The mayor and five council members recently begin new terms after being sworn in at Leesburg Town Hall Monday evening, Nov. 5.

During the meeting, Cherokee County Commission Chairman/Probate Judge Melvyn Salter administered the oath of office to Ed Mackey, mayor; Frankie Brewster, Place One council member; Joe Sonaty, Place Two council member; Brandy Pierce, Place Three council member; Wayne Byram, Place Four council member and Brandon Betterton, Place Five council member.

Mayor Mackey welcomed everyone to the organizational meeting and asked Diane Tillery to come to the front so he could thank her for 24 years of service on the town council and presented her with a small token of appreciation from the Leesburg Town Council.

Mackey also made committee assignments. Brandy Pierce will serve as mayor pro tem.

Joe Sonaty will serve as chairperson for parks and recreation, ball fields.

Frankie Brewster will serve as chairperson for Leesburg Landing/RV Park.

Wayne Byram will serve as chairperson for the street department.

Brandy Pierce, sewer department.

Brandon Betterton, police and fire department.

The council adopted Resolutions as follows:

-Resolution 2012-11-05-01 for consideration to appoint Jennifer Mackey as the town clerk/treasurer. The new hours for the clerk will be Monday through Thursday, 36 hours per week.

-Resolution 2012-11-05=02 for consideration to appoint Lanny Ransum as fire chief.

-Resolution 2012-11-05-03 for consideration to appoint Al Shumaker as the town attorney.

-Resolution 2012-11-05-04 for consideration to set council meeting time, date and place.

Council Member Pierce set the new meetings for the fist Monday of each month with workshop at 4:30 p.m. and regular meeting at 5 p.m. at the FEMA Storm Shelter Building.

The council approved Ordinance 2012-11-5-01 for consideration to set Roberts Rule of Order as the Council’s Rule of Procedure.

The council approved Ordinance 2012-11-5-02 for consideration of designating depositories for town funds.

In new business, there was some discussion on the windmill project.

Mackey asked the council for permission to write a letter on behalf of the town opposing the windmill in Cherokee Rock Village.

Mackey would like to have an open forum if needed.

Council Member Betterton moved to let the mayor write the letter to the state representatives and TVA for opposing the one windmill on county property.

Council Member Pierce seconded the motion. It was approved.

The second phase of the industrial access road on Lokey Street is ready to begin.

Cherokee County Highway Department gave a quote of $6,924 for the next phase work.

Council Member Pierce moved to let the highway department start the work. Council Member Byram seconded the motion. It was approved.

The Coyotes building has an offer of $100,000 that was presented to the council.

After some discussion, Mackey requested that the council decline the offer and see what other options the town has on the building.

Council Member Pierce moved to decline the $100,000 offer. Council Member Sonaty seconded the motion. It was approved.

Mackey called Police Officer Chris Vaughn to the front and commended him on a job well done for an altercation he worked for KTH.

The KTH Plant wrote a letter thanking the town and the police department for doing such a great job.

Mackey discussed the need for some repair on the bridge located on Riverside Street.

He is asking several key people to help draw up specs for the project to be bid out and opened at the next meeting of the council.

Council Member Sonaty moved to get the specs and bid the project. Council Member Betterton seconded the motion. It was approved.

There may be a need to move the landing pad in front of the FEMA Building because of the excessive use of the building.

There will be more discussion on this in the near future to decide what the best option is.

The council Christmas Party is scheduled for Dec. 3 following the council meeting.

In other business, the council:

-Approved the minutes of the previous meeting as read.

-Approved after review previous expendituresand payments as presented.