Pottsville is looking to put two properties back on the tax rolls while another will be demolished in Ashland.
The Schuylkill County commissioners appointed the city as the conservator of 817-819 W. Market St. and 1620 Mahantongo St. Under the state Abandonded and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, the city assumes ownership of the vacant properties and can now demolish, renovate or sell them.
City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar said the plan is to renovate the buildings.
"I love this tool because it makes sure the properties are placed in the hands of people who can care for them," Palamar said Wednesday.
Jaw Properties LLC was listed as the owner of the property on West Market Street. Palamar said the building houses six apartment units.
Kyle Donton was listed as the owner for the other property. Palamar said the plan is to turn that one back into a single-family home.
Both properties were on a list by the city's blight task force that included 380 dilapidated structures.
"They were vacant and neglected for a while and we were very concerned they would become worse," Palamar said. "We want the homes to be saved if they can."
In Ashland, the borough bought the property at 911 Brock St. for $50 through the county repository. The property was owned by Lori and Earl Neyer Jr. and recently collapsed. The plan is to demolish the remaining structure and clean up the property.
The commissioners also approved an agricultural easement to conserve farmland in Union Township. The conservation easement agreement with Glenn R. Hetherington is for his 23.389-acre farm worth $46,778.
The perpetual agricultural conservation easement is used to permanently prevent development on farmland. Through the program, a landowners sells the development right on the farm to the county. The county only owns this specific right to the farm to prevent further development while the landowner still retains all other property rights and maintains ownership.
John Halabura, Dianne Hepler and Russel Schnoke were also reappointed to the agricultural land preservation board to three years terms that expire on Dec. 31, 2016. Brett Stehr and Ron Dietz were appointed to fill vacancies on the board due to retirement. These are also three-year terms.
Dorothy Cupino, William F. Van Stone and Lloyd Wertz were reappointed to three-year terms on the office of senior service advisory board.
Bids were opened for the reroofing prooject at the Schuylkill County Prison. Companies and the base bids submitted were: TGW Corporation, Pine Grove, $418,000; Houck Services Inc., Harrisburg, $421,200; Budget Renovations & Roofing, Shamokin, $390,735; RT General Construction LLC, Ivyland, $374,500; Banes Roofing Inc., Telford, $461,801; and The Warko Group, Allentown, $466,400.
The office of public works is seeking bids for the disposal of solid waster at the county courthouse, prison, human services building, Rest Haven, adult probation, Mahanoy Senior Regional resource Center and Schuylkill Transportation Service. Bids are due in the controller's office by 3 p.m. Feb. 18 and will be opened at the commissioners' work session the following day.
A polling site was changed for the second precinct in Wayne Township from the Summit Station Fire Company Banquet Hall, 1338 S. Route 183, to the Summit Station Fire Company, 88 Firehouse Road.
The county balance was at $43,989,161.98 on Wednesday, down from $49,866,348.77 on Dec. 13.
The commissioners authorized the endorsement of the following to the executive board of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association: Frank Zangari, Girardville; Dave Sattizahn, Pine Grove; Jason Witmier, Pottsville; John Matz, Deer Lake/West Brunswich Township; Gary Witmier, Pottsville; and Scott Krater, Port Carbon.
The following are being endorsed to the advisory board: Jack Messner, Pottsville; Art Connely Jr., Tamaqua; John Kellman Jr., Pottsville; and Glenn Sattizahn, Schuylkill Haven.