A bird sanctuary in Wayne Township received a tax exemption on its property from the Schuylkill County Assessments Appeal Board which is conducting hearings on property appeals for the 2013 tax year at the courthouse in Pottsville.

Red Creek Wildlife Center Inc., 300 Moon Hill Road, appealed from the $45,810 market and assessment of $22,905 on its properties located on three acres of ground for an exemption from paying real estate tax. Its reason was that it performs charitable work as the center is used for treatment of birds with West Nile virus. The board approved the exemption request.Other appealsSchuylkill Haven Area School District, through its appeals, was able to increase the assessed valuation in its district by $540,768 in having the board increase the market value on 33 properties on which the board took appeals for increases.Pottsville Area School District, through it appeals, increased the assessment value on properties in its district by $614,540 by having the board increase the market value on 37 properties it appealed.