Schuylkill County commissioners table property sales

Aug. 2—POTTSVILLE — By a 2-1 vote, the Schuylkill County commissioners Wednesday tabled the sale of five properties after a resident raised questions about the process.

Commissioner Gary J. Hess motioned to table the sale, which was seconded by Chairman Barron L. "Boots" Hetherington. George F. Halcovage Jr. voted no.

Four properties are in Wayne Twp. in the Lake Wynonah community. The other is in Coaldale.

Jeffrey J. Dunkel, of Palo Alto, a frequent critic of the commissioners, had asked that the sale of the properties in Lake Wynonah be tabled.

The bid amount for each of the four properties was $500. JMAC Realty LLC, of Schuylkill Haven, bid on the properties, according to the agenda.

Dunkel said there should be proof as to why the accepted bids were less than the minimum amounts being sought by the Tax Claim Bureau, as was the case.

"They're supposed to occur at the minimum amount, not less than that," he said.

First assistant county solicitor Glenn T. Roth, when asked by Hess about the sales, said the tax claim office has a process by which it accepts "repository offers based on supporting documentation stating that the price that is offered is reasonable."

He said the solicitor's office never reviews repository sales.

The sales were previously approved by the municipalities and school districts, according to the agenda.

But a letter in the file regarding the property at 1206 Wynonah Drive didn't have information if that sale was approved by the Blue Mountain School District.

A letter from James J. McNulty, of JMAC Realty, said the Wayne Twp. parcel failed a perk test, meaning they are unsuitable for septic systems.

However, he provided no proof of that failure from the township in the letter. No one answered the phone at the township office Wednesday.

The Blue Mountain school board agenda for the May 18 meeting and the approved minutes show the board OK'd the sale of the properties for $500 each by an 8-0 vote.

Hetherington said by phone Wednesday that he has confidence in Deborah Dasch, interim tax claim director.

He voted to table the repository sales until next week's meeting because there were questions and allegations, which he said proved to be unfounded.

Next week's commissioners meeting is scheduled for 10 a.m. Thursday, a day later than usual.

Contact the writer: amarchiano@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6023