SILVERHILL, Alabama – The Silverhill Town Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve contracts for use of the town’s new Community Center.

At its meeting Nov. 19, the council set prices for the rental of the 3,000 square-foot facility, which held its grand opening Nov. 14.

The Town Council voted unanimously with all members present to set rental rates at $200 for in-town residents and $300 for out-of–town residents. A deposit equal to the rental rate is required.

Court clerk Amy Macon presented the council with a set of rules for the Center, stating that it is a copy of rules set up by the Loxley Civic Center.

The Council set a workshop meeting for Monday, Nov. 26 to discuss the rules and regulations for the Center and Council member Jared Lyles, a practicing attorney, presented the Council with a revised set of rules at Monday’s meeting.

Plans to build a new structure were set in motion following a tornado which ripped through the area, causing damage to several structures, including the Little Bohemian Hall, which had been used as a meeting place for the town for more than 30 years.

After bids to build the structure came in at over $400,000, the town decided to use municipal employees to complete the project. Wilson estimated by using town labor, the structure cost about $230,000 to complete.

The Town received $167,000 from the insurance settlement for the former structure. Depreciation costs have been estimated at $75,000 in additional funding and could be more once the structure is completed, he said.

It was announced at the Town Council’s Dec. 3 meeting that they had received a check from the insurance company and that it would likely cover all expenses.

The 3,000 square foot structure includes a 1,600 square foot meeting room, plus storage space, a fully-equipped kitchen, restrooms and a covered back deck area where the town plans to build picnic tables.

Meanwhile, plans are continuing to rebuild the Little Bohemian Hall, which received extensive damage during a tornado that ripped through the area in March of 2011.

In other business Monday the Council voted not to accept a grant to install a siren system in the town. The $33,920 grant included a cash match by the town of $8,480.

Mayor Tim Wilson told Council members Monday night he would rather use that money to apply for a trail grant to be used on property surrounding Oscar Johnson Memorial Park, which has been donated for use by the town.

The Council also voted Monday to reschedule its scheduled meeting of Monday, Jan. 21 to Tuesday, Jan. 22. Town Hall will be closed on Monday for the Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee holiday.