SILVERHILL, Alabama — The introduction of an ordinance to establish a rotation wrecker system, doing away with the town’s existing tier system, sparked discussion during the Silverhill Town Council’s work session on Monday, Oct. 16.
“We no longer have a wrecker yard operating within the town limits,” said Silverhill Police Chief Kevin Brock, “and I’ve talked several wrecker services that say they don’t want to be part of the tier system because they don’t get calls. It just makes more sense to have a regular rotation system at this point.”
Under the proposed rotation system, all motor vehicle wreckers in the corporate limits and police jurisdiction of the town will be placed on a rotation system devised by the chief of police.
Wreckers wishing to be placed on the rotation must apply for and keep a current business license with the town; keep a current liability insurance policy on all vehicles and must comply with the criteria set by the Alabama Department of Public Safety and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations concerning its equipment and facilities.
The wrecker must also maintain its own storage facility, approved by the chief, and must be located within the corporate limits or no more than 10 miles outside the corporate limits.

When it becomes necessary, because of emergency conditions, then the town can request services of the wrecker best able to handle the emergency regardless of the service’s position in the rotation.
Several council members, including Mayor Pro Tem Jarred Lyles, questioned why the change would be necessary.
“In my mind it’s basically the same thing,” Lyles said. “If a wrecker wants to be part of the tier system, they need to sign up and become part of the tier system. Our focus should be on what is best to serve the citizens of our town.”
Mayor Tim Wilson urged both sides to have an open discussion as to whether or not to change the ordinance, which could come up for a vote at a future meeting.
In other business, the council set a meeting for 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30 with the Silverhill Planning Commission to discuss changes to the table of permitted uses to the town’s planning ordinance.
“I think it is best for us to meet with members of the Planning Commission to go over any changes we might have,” Wilson said. “That way there is no confusion.”

In other business Oct. 16, the council:
•Discussed the purchase of property on South Boulevard. Lyles said property owners requested $249,000 for the property, which he felt was high. Based on tax values of the property, Wilson asked if the town could make an offer of $150,000 for the property, along with a tax incentive.
•Heard a presentation from Brandon Thompson of MedStar Air Care requesting the town purchase a membership which would cover employees and spouses. No action was taken at the Oct. 16 meeting.
•Town Library Shirley Stephens informed council members of her recommendation to drop one day from the library’s courier service, which picks up and drops off books from other libraries every Monday and Friday. The library would not be given a choice of which day to drop but, she said, she felt it would make no difference either way.
•Discussed with Brock the possible purchase of a new vehicle for the Police Department using an established equipment fund.
•Continued a discussion of running water lines for a developing property on East Boulevard. Wilson informed resident Sheila Swindle that the town could waive one quarter of the cost to run the water line. The remaining cost would have to be split among the three property owners.