NEWTON FALLS, Ohio - The Village of Newton Falls has officially reclaimed ownership of its historic community center following a Community Improvement Corporation (CIC)meeting Monday morning.

According to Newton Falls City Manager, Pamela Priddy, the CIC voted two to one in favor of reclaiming the community center, with Mayor Kenneth Kline being the only one to vote no, citing "legal concerns."

Back in May, 21 News reported on the Newton Falls community rallying around a non-profit group known as Heritage Accord, who were working to restore the community center.

21 News reached out to Heritage Accord for comment on the matter, and they responded by telling us they have "no problems" with the decision made at Monda's meeting.

"Heritage Accord has always assumed it was actually leasing the Community Center from the village. As such, we have always responded to Village Administration and to the Village Council in order to keep them informed," said Heritage Accord President, Connie Smith Talcott.

However, Talcott did highlight one concern the non-profit has that a few in the village may now want to eliminate Heritage Accord's lease of the property and reject all the support it's giving to it and residents of the village.

"We are aware that the Village Law Director has issued his opinion that the lease of the Community Center with Heritage Accord would still be valid and legal even if the Community Center were deeded back into the Village's name. In other words, the lease would follow the deed ownership to the Community Center," Talcott said.

Talcott says as long as the village sticks to its word and works together in good faith on the Community Center project, the prospects for the quickest success of the restoration and reopening of the Community Center will be enhanced.

"Heritage Accord looks forward to partnering with the Village in a joint effort to obtain grant funding from numerous sources, including the Appalachian Community Grant through the Regional Commission Collaborative Program," Talcott said.

When asked about a potential lawsuit being filed over this decision, Talcott said that won't be necessary so long as the village does not attempt to break or improperly terminate its lease with Heritage Accord.