Silverhill adds sterilization fee, waiver to rental agreements

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SILVERHILL, Alabama — The town of Silverhill will continue to offer public building rentals but has added a sterilization fee and will now require those wishing to rent facilities to sign a waiver beforehand.

Mayor Jared Lyles said the move was discussed with council members during the town’s regular meeting on Monday, July 20, stating that they had been in contact with a professional cleaning service, which will charge $150 for weekday cleanings and $250 if they are required to clean on the weekend.

“From now on, town facilities will be cleaned after every use,” Lyles said, “and those fees will be added as a ‘sterilization fee’ as part of the town’s rental agreement.”

Lyles said anyone wishing to rent town facilities must also sign a waiver releasing the town from any responsibility if anyone attending a private event on town property should test positive for coronavirus.

“It’s basically just a standard agreement that a lot of municipalities have adopted,” Lyles said, “which is designed to release the town from liability.”

The town currently offers the Silverhill Community Center and the Little Bohemian Hall to rent for private individuals. Rentals are offered to both non-residents and residents, at a discounted rate.

Lyles said the town council has also decided to suspend senior lunch meetings again after just 13 residents participated in the July 9 lunch. The town had suspended pot-luck meetings in March, but decided to try again with a catered meal after several residents expressed interest.

The town has yet to decide whether or not to cancel the annual Heritage Day Celebration, Lyles said, which was postponed in April to Sept. 19.

“We are going to continue to monitor governor’s orders and CDC guidelines,” he said, “and will make a decision closer to the event.”

In other business July 20, the council approved a right of entry agreement resolution with 3PLAi LLC to provide high-speed internet service to the town.

The company will install equipment on the town’s water tower, Lyles said and, under the terms of the agreement, will provide a minimum of 50 megabits per second download speeds at a cost of no more than $60 per month.

The agreement also includes offering free Wi-Fi at the Community Center and Little Hall and the installation of a solar-powered Wi-Fi hotspot at town hall.

Lyles said the town has also asked for a quote to provide a Wi-Fi boost at town hall.

“Our employees are now required to use their phones a lot more,” he said, “and with town hall being a metal building, it’s oftentimes difficult for them to receive a signal.”

The council also voted to purchase a color business card size ad in the Central Baldwin Magazine, a publication of the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce at a cost of $300.

Town Clerk Nikki Haigler was appointed as election manager for the Aug. 25 municipal election, but following the Tuesday, July 21 deadline it was determined that Lyles and all incumbent council members had qualified unopposed, so no election would be necessary.

It was also announced Monday, July 20 that the town’s new drop box at town hall had been delivered and would soon be installed.