The Schuylkill County commissioners awarded contracts to two projects Wednesday that received bids last week.
The board approved the agreements during a public meeting Wednesday morning.
Barletta Materials and Construction Inc., Tamaqua, was awarded a $402,642.82 contract for the rehabilitation of county bridge No. 120 on Black Creek Road over Mahanoy Creek in Barry and Butler townships. It is a liquid fuels rehabilitation project.
Arthur Pat Aungst Inc., Pine Grove, was awarded a $43,196 contract for the pipe culvert replacement project on Spruce Street in Frailey Township. It is a 2012 CDBG project.
Both companies submitted the lowest bids for the projects.
The board also approved the purchase of two new vehicles.
Schuylkill County Emergency Management Agency bought a 2013 Ford Expedition Special Service Vehicle from KME Fire Apparatus, Nesquehoning, for $37,706.02. The purchase includes installation of emergency lights, siren, console, wiring, reflective striping and logo. The vehicle includes a heavy-duty towing package to store equipment and supplies in cargo trailers. The funding for the vehicle comes from the agency budget for capital expenses.
Adult probation bought a 2013 Ford Utility Police Interceptor all-wheel drive vehicle for $28,877. The purchase, maintenance and fuel costs are covered by offender supervision fees in the office.
The county will host its annual fall cleanup from Sept. 16 through Sept. 28 at 12 sites. The cleanup accepts tires, electronics, appliances and bulky items for free and is open to all county residents. The state Department of Environmental Protection reimburses the county up to 50 percent for the event.
The sites will be located in Pottsville, Minersville, Tamaqua Transfer Station, Ringtown, CES Landfill, Girardville, Schuylkill Haven and Wayne, Porter, Hegins and North Manheim townships. Advertisements and the county website will list the exact locations within the municipalities.
The Schuylkill County retirement fund is slightly down from last month but remains over the $110 million mark.
On Wednesday, the fair market value of the fund was $111,765,617, down from $112,288,720.33 in May. Last June, the total market value of the fund was $98,361,087.
Schuylkill County Fair royalty also attended the public meeting Wednesday. Rhonda Carl, a 2013 graduate of Tri-Valley High School, is the reigning Schuylkill County Fair Queen and was also crowned the 2013 Pennsylvania Fair Queen.
The commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Carl as she sets out to represent Schuylkill County at many fairs throughout the state over the summer.
Carl is the first person in the history of the Schuylkill County Fair to win all of the royalty contest titles from Little Miss in 2006, Princess in 2009 and Fair Queen in 2012. She is also the first Schuylkill County Fair Queen contestant to not only place in the competition's top five but to be crowned the 2013 Pennsylvania Fair Queen.
As Pennsylvania Fair Queen, Carl travels throughout the commonwealth to make appearances with legislators, the agri-business sector and general public to speak about the importance of Pennsylvania fairs, agriculture and tourism.
"The board of Schuylkill County commissioners take this opportunity to extend our sincere congratulations to Rhonda Carl for her outstanding accomplishments throughout the years and wish her continued success in her future endeavors," commissioners Chairman Frank Staudenmeier said, reading the proclamation.