SILVERHILL, Ala. — Riviera Utilities will be doing some rewiring in the town of Silverhill to replace outdated existing wiring.

Bob Sanders and Adam Ellenburg from Riviera Utilities presented a plan to replace existing power lines and poles in the town to the Silverhill Town Council Monday night.

“What you have now is, in many cases dangerous and there is no doubt it will need to be replaced,” Sanders said. “But we don’t want to do anything without the town’s approval.”

Much of the rewiring will require replacing old wooden poles with new concrete poles, Sanders said. Existing outdated power lines will also be replaced with heavier, more durable lines.

Riviera will also provide a direct feed to its main plant in Foley. The company also has plans to eventually replace the substation on West Street.

Sanders said the route chosen was designed to keep tree cutting to a minimum. The power company will have to cut down three large water oaks that town officials agreed probably needed to be cut anyway, along with several smaller undergrowth trees.

Sanders said Riviera Utilities would be willing to donate several live oaks to the town, “as long as you promise you won’t plant them within 30 feet of a power line.”

The council voted 4-1 to send a letter to Riviera approving the proposal with Council members John Ullrich, Shirley Stephens, Michael Allegri and Mayor Tim Wilson voting for the measure. Council member Jared Lyles voted against the measure. Council member Steve Brooks was not present at Monday’s meeting.

Lyles asked about the possibility of running underground power lines, but Sanders said that it would be too cost prohibitive.

“It would cost at least $1,000 per foot more to run underground lines,” he said.

In other business Monday, the council approved the application for a Alabama Department of Community Affairs grant for the police department.

The $25,000 grant would allow the town to purchase a 2009 Dodge Charger fully equipped for a total of $5,490 out of pocket expenses to the town.

The new vehicle would allow the town to put one of its older cruisers up for sale as surplus, while another older vehicle would be used just for transportation to court appearances.

The council also approved $450 for meal expenses for Central Baldwin Middle School to use on a trip to TSA National Competition June 28 through July 2 in Orlando, Fla

Kathryn Bankester, a student who is among those from CBMS competing in the National contest, spoke at Monday night’s council meeting.

The CBMS TSA group has competed in state competition for the last seven years at Faulkner State Community College in Bay Minette, she said.

In those seven years CBMS has advanced to National competition four times, traveling to Denver, Chicago and Nashville in previous years.

Of the 43 total students, seven are from Silverhill. Students are given a $20 a day meal allowance. The $450 will pay for the seven students meal allowance for the three days of the competition.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Passed Resolution No. 402, 403 and 404 granting a 3.5 percent cost of living raise to town employees.

— Voted to meet with accountant Carl Johnson to go over the town’s audit at 5:30 p.m. May 5.

— Rejected a proposal to purchase advertising with WHEP radio.

— Waived gas tapping fees of $300 for the county highway barn.

— Purchased a 1,000 fuel tank for the town at a cost of $1 with the stipulation that the town buy gas from the company that provided the tank.