Hearings were held Tuesday by the Schuylkill County Assessment Appeals Board on appeals from individual property owners seeking reductions or exemptions on properties for tax purposes instead of dealing with a basketfull of appeals brought before the board by school districts seeking higher assessment ratings.

On the appeal of Romie B. Searle, 948 Barnesville Drive, Barnesville, the board ruled no change keeping the market at $114,520 and assessment at $57,260.Karen E. Phillips on her property at 426 E. Water St., Coaldale, had the market value reduced from $31,920 to $16,128 and assessment lowered from $15,960 to $8,110, a drop of $7,750 in assessment on which taxes are calculated.Jonathan and Virginia Seaman, of 2545 Center St., Bethlehem, on their property at 635 Wynonah Drive, Auburn, the board ruled no change keeping the market value at $220,648 and assessment at $110,320.Joe Otto on his property at 118 W. High St., Coaldale, the board ruled no change because he failed to have it appraised and kept the market value at $45,840 and assessment at $22,620.Albert and Lynda Williams, 459 Valley St., Tamaqua, on their property at 27 Coal St., Middleport, formerly the Petrish Bar, the board reduced the market value from $44,780 to $18,552 and assessment from $22,260 to $1,520, a reduction in assessment of $1,740.Moyer Investments LLC, Palmerton, on its property at 6 Village Crossing, West PennTownship, the board ruled no change and retained the market value at $877,800 and assessment at $438,900. The property contains two acres and six single story self storage buildings.Northern Council of Good Governments sought an exemption on a building located along the Morea Road, Mahanoy Township, which is used for storing equiptment. The board held no hearing because they failed to be represented by an attorney as the rules require. Currently the building is valued at $15,000 and assessed at $7,500.Souls Harvest Baptist Church on a building at 15 Clay St., New Philadelphia, sought and received exemption from taxes because it is used as a church, Sunday School and holds Fellowship programs. Its currently held on the tax books a market value of $74,470 and asssessed at $37,485. No decision was made at this time.