Schuylkill County Commissioners approved a grant application for $1,200,070 to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

The Multimodal Transportation Fund Grant will be used for the replacement of two county bridges in Tremont borough, bridge 22 (Maple Street bridge) and bridge 24 (Line Street). The fund will provide up to 70% with the county match being 30% from future liquid fuels money. Previously, the county received $350,000 toward the project from the grant in 2019. Cost is estimated at $2,214,386.

Approval was also given for Minersville Borough to advertise for a Community Development Block Grant demolition project at 236 Laurel St. Bids are scheduled to be received and read Aug. 3.

Other business

The followings actions were also taken.

• Gary Bender was appointed as a member of the Schuylkill County Redevelopment Authority Board.

• Jessica Dasch was appointed as a field appraiser in the tax assessment office.

• Paul Dimon resigned as a deputy coroner/investigator, and Dianne Ruscavage resigned from the tax assessment office.

• It was announced that Gregory Laurusevage, a maintenance worker, is retiring effective July 30.

• The salary board set the salaries of Kevin Mahall, who was hired as public works director, Dasch, Erin Cuff and Michael Bowman. Cuff, who starts on July 19, and Bowman, whose start date is July 26, were appointed deputy coroner/investigators per the fee schedule.

Mahall’s rate of pay is $49,923 a year. Dasch’s rate is $17.57 per hour.

• The Schuylkill County Commissioners voted to buy two Xerox printers at a cost of $31,966.12. The printers are being purchased through a state purchasing program.

Jeff Dunkel, a Palo Alto resident, questioned the cost.

“Sixteen thousand dollars is absolutely insane for a printer,” he said.

A county employee said the printers are 14 years old.