Mayor and Council unanimously agreed at its meeting on the 8th to join with the Monmouth County Parks System to begin negotiations for purchase of the St. Agnes school property. Mother Teresa School
Monmouth County Parks Director Andy Spiers confirmed the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners is in discussions with Atlantic Highlands officials, working out the details of a partnership that would preserve the former Mother Teresa School and the Charles J. Hesse III Parish Center/Gymnasium.
Spiers continued that “The site has been identified as an attractive location for a municipal recreation and community center to serve residents of Atlantic Highlands and surrounding communities. Negotiations on the purchase of the property from the Diocese of Trenton are ongoing.
The brief announcement at the Atlantic Highlands Council meeting came at the end of the meeting after council went into executive session for the purpose of discussing land acquisition. Just before going into session, Mayor Lori Hohenleitner announced that action might be taken.
Councilman James Murphy made the motion, obviously thrilled and pleased with the borough’s action in coordination with Monmouth County. It was seconded by Councilman Jon Crowley, then unanimously approved.
The matter of future use of the large expanse which includes the school building in a residential neighborhood has been ongoing since the school closed several years ago.
