A settlement on an appeal from a market value placed on a former Catholic church building in Coaldale was approved by the Schuylkill County Commissioners at their public meeting held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown had appealed in the county court after the ruling by the county assessments appeal board, which removed from exemption of real estate taxes on the building at 225 W. Phillip St., Coaldale, known as Saint John's Baptist Church, it was no longer used as a house of worship after the diocese discontinued holding services there.After negotiations between the diocese and county attorney Frycklund, an agreement was reached that the removal from exemption remains in force and the market value of the property was set at $40,000. However, the church is reported to have negotiated the sale of the building for $26,500 so the market value was revised to reflect the sale price.Sue countyOn behalf of the county solicitor's office, the commissioners approved entering into a professional services contract with Lavery, Faherty, Young and Patterson, P.C., of Harrisburg, to serve as special counsel representing the county in a law suit filed by Dutchmen MX Park, LLC, which operates a tavern in Washington Township.The contract calls for a fee of $145 per hour mixed rate for Lavery and for any other associates who will assist him in the litigation, plus $75 per hour for paralegals assisting the firm's attorneys, plus associated costs to include the filing fees, faxes, courier services, travel expenses, photocopying, postage, computerized legal research and business meals to be capped at 120 hours.The suit challenges in federal court the county's zoning ordinance on its restrictions placed to hold adult entertainment, claiming it is unconstitutional.Normally a request is made for a zoning permit and if a special exception or variance is needed a hearing is held by the Schuylkill County Zoning Hearing Board.The operators of the tavern are by-passing the normal procedure and filed the suit in federal court, challenging the constitutionality of the county zoning law.The operators of the tavern seek to introduce nude dancing and other types of dancing. The township falls under the county zoning law because it does not have its own zoning board. Recently the matter was raised in a meeting of the township supervisors where many residents voiced their objections.To canvass ownersCounty treasurer Jacqueline McGovern, whose office sells dog licenses, was notified by the Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement, that it will be sending agents into the county during the month of June to canvass county residents who own dogs to see if they are licensed, vaccinated and safe.Rabies vaccinations are required for all dogs and any cat (that enters a human dwelling) over 3 months of age.Dog tags may be purchased at the treasurer's office at the courthouse in Pottsville, at the AAA office at 202 E. Broad St. and Toms Auto and Marine Store, S. Greenwood St. and Mountain Ave., Tamaqua; and at the Standard Drug Store, 322 Hancock St., McAdoo.State law requires that all dogs 3 months of age and older be licensed by Jan. 1 of each year. The fee is $6.45 for each spayed or neutered dog and $8.45 for other dogs. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities may purchase a license for $4.45 for spayed and neutered dogs and $6.45 for other dogs.The maximum fine per violation of the licensing requirements and rabies law is $300 plus court costs. Also all dogs must be under control and not permitted to run at large.Seek grantsApproval was given to the engineering department to submit a grant application to the Federal Highway Administration for the 2011 NHCBPP (National Historic Covered Bridge Preservation Program) to rehabilitate the county covered bridge which carries Newswanger Road over Lower Little Swatara Creek in Washington Township.According to county engineer Lisa Mahall this bridge is one of the county's two remaining covered bridges and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 3, 1978. The estimated total cost of restoration is $1,387,959.The county owns the road which leads from SR61 in North Manheim Township to Schuylkill Campus of Penn State University. A contract was awarded for paving and pothole patching of the road by Tropp Contracting Inc., Pottsville, at a cost of $18,950. Tropp was the lowest bidder.A contract was entered with Digital Leasing (a division of Advanced Business Equipment) in Allentown for copier service for the county at a cost of $1,652 per month. The agreement is for 60 months and expires May 31, 2016.The county approved a contract with McClure Company, Harrisburg, to replace the cooling tower a the courthouse to make it more energy efficient which will allow the county to qualify for some energy rebates.Commissioner Mantura Gallagher announced the courthouse will be closed Monday, May 30, in observance of Memorial Day.