Two traffic signals on Route 61 are being upgraded as part of the widening project in Schuylkill Haven expected to start next winter.
Schuylkill County owns and maintains the signals at the Route 61 intersections with University Drive, near Penn State Schuylkill in North Manheim Township, and Route 183 near the Manheim Diner.
The county commissioners adopted two resolutions during a public meeting Wednesday to submit the applications to the state Department of Transportation for the new signals.
Both signals will be upgraded with Global Positioning System coordination.
PennDOT proposed widening that stretch of Route 61 from two to four lanes through Schuylkill Haven to improve traffic flow. The project is scheduled to be put out to bid later this summer or early fall with work to start in the winter.
Also Wednesday, the commissioners approved a settlement of three-year long tax assessment dispute between the county and Fairlane Village Mall LLC, Pottsville. The fair market value of the shopping mall's 47-acre property on Route 61 in East Norwegian and Norwegian townships was lowered for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 tax years and then raised this year.
The changes are caused by tenants leaving the shopping center over the last several years and the mall recently adding national retailers Kohl's and Michael's.
According to the agreement, fair market value was set at $10,025,063 for 2010, $9,615,385 for 2011, $8,455,666 for 2012 and $10,483,262 for 2013 and subsequent years.
Fairlane Village Mall LLC originally filed its appeal on Nov. 6, 2009, after the county Board of Assessment Appeals had set the property's fair market value at $10,483,262
The townships and Pottsville Area and Saint Clair Area school districts must also approve the agreement.
At the request of the Office of Senior Services, the commissioners approved a service contract with Accessing Independence, Lancaster, for 21,302 hours of personal care. Rate is $17.72 per hour for a total contract worth of $377,476 and is from March 1 through June 30.
At the Schuylkill County Prison, Richard Emerick, Orwigsburg, retired as a shift lieutenant. He had a salary of $54,991.70. The retirement went into effect April 18 and creates a vacancy at the prison.
Also at the prison, Stanley Moyer, Shamokin, will start as a part-time corrections officer Monday at a rate of $17.
