WESSON – Three new aldermen took their places on the Town BoardTuesday as the mayor and board of aldermen were sworn in duringceremonies at Town Hall.

Ward Four Alderman Bobby Britt, Ward One Alderman KennethRoberts and Alderman-at-Large Van Graham were sworn in by Judge EdPatten as new members while Mayor Alton Shaw, Ward Three AlderwomanLura Greer and Ward Two Alderman John Welter Jr. went in foranother term.

“I think we have a very bright future,” said Shaw. “I believe wewill all work together well in the next four years.”

After the ceremony and reception, board members approved thetown’s department heads in a brief meeting.

Those approved to continue to serving in their currentcapacities were Steve Carlisle as police chief, Mark Brown aspublic works director, Randle Drane as fire chief, Linda Dykes asmunicipal clerk, Chris Arledge as municipal judge, Dudley Lamptonas municipal attorney and Bob Lawrence as municipal prosecutor.

The board also voted to keep Greer as mayor pro tem.

In other business, aldermen voted to align with state lawregarding the retirement policy for town employees.

Since January, full-time town employees were required to pay aportion and the town paid a portion of their retirement, whilepart-time employees paid both portions. Shaw said he recentlydiscovered that part-time employees were not supposed to pay thetown’s portion.

The five part-time employees will be reimbursed for the moneythey contributed as the town’s portion.

Also, the board voted to use another fine collection agency, SCServices, to work on collection on police fines. The change wasmade because officials were not happy with the performance of anagency they hired several months ago.

“We receive 100 percent of what we’re owed and they (the agency)can go over the top and charge a 25 percent fee that they cankeep,” said Shaw.

Shaw said he liked the new company, based in Florida, because itwould be able to report to the credit bureau those who did not payfines.