An assisted living facility in Warren will stay in current hands.
Steven Atlass, Cambridge Warren general partner, said a case involving Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania has been dismissed. Both sides agreed to the dismissal.
Now the facility has refinanced with a new lender. The dismissal came about two months ago, Atlass said.
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Staying put
A court battle will not result in new management at Cambridge Warren.
"Everything is back to where it should be," Atlass said. "It's stable and we have long-term financing."
In April 2011, Judge Maureen Skerda listened to arguments for and against appointing a receiver for Cambridge Warren. Records in the prothonotary's office showed Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania had loaned the organization approximately $2.5 million.
Attorney Chris Schueller, arguing for the bank, noted only three payments on the loan were made in 2010. In 2011, he said, managers of the facility were apparently trying to avoid making payments.
In their place, Schueller asked that the Long Hill Company take over managing the facility. He described it as a top-flight Christian organization which would care about the residents.
David Lawlor, chief financial officer of United Methodist Homes, which has the Long Hill Company as a subsidiary, testified his organization operates out of Connecticut and provides management and consulting services. It is already involved in receiverships, he said, due to seven different court orders.
Attorney David Smith, representing Cambridge Warren, asked if Lawlor could provide any facts to suggest the quality of care at the facility was less than superb. Lawlor replied the highest quality of care includes a sense of home and belonging which go beyond the scope of state inspection records which he admitted did not reveal any problems at the facility.
Atlass testified nobody had told him about the missed payments. Upon finding out, he said he took over ownership from Warren Weiner and entered litigation against him.
"It's doubtful anybody can offer better care," Atlass said. "They're in Connecticut and have no relationship with Pennsylvania."
In August of 2011, Senior Judge William Morgan handed down an opinion denying a petition to strike and petition to open filed by Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania against Cambridge Warren, LLC. The matter was before the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
"Defendants complain of six issues on appeal, which are set forth in detail in Defendants' concise statement of errors complained of on appeal," Morgan wrote. "The Court fully addressed each of these issues in its June 3, 2011 memorandum opinion. Accordingly, the Court respectfully directs the Superior Court's attention to said opinion."
Morgan was assigned to the case after Skerda recused herself.