SILVERHILL, Alabama — The Silverhill Town Council voted to allow, at least temporarily, a local business owner to put a sign in the town’s right of way at the intersection of County Road 55 and Alabama 104.

Peggy Davis, owner of Southern Grace Boutique – which is located on County Road 55 in the building with Joan’s Beauty Shop – addressed council members asking for signs to be placed on either side of the intersection.

After a lengthy discussion Sept. 6, which began in the council’s work session and spilled over into the regular meeting, the council voted unanimously to allow Davis to put up one sign during business hours for a period of 60 days.

“At the end of 60 days, if you can prove that the sign has had some positive impact on your business, then we can consider whether or not we want to continue to allow it,” said council member Wayne Gruenloh.

Davis told council members that many of her customers come from the Eastern Shore and have been unable to find her business, which is located a block off of Alabama 104. There is currently a sign with the business’ name on the building.

Signs to help promote the business were placed at the intersection, but were taken down because of possible violations of portions of the town ordinance which pertain to signs.

“It is my understanding that it is basically up to the town’s discretion (whether or not to allow a variance),” said town attorney Josh Myrick. “I would advise in any case that you treat similar businesses in the same way.”

Myrick said by allowing one business in town to put up a sign on the right-of-way, then he would advise giving the same consideration to other in-town business if they request it.

“If there any out-of-town businesses that want to put up signs then I would consider that different and the town could deny that if you so choose,” he said.

Gruenloh stated that if several businesses wanted to put up signs, then the town would have to reconsider whether or not to allow the signs.

“This is simply the first time this request has been made,” he said. “Other businesses in town probably have assumed that they can’t put up a sign, but if they realize they can, I would assume they will request it. Why would you not want that if we are going to allow it?”

Council member Shirley Stephens asked if it would be possible to get a digital sign such as the ones in Robertsdale.

“I would love to do that,” said Mayor Tim Wilson, “but those signs cost about $30,000 and we just can’t afford it.”

Gruenloh made a motion to allow one sign during business hours for 60 days, which was approved unanimously by the council. Members Jared Lyles and Mike Allegri were not present for the meeting.

In other business Sept. 6, the council approved canvass meeting minutes from Aug. 30 with no changes reported in the results from the Aug. 23 election following the addition of provisional ballots.

Both incumbent Mayor Tim Wilson and challenger Shirley Stephens received four provisional votes with Wilson receiving three absentee votes and Stephens receiving two absentee votes. Wilson retained his seat with 113 total votes to Stephens’ 104.

In Place 2, Steve Williams received an additional five provisional votes and four absentee votes for a total of 152 votes to receive a majority of votes over opponent Alan Norden, who received three provisional votes and one absentee vote, for a total of 61 votes. Incumbent Mike Allegri did not seek re-election in Place 2.

In Place 5, which will be vacated by mayoral candidate Shirley Stephens, Steve Brooks received a majority of the votes, adding three provisional and three absentee votes to bring his total to 140. Opponent Rebel Hill received five provisional votes and two absentee votes for a total of 75 votes.

Jared Lyles and Wayne Gruenloh both retained their seats unopposed.

Also at the Sept. 6 meeting, the council:

• Adopted an ordinance to update the town’s personnel policy.

• Adopted an ordinance to update the travel policy for town employees.

• Approved a request from the Silverhill School Parent Teacher Association for a platinum sponsorship at a cost of $500.