Schuylkill County Controller Melinda Kantner, who acts as secretary of the salary board, made an another attempt to declare a previous public meeting of the board was invalid for lack of a quorum. Her motion was met with silence by Commissioners Mantura Gallagher and Frank Staudenmeier, who sit on the board.

Kantner raised the issue at the meeting held following the commissioners meeting on Wednesday. She made refererence to the last salary board public meeting held two weeks ago. She and Commissioner Francis McAndrew were absent. McAndrew underwent major surgery earlier this month and is now recupperating at home while Kantner was out of town.The salary board is composed of four members, the three commissioners and controller. At the meeting in question only Gallagher and Staudenmeier were present.Gallagher, who was presiding, asked Solicitor Claude A. Lord Shields if they could proceed since only two members were present and was told that a quorum did exist and the meeting proceded. Kantner claims at least three members had to be present to make it a quorum according to what she believes is a majority.No action was taken on her motion the board proceeded with its scheduled business.The board fixed salaries for six reclassifications in the court, set salaries for two newly hired law clerks and approved appointments transfers in other departments which were acted at the commissioners meeting.Retirement boardThe Schuylkill County Employees Retirement Board met at the conclusion of the salary board and Kantner, who serves as its secretary, reported the market value of the fund took another drop from $94,998,796 as of Nov. 30 to $93,841,230 as she checked the fund before the meeting.During the month one member received an annuity of $358,889.25; four members received refunds totaling $30,884.90; two members received rollovers totaling $9,026.65; and four members who passed away left a total of $332.24 remaining annuities.Four of the five members of the board were present, Gallagher and Staudenmeier, Kantner and Treasurer Jacqueline McGovern. Absent was McAndrew.