SILVERHILL, Ala. — While the well project for the Town of Silverhill has been completed, the ongoing saga which began more than 2 1/2 years ago is not yet over.

At Monday’s Silverhill Town Council meeting, the council voted to pay its monthly bills, but voted to table payment of $66,919.37 from Layne Central until council members could discuss the payment.

When the matter was brought up under new business, council members immediately voted to go into executive session to “discuss pending litigation.”

After meeting with the town’s attorney for about 30 minutes, the council returned to its regular business without further discussion of the matter.

At its Dec. 17, 2007 meeting, the council rejected a contract request by Bill Van Pelt with Layne Central to extend the bid contract for the town’s well.

According to the bid contract, Layne Central had until Oct. 30 to complete the project. The Town Council voted at its Nov. 19 meeting to extend the contract 30 days from that point.

Van Pelt came before the council on Dec. 17 asking for a 117-day contract extension, presenting a report of activity on the project to the council.

Van Pelt said much of the delay in the project came from part fabrication, stemming from changing the well from 400-gallon to 600-gallon per day capacity.

But council members expressed concern about the lack of work done on the project, particularly from August to October.

“Essentially we’re talking about two months when no work was done,” said Council member Steve Brooks at the December meeting. “I really don’t think you’ve adequately explained to me why this project isn’t done, and now you’re asking us for more time which will mean we will be waiting nearly a year for a project which should have been completed in six months.”

The council voted in April to approve a bid contract to replace the town well, which has been out of commission since October of 2005.

Under law, if the contract is not completed in the time allowed, the town could petition for liquidated damages.

In October of 2005 the town council voted to declare a state of emergency after the well, located at the Silverhill Ball Park behind Little Hall, was shut down.

Van Pelt and Layne-Central was hired by the council to inspect the well pump after sand was found in the well. Van Pelt came before the council at its Oct. 17, 2005 meeting, saying that upon inspection, the well needed to be replaced.

The town operated successfully with one well for over two years until the project was completed earlier this year.

In other business, Town Clerk Bonnie McNeil informed the council at Monday’s meeting that insurance rates for town employees would be increasing from $295 a month to $319 a month for single coverage, and from $759 a month to $822 a month for family coverage, an increase of over 8 percent for both plans.

Council members asked McNeil to look into what other area municipalities pay and alternatives for insurance providers and present a report at the next council meeting for consideration. The town currently receives Blue Cross/Blue Shield covereage.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Scheduled a work meeting for 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 27 to discuss water rates, land use permits and impact fees.

— Authorized Chief Kim Wasdin to attend a Chief’s Conference June 30 to July 2 in Mobile.

— Authorized the purchase of a copy machine for Wasdin at a cost of about $200.