Elderly folks in Carbon County will have a smoother road to travel between agencies and services thanks to a new federal program.

Commissioners on Thursday hired Julie Rovinsky-Mann of Jim Thorpe as the county's Link coordinator, retroactive to July 1. Her contract ends June 30, 2013. Rovinsky-Mann will be paid up to $18,000 a year, said commissioner Chairman Wayne Nothstein.The money will come from a $40,000 federal grant."Link is a collaborative effort designed to include access to information and services for those in the Area Agency of Aging who are 60 and older, or those 18-59 who have disabilities," said Commissioner William O'Gurek.Commissioners in March approved a core partners agreement with the Area Agency on Aging, the Center for Independent Living, the Office of Long Term Nursing Care and other providers.Rovinsky-Mann will provide information to the agency and the seniors."There's going to be more efficient referrals, there's going to be consumer tracking, quality control assurances and things of that nature," he said.In other matters Thursday, commissioners:• Approved a letter of understanding submitted by Zelenkofske Axelrod LLC confirming the agreed-upon procedures with respect to audit services to be provided to the county for the year ended Dec. 31, 2011 for a fee not to exceed $58,700;• Approved a 16-day extension on the Spotts Bros. contract for repairs to the courthouse chimney. The extra time is needed to allow a curing period for the pressure mortar surfacing prior to the application of a final protective coating;• Approved Community Development Block Grant projects in Banks Township (street improvements on V Street, T Street and Church Street, to be done by Bruce George Paving and Excavating, Kunkletown, which bid $65,419.24 for the job,) and for Beaver Meadows Borough (water/sewer improvements on Depot Street, to be done by Luzerne County Site Contractors Inc., Hazleton, for $48,403.)