A new year equals a newly-formed town council in Prosperity. Monday, the new town officers were sworn in and listeners got a glimpse of the changes to come.

Derek Underwood moved from his position as town councilman to mayor and took the lead being sworn in, then in turn both Mike Hawkins and Allen Gallman, returning, were sworn in as council members. Sitting councilman Chad Hawkins was chosen by the council as mayor pro tem.

The new mayor wasted no time in setting up council member committee appointments, and confirming the terms of some of the paid town staff.

Amongst the appointments for the councilmen were some heading up committees and town functions as they had in the past. Such as: Billy Dawkins taking charge of sanitation, streets and buildings; Allen Gallman heading up the recreation, parks and parades committee. Although Gallman’s committee name grew to include “events.” An addition that Underwood said will more fully reflect and give leadership in town activities such as Prosperity’s Hoppin’ and the newly-installed Halloween event, as well as any more events town leaders see fit to add to the town’s schedule.

Also continuing in familiar ground will be Chad Hawkins reporting on the town’s water and sewer efforts and fire and rescue teams.

To supply an “economic development voice on town council,” Underwood created an economic development appointment for newly-elected councilman Mike Hawkins. Mike Hawkins, who has sat on County Council and on Prosperity’s town council previously, Underwood said he hopes will use his contacts to further the town’s economic interests. He will also head the electrical committee.

Town Clerk/Treasurer Michelle Bundrick and Town Administrator Karen Livingston were both confirmed in their duties indefinitely and unanimously by the new council. Town Attorney Henry Bufkin was likewise confirmed unanimously, to the town attorney’s usual two-year term.

Underwood told Acting Police Chief Benji Sease that the council is “working up a new ordinance” to restructure the town’s police department. He asked the officer to “bear with us another two weeks,” at which point they will bring the ordinance to a vote at the council’s regular monthly meeting. It was intimated that this ordinance would formalize Sease’s relationship/job duties with the department.

Council also voted unanimously to adopt the county guidelines for considering and recommending projects to the Capital Project Sales Tax Commission for the 2010 ballot question.

Underwood urged councilmen to talk to their constituents and to work on writing up the proposals that have been discussed. Those projects would most likely be passed along in the process from Prosperity to county consideration mid-month.

The new mayor ended the meeting talking of his excitement for the future of the town and its new council, saying they are ready to “go forward and let Prosperity prosper.”