Transactions of area properties were discussed at the work session of the Schuylkill County commissioners Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

The Tax Claim Bureau announced it had received bids for two lots in Tamaqua. The commissioners approved the repository bids of Cindy and Adrian Dover, 532 Washington Street, Tamaqua, to purchase a 20 by 80 foot lot at 529 Lincoln Street, Tamaqua, for $250, which was assessed to Timothy E. and Darla Kennedy, and also their repository bid of $250 for a 20 by 80 foot lot at 527 Lincoln Street, Tamaqua, assessed to Wayne F. and Betty J. Welsh.County Solicitor Alvin B. Marshall seeks approval to authorize the execution of a stipulation and approval of an agreed order to be filed to court in connection with a settlement of a residential assessment appeal initiated by Francis Colosimo on an undeveloped eight acre parcel in East Brunswick Township. The agreement is to decrease the fair market value of the tax parcel from $90,640 to $47,200 for the tax year 2012.Also discussed was reduction of the market value of the property of Kathleen Riley on a single family residence on 0.43 of an acre in West Brunswick Township, from $62,000 to $44,000, for tax year 2012; reduction of a commercial appeal on the Cressona Shopping Mall on 29.5 acres in North Manheim Township from $7,037,517 to $5,500,000 effective for tax year 2012.The commissioners took action on filling vacancies on a number of boards and authorities.Reappointed as members of the Mental Health and Development Services for a term of three years ending Dec. 31, 2014 were John Handler, Tamaqua; Kathleen Haas, Auburn; George Harris, Ashland and Shirley Ravitz, Schuylkill Haven. The board accepted the resignation of Holly Nyce, Pottsville, as a member of the MH/DS board.Reappointed to the Schuylkill County Agricultural Land Preservation Board for a term of three years ending Dec. 31, 2014 were Keith Masser, Sacramento; John Hetherington, Ringtown; Kent Heffner, Pine Grove and Stanley Fidler, Pottsville. The board also reappointed Masser as its chairman.F. Dale Schoeneman, Pottsville, was reappointed to the Schuylkill County Airport Authority for a five year term ending Dec. 31, 2016.On behalf of the Schuylkill County Fire Chiefs Association, the board endorsed to following executive members: Frank Zangari, Girardville; Jason Witmier, Pottsville; Scott Krater, Port Carbon; Dave Sattizahn, Pine Grove; Gary Witmier, Pottsville and John Matz, Deer Lake. Endorsed as members of the advisory board were Jack Messner, Pottsville; Art Connelly, Jr., Tamaqua; Glenn Sattizahn, Schuylkill Haven;; John Kellman, Jr., Pottsville; James Krammes, Cressona and Joseph Kufrovich, Barnesville.The board approved the certification for the authorized use of 9-1-1 funds under Chapter 53, Emergency Telephone Service of Title 35 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues. Land phones pay a tax to help defray cost of operating emergency centers. Approval was also given to renew the agreement with Enroute Emergency Systems of Tampa, Fla., for support of the county's enroute cad system which was installed in 2002. The cost of the renewal is $90,756.68.An agreement was also approved with Greens Communications, Pottsville, for maintenance service for the console system in the emergency center at a cost of $260,000. The agreement is for a four-year period which ends Jan. 31, 2016. Scott Krater, director of 9-1-1, reported the cost savings from last year's agreement is $32,236.The commissioners approved the purchase of a four door crew cab pick-up truck from Fairway Motors, Hazleton, at a cost of $26,334.81 to replace a 15-year old truck.The Schuylkill Transportation System was granted permission to seek bids for a 10,000 gallon underground storage tank.Personnel mattersThe board reviewed appointments and promotions proposed in various departments on which it will take action at next Wednesday's public meeting.Rest Haven seeks appointments to its nursing staff including:Gail Newton, Pottsville, per diem registered nurse at $24 per hour; Donna Hahn, Hamburg, part time graduate practical nurse, $26.0580 per hour; Cynthia Nodline, Pottsville; Deanna Webb, Tower City and Beverly Fisher, Hamburg, part time licensed practical nurses, $15.99 per hour Maegan Azbell, Saint Clair; Melanie Devers, Port Carbon; Roxanne Perazzo, Pottsville; Rebecca Phelps, Tremont; Eufernia Crishock, Minersville and Heidi LaFaver, Auburn, as part time nurse's aide trainees, $7.70 per hour and Diane Bredbenner, Mahanoy Plane; Magdalena Risi, New Ringgold; Amanda Nagle, Schuylkill Haven and Holly Jacwinski, Ashland, as nurse's aides at $11.72 per hour.District Attorney Karen Byrnes Noon announced the promotion of Dennis Clark, Eldred Township, as chief detective at $24.61 per hour and appointed Joseph Lipsett, Branch Township. former county coroner as county detective at $17.96 per hour.County Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern announced the appointment of Sharon Porcari, Pottsville, as a part time clerk at $13.3086 per hour.Children and Youth Service Agency announced the appointment of Victoria Hoover, Schuylkill Haven, to work as an unpaid intern and the Office of Senior Services announced the appointment of James Bankes, Frackville, as an unpaid intern.Controller Christy Joy announced the layoff of Sara McDonough, Orwigsburg as accounts examiner and elimination of the position and appointed Mario Basile, Wayne Township. as county auditor, a new position, at $34,435 per year.Human Resources announced the elimination of the temporary interim part time office support position.