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August 24, 2007

Board tables sale of former Ben Franklin school

By Pat Litowitz

The sale of the former Ben Franklin Junior High School must wait another month.

During the New Castle Area School Board’s special session Monday, the board tabled the former school’s sale to the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership. Board member Philip Conti pointed out that the board was not provided copies of the sales agreement.

“I apologize,” district solicitor Charles Sapienza said. “(The agreement) was done in the last hour.

“It’s pretty much boilerplate language.”

Board President Fred Mozzocio moved to table the matter until Sept. 10.

“All the board members can have the opportunity to review it.”

Per the tentative agreement, the Lawrence County Community Action Partnership will pay $250,000 for the structure. Both parties agreed to subdivide the 11-acre site. The former school sits on 3.15 acres of land.

The district will control parking lots, parking spaces and paved areas next to Taggart Stadium. The district will also have access to the building’s locker rooms.

Under certain conditions in the first five years of the contract, the district will have the opportunity to retain the building.

“If Lawrence County Social Services should sell, transfer or lease the property to someone who is not part of the Lawrence County Social Services’ team or one of the organizations under their umbrella, the property will revert to the district,” Sapienza said.

After five years, the district will have the right of first refusal should the nonprofit agency receive an offer for the structure.

Following approval of the agreement, the county common pleas court will review the sale. A public hearing also will take place.

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