Hartselle City Attorney Larry Madison, right, leads newly elected board members Dr. James Joy, Randy Sparkman, Monty Vest, Venita Jones and Jennifer Sittason in the oath of office. | Randy Garrison

Brent Maze and Randy Garrison
Hartselle Enquirer

Hartselle’s new mayor and first elected school board have been sworn into office.

Mayor Don Hall took the oath of office alongside his wife to officially take over the position, after Dwight Tankersley decided not to seek a third term earlier this year.

The meeting also marked a milestone, as the first elected school board was sworn in by City Attorney Larry Madison. Councilmen Mike Roberson and Ken Doss took their places alongside current Councilmen Kenny Thompson, Bill Smelser and Tom Chappell.

Smelser was chosen to be the Council President with Thompson serving as President Pro Tempore.

The council also voted to reappoint city clerk/controller Rita Lee, police chief Ron Puckett and fire chief Steve Shelton.

Joy selected as BOE chairman

By a unanimous vote, Joy was voted chairman of the first elected Hartselle School Board its inaugural meeting Monday night following the swearing in ceremony.

Vest will serve as vice chairwoman. Joy took over the gavel from Sittason, who held the position for three years..

Joy also presented to the board the idea of holding work sessions prior to regularly scheduled meetings. Thursdays before Monday meetings was offered as an option. He mentioned it would be good to have additional time to discuss issues especially with the new high school construction.

Joy also proposed giving the public time to address the board by adding an item on the meeting agenda for audience comments. He felt this would help the public feel more accessible to the board. All members supported both proposals. A change in policy would need to be made to allow public comments without being on the agenda. School Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed will have policy available at the first work session for the board to preview.

Vest also asked about changing the for electing board officers. This action will also require a change in policy.

In other business, Jim Maynard of Martin & Cobey Construction said they will need to tap onto Hartselle Utilities for water supply for landscaping at the new high school. The two additional wells will not give the water needed to run the irrigation system.

The first well will provide sufficient water for the ball fields.

However, work on the athletic facility has been stopped until the final cost is determined. Maynard said the timeline is doing well and the contractual finish date of Feb. 7 is still good. The move into the new school is tentatively scheduled around the end of February to mid-March taking place on a weekend.

The board also approved the resignation of Julie Steenson, Federal Program’s Bookkeeper, at the Central Office, and approved Matt Watson as a volunteer wrestling coach.