Contracts were approved for a number of agencies and departments by the Schuylkill County commissioners at their public meeting held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

On behalf of the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Program an early intervention infants, toddlers and families medicaid waiver contract was entered with LG Intervention Specialists Inc. to provide speech pathology, physical therapy and occupational therapy at $31.75 quarter hour and special instruction at $27.99 quarter hour.On behalf the Office of Public Safety a professional services agreement was entered with Essential Management to complete Schuylkill County's tri-annual consolidated wireline and wireless 9-1-1 plan as mandated by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Scott Krater, director, explained this agreement will total $21,000 starting August 24 and ending upon the plan approval by PEMA and no county funds will be expended as expenses are reimbursable under Act 78.On behalf of Adult Probation Department a fee for service agreement was entered with Alere Toxicology Services to provide the adult probation department with drug testing supplies, laboratory testing, shipping forms, test confirmations and result reports.For the Emergency Management Agency an addendum was approved to a contract with CDI Infrastructure, doing business as L. R. Kimball and Associates, to increase the contract term to extend to Nov. 30, which is the closing date for the 2009 Department of Homeland Security Interoperable Communications grant.An agreement was entered on behalf of the Real Estate and Engineering Department with Benesch and Company for professional services to provide engineering design repairs to the county bridge which carries Black Creek Road over Mahanoy Creek in Barry Township. The cost for professional services is $27,700, however, if a wetland delineation is necessary the cost will be an additional $2,500.Other businessThe commissioners approved the advertisement of bids to furnish and install an uninterruptible power supply for the control and illumination of the county's seven traffic signals in North Manheim Township. Bids will be accepted by the controller's office until 3 p.m. Sept. 19 and will be opened at the commissioners public meeting on Sept. 21.Approval was also granted to advertise a public meeting for Oct. 12 for the purpose to get input from citizens on the community development and housing needs in the county. The meeting will be held in the commissioners office following a regular meeting.Also, approval was given to advertise a fair housing resolution as required under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.Action taken on personnel matters were:Children and Youth Services Agency - Hired were Heidi Yeastedt, Pottsville, and Legh Ann Reed, Deer Lake, caseworker 1 at $16.1944 per hour; Carlene Harman, Joliet, and Victoria Brink, South Manheim Township, clerk typist 2, $12.1130 per hour; and Debra Fridirici, Schuylkill Haven, social services aide 2, $12.1130 per hour.Rest Haven Home - Crystal Wallick, Hamburg, hired as part time registered nurse at $20.69 per hour and Doreen Abode, Stewartsville, N.J., transferred from part time to full time licensed practical nurse at $17.3882 per hour.Planning and Zoning Department - Lois Lynch, Pottsville, secretary, retiring.Treasurer's Office announced hiring Shelly Smith-Moyer, North Manheim Township, as a part time clerk at $13.3086 per hour.Rest Haven Home announced hiring Laura Mengel , Leesport, as an unpaid social service intern and the resignations of Laurie Lockman, Schuylkill Haven, as part time nurse's aide trainee, and Cynthia Nodoline, Pottsville, as part time licensed practical nurse.Tax Claim Bureau announced Shelly Morrison, Seltzer, Norwegian Township, resigning as assistant director.Commissioner Mantura Gallagher announced there would be no commissioner meeting next Wednesday which is the fifth Wednesday of the month. The commissioners alternate weekly their work sessions and public meetings. The next work session is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 7.