Laughter filled the room multiple times during the swearing-in ceremony for Westover’s new town council Monday night.

A crowd of about 20 people saw Judge H.L. “Sonny” Conwill swear in Westover’s two new council members, Sam Mann and Andrea Hunter, and four returning members, Jeanne Champion-Fisch, Annette Tyler, Larry Riggins and Mayor Mark McLaughlin.

Conwill presided over the swearing-in with warmth and good humor, saying, “I appreciate people that run (for office) and serve. You will appreciate that it is the most thankless job.”

After the ceremony was over, normal council business resumed. Larry Riggins was voted mayor pro tempore, a development that sent the room into gales of laughter when he was the only one to say “nay” to the motion.

The new council also appointed committee heads. Mann was appointed head of the public safety committee; Riggins was made head of the annexations and development committee; Tyler was made head of the public relations and education committee; Hunter was appointed head of the budget and revenue committee; and Champion-Fisch was made head of the zoning and subdivision committee.

At the end of the meeting, McLaughlin welcomed the new council while thanking the old.

“I would like to say what a pleasure it was to work with the council last term,” he said. “We’re going to accomplish a lot and we’re going to have fun doing it.”

After the meeting, Hunter said she was excited to be a part of the town council and start her first term.

“I’m really excited. I’m ready to serve,” she said. “I’m honored and humbled and I’m ready to work.”