Judge Richard Masson has retired from his position as president judge of Elk and Cameron counties.

Masson retired, effective Dec. 31, and has transitioned into the role of senior judge, according Lee Neureiter, chief clerk for Elk County. On Wednesday, Neureiter noted that Masson was at the courthouse that day serving in his capacity as senior judge.

As a press release from courthouse states, “After nearly 16 years as the President Judge and only judge of the Court of Common Pleas of the 59th Judicial District of Pennsylvania (Cameron and Elk Counties), the Honorable Richard A. Masson will transition to senior judge status effective January 1, 2019, by virtue of his appointment to that position by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania until December 31, 2028.”

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania also appointed a replacement for Masson, according to Court Administrator LeeAnn Covac.

President Judge John Foradora of Jefferson County will serve as acting president judge and doing the administrative duties for 2019 in Cameron and Elk counties, according to Neureiter.

“We’ll be staffing the courtroom with senior judges for the balance of 2019,” Neureiter added.

He noted that the seat will be up for election in November.

“The president judge position will be on our ballot this year,” he explained.