SCHOOLS Board agrees to appeal apartments' tax status

The district thinks the units should be treated as any other residential property.
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Wilmington Area School Board members have agreed to appeal a tax exemption, after learning of the impact it would have on the district.
The board unanimously hired Atty. Ira Weiss of Pittsburgh to represent the district in the tax assessment appeal against the Shenango on the Greens independent living apartments.
Shenango on the Greens is a new apartment complex, and 2004 is its first year to be placed on the tax roll.
Mary Bullano, director of tax assessment for Lawrence County, said that when Shenango on the Greens received notice that it was placed on the tax roll, it filed for an exemption.
"We denied it [the exemption], so it now goes to court," Bullano explained.
Money
Bullano said the school district is due to receive $48,174 for the 2004 tax year and the county's share is $19,818.
The district will cover 60 percent of attorney and court fees, and Lawrence County will cover the remaining 40 percent in costs.
Atty. Donald Reavey of Harrisburg will represent Shenango on the Greens. He said the independent living units are an integral part of the Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare nursing home.
Its director, Jim Craig, said Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare is the only continuing care retirement community in Lawrence County.
Craig said the purpose of defining continuing care is to assure that an individual who pays an entrance fee at such a retirement community will be assured of receiving future levels of care when the need arises.
Residents of the apartments pay a partially refundable residency deposit ranging from $54,000 to $130,000 and a monthly service fee ranging from $1,605 to $2,087. Craig said this is based on the square footage of the apartment.
Atty. Charles Mansell, solicitor for the school district, said the district's stand is that because the living units are sold to individuals, they should be treated as any other residential property.