Attorneys handling civil cases in Carbon County will soon have another option for case management conferences.

On Thursday, the commissioners voted to approve the Carbon County Court of Common Pleas to engage in services of CourtCall of Los Angeles for telephone case management conference services conducted by the court. There is no cost to the county for the new service.Roberta Brewster, court administrator, explained that CourtCall, which supplies remote court appearances to hundreds of courts across the country, came about after members of the bar asked if they could participate in management conferences via telephone instead of having to come to the courthouse.She added that this option saves time because attorneys would schedule a time through CourtCall and would then be in a virtual queue to be called when their case is ready instead of having to wait at the courthouse."CourtCall will allow the attorney to sit in their office and do other things and not have to spend time driving and waiting in the courtroom," Brewster said, noting that it should also cut down on costs for the client as well.Eloise Ahner, county administrator, said that now that the commissioners approved the action, the company will work to get everything installed and will be responsible for the costs associated with the installation.Installation includes equipment, phone lines dedicated to the service, and the coordination of services with the courts.Brewster said that once everything is installed, attorneys handling civil cases, orphans court and register of wills cases; as well as people representing themselves, will be able to utilize the new service for $60 a phone call.The calls will only be available for management conferences for these cases.The installation should take about a month.Brewster said management conferences are a way to help move a case through the system and make sure it doesn't get lost. During a conference, the judge will tell the person what they need to do next to keep the case moving through the system.Commissioner Thomas J. Gerhard reported on the Route 903 bridge project in Jim Thorpe. He said the project is on schedule and crews are building the retaining wall.The board also:• Appointed Joan Chambers of Weatherly to the Housing Authority. Chambers fills the unexpired five-year term, ending Dec. 31, 2015.• Approved a new agreement with Blue Mountain Health System Palmerton Adult Day Services Center through June 30, 2017. The rates are $60.86 a day or $30.34 for a half day, up from $41 a day.• Approved a new agreement with Tamaqua Adult Day Care to continue Adult Day Care services through June 30, 2017. The rates are $60.86 a day or $30.34 for a half day. The rates increased from $52 a day and $26 for a half day.• Adopted a resolution honoring new Eagle Scout Adam Nevenglosky of Boy Scout Troop 744, Nesquehoning.