Schuylkill County commissioners approve demolition contracts, supplemental budgets and senior services grant
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Summary
At a March 18 work session the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners approved three demolition contracts totaling about $155,000, supplemental budget resolutions, a Title XIX senior services grant agreement and several Community Development Block Grant revisions; most motions passed unanimously 3–0.
The Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved multiple demolition contracts, supplemental budget appropriations and a Title XIX senior services grant during a work session in Pottsville.
Commissioners voted unanimously to award a $37,000 demolition contract to Affordable Construction & Demo LLC for 40 N. Main Street in Mahanoy City, a $24,300 contract to the same firm for 326–328 Pleasant Street in Minersville, and a $93,700 contract to Brdaric Excavating Inc. for demolition at 800, 802 and 804 Mahantongo Street in Pottsville. Each motion was moved by Commissioner Barron Hetherington and seconded by Commissioner Gary Hess; Commissioner Larry Padora joined them in recorded roll call votes approving the measures.
The board also approved revisions and change orders tied to Community Development Block Grant projects, including a change order increasing an Arthur “Pat” Aungst, Inc. contract by $22,586 for unforeseen demolition conditions at 26 S. Main Street, Shenandoah. Assistant Coordinator Cheryl Fuss described a series of contract, cooperation‑agreement and line‑item revisions related to demolition and street improvement work in Shenandoah, Mahano[y] and Frackville.
On senior services, the board approved a Title XIX (Medical Assistance support/waiver — information and referral) grant agreement for Oct. 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, for $36,092; Executive Director Deanna Orlowsky told commissioners that the annual funding will decrease by about $28,000 and will convert from an allocation to a reimbursement. Commissioners also approved the reappointment of Georgene Fedoriska to the Office of Senior Services advisory board.
Finance items approved included supplemental budget appropriation resolutions: a prior‑year item (2025‑37) for $294,659 and a current‑year item (2026‑06) for $15,000. The finance office reported other budget adjustments and a small 2025 repair charge for a broken heat exchanger in 911 Communications.
The meeting included other routine administrative requests presented for approval, including an addendum updating per‑trip rates for senior shared‑ride and HSDF trips with the Schuylkill Transportation System and multiple election‑related hires and subcontractor lists for the May 19 primary; those election staffing requests were presented by Elections Director Albert Gricoski. The meeting adjourned following the scheduled agenda.
Votes at a glance - Affordable Construction & Demo LLC — $37,000 (40 N. Main St., Mahanoy City): moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved. - Affordable Construction & Demo LLC — $24,300 (326–328 Pleasant St., Minersville): moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved. - Brdaric Excavating Inc. — $93,700 (800–804 Mahantongo St., Pottsville): moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved. - Title XIX grant agreement (Office of Senior Services) — $36,092: moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved. - Supplemental budget appropriation 2025‑37 — $294,659: moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved. - Supplemental budget appropriation 2026‑06 — $15,000: moved Hetherington, second Hess; vote Padora/Hetherington/Hess — Yes; outcome: approved.
The board’s approvals were procedural votes that advanced demolition and community development work, adjusted county finances, and maintained election planning ahead of the May primary. No contested or split votes were recorded in the motions shown in the transcript.