The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court granted PNC Bank National Association as the court appointed receiver for the preservation and/or sale of the squad’s property at 6192 Webster Street in Harrison Twp. The bank was granted approval by the court to seize the squad’s bank accounts, including its bingo account. The squad used to run a Bingo Hall at 3349 Needmore Road, but Robinson said they had to close it, mostly due to lack of interest.
Despite the bank accounts being frozen, the squad has access to financial resources and can operate, Robinson said. None of the squad’s equipment has been seized or sold by the bank.
On Oct. 21, PNC’s certificate of judgment against Box 21 Rescue Squad, Inc. stated that the bank was granted over $1.1 million, which includes interest and attorney fees.
“We purchased the building (on Webster Street) and we got a construction loan on it to be remodeled,” Robinson said.
The squad, which is not funded by taxpayer dollars, hired a general contractor but Robinson said the construction work was not completed, which prevented the squad from getting an occupancy permit. The squad also encountered other issues with the requirements it needed to move into the Webster Street address. Plus, the squad’s former treasurer passed away. “He was handling the whole construction project,” Robinson said.
Box 21 officials purchased Webster Street property from the Omega Investment Group in 2007 for $1.3 million, according to county real estate records. At the time of the purchase, squad officials wanted to relocate from its current headquarters on Helena Street to the Webster Street address. They wanted to use the Webster Street address as office space, a place to store equipment and as a place for the public to rent out for special events, Robinson said.
The courts have granted approval for foreclosure on the Webster Street property, but the bank had not taken the property as of Monday. “If the building is sold, what happens to the court judgment?” Robinson said, referring to what squad officials are asking their lawyer. “Our attorney is trying to figure out how to get us in the building or how to get us away from the building.”
Bottom line, Robinson said the squad’s legal issues won’t interfere with the squad’s ability to provide heavy rescue, mobile intensive car, mobile rehabilitation and water rescue to area police, fire and medical units. “We don’t see us having to shut down because of this,” Robinson said.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.
About the Author