SILVERHILL, Ala. — The town of Silverhill is experiencing further delays in getting the town back at full water capacity.

The Silverhill Town Council voted in April to approve a bid contract to replace the town well, which has been out of commission since October of 2005. According to the bid contract, Layne Central had until Oct. 30 to complete the project, but the company is asking the council for a 90-day contract extension.

While some delays could be the result of engineering difficulties, engineer Chad Jordan, who was present at Monday’s meeting, said not all the delays can be blamed on engineering.

Bill Van Pelt with Layne-Central was not present at Monday’s meeting, but Council member Steve Brooks said concerns were expressed during a conversation he had with Van Pelt.

“I don’t want to be a jerk in this situation,” Jordan said. “But he’s accusing me of a lot of things that just aren’t true.”

Jordan said no work on the well was done during June and July and no work has been done since mid-October on the project.

“I don’t want to presume anything, but the delay could also be accounted for by the fact that no work was done during that time,” he said.

Jordan said there were some engineering issues, mostly stemming from the fact that the council voted to increase the well capacity from 400 gallons per minute to 600 gallons per minute.

“My recommendation would be to give him 30 days, but that’s it,” Jordan said.

The council voted unanimously to extend the contract 30 days, retroactive to Oct. 30.

Mayor Tim Wilson also expressed concerns of how the delay would effect the $300,000 ADECA grant obtained to help pay for well construction. Jordan said he did not think there would be an effect from the delay, but he would check into it.

So far, the council has only paid Van Pelt for work completed on the project and, according to the contract, will pay for only work completed. Under law, if the contract is not completed in the time allowed, the town could petition for liquidated damages.

“I have never had to do that with a contract,” Jordan said. “It is a long, drawn out process and it’s just easier to negotiate a settlement. I am willing to work with them and compromise as much as we can.”

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 of 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 Oct. 17 saying that upon inspection, the well needed to be replaced.

With the well out of commission, that leaves just one well, located behind the Silverhill Town Hall, providing water service for the town.

By law, the town has to operate at half capacity of 400 gallons per minute. Normally each well provides 200 gallons per minute, but without the services of one of the wells, that means the other well is now forced to pump at full capacity.

In other business, the town council voted to provide longevity gift bonusses to town employees. Under the town’s personel policy, bonusses are given each year to town employees based on how long they have worked with the town. Employees who have served one to four years receive a $200 bonus, employees who have served five to nine years receive $400; a $600 bonus is given to employees who have been with the town for 10 to 14 years, with an $800 bonus for employees with more than 15 years on the job. Part-time employees are given a $50 bonus. The longevity gift program does not include temporary employees.

In other business Monday, the council:

— Agreed to appoint Jim Langley to the town’s Planning Commission.

— Received the annual court report from clerk Amy Macon.

— Voted to appoint Mary deLaunay as the town’s representative to the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce.

— Announced the the town’s Christmas party would be Monday, Dec. 3 at Little Hall, following the town council meeting.

— Voted to allow Chief Kim Wasdin to provide snacks for officers during a training program hosted by the town on Monday, Dec. 3.

— Voted to move utility bill deadlines from the 10th of every month to the 15th. The change will likely not take effect until the January billing.