“When the community is ready to hear, Father will accommodate them and be forthcoming,” Deborah Appello, business manager for Our Lady of Perpetual Help-St Agnes parish told VeniVidiScripto this week.
Appello was responding to a question brought up following Tuesday night’s meeting of the Atlantic Highlands Borough Council which was prompted by a local resident at the meeting asking the governing body what they knew about the long term lease of the former St. Agnes School (later also known as Mother Teresa School).
The borough also recently posted the first of several notices they will disseminate to the public concerning the June election which had to be changed from the Charles Hesse Building adjacent to the school where all four districts have been voting for the past five years. The parish office had told the borough clerk the state had advised the borough office the elections could not be held there.
At the meeting, after Mayor Lori Hohenleitner read the borough resolution acknowledging April as Autism Acceptance Month, one of three resolutions the governing body approved for April, resident Mark Fisher questioned what the governing body knew about the long term lease of the school for a school for autistic adults. Fisher said “not a whole lot of people know about it” including neighbors in the area of the school. He questioned whether the lease had necessary approvals saying it appears there is “a huge difference” between a K through 8 elementary school and a school for autistic adults.
Mayor Lori Hohenleitner said while she only learned about the lease after an application had been approved by the zoning board; the parish had gone through the process and there had been communications between the parish office and the borough but she did not know anything further.
There have been several reports within the borough that Their Place, a non-profit organization which recently held a Casino Night fund raiser for itself at the Hesse Building, has since signed a long term lease with the parish to lease the school for adults with autism, but parishioners have indicated hey did not know anything about it.
Appello’s remarks to VeniVIdiScripto came in response to questions about which state office gave her the information she had given to the borough clerk and for what reason did that office say voting could not be held at the Hesse Building.
Appello did not identify the state office but confirmed the state said use of the Hesse building would not be conducive with the long term lease. Even should the school be closed for the single day of voting, would not be sufficient she said, since the polling machines arrive several days early and are stored in the school cafeteria until set up in the Hesse building the morning of the election. She reiterated the pastor, the Rev. Jarlath Quinn, would be forthcoming with the lease information when the community is ready to hear it.
Contacted for any comments on the public not being kept informed on the rental agreement, the Mayor said “Atlantic Highlands is an inclusive community and we welcome organizations that support this value.
The Mayor and council was unaware that the parish was considering a long-term rental. As many know, bipartisan councils for years had been interested in partnering with the Monmouth County Park System to acquire this property at a 25 per cent cost to the borough, with 75 per cent from the park system’s Open Space fund and agreement for future partnership with the County for recreation space that doesn’t currently exist for the families of Atlantic Highlands.
Unfortunately, the parish declined to sell the property, We hope the door is open in the future as we would love to bring this dream to realty.”
The Chief Executive officer of the non-profit is Dr. Nicole Appello, the parish business manager’s sister.
According to their website, Their Place, an 11 year old organization empowers “ adults with disabilities to lead fuller, more independent lives. Over the past 11 years, Their Place has grown from a small initiative to a thriving organization, thanks to the dedication of our community, staff, and supporters. Together, we’ve created programs that inspire growth, foster connections, and open doors to endless possibilities. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re filled with gratitude for everyone who has been part of this journey and excitement for what’s to come.”
The site lists several reasons why Their Place should be a provider, including its warm, family environment, its passion for the community and families it serves, its experienced staff and instructors, their multi-disciplinary approach combining recreational and prevocational activities that encourages development of employable skills, social and emotional skills, and life skills. Their Place values inclusivity, integrity and independence, together with compliance, respect, equality and compassion, the site says.
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