A disagreement arose between the controller and a county solicitor over the duties of the county salary board at a work session of the Schuylkill County Commissioners held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

Controller Melinda Kantner claims the county commissioners by-passed the county salary board in creating new positions in the juvenile probation department. Assistant County Solicitor Edward Brennan claimed no new position was created only positions in the department were reclassified and there was no need to go before the salary board. The salary board comprises of the three commissioneers and controller.After the meeting Kantner told the press she was going to request the state attorney general's office to investigate the action taken by the commissioners.At a public commissioners meeting held two weeks ago the commissioners approved an amendment made to the existing contract the county has with Court Related One Union, which covers employees working under jurisdiction of the court. It began with the retirement of Gwen Holden, of Saint Clair, from the position of fiscal/paralegal administrator.The employee who held the position of secretary I was moved to a reclassified position of fiscal/administrator assistant and the secretary l position was reclassified secretary II.Kantner disagrees with Brennan's interpretation claiming secretary II and fiscal administrator assistant are new positions and that they should have been presented to the salary board to take action to create these positions and also fix the salary for the positions. Kantner claimed these positions previoiusly did not exist.Kantner cited the Pennsylvania Code pertaining to the duties of the salary boards. She quoted the law, "The salaries and compensations for all appointed officers and employees who are paid from the county treasury shall be fixed by the salary board created by this act for such purposes. That respect to representation proceedings before the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board or collective bargaining negotiations involving any or all employees paid from the county treasury."At the recent public meeting Tiffany Schuster, who held the job as secretary 1, was moved to the position of fiscal/administrator assistance and Kasey Baldwin to the position of secretary 11.Salary board meetsThe county salary board held a work session following the commissioners meeting and took action to create a new position at Rest Haven Home and Hospital, a per diem business office manager position and fixed the salary at $25 per hour.Andrew Diehl, Schuylkill Haven, was recommended to be appointed to the position. Action on his appointment was approved by the commissioners at their work session.Other personnel matters approved at the work session on which action will be taken at next week's public meeting were as follows:Rest Haven Home, Laura Manness, Tamaqua, and Lindea Correll, Orwigsburg, appointed as part time nurse's aides and salaries recommended at $11.72 per hour ;and Jennifer Stabinsky, Pottsville, terminated as a part time nurse's aide. Luann Wampler, Auburn, part time licensed practical nurse, and Doreen Houseknecht, New Ringgold, part time nurse's aide, both resigned.Coroner's Office: John Galloway, Klingerstown, named a deputy coroner/investigator on a pro diem basis to fill the vacancy caused by termination of Irvin Blankenhorn, Saint Clair.Office of Senior Services Agency: Margaret Campbell, Frackville, a clerk/typist, is retiring.Adult Probation Department: Carmen Perfetta, Kline Township, adult probatinofficer ll and supervisor, and Mary Elizabeth Laudeman, Minersville, secretary ll retired.Court Administrator: Roberta Domlesky, Minersville, a law clerk and salary recommended $36,065 per year.County Prison: David Reeves, Pottsville, transfered from prison maintenance to correctrion officer and recommended salary at $18.7650 per hour and Ryan Parker, Saint Clair, hired as a correction officer at recommended salary of $15,6375 per hour.