Four bids were opened by the Schuylkill County Commissioners for replacement of sewer lines in Hometown, Rush Township, at their work session held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

Sikora Brothers Paving Inc., Shickshinny, bid $101,858; Mazzuca Enterprises Inc., $137,743; Arthur "Pat" Aungst, Pine Grove, $179,879; and Hazleton Site Contractors, $241,077. The bids were turned over to the engineering department for study and recommendation.The project consists of installing 410 linear feet of pipe on Purnell Avenue and 249 feet of linear pipe on Delford Street. Gary Bender, director of the county's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program said the county is contributing $60,000 for the project with the township assuming the remaining costs.Other businessTwo bids were received for cleaning the building located on North Centre Street, Pottsville, across from the post office, which houses the 9-1-1 Center.TKO Cleaning Services, LCC, Pottsville, which holds the current contract, bid $15,000 on the first year of the new contract and $16,000 on the two remaining years. Pristine Green Cleaning Services, LLC, Schuylkill Haven, bid on only a two-year contract, $20,000 the first year and $20,900 the second year. The bids were referred to a committee for study and recommendation.The board reviewed a request from the county coroner's office to allow 10 members of his staff to attend a forensic imaging course being held in Baltimore, Md. It will be no additional cost to the county as the registration cost of $1,500 will be paid out of a grant.Voter IDElection director Frannie Brennan told the commissioners the action by Commonwealth Court Judge Robert Simpson in striking down the proposed voter identification law does not change the requirements for a voter who changed precincts between the primary and general election. The person is required to show an identification when he or she goes to vote in their new precinct.She also noted that the last day to register for the coming general election is Oct. 9 and the last day to obtain an absentee ballot is Oct. 30 and all absentee ballots must be in the election bureau by 5 p.m. on Nov. 2. Election day is Nov. 6.Brennan was granted permission to hire 10 people to deliver voting machines to the polling places and to name six people to a computing board which convenes the Friday after election day to make an official count of the votes cast.Register of Wills Theresa Gaffney was granted permission to purchase a document management software program. Gaffney claims this program is needed to allow her office to improve the imaging/scanning, email filings and online access.Ed Ryan, who runs the county's computer department, received permission to send his salespersons to attend classes on the InterSystems Zen in Cambridge, Mass. He told the board this is a tool for developing databases to create web pages quicker then under the current system, which are created by hand. The conversion will allow his department to get much closer to a paperless environment.County engineer Lisa Mahall received approval to amend the contract with WJP Engineers regarding Eagle Rock Resorts Company, Hazle Township, Luzerne County, to include the Subdivision AW of the Eagle Resorts in North Union Township.The WJP will provide engineering services to include the review and improvement inspections for the county planning commission so it can rule if the plan meets with the county comprehensive plan for land use. Eagle Rock is seeking to establish 51 single family lots in the subdivision on 13.77 acres near the Algonquin area in the township.The commissioners discussed with John Matz, director of the county's Emergency Management Agency, concerning a contract with Oak Ridge Associated Universities in the amount of $25,245 to provide the East Central Task Force with emergency management of radiation accident victims continuing medical education program. The funding is through the Homeland Security Grant.Angela Toomey, director of the tax claim bureau, presented a list of four homes in Shenandoah, which has been turned over to the tax claim bureau for unpaid taxes to be sold to Shenandoah Borough at $20 each for demolition. The properties are, 216 S. Gilbert St.; 332 W. Poplar St.; 309 S. Jardin St.; and 213 S. Furnace St.Personnel mattersThe commissioners reviewed requests by the various departments and agencies concerning personnel with actions to be taken at next week's public meeting.Recorder of Deeds Office announced Catherine Lewis, Walker Township, is retiring as a clerk.Also, the sheriff's department announced the transfer of James Whalen, Mahanoy City, from security guard to per diem central booking processing specialist.Children and Youth Services Agency seeks hiring Shawna Eberts, Rush Township, and Rosemary Veach, North Manheim Township, as caseworkers.Rest Haven Home seeks hiring 10 persons to be trained as nurse's aides. They are Lianne Kleiner, Valley View; Leeza Cherrybon, Auburn; Courtney Ditzler, Port Carbon; Jonelle Bohr, Kimberly Cook, Stephanie Mulhalland and Melamie Sears, all of Pottsville; Jessica Handwerk and Tonya Styka, both of Schuylkill Haven; and Jacqueline Troy, Schuylkill Haven, as a trainee instructor. It also seeks to hire Amanda Mosolino, Pottsville, as a part time nurse's aide.