Cattron Communications got the help it was seeking from Sharpsville Area School Board Wednesday.

Directors approved 7-1, on first reading, Cattron's request for 3 to 5 acres of its property to be included in a new Keystone Opportunity Expansion Zone offered by the state.

The proposal will not become official until the board votes a second time.

"We feel that the support of the community is very important to any business," said Jim Robertson, president and chief executive officer of Cattron Group, Inc., who was on hand to answer questions from the board. "And that's what they've done and that's appreciated."

The only no vote came from Director Donna Murray, who said she feared the decision would create a bad precedent and discriminate against other businesses in the community.

"There are several businesses in town as old as Cattron or older and they will want the same consideration," Mrs. Murray said. "Once we say this is OK, everyone else is going to want equal treatment."

The only precedent board President Terry Karsonovich said he wants to set is one that says: "We're going to be friendly to businesses in our community."

Approving the request were directors Kimberly Barringer, David DeForest, Lori Gill, Joyce Grandy, Susan Pokorney, Chris Ruffo and Karsonovich. Director Charles Rice was absent.

"We're talking about this abatement as if we're not going to receive any money from it," DeForest said. "Cattron has assured us there will be some contribution made. ... And I believe they'll do what's right for the community."

What's right for the community was discussed last week when a couple of board members voiced their concerns over the proposal, which would free Cattron from some $16,000 in annual county, borough and school property taxes for the period of the KOEZ exemption, which is normally 10 years.

Superintendent Dr. Derry L. Stufft said then that Jim Cattron had made a verbal commitment to give the district $10,000 annually instead of taxes. However, school solicitor John Reed said Wednesday a payment in lieu of taxes isn't legal in a KOEZ, according to Mercer County Regional Planning Commission Executive Director Dennis Puko.

Reed said although Cattron had promised to make such a payment, he felt compelled to correct the record by writing to the board that it wasn't possible, but "given the proper opportunities, he'd still like to continue his past support for the school district and for the community. It's sort of like a nonbinding promise on his part."

That's a promise Mrs. Gill said she hopes Cattron doesn't forget.

"I believe from what I've been told the Cattron Group is honorable," she said. "And the only thing I would ask Cattron Group is ... that you do not forget the children of our school district."