SILVERHILL, Alabama — Silverhill will be looking to hire a new town clerk following the resignation of Patricia Bankester at the town council meeting Monday, Nov. 16.

“It was definitely a shock to everyone,” said Silverhill Mayor Tim Wilson. “She is a good person and a great employee. This is going to be a big loss for our town.”

Bankester, a native of Mobile and a resident of Loxley, was hired as a part-time temporary assistant to Town Clerk Bonnie McNeil in March of 2008 before taking over the position following McNeil’s retirement in May of 2009.

“The decision to leave has been a very difficult one,” Bankester said in an interview on Wednesday, citing health concerns as part of the reason for her resignation. “It’s something I’ve been wrestling with for a long time.”

Bankester said she appreciated Wilson and the town council for giving her the opportunity to work as the town clerk.

“I have nothing but good things to say about everyone I work with,” she said. “This truly is a great place to work and a great place to be.”

In addition to working with the town, Bankester said, she appreciated the opportunities she has had working with the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce and the Alabama League of Municipalities.

“Being able to work with people and help people has definitely been the best part of this job,” she said.

Bankester’s resignation is effective Nov. 30, but she said she will stay on as long as it takes to hire and train her replacement.

Bankester and her husband Samuel have two grown children, Kathryne and her husband Nick Monk; and Joseph and his wife Shannon Bankester, and two grandchildren.

In other business Monday, the council tabled action on proposed changes to the town’s ordinance regarding garbage pickup.

In June, council members agreed to make changes to the town ordinance after complaints surfaced over residents putting garbage out in bags and loose boxes.

Council members agreed to have the ordinance modified, taking out language referring to plastic bags, making it a requirement for garbage to be placed in waterproof containers with a lid. Language was also be added regarding fines for noncompliance.

Discussion of making further changes to the ordinance surfaced after Police Chief Kim Wasdin reported concerns over keeping people in compliance with the new ordinance.

“This is just going to be nearly impossible to enforce,” Wasdin said at a town council meeting in September.

The council met in a special workshop meeting on Nov. 9 to discuss changes to the ordinance, agreeing to add a section about compliance, along with additional language in the ordinance.

Wilson asked council members to look over the changes and bring their concerns to the next town council meeting on Dec. 7.

The council also voted to table action to move a right of way on property owned by Christian Faith Assembly which would allow for church expansion.

The matter was tabled after attorney Josh Myrick who represents the town in legal matters, asked to look over the procedures for moving the right of way.

“I don’t think anyone here has a problem with what you are trying to do,” Myrick told representatives from the church at Monday’s meeting. “I just need to make sure that all of the proper procedures are followed in making it happen.”