The Chilton County Commission started a new term on Wednesday with six of the seven commissioners returning and one newcomer, Shannon Welch, filling the seventh spot.

A swearing in ceremony took place for the commissioners prior to the morning commission meeting with Chilton County Probate Judge Bobby Martin leading the ceremony.

“I would like to acknowledge these commissioners for being willing to stand up as leaders for this county,” Martin said.

The meeting opened with attorney John Hollis Jackson taking nominations for a new commission chairman to serve in the new term.

Commissioner Tim Mims who has served as commission chairman for the last four years said he had no desire to serve as chairman anymore and nominated Commissioner Allen Caton for the position.

The commissioners unanimously voted to approve Caton as commission chairman and Commissioner Joe Headley as vice chairman. Caton said he wanted to thank all of the commissioners for entrusting him to be chairman.

“I will call all of the commissioners with any issue that comes up and I just appreciate being elected to serve as chairman,” Caton said. “We are a good group of commissioners and we not only work well together, but we are good friends with one another.”

Caton recognized commissioner Bobby Agee who will have served 28 years on the commission at the end of the current term and commissioner Heedy Hayes for 24 years at the end of the term.

County Litter Agent Libby Ratliff addressed the commissioners with concerns of how the Chilton County Humane Society was handling cases bringing in animals from the county.

Ratliff told commissioners after picking up a dog on the side of the road and bringing it to the humane society she was told she would have to pay $40 for any animal coming from outside Clanton, Jemison, Maplesville or Thorsby.

“There needs to be something done because the concept of being humane is to keep the animal from being on the street,” Ratliff said. “If someone doesn’t want to pay the $40, they have to take the animal back to the street.”

Caton said there seemed to be confusion about the amount of funding coming from the county to the humane society and recommended Chilton County Humane Society director Scott Missildine be invited to the upcoming commission meeting.

“I think it would be good to clear up some confusion,” Caton said.