Schuylkill County Commissioners opened bids for the first property demolition project under a recent $1.4 million grant through the state Department of Community and Economic Development.

The project will tear down a blighted vacant home at 3 E. Sunbury St., Minersville.Commissioners may award the job when they meet next week. The bids are Ferinand & Diminick Contracting, Danville, $60,000; AMC Enterprise, Frackville, $64,549; Brdaric Excavating, Luzerne, $69,637; Northeast Industrial Services, Shamokin, $64,444; Insinger Excavating, Dushore, $81,840; Affordable Construction & Demolition, Coal Township, $52,700; and Arthur "Pat" Aungst, Pine Grove, $70,917.Commissioners approved a cooperation agreement with Coaldale, Girardville, Tamaqua, Frackville and Ashland for demolition projects.The projects had been included under the Community Development Block Grant program, said County Administrator Gary R. Bender.However, the requirements are different for the Department of Community and Economic Development grant.In other business, commissioners approved New Philadelphia's request to terminate its lease with the county for drop off recycling containers.The borough is starting curbside recycling, which Commissioners Chairman George F. Halcovage Jr. said the county hopes all municipalities will eventually do.