The newly sworn Thorsby mayor Robert Hight and Town Council members gathered for their first meeting on Monday.

The first order of business was naming Neil Benson as Mayor Pro-Tem, a title that he had also held for the past four years.

Public Works Director Terry Jackson updated the Council on the town’s water situation during this continued drought.

“I don’t want to create an alarm, but we may need to start considering conserving where we get the chance,” Jackson said.

According to Jackson, the water level is gradually dropping at the current rate of about an inch per week.

“We’re in good shape with our water level, but it’s been a steady progression and we don’t know how long it will last.”

Jackson also announced to the Council that all of the traffic lights in town along U.S. 31 have been installed with LED lights.

Fire Chief Lee Gunn informed the Council that he attended a Local Emergency Planning Meeting in October.

According to Gunn, the meeting was made up of representatives from St. Vincent’s Hospital and other emergency departments. It went over preparation in case of a winter weather emergency.

Chilton County EMA Director Derrick Wright is looking into churches that could serve as possible shelters in Thorsby in the case of an emergency.

“We haven’t really had need for one in the past,” Gunn said. “But it is best to be prepared for anything.”

Chasity Chapman has spent time as the president of the parks and recreation board and is a new addition to the Council.

Much of her first meeting involved a lot of listening and learning as she settles into the position.

“I’ve learned that you can’t make everyone happy, but I hope that I can stand for what the town wants and help put it into play,” Chapman said.

In other news from the meeting, the Council:

• Scheduled this year’s Christmas parade for Dec. 3 beginning at 9 a.m.
• Approved to reappoint the town’s department heads.
• Approved to pay the town’s bills.
• Approved the minutes from the previous Council meeting and a pair of meetings pertaining to the Thorsby Swedish Festival.