The Schuylkill County commissioners approved stipulations reached in four appeals on real estate tax assessments as imposed recently by the assessments appeals board. The stipulations are the result of extensive negotiations between the county solicitor and the property owner filing the appeal. In action was taken at a public meeting held Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville.

Based upon the affected taxing districts' review of comparable sales and an expert appraisal opinion obtained by the taxpayer the parties will stipulate for court approval to a decrease in the aggregate fair of the property known as Pines Motel, located on aproximately 5.4 acres in Rush Township, from $378,398 to $287,250, effective as of Jan. 1, 2012, for the tax year 2012.The board will stipulate to a decrease in the aggregate fair market value of a single-family home of Nicole S. Lord, located on a 0.11 of an acre lot in Port Carbon, from $72,720 to $38,000 effective Jan. 1, 2012. for the tax year 2012.The board will stipulate that effective Jan. 1, 2012, for the tax year 2012 and thereafter, the property formerly identified as former Cardinal Brennan High School, in Butler Township, the property of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Allentown will no longer be exempt from real estate taxation and the new fair market value will be set at $850,000 for tax assessment purposes.The board will stipulate that the hangar building acquired by the Schuylkill County Airport Authority last Sept. 9 rendered the property immune from taxation and that the fair market value will remain at $28,290 for assessment purposes, but effective Jan. 1, 2012, for the tax year 2012 and for so long as it is owned by the airport authority it qualifies for tax immunity.Honor fire companyA proclamation was adopted marking the 125th anniversary of the American Hose Company Number Two of Mahanoy Plane, Gilberton.The company recently celebrated its anniversary with a fall festival featuring ethnic food, entertainment, a fire and emergency apparatus parade and a Great Pumpkin Float. The company was organized after a disastrous fire at the Mahanoy Plane coal hauling operation area on Jan. 31, 1886.On behalf of the Juvenile Justice Department approval was given to purchase a service agreement contract with Berks County Youth Center for detention and shelter at a cost of $342.70 per day for detention beds and $224.25 per day for shelter beds for youths housed from the county in the youth center.Michael McCord, who was defeated for re-election as Register of Wills, was appointed by the commissioners to serve on the board of the Schuylkill County Transportation Authority to fill a vacancy on the board until Dec. 31, 2012, caused by the resignation of Brian Canfield.Approval was given the election bureau to move the polling place located in the Pottsville, Second Ward, Second Precinct, from John S. Clark Elementary Center to the P.J. McGeever Center at 943 Fairmont Avenue.Contracts approvedFive contracts were approved for Rest Haven Home and Hospital.A contract with Advance Medical Staffing, Reading, for provision of temporary nurse staffing; with Prostat, Reading, for temporary nurse staffing; with Healthcare Service Group, Bensalem, for provision of housekeeping and laundry management services; with Pat Davis, Pottsville, for provision of health care services to residents at the home; and with Thyssenrupp Elevator Company, Allentown, for maintenance and support of two elevators.A contract was approved with Anthracite Regional Center for Independent Living (ARCIL), Hazleton, as a one stop resource for anyone interested in information related to aging and disability issues. ARCIL will be responsibile for the fiscal management of the program. The Pennsylvania Department of Aging for the maintenance of the resource center.Contracts were approved with Jewish Family Sevices, Harrisburg, and with Open Door, Orlando, Fla., to provide foster care and motherhood foster care for clients from the county on behalf of the Children and Youth Services Agency.Personnel mattersThe commissioners approved appointments and transfers in various departments.Severine Setlock-Yenashosky, Saint Clair, transferred from Human Resource Department to position as administrative secretary in planning and zoning department at a salary of $14.9043 per hour; and Shelly-Smith Moyer, North Manheim Township, transferred from parttime clerk in treasurer's office to office support and secretary in Human Resources Department at $13.4440 per hour.Bridget Gaughan, West Mahanoy Township, was appointed a caseworker at $16.7612 per hour and Travis Yeager, Cass Township, appointed a caseworker at $16.1944 per hour in Children and Youth Services Agency. It was announced Nadine Galloway, Coaldale, a caseworker with the agency, resigned.Ellen March, Pottsville, was appoined a per diem court attendant at $8.8441 per hour; Attorney Evangelo Theodosopoulos, Philadelphia, was appointed a law clerk for incoming County Judge James P. Goodman; and Attorney Kay Hennessy Seven, Auburn, as law clerk for President Judge William E. Baldwin, at $43,064 each.Rest Haven Home -Jacqueline Troy, Schuylkill Haven, retired as a part time head nurse; Joan Gaumer, Cumbola, was appointed as part time licensed practical nurse at $15.99 per hour; Sheena Witman, Orwigsburg, appointed as part time general practical nurse at $15.0580 per hour; Dawn Yost, Schuylkill Haven, transferred from part time switchboard operator to full time accounts clerk at $12.50 per hour; Jessica Wolfe, Pottsville, transfereed from part time nurse's aide to full time at $12.3734 per hour; Rebecca Worth, Schuylkill Haven, transferred from part time nurse's aide to full time nurse's aide at $11.72 per hour and Melynda Freeman, Schuylkill Haven, transferred from full time nurse's aiode to full time housekeeper at $14.7283 per hour.Megan Hayes, Branch Township, appointed temporary clerk in treasurer's office at $7.7200 per hour.