To further protect courthouse employees and county residents, the Schuylkill County Commissioners held their weekly meeting Wednesday by teleconference. Before the meeting, a phone number was distributed via email and posted on the county website, so that people could listen in and, if they wished, make statements during public comment.

“We’re all working together,” Commissioners’ Chairman George Halcovage said after the meeting. “We’re meeting with the President Judge (William E. Baldwin) every day, because conditions can change every day, even every hour.”

Halcovage said that managers and row office leaders have discussed the best way to keep the courthouse functioning, because at its heart is the need to provide services for county residents.

“Some of our citizens are part of a very vulnerable population,” he said. “We feel we are doing everything we can to keep things running for our citizens, and provide the services they need.”

During the meeting, the commissioners took several actions:

In 911 Communication, entered into an agreement with Candoris Technologies, Annville, for server tech support. The three-year cost is $5,992, and the contract begins April 1, 2020.

In the Public Defender’s office, approved a contract with Richard P. Bindie, MD, for professional services including review of case, evaluation and/or report at a rate of $250 per hour. In-court testimony by Bindie would be paid $500 per hour. The agreement is effective March 1, 2020, through Dec. 31, 2020.