A temporary change in a voter polling place in East Union Township was approved by the Schuylkill County commissioners at their public meeting held Wednesday. The site was changed from the township municipal building to the Sheppton-Oneida fire house at 900 Center Street, Sheppton, for the May 17 Primary Election.

The township now has only one polling place. There are 1,017 registered voters in the township but only 517 Democratic and 398 Republican registered voters will be allowed to vote for candidates whose names will be on the ballots for each party.However, the remaining 102 voters registered with different parties will be permitted to join the other voters to vote only on a question which will be on the ballot submitted by Hazleton Area School District. The question reads, "Do you favor the Hazleton Area School District imposing additional 1.6204 mills in real estate tax in Luzerne County, a reduction of 4.0544 mills in real estate tax in Schuylkill County and additional 4.7063 mills in real estate tax in Carbon County?" Making up the school district from Schuylkill County are East Union and Kline townships and McAdoo.The meeting took place in North Schuylkill High School with students experiencing a live civic course as they observed the commissioners conduct a publilc meeting from the stage in the auditorium. Principal Mark Semanchik introduced the commissioners and controller to the students.Other businessAction was taken on three county bridges.Approval was given to pay an additional $40,000 for the project on the bridge which carries Greenwood Street over Panther Valley Creek in Tamaqua. The total incumbrance for this project is $240,000.Approval was to disencumber $9,371.10 from the project on the bridge which carries Broad Street over Little Schuylkill River in Port Clinton. The total cost for repairs and engineering design was $300,628.90 and the project completion is requested.Also $7,278.85 is disencumbered from the project for the county bridge which carries Labenburg Road over Catawissa Creek in North Union Township. The total cost for repairs and engineering design was $322,721.14 and project completion is requested.Two proclamations were adopted, one designating Sunday, May 21 as Duck Month in Schuylkill County as the Avenues organization will hold its 23rd annual duck race on the banks of Mill Creek in front of Walmart Super Center in Saint Clair. Donations on selecting the winning duck will beneift children and adults participating in vital programs offered by Avenues.The second proclamation designated May 1 through 7 as "National Drinking Water Week" to protect the natural resource for generations to come.Mike Woznicki was hired as a member of the Board of Assessment Appeals beginning May 1 and ending Dec. 31. He fills the vacancy caused by the resignation of Angela Toomey. He will be paid $30 per hour when the board sits to hear property tax appeals.The coal land lease with White Pine Coal Company Inc. to mine on county coal land in Reilly Township for one year. Royalties paid for last year were $8,184 and to date $73,572.18.A contract was entered with Orwigsburg Ambulance for provision of non-emergency resident transport for patients at Rest Haven Home and Hospital at a fee service estimated at $25,000 per year. Approval was given to solicit bids to provide medical and surgical items for Rest Haven Home.Personnel mattersThe commissioners acted on a number of personnel matters.Thomas Bowers, Cumbola, was terminated as a per diem recycling truck driver. Jerry Lyons, Pine Grove, was hired as a part time nurse's aide at Rest Haven Home at $11.72 per hour. Frank Menne, Ashland, was hired as case manager at the county prison at $38,262 for the balance of this year and Jonann Cromyak, Schuylkill Haven, hired as a correctional officer at $15.6375 per hour. James Whalen, Mahanoy City, hired as part time security guard at the courthouse at $10.6884 per hour. Joseph Devine, Pottsville, resigned his position in the real estate department.Three employees in the Human Resource Department resigned, Robert Shannon, Pottsville; David Kneal, Hegins; and Timothy Musser, Carlisle.Rest Haven Home - Mary Ann Micko, Lost Creek, West Mahanoy Township, part time payroll clerk retired; Shannon Zepnikowski, Pottsville, full time nurse's aide, resigned; Elizabeth Kattner, Schuylkill Haven, part time nurse's aide, resigned. Part time nurse's aides receiving wage adjustments to $11.72 per hour were Tatiana Moyer, Schuylkill Haven; Jenny Beach, Pottsville; Shannon Grutza, Mahanoy City; Aimes Wright, Hegins; and Ashley Casier, Barnesville.