the party's nominated candidate, Peter Bowman.

Jalowiec then won the general election against Democrat Mall Hall, who had been nominated to replace Meccariello.

The new Probate Court came into being on Jan. 5.